While growing up, Russell Harris thought public service was a noble calling.
After an internship with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission in 1997, the Batesville native was hooked on his career path.
"I enjoy the fact that when you're successful with [an economic development] project, you're impacting a lot of people," he said. "When you're able to work on a project that creates new jobs and new investment in a state, ... I think that's a pretty neat thing to be involved with."
In 2002, Harris was the first executive director of the newly formed Newport Economic Development Commission. He then joined Entergy Arkansas Inc.'s Office of Economic Development as its manager in November 2004.
As manager, Harris works with state and local officials to help attract new businesses or expand the businesses that are already part of a community.
He is a member of the Southern Economic Development Council and on the board of directors of the Arkansas Economic Developers and the Metro Little Rock Alliance.
"We have so many opportunities in this state," he said. "It takes all of us working hard. ... At Entergy, I do what we can to make our communities successful and thereby improve the livelihood of all our citizens in the state."
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