Gov. Mke Beebe has named Grant Tennille as director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
Tennille, 43, has been interim director of the agency. He succeeds Maria Haley as leader of the AEDC. Haley died in 2011. Beebe appointed her to lead the agency in 2007.
Before working as AEDC interim director, Tennille had been a deputy chief of staff and communications director in Beebe’s office since 2007. He was Beebe’s liaison for economic-development issues.
Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample told The Associated Press that Tennille had become an integral part of the state’s economic development efforts during his time as interim director. Beebe last month said he was reluctant to bring Tennille back from the temporary post.
DeCample also said Tennille will be paid $120,000 as director.
Also Tuesday, Beebe named Steve Bryles as director of the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission.
Bryles, 54, has been a deputy director at the agency since January 2011. Before that, he served 10 years as a state senator representing Mississippi and Poinsett counties.
The commission’s previous director, Jon Fitch, also died last year. He had led the agency since 2007.
Bryles will be paid $99,000 in the job.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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