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.
Executive Committee | ||
| Ashlee Allen Chair of the Board Southern Realty Group | Chris Wasson Chair-Elect Entergy Arkansas, Inc. | Mark Day Past Chair-Elect LANXESS |
| Greg Withrow Treasurer UCIB | Pamela Griffin Secretary El Dorado Festivals & Events | Brian Jones SHARE Foundation |
| Cindy Leverette Cole’s Jewelers | Robert Reynolds Shuler Drilling Company Inc. | Dr. Stephanie Tully-Dartez South Arkansas College |
| Bill Luther Chamber President/CEO |
Directors | ||
| Steve Biernack South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society | Jerod Hurst EDP Solutions | Jennifer Schroeder South Arkansas College |
| Laura Allen South Arkansas Arts Center | Steven Jones Ideal Construction Co. | Carl Sivils Southern Bancorp |
| Jerry Brumley LSB Industries | Cindy Langston KTVE | Carvon Smith Walmart |
| Stan Calloway Nexans AmerCable | Amber Manning-Myers Shelter Insurance | Greg Thomas Cadance Bank |
| Mark Cestari Southern Airways Express | Chad Martin Standard Lithium | Jim Tucker El Dorado Public Schools |
| JJ Cook Noamark Broadcasting | Erin McMurrian Empire Realty Group | Jay Webb Karl Malone |
| Renea Gaston The Systems Group | Evelyn Morris First Financial Bank | Jeff White Smackover State Bank |
| Don Hale The Diamond Agency | Gage Parker Simmons First Bank | Mallory Whitehead Murphy USA |
| Dan Roblee Clean Harbors |
Ex-Officio | ||
| Sonia Barker Arkansas State Representative | Mike Loftin Union County Judge | Vernie Meador Union Co. Water Conservation Board |
| Beth Brumley Main Street El Dorado | Alice Mahony El Dorado Education Foundation | Matthew Shepherd AR State Representative |
| Paul Choate Mayor of El Dorado | Willie McGhee El Dorado City Council | Brett Williamson Fifty for the Future |
President/CEO
Bill Luther, President and CEO of the Chamber, obtained a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Arkansas. He is a Certified Professional Community and Economic Developer, a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas, Licensed Pilot, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, a graduate of the Mid-South Basic Economic Development Course and a graduate of LeadAR Class 14. In March of 2014, Bill was inducted into the Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engineers.
Bill has served on numerous boards and commissions including METROPLAN (the Central Arkansas Metropolitan Planning board), chair for the United Way of Union County, chair of the El Dorado–Union County Chamber of Commerce and vice chair of the El Dorado Water Utilities Commission. He presently serves on the Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners, the Golden Triangle Economic Development Council and as a class director for the Community Development Institute Central at UCA.
Bill retired from Entergy on February 28, 2018. Sitting on the sidelines was not his idea of retirement. The day after his retirement, he began campaigning to serve the people of El Dorado, Arkansas, as their next Mayor. In the November 6 General Election, he lost the Mayor’s race by 87 votes. The day after the election, Bill was approached about replacing the El Dorado–Union County Chamber of Commerce retiring President & CEO. Bill readily accepted this opportunity. The El Dorado-Union County Chamber has an economic development service contract with both the City of El Dorado and Union County. Bill, together with the Mayor of El Dorado and the Union County Judge, are working in job development, job recruitment and job expansion for the community.
Economic Development Project Manager
Kaitlyn Rigdon graduated from Henderson State University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Media and a minor in Communications. Kaitlyn is a Certified Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED). She is a graduate of the Central Development Institute and the Mid-South Basic Economic Development course. Kaitlyn assists with the final preparations for special economic development meetings and projects, plus much more. She is also the director of the Union County Leadership Development program (ULEAD).
VP of Membership & Events
Karen Hicks is a native of El Dorado. She has served the foster care community for 9 years with The CALL in Union and Calhoun County. Karen serves as an El Dorado-Union County Chamber Ambassador, a member of the Parks and Playground Commission, an advisory member of the Excel by 8 initiative, and on the team of the One City Movement. Karen is currently the president of the Rotary Club of El Dorado. Karen spends her free time enjoying ALL El Dorado has to offer. Karen has three children and a pet bunny named Weasley. Karen states, “I am so excited to continue to serve this amazing community in a new way.”
Office Manager & Finance Coordinator