Raymond Long to Oversee Business Retention at Little Rock Chamber

Raymond Omar Long

The Little Rock Regional Chamber said Wednesday that it hired Raymond Omar Long as director of business retention and expansion.

Raymond joins the chamber after most working for the Urban League of the State of Arkansas as director of programs. At the chamber he’ll the industry support program, part of the chamber’s MetRock 2020 Economic Development strategy

“We’re excited to add a proven professional like Raymond to our chamber team,” Chamber President and CEO Jay Chesshir said in a news release. “His diverse experience and local community connections will allow him to easily transition into this new role and help grow the positive impact our team can have on local businesses.”

The chamber said most economic growth and new job creation comes from existing businesses. Through its business retention and expansion efforts, chamber representatives conduct more than 100 visits to existing business each year, aiming to identify direct assistance needs and learn about industry-wide trends that the chamber can respond to.

“I’m excited to join the dynamic Little Rock Regional Chamber team,” Long said. “The mission of the chamber aligns with one of my purposes in life. I could not pass up the opportunity to play a role in helping enhance the earning opportunities and quality of life of every citizen in the Little Rock region.”

According to the chamber, Raymond, a native Arkansan and veteran, has more than 10 years of business operations experience in a variety of disciplines and industries. From 2016-2019, he was the founding executive director of Better Start Foundation, a youth development nonprofit. In 2018, he was appointed to Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott’s Transition Education Subcommittee.