Arkansas Sen. David Sanders named director of Innovate Arkansas

Winrock International has named state Sen. David Sanders, R-Little Rock, director of Innovate Arkansas, a statewide initiative that helps scale technology companies.

In his new role, Sanders will lead a team of business advisers who help tech-based ventures, according to a press release from Winrock. He will focus on creating new and growing existing Innovate Arkansas programs, according to the release.

“Ten years ago, the team at Winrock launched Innovate Arkansas to build the startup ecosystem that is now thriving in our state,” said Gov. Asa Hutchinson in a statement. “Under David’s leadership, Innovate Arkansas will continue to provide access to experienced growth advisers and expand the resources available to our state’s tech-based entrepreneurs.”

Hutchinson said Sanders has proved his leadership skills in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. “I am looking forward to the added value he will bring to Innovate Arkansas.”

Before joining Winrock, Sanders served 11 years as director of institutional advancement for the Baptist Preparatory School in Little Rock.

He also an assistant pro tempore in the Arkansas Senate, where he has served since 2013. Before that, he served one term in the Arkansas House of Representatives.

From 1999 to 2005, Sanders served as healthcare business development officer for the energy services division of the global company Johnson Controls.

“We are honored to have David join Winrock International and lead the Innovate Arkansas program,” Winrock CEO Rodney Ferguson said in the press release. “David’s experience across both private and public sectors makes him an ideal partner for continued development of the entrepreneurial approach to economic development that Winrock brings to Arkansas.”

He has served on the boards of Economics Arkansas and the World Trade Center Arkansas.

“Winrock has recognized that entrepreneurs are a driving force for the Arkansas economy,” Sanders said in a statement. “The Innovate Arkansas team is dedicated to helping tech startup founders grow their businesses in Arkansas. I am excited to come on board and add my experience to this proven team.”

Innovate Arkansas is funded by a grant from Arkansas Economic Development Commission.