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To provide research and strategies to state, community and industry leaders to promote economic growth and enhance the quality of life in Arkansas.
The main asset for economic development information for communities and industry in Arkansas.
“Our mission is to serve the people of Arkansas by enhancing economic development and improving their quality of life and place. Our team’s greatest strength is collaborating with communities and organizations to help them discover sustainable solutions through real talk. We are proud to serve Arkansas and welcome your call for assistance.”
2801 South University Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas 72204
Community Economic Development Planner
Explain what you do all day…
My work with AEDI includes working alongside the other wonderful members of the Community Development Team to conduct research involving the economic and social wellbeing of various cities/townships/regions and develop actionable plans with these communities on how to better utilize available resources in the pursuit of a brighter tomorrow.
What are your credentials and/or past experience that relate to your work at AEDI?
I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University.
What is the most inspiring part of your job?
What inspires me most about the work I do with AEDI is the fact you can go out to Pine Bluff and Jasper and see how work we participated in had a positive impact on the real world and the lives of real people.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
The best piece of advice I have thus far received in my life is from one of undergraduate professors and mentors, “When you know what you want to do, don’t ever stop trying to make it a reality.”
If I wasn’t working at AEDI, I would probably be…
If I wasn’t working here at AEDI, I would find work with an architecture and streetscape firm to work with communities from the standpoint of design and aesthetic.
Name one thing you like to do outside of AEDI.
One thing I love doing outside of work is cooking. Anything from starting from a single ingredient and making a whole new recipe to taking pre-determined recipe and putting my own spins on it.
What/where is your favorite place in Arkansas?
I haven’t been in the state very long but one place I have found a definite love for is the Argenta area of North Little Rock. As someone who loves the environment of a good restaurant and bar, Argenta is exactly what I look for when coming to a new city.
Community Economic Development Specialist
Explain what you do all day…
I assist my colleagues with data collection, analysis, and recommendation development to formulate actionable plans and studies for communities across the state.
What are your credentials and/or past experience that relate to your work at AEDI?
I have a Master’s degree in Public Administration and I have over 5 years of experience in community and economic development.
What is the most inspiring part of your job?
Providing communities in our state with the data, information, and expertise they can use to serve their residents and businesses.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t settle in life. If you’re unhappy with where you are in life, do something about it.
If I wasn’t working at AEDI, I would probably be…
Working at an economic or community development organization to increase the overall visibility and quality of life for communities across the state.
Name one thing you like to do outside of AEDI.
Spend time with my family and friends. Spending time with my family and friends allows me to create a great work-life balance.
What/where is your favorite place in Arkansas?
The Big Dam Bridge and Murray Park. I’ve recently taken up running and completed my first 5K race in 2022. I go to the Big Dam Bridge and Murray Park to train and clear my mind.
Assistant Finance Manager
Explain what you do all day…
The majority of my day is spent working with the budget of AEDI.
What are your credentials and/or past experience that relate to your work at AEDI?
I am a undergraduate student at University of Arkansas at Little Rock majoring in Accounting.
What is the most inspiring part of your job?
Even though I do not work directly with the communities I get enjoyment out of the fact that my job supports those that do help the rural communities around the state.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Everyone matters. Never think you’re above anyone…and never think you’re beneath. Treat the Janitor the same way you treat the CEO.
If I wasn’t working at AEDI, I would probably be…
Flight Instructor. I love to fly and I’ve been told I am a pretty good teacher.
Name one thing you like to do outside of AEDI.
Again Flying airplanes, there is nothing that I have done that comes close to the feeling that I get when I am in the pilot seat.
What/where is your favorite place in Arkansas?
My favorite place has to be Highway 89 raceway. It is a small motocross track that everyone is helping to keep open after the owner pasted away. The level of community support out there is incredible and to see so many people ban together keep something going is inspiring.
Graphic Designer
Explain what you do all day…
I use graphic design technology to provide a wide-range of routine-to-complex, high-quality products for AEDI and its clients such: publications, reports, brochures, cover designs, illustrations, logos, advertisements, posters, digital signage, forms, certificates, badges, labels, and other miscellaneous items in both hard-copy and digital formats.
What are your credentials and/or past experience that relate to your work at AEDI?
I have been professionally employed as a graphic designer some 30+ years.
What is the most inspiring part of your job?
I like to believe that my small contribution to the work AEDI does is helping to make Arkansas a better place to live.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Do something today that your future self will thank you for.
If I wasn’t working at AEDI, I would probably be…
Starring in Broadway Musicals.
Name one thing you like to do outside of AEDI.
Gardening and movies.
What/where is your favorite place in Arkansas?
The Ozarks.
Enterprise Web Developer
Explain what you do all day…
I provide application programming support for AEDI.
What are your credentials and/or past experience that relate to your work at AEDI?
MS Information Systems, BA Mathematics
What is the most inspiring part of your job?
Seeing the potential unity and economic impact to the state.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“You can’t get a job eating pie” – My grandfather. I am conflicted by this: a part of me understands the sentiment and what he was trying to instill in me, but another part of me KNOWS there is someone, somewhere, getting paid for eating pie…
If I wasn’t working at AEDI, I would probably be…
Working my way back to AEDI again!
Name one thing you like to do outside of AEDI.
Relax
What/where is your favorite place in Arkansas?
Wherever I am
GIS Division Head
Explain what you do all day…
Analyze spatial data through mapping software and designing digital maps with geographic data and various other data sets.
What are your credentials and/or past experience that relate to your work at AEDI?
I have over 20 years of GIS experience with a degree in geography.
What is the most inspiring part of your job?
When all of our specialties come together to produce a final product that makes the client happy.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
If I wasn’t working at AEDI, I would probably be…
Working for Starfleet Academy.
Name one thing you like to do outside of AEDI.
Watching sports and playing games.
What/where is your favorite place in Arkansas?
Petit Jean Mountain
Regional Economist
Explain what you do all day…
I work on economic models. I study different economic events in Arkansas and try to assess how they will impact the state and national economy using economic models.
What are your credentials and/or past experience that relate to your work at AEDI?
I have worked within the University of Arkansas System for the past few years. I have MS and PhD degrees from the University of Arkansas. I have taught graduate and undergraduate courses in micro-economics and finance.
What is the most inspiring part of your job?
I like the wide diversity of clients we work with at AEDI.
If I wasn’t working at AEDI, I would probably be…
I would be biking and hiking at one of the state / national parks.
Name one thing you like to do outside of AEDI.
I like to read and spend time with my family and friends.
What/where is your favorite place in Arkansas?
My favorite places in Arkansas are Stuttgart (especially in Winter), Lake Ouachita State Park, Mount Magazine State Park and Pinnacle Mountain State Park.
Emergency Management Specialist
Explain what you do all day…
I’m passionate about service to my community. I want to expand our capabilities to offer support and assistance to first responders, communities, businesses, and families during the worst times of their lives.
What are your credentials and/or past experience that relate to your work at AEDI?
I have an undergraduate degree in Emergency Management. I have previous experience working as a Paramedic and in the Fire Service.
What is the most inspiring part of your job?
Getting to utilize my experience and education to serve in a new way.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Never stop learning, and you can learn something from everyone.
If I wasn’t working at AEDI, I would probably be…
Continuing to work as a Paramedic, advocating for Community Paramedicine in the state.
Name one thing you like to do outside of AEDI.
Camping.
What/where is your favorite place in Arkansas?
The Woolum area, on the Buffalo River.
Demographer
Explain what you do all day…
I mostly fulfill data requests from various agencies usually they request population projections for particular counties so they can use that data to assess the upcoming growth rate.
What are your credentials and/or past experience that relate to your work at AEDI?
I have a Ph.D. in applied demography. I am a trained population specialist with experience in collecting and analyzing data as well as creating surveys to assess the needs of different population groups.
What is the most inspiring part of your job?
The most inspiring part of my day is finishing any project that I am currently working on.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t worry about what you can’t change instead focus on what you can change!
If I wasn’t working at AEDI, I would probably be…
I would probably be hosting a podcast about travel and the history of popular foods around the world.
Name one thing you like to do outside of AEDI.
I love to write short stories.
What/where is your favorite place in Arkansas?
I am still new to living in Arkansas but I like Hot Springs because its so beautiful and peaceful there.
Chief Economist & State Economic Forecaster
Explain what you do all day…
Track incoming economic statistics on the Arkansas economy.
What are your credentials and/or past experience that relate to your work at AEDI?
PhD in Economics, University of Rochester (1994). Economist and Research Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, 1993-2009.
What is the most inspiring part of your job?
Seeing the smiles of interest and appreciation in an audience or classroom, despite the fact that the topic is “the dismal science.”
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Eighty percent of success is showing up.
If I wasn’t working at AEDI, I would probably be…
in a classroom, teaching economics.
Name one thing you like to do outside of AEDI.
Gardening and landscaping.
What/where is your favorite place in Arkansas?
Buffalo River.
Systems & Data Analyst
Explain what you do all day…
As a Systems Analyst, I spend most of my time designing and testing databases and organizing and analyzing data.
What are your credentials and/or past experience that relate to your work at AEDI?
I have a Ph.D. in molecular biology from UAMS. Even though I’m now in a different field, I still use many of the same skills. I also have a master’s in business information systems from UALR.
What is the most inspiring part of your job?
Simply knowing that the projects that I work on will have a direct impact on the community.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
It’s impossible to succeed if you don’t even try.
If I wasn’t working at AEDI, I would probably be…
Stuck in a less fulfilling job.
Name one thing you like to do outside of AEDI.
I’m a life-long gamer.
What/where is your favorite place in Arkansas?
The Little Rock Riverfront, especially when the farmers’ market is open.
IT Specialist
Explain what you do all day…
I administer websites, databases, and online surveys. I am called to do a variety of IT tasks for this organization.
What are your credentials and/or past experience that relate to your work at AEDI?
My credentials include a Masters in Management Information Systems, and a Microsoft Certification for server work.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Advice is overrated; think for yourself.
Name one thing you like to do outside of AEDI.
Enjoy my time with my family.
What/where is your favorite place in Arkansas?
My own home.
Administrative Assistant
Explain what you do all day…
Assisting Financial Analysts. Answer telephone and direct calls to appropriate parties. Process correspondence, reports, documents, schedules, etc. Establish, organize and maintain departmental files. Accumulate financial information on various external organizations by utilizing internal and external sources. Maintain client related expenses, prepare documentation for billing of clients. Prepare documents used in client presentations, coordinate printing and distribution of material. Help with miscellaneous functions such as travel arrangement, arranging meetings and luncheons, preparing expense reports, processing mail, etc.
What are your credentials and/or past experience that relate to your work at AEDI?
My qualifications are reinforced by credentials that include my associate degree in office management.
What is the most inspiring part of your job?
Doing something that matters to others.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Never get into a situation that you can’t get out of.
If I wasn’t working at AEDI, I would probably be…
I would probably be working at DHS office.
Name one thing you like to do outside of AEDI.
Attending sporting events.
What/where is your favorite place in Arkansas?
Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Data Center Division Head
Explain what you do all day…
I can usually be found sitting at my computer playing with spreadsheets. I work with all kinds of data, including Census data. My day consists of helping others find data, gathering data for projects, and working with the data.
What are your credentials and/or past experience that relate to your work at AEDI?
I have a Masters Degree in Statistics with ten years experience in research and data anaylsis.
What is the most inspiring part of your job?
When we get to help people across the state accomplish things to better their communities and organizations. Knowing I get to play a small part in that means a lot to me.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Strive to be a better person today than you were yesterday. Pray for God’s help to be a better wife, daughter, sister, friend, and person each day.
If I wasn’t working at AEDI, I would probably be…
Planning my next trip to Disney World.
Name one thing you like to do outside of AEDI.
I enjoy spending time with my family and church family. Nothing makes my heart happy like playing with my nieces and nephews.
What/where is your favorite place in Arkansas?
Besides home, Lake Catherine is my favorite place in Arkansas.
Executive Director
Explain what you do all day…
I direct the work program of the Institute and act as a liaison between the Institute and our public and private economic development partners throughout Arkansas.
What are your credentials and/or past experience that relate to your work at AEDI?
Master of Urban and Regional Planning. I have served as an executive director of a regional development organization, and, a professional development association. I have also served as a regional governance and strategic initiatives consultant both nationally and internationally.
What is the most inspiring part of your job?
The opportunity to work with communities, and possibly raise hopes and build projects that will make their communities better.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Be a good listener and when you don’t know, don’t be afraid to say, I don’t know.
If I wasn’t working at AEDI, I would probably be…
trying to get a senior citizen public relations position at Keeneland.
Name one thing you like to do outside of AEDI.
Spend time with my twin grandsons and granddaughter.
What/where is your favorite place in Arkansas?
The Delta. It is southern and it is peaceful.