Mike Malone leaving UA to join national economic development consulting group

Mike Malone, the University of Arkansas vice chancellor for economic development and former Northwest Arkansas Council CEO, is taking a new job with Economic Leadership LLC, a North Carolina-based economic development consulting firm that has done extensive work in Arkansas.

“I’m excited to join the incredible team at Economic Leadership and I know the great work they do in communities, regions and states across the country,” Malone told Talk Business & Politics. “It feels like an excellent fit for my background and expertise, and I’m very much looking forward to getting started in April.”

Malone will remain in Northwest Arkansas, according to an announcement from the firm’s leader.

“I am excited to share that Mike Malone will be joining Economic Leadership as a partner this April,” said Ted Abernathy, managing partner for Economic Leadership LLC, in a LinkedIn post Thursday (March 20). “Mike previously served as president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council where he led implementation of key infrastructure, workforce and quality of life initiatives that helped make Northwest Arkansas one of the fastest growing and most successful metro areas in the United States. He is currently the vice chancellor for economic development at the University of Arkansas where he oversees entrepreneurship, tech transfer, commercialization, and workforce development efforts as well as the UofA’s research and technology park.

“Mike is a seasoned community leader, adept at orchestrating strategic alliances and collaborations. His previous work with Bentonville, Ark.-based Runway Group, a holding company founded by Tom and Steuart Walton, provided Mike extensive experience in foundation work, allowing him to oversee and transformational investments in real estate, outdoor initiatives, hospitality, and business to improve community. He has also held positions at the White House, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Malone has been with the University of Arkansas since April 2022.

Prior to coming to UA, Malone joined Runway Group in 2016. Before that, he spent a decade as president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council, leading the creation and implementation of regional growth and development strategies that resulted in significant employment gains, economic growth and improved quality of life in Northwest Arkansas.

Before his work in Arkansas, Malone held senior staff leadership positions in the White House, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives.