Arkansas Business

Marty Rhodes, president and CEO of Stephens Insurance LLC, was elected Thursday as the 2012 chairman of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.

During the chamber's annual luncheon on Thursday, Hugh McDonald, 2011 chairman and president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas, lauded the state's performance in generating new jobs. He specifically mentioned the investments of India's Welspun Corp., LM Wind Power Group of Denmark, HP and Caterpillar Inc. into the state.

McDonald also mentioned Dassault Falcon Jet's lease extension, made this year and effective through 2040.

Looking forward, McDonald noted the planned Little Rock Technology Park Authority would attract high wage, knowledge-based jobs.

Also at the luncheon, Michael Howard, president and CEO of the Electric Power Research Institute discussed the nation's energy needs compared with other countries. He projected increased demands on multiple energy sources like coal and natural gas.