Darin Gray
CJRW of Little Rock on Monday announced that Darin Gray, the company’s president since February 2014, will also assume the roles of CEO and chairman.
Gray replaces Wayne Woods, who has been chairman and CEO since 2010, the company said in a news release.
“Over the course of the last 18 months, the decision to designate Darin as my successor as chairman and CEO has been validated time and time again,” Woods said in the news release. “He has broad experience in leading, managing and growing businesses and has played an instrumental role not only in our move to Main Street, but in positioning us for continued success moving forward.”
Gray was the owner of Gray Matters Inc., which publishes the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal and other niche publications, when he was selected to serve as president of CJRW. He previously served as chairman of the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission.
“I could not be more humbled by the confidence Wayne and the Board of Directors have placed in me to lead this great firm,” Gray said in the news release. “CJRW is an iconic Arkansas business that has helped countless clients succeed since it was founded. It has clearly set the standard for excellence in our industry and we will continue to set that standard moving forward.
Woods will take on the title of chairman emeritus and oversee the company’s publications division.
“To be able to turn the reins over to Darin and step back into my first love and what I do best is extremely gratifying at this stage of my career,” Woods said. “That was my plan when we started this process and to see it come to fruition as we move into our new building is especially fitting.”
The company described Gray’s original hiring “as part of a long-term leadership transition plan that was put in place in 2013.” The current transition was announced to staff at the company’s new offices at Third and Main streets in Little Rock on Monday.
Sign up for Daily E-news
