State Energy Group Selects New Leadership

The Arkansas Advanced Energy Association (AAEA) and sister 501 C3 group, Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation (AAEF), both announced the election of new chairmen, Gary McChesney and Ron Bell.

McChesney is also the Chief Technology Officer for FutureFuel Chemical Company of Batesville, Arkansas, and is a licensed professional engineer. As CTO, McChesney is primarily responsible for defining and implementing the company’s technology strategy.

“I believe that advanced energy technologies can grow our state’s economy, create jobs and shore up the manufacturing base,” said McChesney. “It is an honor to be selected by my peers as the Chairman of an association dedicated to these goals.”

AAEA includes a broad base of manufacturers, entrepreneurs, small business owners, educators, researchers, consultants, and public officials who are interested in advanced energy development and economic expansion in Arkansas. The group recently partnered with Advanced Energy Economy, a national business organization with similar goals.

Bell is a cattleman and tree farmer in Independence County. For over a decade, Bell has served as a member or chairman on a multitude of community and local government conservation and development boards and councils.

As President of the Arkansas Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils, Bell worked in partnership with the councils to develop a variety of advanced energy and efficiency projects across the state in the agricultural sector.

“I’m humbled to be named president of this foundation,” said Bell. “We have incredible natural and workforce resources in this state. The partnership with AAEA is an opportunity to develop and employ these resources in the drive toward a thriving advanced energy economy.”

AAEF, which operates exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, performs research, public education, and economic and workforce development in support of AAEA’s mission to create jobs and grow the advanced energy sector and Arkansas’ economy as a whole.

AAEA, which was formally launched on November 8, 2011, is dedicated to growing Arkansas’ economy by expanding the energy workforce and manufacturing base through the increased development, manufacturing, and utilization of advanced energy technologies.