Chaffee Crossing chief appointed to Southern Economic Development Council

Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Ivy Owen has been appointed alternate Arkansas state director on the board of the Southern Economic Development Council, according to a press release.

Owen was chosen by a group of his peers within Arkansas, the release said, with his one-year appointment having become effective Jan. 1 and expiring on the first day of 2015.

The FCRA executive director, who has been a member of SEDC for almost five years, was praised by Hal Johnson, incoming chairman of the SEDC board.

"Ivy Owen is a consummate professional, his experience and leadership will not only help us meet our goals, but also continue our efforts in raising the bar for SEDC and our membership."

Owen said he was thankful for the appointment, adding that the honor from his peers in economic development was touching.

"I am honored to be appointed to the Board of the SEDC. This honor means more because it's by recommendation of my peers that this appointment happened," he said. "I will work diligently through the SEDC Board to promote economic development in Fort Smith and the region."

According to the press release, the SEDC is a 950 member, non-profit organization composed of a broad cross-section of active and influential industrial economic developers from business and industry, utilities, transportation, financial and education institutions, chambers of commerce, and local, regional and state development agencies.