AEDC Names Clint O’Neal Executive Vice President of Global Business

Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) Executive Director Mike Preston announced Tuesday Clint O’Neal will become the agency’s Executive Vice President of Global Development effective March 19.

“In a nationwide search,” Preston said, “Clint’s name was at the top of the list of the most qualified candidates. His knowledge and experience make him uniquely qualified for the role, as he will help elevate our agency with innovation and a proven record of success.”

Danny Games vacated the EVP position at AEDC in January when he was named Director of Business and Economic Development with Entergy Arkansas.

As the recent Vice President of Business Recruitment for the Missouri Partnership, O’Neal has worked on successful recruitment projects with companies including Nucor Corporation, American Outdoor Brands, CVS, Dollar Tree Distribution, Amazon, Blue Buffalo and U.S. Farathane. As a project manager for AEDC, O’Neal worked with clients including Cooper Tire, Firestone Building Product, and Southwest Power Pool, as well as the recruitment of Awesome Products and Saint Gobain.

“I am excited to return to Arkansas at a time when there is great momentum and leadership in the Capitol and in the economic development community,” said O’Neal.  “I look forward to working with the team at AEDC and with economic developers across the state to build an even stronger Arkansas with more economic and business opportunities.”

O’Neal is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma and holds a master’s degree in community and economic development from the University of Central Arkansas. He is a member of the International Economic Development Council, the Southern Economic Development Council, and the Missouri Economic Development Council.