Debbie Griffin named executive vice president, COO of Bentonville chamber

The Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce has promoted Debbie Griffin to the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer. She will assume the role Jan. 1.

Griffin joined the chamber in 2015 at vice president of marketing and communications and has overseen the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit.

“Debbie will play in integral part of moving this organization forward while we build on the successful foundation that our members have built beneath us over the past 90 plus years,” Graham Cobb, president and CEO, said in a press release. “She understands our mission and has her eyes focused on how to best serve our members.”

Before joining the chamber, Griffin was director of communication and technical production at Fellowship Bible Church for 18 years.

From 1997 to 1998 she served as communication broadcast manager for Sam’s Club, and from 1994 to 1997 she served as manager and director of Walmart Television.

Griffin began her career as a television reporter in Northwest Arkansas. She was managing editor, news director and reporter for the NBC affiliate KNWA between 1989 and 1994, according to her LinkedIn page. She served from 1985 to 1989 as bureau chief of KOAM-TV in Joplin, Mo.

“I am excited for this new role and look forward to serving the Bentonville community. I have deep roots in this community with a heritage of nine generations,” Griffin said in the release. “Northwest Arkansas is my home, and I hope to play a role in the quality of life we all enjoy in this area.”

A native of Benton County, Griffin lives in Bentonville with her husband, Mark. They have three children: Rachel Cox, Kaleb Osborn and Ashley Griffin.