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Ex-Rice Federation Chief Lauren Waldrip to Lead Advanced Energy Association

3 min read

The Arkansas Advanced Energy Association has named its new executive director, and in the state’s policy and agriculture circles, it’s a widely known name: Lauren Waldrip.

She’ll take over the industry group, which represents energy, efficiency and green power companies across the state, today, Sept. 1.

Raised on a farm in Moro (Lee County), Waldrip was until today a partner at Campbell Ward LLC, a public relations firm in Little Rock. Becky Barnes Campbell, her former partner, will keep the firm and serve its clients, Waldrip told Arkansas Business. “Becky will take over complete ownership,” Waldrip said.

A former executive director of the Arkansas Rice Federation, Waldrip will also lead the nonprofit Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation, the trade group’s educational affiliate.

Members of the AAEA and AAEF boards praised Waldrip’s deep experience in public affairs, trade association management, political action planning and communications skills.

Heather Nelson, president of Seal Solar of North Little Rock and AAEA board chairman, called Waldrip “an ideal fit for the future growth of our organization.” Waldrip’s skills will come to bear at a “pivotal time in our industry,” Nelson added.

Waldrip said she has admired the progressive work of advanced energy advocates from the sidelines for years. She told Arkansas Business that testifying before the Arkansas Public Service Commission on behalf of farmers seeking net metering for solar arrays had opened her eyes.

“That’s when I really became aware of the depth of this industry,” Waldrip said. “I was also impressed with how they [advanced energy advocates] handled the recent legislative session, and think we have a strong opportunity to capitalize on that momentum.”

She said she’s eager to tell the advanced energy story “in a way that enables our continued growth as the voice of the industry in Arkansas.”

Waldrip  has an undergraduate degree in marketing and public relations from the University of Arkansas, as well as an MBA from the university’s Sam M. Walton College of Business in Fayetteville. She has been a career-long associate and protege of Riceland Foods Chief Operating Officer Ben Noble.

“From a development and educational standpoint, Lauren has demonstrated a strong track record and will be a significant asset in those arenas on our team,” said Flint Richter, director of the solar division at Entegrity of Little Rock and board chairman of the AAEF. “She will provide valuable direction as we raise funds and awareness to further our mission.”

Waldrip said she planned to dive in immediately to be ready for the AAEA’s annual event, dubbed EmPOWER, scheduled Oct. 14. The event is Arkansas’ largest gathering of advanced energy related organizations, she said, including specialists in biofuels, solar energy, performance contracting and electric vehicles and chargers. Customers such as municipalities, counties, school districts and farmers will also attend the event, which will be at Heifer International’s headquarters in downtown Little Rock.

“We are still working to finalize details but we will be utilizing outdoor space for some if not all of the event,” Waldrip told Arkansas Business. “To be a sponsor or to register, you can email  lwaldrip@arkansasadvancedenergy.com,” she said.

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