Albemarle Corp. has named Ellie Baker as its land relationship manager in Magnolia.
She previously was the city of Magnolia’s economic development director, and her hiring signals the company’s effort to improve community engagement and work with brine leaseholders in south Arkansas.
Albemarle, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has had extensive bromine extraction operations in the brine fields of the Smackover geological formation for years, and is seeking to start commercial lithium extraction in the region. The company is the world’s largest producer of lithium, though it hasn’t yet extracted the battery-making element from Arkansas brine.
As Magnolia’s top economic developer, Baker spearheaded business retention and expansion projects by orchestrating state incentives with local industries.
“She has a long history in the Magnolia community, including managing city-owned properties, partnering with state and local officials to drive infrastructure expansion and leading the city’s branding efforts,” said Pete Smolowitz, a member of Albemarle’s public relations team.
“Baker also played a key role in implementing Magnolia’s 20-year comprehensive vision plan and collaborated on multiple initiatives at both the state and local levels, including economic development legislative proposals, workforce development, retail growth and industrial expansion,” Smolowitz told Arkansas Business.
Baker posted on social media that in her new role, she will manage relationships with Albemarle’s brine leaseholders and neighbors. The goal, she wrote, is “continuing the 55-year legacy of the positive presence that Albemarle has cultivated in our community.”
She earned a bachelor of science degree at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia in 2002.
Baker was executive director of the Magnolia-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce for five years before becoming the city’s economic development chief.
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