Paul Latture returns to Little Rock chamber in economic development role

Paul Latture will begin work immediately as vice president of economic development with the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, and executive director of the Metro Little Rock Alliance.

Latture has more than three decades of experience in economic development including 14 years as the executive director of the Port of Little Rock. Latture also served as the Chamber’s executive vice president for economic development from 1993-1999.

Latture’s experience is not limited to Central Arkansas. He has served as the president of Chambers of Commerce in Jackson, Miss., Wichita Falls, Texas, and Joplin, Mo., along with staff positions at Lake Charles, Denver, and Tulsa. He has also served as an international project manager for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

Latture noted that “this is a homecoming of sorts, to an organization that I both worked for and worked closely with for the past 30 years. It is highly respected in industry and economic development circles.  I look forward to helping advance the job creation and business investment in Central Arkansas.”

“To find an individual as talented and as knowledgeable as Paul is exciting. To find one with this level of experience and level of comfort within our market is unbelievable” says Jay Chesshir, present and CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. “This is a unique opportunity that doesn’t come around often.”

Latture has been awarded the designations of Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) and the Certified Economic Developer (CED).  His commitment to economic development and business growth is further evidenced by his leadership in industry and service professional organizations in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri along with the Arkansas Waterways Commission and Arkansas Waterways Association.