AEDC’s Tennille Says Hutchinson Will Replace Him (UPDATED)

Rumors of potential exiting agency directors have been swirling since November 4th’s historic election gains by the GOP.

Today, Talk Business & Politics has confirmed that Arkansas Economic Development Commission executive director Grant Tennille will not remain in the position permanently in Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson’s administration.

Tennille says he met with Hutchinson earlier this week and was told he would be replaced, but a successor was not mentioned.

Tennille has served in the post for nearly three years since the untimely death of previous AEDC director Maria Haley. He previously worked as communications director for Gov. Mike Beebe and he worked in the governor’s office in the Huckabee administration.

“The one thing I have learned is that this job can most effectively be done with someone with a close relationship with the chief executive,” Tennille said. “It makes all the sense in the world that a new governor would want to have his own person in place here.”

While Tennille was unsure of when a permanent replacement will be announced, he said he has offered to stay on in the interim as needed to make sure that economic development projects are not derailed.

“I’m at this agency for service to whatever governor is in place,” Tennille said.

UPDATE: Asa Hutchinson, who is attending a National Governors Association meeting out of state, offered the following comment.

“I want to thank Grant for the outstanding leadership he has provided as director of the AEDC. He served the people of Arkansas well, and I am grateful for his willingness to assist during the transition,” Hutchinson said.

“Job creation and economic growth are my top priorities as I prepare to take over as Governor in January. At this time, our steering committee is already in the process of evaluating applicants and searching for a new leader in this critical position,” he added.