Tennille Named Interim Director Of Aedc

Gov. Mike Beebe clearly wants his right-hand man at the helm.

Today, Beebe announced that Grant Tennille, his deputy chief of staff, would serve as interim director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

Tennille is serving in the post as Beebe searches for a new director after the unexpected death of Maria Haley two weeks ago.  Beebe told Talk Business last Friday that he has names on a short list for the agency post and is pursuing several candidates with national and international resumes.

In a prepared released, Beebe said that Tennille will retain some of his duties in Beebe’s office, as well.

"Grant has worked closely with the staff at AEDC for years, and has provided vital support for the agency after the sudden death of Maria Haley," Governor Beebe said. "He will continue the agency’s aggressive agenda of job creation and industry support while we search for a new executive director."

Tennille, 42, joined Beebe’s staff in the fall of 2007 as Interim Communications Director. He has also been Beebe’s liaison for economic-development issues for the past 15 months, and was part of the Arkansas economic-development delegation that visited Europe in 2009.