Hunt for IEC director delayed

The search for a new director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center-Fort Smith is “back to the drawing board,” according to Paul Beran, chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

The IEC was formed in early 2007 and funded by the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, the city of Fort Smith and the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Michelle Stockman, who was hired in April 2007 as the first IEC director, resigned in November 2008 when hired by Little Rock-based Arkansas Capital Corp. to help implement entrepreneurial programs statewide.

Beran told The City Wire late Friday that a finalist for the position rejected the salary offer. However, Beran said the finalist understood the financial position of the IEC and the UAFS, and it’s possible the finalist will be used as a consultant.

In the interim, Beran said he will “wait for Paul (Harvel, new Fort Smith chamber president) to get on his feet” and then get the three IEC partners to “reconnect” on how to move forward. The university, by supporting the salary of the director, is the largest financial partner in the IEC.

The IEC has a temporary office at the UAFS. Beran said efforts are continuing to seek a permanent IEC facility at Chaffee Crossing.

Beran said he hopes to have a new director hired by July 1, which begins the new fiscal year for the UAFS.