Before joining the AAEA, Lauren Waldrip was a partner in Campbell Ward, a communications firm in Little Rock. She previously worked as a public affairs associate at Noble Strategies and was a public relations intern at the Arkansas Farm Bureau.
Waldrip holds a bachelor’s in marketing and a Master of Business Administration degree, both from the University of Arkansas.
Could you briefly describe your association and its goals?
The Arkansas Advanced Energy Association (AAEA) is focused on promoting the economic and job creation potential of Arkansas’ advanced energy sector. Our goal is to position Arkansas as a leader in energy innovation, fostering a business-friendly environment that supports the growth of advanced energy technologies. We’re committed to enhancing workforce development, advocating for pro-business policies, and connecting our members with the resources they need to thrive.
What are your members like?
Our members are a diverse mix of forward-thinking businesses and public entities, from large corporations to small startups, all dedicated to advancing energy innovation in Arkansas. These entities range from renewable energy companies and energy-efficiency firms to lithium stakeholders, advanced manufacturers, technology developers, finance entities, school districts and municipal partners. What unites them is a shared commitment to driving economic growth, creating jobs and fostering a sustainable energy future for the state.
What should our readers know about advanced energy and its future?
Advanced energy is not just the future; it’s a crucial part of Arkansas’ economic present. This sector drives innovation, creates high-quality jobs and attracts significant investment. As the energy landscape evolves, advanced energy technologies — from renewable energy and energy efficiency to electric vehicles and grid modernization — are becoming increasingly vital to our economic growth. The future of advanced energy in Arkansas is bright, with ample opportunities for businesses to capitalize on emerging technologies and markets. We are also engaged in the lithium industry, working to recruit other parts of the supply chain to Arkansas. Our extensive workforce development efforts, often coordinated with municipalities across the state, are preparing Arkansans for the jobs of the future. As such, we commend Governor Sanders’ strong focus on workforce development and expanding opportunities for Arkansas businesses.
What does your lobbying effort look like for January’s legislative session?
Our lobbying will focus on promoting policies that support economic development, job creation and innovation. We work closely with state legislators to ensure Arkansas remains competitive in attracting and retaining businesses. This includes advocating for regulatory frameworks that encourage investment in advanced energy technologies.
How did you end up as a trade industry executive director?
My path to this point is less about running trade groups, but more about working for folks and causes I care about, stemming from my agriculture background. While previously working for agricultural clients, I was first exposed to advanced energy technologies through farmers who used these technologies to lock in energy prices, providing economic stability as input costs continue to rise. Seeing how these solutions helped the agricultural community sparked my interest in the broader potential of advanced energy. As I explored the industry, I recognized the significant economic benefits these technologies could offer to businesses and communities across Arkansas. I’m passionate about advocating for big-picture solutions that benefit all stakeholders — utilities, businesses and ratepayers — while ensuring Arkansas remains a business-friendly environment.
Could you briefly describe your association and its goals?
The Arkansas Advanced Energy Association (AAEA) is focused on advancing and promoting the economic and job creation potential of Arkansas’ advanced energy sector. Our goal is to position Arkansas as a leader in energy innovation, fostering a business-friendly environment that supports the growth and development of advanced energy technologies. We’re committed to enhancing workforce development, advocating for policies that drive economic development and job creation, and connecting our members with the resources they need to thrive in this dynamic industry.
What are your members like?
Our members are a diverse group of forward-thinking businesses and public entities, from large corporations to small startups, all committed to advancing energy innovation in Arkansas. They range from renewable energy companies and energy-efficiency firms to lithium stakeholders, advanced manufacturers, technology developers, finance entities, school districts and municipal partners. What unites them is a shared commitment to driving economic growth, creating jobs and fostering a sustainable energy future for the state. Many of our members are deeply rooted in Arkansas’ business community, and they value the opportunities for collaboration and networking that the AAEA provides. The association also coordinates extensively with municipalities, enhancing local workforce development and ensuring that communities across Arkansas benefit from advanced energy initiatives.
How did you end up as a trade industry executive director?
My path to this point is less about running trade groups, but more about working for folks and causes I care about, stemming from my agriculture background. While previously working for agricultural clients, I was first exposed to advanced energy technologies through farmers who used these technologies to lock in energy prices, providing economic stability as input costs continue to rise. Seeing firsthand how these solutions could help the agricultural community sparked my interest in the broader potential of advanced energy. I also came to notice many of the conservative principles I appreciate within this industry that benefit ratepayers, like market competition and consumer choices. As I delved deeper into the industry, I recognized the enormous economic benefits that these technologies could offer, not just to farmers but to businesses and communities across Arkansas. This led me to pursue avenues where I could advocate for these opportunities and policies that support their adoption. I’m passionate about pushing for big-picture solutions that benefit all stakeholders — utilities, businesses and ratepayers — while ensuring Arkansas remains a business-friendly environment.
What should our readers know about advanced energy and its future?
Advanced energy is not just the future; it’s a vital part of Arkansas’ economic present. Every sector of the economy is powered by the energy sector. Success here empowers the state’s entire economy. This sector is driving innovation, creating high-quality jobs and attracting significant investment to our state. As the energy landscape evolves, advanced energy technologies — ranging from renewable energy and energy efficiency to electric vehicles and grid modernization — are becoming increasingly critical to our economic growth. The future of advanced energy in Arkansas is bright, with significant opportunities for businesses to capitalize on emerging technologies and markets. The AAEA is also playing an active role in the lithium industry, working to attract other parts of the supply chain to Arkansas. This effort is crucial as it positions our state at the forefront of a rapidly expanding sector. Furthermore, our extensive workforce development efforts, often coordinated with municipalities across the state, are preparing Arkansans for the jobs of the future. As such, we commend Governor Sanders’ strong focus on workforce development and expanding opportunities for Arkansas businesses.
What does your lobbying effort look like for January’s legislative session?
Our lobbying efforts for the upcoming January legislative session are focused on promoting policies that support economic development, job creation and innovation within the advanced energy sector. We are working closely with state legislators to ensure that Arkansas remains competitive in attracting and retaining businesses in this industry. This includes advocating for regulatory frameworks that encourage investment in advanced energy technologies and protect the interests of Arkansas businesses. Our approach is collaborative, seeking to build strong partnerships with policymakers and other stakeholders to achieve outcomes that benefit the entire state. As always, our efforts will emphasize the importance of balancing economic growth with the need for a sustainable and reliable energy future. Our extensive coordination with municipalities and focus on workforce development will also be key points in our advocacy, ensuring that legislative actions align with the needs of businesses and communities across Arkansas.
Sign up for Daily E-news
