Randy Zook
President/CEO
Randy Zook is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas. Prior to taking the helm of the State Chamber/AIA, Randy was the Deputy Director of Administration and Finance for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. For 34 years, he worked for Atlantic Envelope Company of Atlanta, Georgia, a $200-million manufacturer of custom-printed envelopes and business products, serving as President and CEO of the company from 1989 to 2004. He is currently serving on the boards of KIPP Schools in Helena-West Helena, Economics Arkansas and McGehee Farm & Real Estate Co. He and his wife, Diane, have three grown children and five above-average grandchildren.
Kenneth R. Hall, J.D.
Executive Vice President
As chief lobbyist, Kenny represents the positions of the two organizations on issues related to, and focusing on, the enhancement of a quality business climate in Arkansas before selected government entities, including the legislature, the governor’s office and various state agencies, committees and boards. He helps develop and implement State Chamber/AIA legislative strategies and is responsible for enlisting support for these goals. Kenny coordinates the activities of the State Chamber/AIA issue committees.
Shelley Short, IOM
Vice President Programs and Partnerships
Shelley Short, IOM is Vice President, Programs & Partnerships of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA and is responsible for the development, management, and execution of the chamber’s programs and strategic partnerships. She also serves as the executive director of Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives (AEDCE), the professional association of local chamber executives and economic developers in the state. Shelley is a native Arkansan with fifteen years of economic development/chamber experience. Prior to joining the State Chamber in 2015, Shelley spent ten years of her career in various roles at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission departing as the Director of Marketing. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Political Management from Regent University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Central Arkansas. Shelley serves on the MAKO Chamber Conference Board of Directors and is a member of the International Economic Development Council, the Southern Economic Development Council, and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management. She resides outside of Little Rock and is mom to Reagann, a student-athlete at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia.
Marcus Turley
Vice President of Membership Development
Marcus is responsible for new business development and retention of existing State Chamber/AIA members. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Southern Arkansas University and an MBA from Texas A&M University in Texarkana. Marcus has been the recipient of the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Platinum Lifetime Achievement awards from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). In addition, from 2010 – 2016 and 2021, Marcus was ranked #1 nationally for membership dues income by the ACCE. In 2014, Marcus was nationally recognized by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives with the Million Dollar Club Award for cumulative sales over $1 million and in 2017 with the Diamond Award for cumulative sales over $1.5 million. He is the only chamber professional in the state to have achieved these milestones.
Andrew Parker
Director of Governmental Affairs & Executive Director, Associated Industries of Arkansas Foundation, Inc.
Andrew, a licensed attorney and graduate of the William H. Bowen School of Law, is part of the governmental affairs team and works to enhance the business climate in Arkansas by representing the positions of the two organizations before entities that include the following: committees, boards, various state agencies, the governor’s office and the legislature. He is the Executive Director of the AIA Foundation and has led the Be Pro Be Proud Initiative since its launch is 2016. Andrew previously served as Regulatory Counsel for the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Toni Lindsey
Director of Governmental Affairs & Leadership Arkansas Program Director
Toni is responsible for fostering community relations with local chambers/chamber members and elected officials in Northwest Arkansas, while representing the positions of the State Chamber and AIA before entities that include the following: committees, boards, various state agencies, the governor’s office and the legislature. She also serves as the lead staff person for our Leadership Arkansas program. Toni previously worked for the University of Arkansas Department of Athletics for 16 years as Director of Special Events, Television Show Coordinator for the Head Football and Basketball Coaches’ Shows and in several other capacities. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Communication from the University of Arkansas in 2000 and has completed coursework for a Master’s degree in Communication from the U of A. She also has extensive experience serving on various 501(c)(3) boards in a leadership role, plus additional philanthropic experience from a member, volunteer and donor role.
Candice Lawrence
Director of Communications
Candice guides the strategy of the State Chamber/AIA’s internal and external communications, marketing, events and media outreach. Before joining the chamber, she served for 12 years as a communications representative and visitor’s services manager for a leading global manufacturer of construction equipment. Candice is a proud graduate of Leadership Arkansas Class XVI and Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XXXV and is appointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson to serve on the Arkansas Workforce Development Board. In addition to serving on Junior Achievement of Arkansas’ Central Board of Directors, Candice enjoys volunteering in her community. She began her career as a broadcast journalist after receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Trish Villines
Executive Director for the Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence
Trish Villines brings a diverse background in public relations, nonprofit development, higher education and health and human services to the State Chamber/AIA. Prior to her initial post as executive director of the Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence, she worked for North Arkansas College where she wrote and secured more than $3 million in grant funding. She also coordinated special projects such as applying for the Governor’s Quality Award. With her assistance, North Arkansas College became the first institution of higher education to receive the Governor’s Award for Performance Excellence in 2015. She returns to the State Chamber after serving as North Arkansas Regional Director for Pathfinder, Inc., a disability service provider that serves children and adults. Early in her career, she worked for Northwest Arkansas public relations firm, Mitchell Communications Group. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a Master of Public Administration from Arkansas State University.
Deb Mathis
Manager, Scheduling & Events
Deb coordinates many of the details of the organizations’ scheduling and events. A former teacher, she performs, coordinates, and oversees technical and office administrative and financial duties in support of the President & CEO.
Bill Watson
Manager, Event Sponsorship
Bill is responsible for sales of sponsorships to Arkanas State Chamber/AIA members.
He previously worked as Vice President Membership Development for the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Jeanette Sanderlin
Executive Assistant
Jeanette provides administrative support to the President/CEO and office personnel. She is a former teacher and executive assistant for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas.
Carol Mugerditchian
Administrative Assistant
Carol works the front desk and is Administrative Assistant to Chamber staff. She brings extensive experience in legal, banking, and retail industries.
