Jack Thomas appointed to Southern Economic Development Council Board of Directors
ATLANTA, Georgia & LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (January 17, 2023) — The Southern Economic Development Council, North America’s oldest and largest regional economic development association, has named Jack Thomas to its Board of Directors.
Thomas is Vice President of Economic Development at the Little Rock Regional Chamber. In this role, Thomas leads a team of economic development professionals tasked with business attraction, business retention and expansion, small business and entrepreneurial development, diversity initiatives, and workforce development. Thomas also facilitates the Metro Little Rock Alliance (MLRA), a twelve-county economic development organization marketing Central Arkansas.
Prior to joining the Chamber, Thomas worked at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) as senior project manager in the business development division. In this position, he worked with companies such as Fiocchi, Hostess, Nucor, Sig Sauer, and Weyerhaueser on investments in Arkansas.
Thomas will join 35+ colleagues on the 17-state SEDC Board. He will serve a 1-year term and assist in the development, measurement, and governance of all Council economic development and association operations.
“It’s no secret that companies from across the world have identified the American South as the premier location for investment,” said Thomas. “I’m honored to join this distinguished organization and impressive group of professionals as we strive to better position our region for jobs and investment.”
“The Council Board reflects the sophisticated SEDC network that has built the world’s 3rd largest and the best-positioned economy,” stated SEDC President Matt Tackett. “We congratulate newly announced Directors and thank our leadership for an impactful commitment to accelerated progress in the American South.”
Thomas joins Gary Troutman, President and CEO of the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and Metro Partnership, as a designee from the State of Arkansas to serve on the Board of Directors.
About the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC)
SEDC is the oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America. Founded in 1946, the Council is a nonprofit membership organization of 900+ active and influential economic development professionals representing: local, regional, and state economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, business and industry, utilities, transportation, finance, and education. Through conferences and meetings, research and publications, networking, and educational opportunities, SEDC enables members to advance their common interest – the promotion and enhancement of the economic development profession. For more information, visit www.sedc.org.
About the Little Rock Regional Chamber
The Little Rock Regional Chamber is the principal business-driven leadership organization responsible for fostering the economic growth and development of the Little Rock region to ensure that business and industry may operate profitably and enhance the earning opportunities and quality of life for every citizen. For more information, visit littlerockchamber.com.