Alicia Payseno has been named chief executive officer of the Arkansas Hospitality Association of Little Rock. In this position, which she begins Jan. 5, she will work to strengthen AHA’s role as the statewide voice for hospitality by expanding member value, improving advocacy and building organizational capacity for long-term growth. “The hospitality industry is at the heart of Arkansas’ local economies,” Payseno said in a news release announcing her hiring. “Restaurants, hotels and tourism are major employers in the state and vital to quality of life. Stepping into this role provides a meaningful opportunity to support the small business owners and workers who make this industry thrive.”
Payseno is currently the director of economic development for Cabot. There, she oversees commercial recruitment, business expansion and community development initiatives aimed at driving growth. Before that, she spent seven years as the executive director of the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce, where she increased profitability by more than 70%. “Her proven track record in strategic growth and her passion for the state’s potential are exactly what the association needs to navigate the current landscape and drive the industry forward,” AHA board Chairman Gary Patel said. “We are confident her leadership will deliver immense value to our members and the state’s economy.”
Payseno graduated from the Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
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