Fayetteville chamber hires AEDC official to lead economic development efforts

The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce has hired Zane Chenault as its new chief economic development officer.

“Fayetteville has always been a place of endless opportunity and great possibility,” Chenault said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence we have here. I am excited to be joining the chamber team to make Fayetteville the regional hub for manufacturing and information technology.”

Chenault was previously the Northwest Arkansas business manager for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC). While at the AEDC, Chenault interviewed over 300 local businesses in the region, according to the chamber, and conducted over 370 business and retention visits. He uncovered 60 opportunities to increase employment at local businesses that will lead to more than 400 new jobs.

He also started an initiative for local outreach and attended over 100 outreach meetings.

Chenault is a U.S. Army veteran and has more than 20 years of private sector experience in the information technology field, including seven years as vice president.

He is Sigma Six and ITIL certified, a graduate of Arkansas State University, and an Officer Candidate School graduate.

Chenault is filling the chamber position previously held by Chung Tan, who left the chamber for a job working for the city of Fayetteville as business development manager for the Department of Economic Vitality.