Mike Downing has been hired by Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin to be the city’s chief of staff.
Downing, vice president of Jonesboro Unlimited, will oversee 15 city departmental directors. He will join the city on Monday.
“Mike led a cabinet-level position with the State of Missouri, managing 700-plus employees and a $350 million budget,” Perrin said in a news release. “He worked for eight governors, and during his time in Jonesboro has illustrated to me that he understands leadership and networking at all levels of government.
“There are precious few people with his type of background, and I am thrilled to have him join our administration.”
Downing has worked for more than a year for Jonesboro Unlimited to recruit businesses to Jonesboro. Last year, he served as chair of the ASU to Downtown Corridor Committee, which proposed best uses for property and neighborhoods connecting the university with downtown.
“We appreciate the work Mike has done for Jonesboro Unlimited,” JU and Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce President Mark Young said. “He has a passion for the community and seeing it continue to grow and improve. He will be a tremendous asset to the City of Jonesboro.”
Downing is a Bragg City, Missouri, native and Arkansas State University graduate who was the placekicker on ASU’s 1975 national championship football team. He earned bachelors’ degrees in business administration and recreation, health and physical education at ASU. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Missouri.
“I love Jonesboro and have for many years,” Downing said. “I am excited about this role and the opportunity to help Mayor Perrin in providing our dedicated department leaders and staff with all the tools they need to keep our city going strong.”