Bryan Barnhouse promoted to CEO of Arkansas Research Alliance

Bryan Barnhouse has been named CEO of the Arkansas Research Alliance, the group said Monday (Jan. 4). Barnhouse has served as chief operating office of the alliance since 2016.

Barnhouse joined ARA in 2016 initially focused on ARA’s strategic relationship with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) research laboratory, the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) in Jefferson, Arkansas. NCTR is the largest federal laboratory in Arkansas.

Prior to coming to ARA, Barnhouse served with the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County.

“Bryan came to ARA with strong economic development experience with both the Jefferson County Alliance as well as the State of Arkansas’ Economic Development Commission with both state and international experience,” said Jerry Adams, President of ARA. “He has made important contributions to ARA’s impact.”

ARA is in its 12th year of operation and works with its five member universities — University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Arkansas State University, UA Little Rock and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences — with strategic research leader recruitment, retention and recognition.

Operating as a public-private partnership, ARA invests in research that stimulates innovation, encourages collaboration, and strengthens economic opportunity. The organization has developed the ARA Academy of Scholars and Fellows that includes over 30 members of the state’s research community.

“Bryan’s can-do, make-it-work attitude is invaluable in dealing with our diverse challenges. I’m honored to congratulate Bryan for his well-deserved promotion to CEO of ARA, and I look forward to seeing where his leadership will take us as we continue the positive influence on research for Arkansas,” said ARA’s Board of Trustee chairperson Sonja Hubbard.