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, Junior Achievement of 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 ten years of economic development experience, most recently serving as the Director of Marketing for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. 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 Board of Regents for the Center for Chamber of Commerce Excellence and the Board of Directors for the MAKO Conference. She is also 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.
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 Leadership Arkansas program and our Be Pro Be Proud workforce initiative. Andrew previously served as Regulatory Counsel for the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission.
Toni Bahn
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. 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.
Holly Wilson
Director of Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Holly, a licensed attorney and graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law, is responsible for conducting research, policy development and education, public speaking, fundraising, and building grassroots support for civil justice reform. Prior to joining the State Chamber Foundation, she worked as the Communications Director for the Republican Party of Arkansas. She also worked in the Washington, D.C. office of U.S. Sen. John Boozman, serving as Professional Staff/Counsel on the Senate Commerce Committee and serving as a Legislative Assistant in Boozman’s office.
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.
Marcus Turley
Membership Development Representative
Marcus is responsible for new business development and retention of existing State Chamber/AIA members.
He previously worked for the City of Dallas, Texas, as the executive assistant to the director of development services.
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.
Sue Weatter
Executive Director, Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence
Sue plans, organizes, directs and coordinates programs and activities of the Governor’s Quality Award program, which was developed to provide opportunities for all organizations in the state to measure their progress in the journey of performance excellence. A former small business owner, she is responsible for cultivation and management of volunteers and cultivation of award applicants as well as corporate donors.
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.
