Central Research makes leadership changes, including new CEO

Lowell-based Central Research Inc., a management and financial services provider, announced Wednesday (Oct. 13) changes to its executive leadership team effective immediately.

CRI President Bobby McKinnon has been named CEO, replacing Scott Dillard, who co-founded the company in 2002 with his late father Johnny Dillard. McKinnon joined the company in January 2020 and will remain president while expanding his responsibilities to include managing the daily operations and resources of the company. According to a news release, Dillard will continue as executive chairman for the company and move into a more strategic role.

“Bobby has been instrumental in not only leading the company during the complexity of the pandemic but also helping us achieve growth during that time,” Dillard said. “His overall experience will be key to helping us accomplish our strategic vision and continue growing and diversifying the company.”

In 2020, the company acquired Global Emergency Response and Skyline Ultd.

Another leadership change CRI announced was that Andra Grasis has been named chief operations officer and promoted to senior vice president of operations – management solutions. Grasis joined CRI in August 2019 as vice president of operations – management solutions, leading the company’s management solutions business unit operations. In her new role, she will be responsible for synchronizing activities among executive operations and business units, including providing oversight in support of the executive leadership team and quality management efforts, according to the release.

CRI provides management and financial service solutions to the federal and state government and commercial sector, including call center support, debt collection, staff augmentation and information technology services.

CRI has 328 employees, with 137 of them in Northwest Arkansas.