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Chamber of Commerce

Board of Directors and Staff

The El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors & staff are responsible for ensuring the chamber of commerce provides support to El Dorado and Union County by helping and promoting the established businesses, and attracting new business.

El Dorado Board of Directors

Meet Our Board

Executive Committee

Chris Wasson
Chair of the Board
Entergy Arkansas
Dr. Stephanie Tully-Dartez
Chair-Elect
South Arkansas College		Ashlee Allen
Past Chair-Elect
Southern Realty Group
Gregory Thomas
Cadence Bank

Pamela Griffin
Secretary
El Dorado Festivals & Events		Mark Day
LANXESS
Cindy Leverette
Cole’s Jewelers
Robert Reynolds
Shuler Drilling Company Inc. 		Danna Taylor
South Arkansas Regional Hospital
Steven Jones
Chamber President/CEO

Directors

Laura Allen
South Arkansas Arts Center		Cindy Langston
KTVE		Jennifer Schroeder
South Arkansas College
Jerry Brumley
LSB Industries		Amber Manning-Myers
Shelter Insurance		Carl Sivils
Southern Bancorp
Stan Calloway
Nexans AmerCable		Chad Martin
Standard Lithium		Carvon Smith
Walmart
JJ Cook
Noamark Broadcasting		Erin McMurrian
Empact Realty Group		Jim Tucker
El Dorado Public Schools
Renea Gaston
The Systems Group		Evelyn Morris
First Financial Bank		Jay Webb
Karl Malone
Don Hale
The Diamond Agency		Gage Parker
Simmons First Bank		Jeff White
Smackover State Bank
Jerod Hurst
EDP Solutions		Dan Roblee
Clean Harbors		Mallory Whitehead
Murphy USA

Ex-Officio

Sonia Barker
Arkansas State Representative		Mike Loftin
Union County Judge		Matthew Shepherd
AR State Representative
Paul Choate
Mayor of El Dorado		Alice Mahony
El Dorado Education Foundation		Brett Williamson
Fifty for the Future
Willie McGhee
El Dorado City Council

Meet Our Staff

Steven Jones

President/CEO

steven@goeldorado.com

Steven Jones was hired as President & CEO in September 2025. He brings a unique blend of business development expertise, championship-level coaching leadership, and community engagement. Previously Vice President at Ideal Construction Company, he led strategic growth across a four-state region and collaborated on master facility plans and major projects. Prior to Ideal, his 13-year career in high school football includes state championships with both El Dorado(6A, 2021) and Junction City (2A, 2018), making him one of only a handful of coaches Arkansas history to achieve that feat at multiple schools.
A proud El Dorado resident, Steven is deeply involved in the community, serving on the boards of the South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society and the Boys & Girls Club of Union County, and as Chairman of the Deacons at First Baptist Church of El Dorado. He is also a graduate of Leadership Union County. Steven and his wife Kelsey—who works with the El Dorado School District—are raising four children. Under his leadership, the Chamber is focused on expanding business advocacy, economic development, and regional collaboration to build a stronger Union County.

Kaitlyn Rigdon, PCED

Vice President of Economic Development

kaitlyn@goeldorado.com

Kaitlyn Rigdon serves as a Certified Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED) and is deeply committed to advancing growth and opportunity across Union County. A 2015 graduate of Henderson State University with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Media and a minor in Communications, Kaitlyn has also completed the Central Development Institute and the Mid-South Basic Economic Development course.

Rigdon assists with key initiatives and projects that drive local economic development and serves as Director of the Union County Leadership Development Program (ULEAD), which helps cultivate emerging leaders in the region. Beyond her professional role, Kaitlyn is actively involved in the community as Vice President of the El Dorado Service League and serves on the boards of the South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society, Southwest Planning and Development District, and Family Connects through South Arkansas Regional Hospital.

Kaitlyn moved to El Dorado in 2016 and is proud to call this community her home.

Karen Hicks

Vice President of Membership & Events

karen@goeldorado.com

Karen Hicks serves as the Vice President of Membership and Events for the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce and as the Executive Director of Arkansas South Tourism. She is also Secretary/Treasurer for the El Dorado Rotary Club, the County Collaboration Lead for Excel by 8, and a dedicated partner with Main Street El Dorado on placemaking and community engagement efforts.
Known by many as a “community concierge,” Karen connects people and ideas to move her region forward. She is currently attending the Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas and is a nontraditional student at South Arkansas College, proudly bringing real-world experience to the classroom.
Karen also hosts the weekly trivia game at DP’s Food Truck Park, using it as a way to foster community connection and support local business. She is a mother of two, a new grandmother, and a proud dog mom to Josie and The Professor.

Edwina Walker

Office Manager

edwina@goeldorado.com

 

Edwina Walker serves as the Office Manager for the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce. She is a 2025 graduate of Strayer University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. A proud mother of one son and three daughters, Edwina is passionate about family and community. She looks forward to using her skills and experience to support the Chamber’s mission and serve the people of El Dorado and Union County.