Bryant Chamber adds new member to its team

At the beginning of March, the Greater Bryant Chamber of Commerce added a new member to its team.

Patrick Presley is the Chamber's new community development coordinator.

"To me, it is about telling the people of Central Arkansas why Bryant is different, unique and special," Presley said of his new position.

He is originally from the small town of Trumann and grew up in East Arkansas. He moved to

San Diego when he was 18, but he came back to Arkansas after meeting his now wife while visiting Little Rock. He graduated Palomare Colleg in San Marcos, California. When he returned to Arkansas, he went to Ua-little Rock. His degrees are in history and cultural anthropology. He is passionate about history, a love passed on to him by his mother who was a history teacher for 40 years.

Presley is working to move to Bryant.

He has been married to his wife, Lela for 30 years. He has two children, Alex and Kamryn. Kamryn and Presley's granddaughter, Harmony, will both attend Bryant Schools.

He said the school system in Bryant is part of what attracted him. He loves the pride the community has in the school and the athletic teams.

He believes the Chamber can be as successful as the school and its teams.

Presley has worked in the nonprofit space for 18 years.

"Because of so many years working in nonprofit that is ironically what had made me so pro business," Preseley said. " I saw firsthand, especially during a pandemic, that when businesses thrive and do well, that's when most companies can and will give monetarily to worthy causes."

Before that, he sold pharmaceuticals, where he traveled all over the country. He loved the travel, but hated the job.

One day he decided to quit after the company told him to keep selling a drug they knew could hurt people and expected to be removed by the Federal Drug Administration. He realized he could not work for them anymore and quit.

He had decide what he wanted to do with his life.

"I wanted to try to find something to make a difference in people's lives," Presley said.

Presley considers creating events his personal calling card.

While working as director of development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Arkansas, which covered four Clubs in in Little

Rock and two in North Little Rock, he created the Arkansas Italian Food and Cultural Festival in Little Rock to benefit the organization. It attracts visitors from all over and has been popular.

He wants to bring some of that into events in Bryant.

After the start of COVID,

Presley saw how things are changing. He was looking for a change and wanted to be part of something big.

"I was interested in a new challenge," he said.

He had a friend who was also friends with Jason Brown, president and CEO of the Chamber.

After meeting with Brown, he found he loves his passion and longterm goals for the city. He realized the Chamber was a fearless place.

"I am a pretty fearless guy and I would like to be with you," Presley said he told Brown.

One of his goals is to show the people of Pulaski County, Bryant is a great place they can come to eat, shop and enjoy a day. He wants them to come to do their business.

He is excited for the Wings Over Bryant Airshow June 19, which is set to be the largest in the area.

He believes it will help show people Bryant is special.

He wants to jump with both feet into the community. He already planning to join the Bryant Rotary Club. He may join other groups. He wants to be a part of the community.

As someone who loves events, he wants to see Bryant become an

event destination. He wants to draw people from all over.

He wants to create a Christmas Market, similar to those in Europe, and he wants to create a Bluegrass Festival. He pointed out bluegrass fans are loyal and will travel for shows.

Presley considers himself a passionate, driven person who believes anything is possible. He wants to use his tenacity show people of Arkansas Bryant is great and draw people to the community.