Hutchinson Appoints Bassett, Games; Wants National Search For AEDC Chief

Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson will conduct a national search for the next Arkansas Economic Development Commission executive director and will ask for legislative authority allowing the independent foundation supporting AEDC to supplement that official’s salary, Hutchinson announced in a press conference Monday.

Hutchinson said he was appointing Danny Games, manager of corporate affairs at BHP Billiton and a former president of the Arkansas Economic Developers Association, as deputy director. Games will lead the search for the director.

Hutchinson also announced that Daryl Bassett will serve as director of the Department of Workforce Services. Bassett is a former DWS division chief and currently is the secretary of state’s director of business and commercial services. He is also a former Arkansas Public Service Commission board member.

Hutchinson said he had decided to conduct a national job search for the AEDC job after consulting with his steering committee, legislators and industry leaders.

He said he had spoken to Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, the incoming Senate president pro tempore, about the need to amend state law to allow the Arkansas Economic Development Foundation to provide a salary supplement to the executive director’s current taxpayer-paid salary. He said a regionally competitive salary is necessary for Arkansas to compete with states such as Texas, Florida and Alabama.

“The consensus in my talking with economic developers in Arkansas, they encouraged me to make sure we get someone that would compete in the national arena on job creation,” he said.

Dismang said in a phone interview that he supports amending the law and that it would likely have the support of other legislators.

Hutchinson said he wants someone with experience in creating packages for attracting industry, someone who understands the importance of workforce readiness, someone who understands the South, and someone who appreciates the need to increase employment among existing employers. He said it was possible that an Arkansan could be named to the post.

Hutchinson said a study would be done to determine the optimal salary level.

The current executive director, Grant Tennille, has an annual salary of $139,706.11. Hutchinson guessed that the salary might need to increase to the $200,000 range. Games has been tasked with helping determine that range. Hutchinson said the compensation package could include performance incentives.

He said he had not identified a potential director yet.

“This is a true search, and it will be a competitive review process that will be led by Danny Games,” he said.