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John Eddy hired for key role at Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce - Talk Business & Politics
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas announced Thursday (Oct. 29) the hiring of John Eddy as executive vice president. Eddy also will be president of the Arkansas State Chamber Foundation.
Eddy will lead the Chamber/AIA’s legislative advocacy, succeeding Kenny Hall, who served for 27 years before retiring in December 2025.
“John brings a rare combination of business, state government and national political experience, and he understands both how investment decisions are made and how public policy gets done,” said Randy Zook, president and CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber/AIA. “We are confident John is the right leader to advance the priorities of our members at the Capitol.”
Eddy brings more than two decades of leadership experience spanning government, economic development, private investment and emerging technologies. Throughout his career, he has worked at the intersection of public policy, business and investment, building relationships among government leaders, major corporations, institutional investors and research institutions to advance economic growth and innovation.
Eddy previously was senior policy adviser and director of strategic affairs to then-Gov. Asa Hutchinson, where he led strategic initiatives and economic development priorities for the state. Earlier in his career, he held senior positions at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Republican National Committee and has advised national political leaders and presidential campaigns.
In the private sector, Eddy has served in senior leadership roles with private equity and investment firms and as an executive in residence at America’s Frontier Fund, where his work has focused on strengthening American industrial competitiveness and advancing critical technologies, including artificial intelligence, advanced energy, quantum computing and next-generation manufacturing.
At the State Chamber, Eddy will focus on strengthening strategic partnerships, expanding opportunities for private investment and supporting economic development initiatives. Through the Chamber Foundation, he will advance programs that prepare Arkansas businesses and the state’s workforce for the future.
“Arkansas has extraordinary opportunities ahead, and I believe our greatest years of economic growth are still to come,” Eddy said. “Under Randy Zook’s leadership, the State Chamber has built a strong foundation for business advocacy and economic development, while Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has brought tremendous energy and focus to making Arkansas more competitive. I’m honored to join that effort and look forward to building new partnerships among business, government, universities and private investors that will attract capital, accelerate innovation, create new opportunities for our workforce and fuel the next generation of growth in every region of Arkansas.”
Eddy is a graduate of Arizona State University, where he endowed the Pat Tillman Memorial Scholarship. He serves on the dean’s advisory board of the Clinton School of Public Service and on the advisory board of the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce.
