Randy Southerland joins board of Arkansas Aerospace and Defense Alliance

Randy Southerland, vice president and commercial loan officer for Arvest Bank in central Arkansas, has joined the board of directors of the Arkansas Aerospace and Defense Alliance, effective this month.

“The aerospace industry is incredibly vital to our state’s economy and I am honored to join this group of business leaders who are working to grow its presence and impact across Arkansas,” Southerland said.

Southerland is a native of Lonoke, a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University and has 12 years of experience in the banking industry.

The Arkansas Aerospace and Defense Alliance works to expand the aerospace, aviation and defense industries in Arkansas to create business opportunities and global competition.

The alliance also encourages the development of public policies that benefit the industry and serves as an educational resource by providing industry training to build a qualified workforce.

The aerospace industry in Arkansas includes commercial, civil and military aviation and defense. It contributes more than $3.8 billion to the state’s economy annually and employs almost 10,000 Arkansans.