Our Staff

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

Vice President Programs and Partnerships

Shelley 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 more than twelve years of economic development experience, most recently serving as the Director of Marketing for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission before joining the State Chamber in 2015. 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 Arkansas Department of Education State Coalition for Family and Community Engagement, the Board of Directors for the MAKO Conference, and is a member of the Heart of Arkansas United Way Campaign Cabinet.  She is a member of the International Economic Development Council and the Southern Economic Development Council and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute.

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. Since 2009, Marcus has received national lifetime achievement and sales contest awards from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

Andrew Parker

Director of Governmental Affairs

Andrew, a licensed attorney and graduate of the William H. Bowen School of Law, is part of our 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 also serves as the lead staff person on our Be Pro Be Proud workforce initiative. Andrew previously served as Regulatory Counsel for the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission.

Toni Lindsey

Director of Governmental Affairs

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.

Jeff Thatcher

Director of Communications

Jeff is responsible for developing, directing and overseeing the State Chamber/AIA’s communications, publications, website, social media, media relations, public relations and branding. He also oversees membership retention and secures non-dues revenue via advertising sales. Jeff has extensive experience in the media, for-profit and non-profit sectors and previously worked as the Communications Director for J.A. Riggs Tractor Co., the Caterpillar dealer for Arkansas. He earned Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Journalism from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is a member and former board member of both the Arkansas Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and the Arkansas Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. He also serves as the president of the Children of the Doolittle Raiders, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to keeping the legacy of the Doolittle Raiders alive and is a member of the MacArthur Military History Museum Commission Advisory Board.

Deb Mathis

Manager, Scheduling & Events

Deb coordinates many of the details of the organizations’ events and scheduling, while also supporting its communications and marketing efforts. A former teacher, she performs, coordinates and oversees technical and office administrative 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.

Trish Villines

Executive Director, Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence

The Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence partners with the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce to provide training, assessment and recognition to organizations in Arkansas through the Governor’s Quality Award.  The Governor’s Quality Award Program offers opportunities for all businesses in the state to assess their performance through a systems perspective and receive award recognition and feedback.  The award process uses the Baldrige Excellence Framework, a proven management framework for more than 25 years for all types of businesses and organizations including manufacturing, healthcare, education, government agencies and non-profit.  In her role as Executive Director, Trish facilitates training for Chamber members, award applicants and volunteers.

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.