LR Chamber hires Wickliffe for business retention and expansion role

The Little Rock Regional Chamber announced Thursday (Nov. 30) the hiring of Jarod Wickliffe as its Director of Business Development, Retention and Expansion, a recently restructured position on the Chamber’s economic development team. Wickliffe will begin on December 1.

Wickliffe joins the Little Rock Regional Chamber from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, where he worked as senior project manager on the state’s business development team.

Wickliffe worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies to invest in Arkansas, planned and executed international and domestic trade missions, and served as an economic development resource for communities across the state.

Wickliffe was instrumental in recruiting Raytheon-Rafeal Area Protection Systems to East Camden and Federal Metal Company to North Little Rock. He also worked on expansion and investment projects that included Bad Boy Mowers, Albemarle, and Arkana Laboratories.

“I am excited to join the great team at the Little Rock Regional Chamber and support their mission of advocating for business and industry to enhance the quality of life for its citizens,” said Wickliffe. “I look forward to making an impact on the community I am lucky to have called home my entire life.”

Wickliffe will be responsible for deepening and maintaining relationships with existing industry and key strategic employers, helping employers identify trends and troubleshoot issues, as well as identify expansion opportunities and secure those opportunities in the Little Rock region.

Wickliffe will also support the Chamber’s proactive business recruitment efforts by engaging with site location consultants, company executives, and curating marketing strategies to recruit jobs and investment to Central Arkansas.

“Jarod is a proven economic developer with a successful track record winning projects in communities across metro Little Rock,” said Jack Thomas, vice president of Economic Development. “His experience, energy, and enthusiasm will elevate our team and provide an immediate impact.”

A native of North Little Rock and graduate of Catholic High School, Wickliffe has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway and resides in Little Rock.