Davis announces plans to retire from chamber

BENTONVILLE — Dana Davis is stepping away from his four-year stint as president and CEO of the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, the organization announced Friday morning.

Davis moved from Texas and took the chamber’s helm in March 2013.

He will retire

Aug. 15. The chamber will develop a job description for its new leader and will create a search committee to vet candidates.

Davis emerged from a pool of more than three dozen candidates and a six-month search after his predecessor, Ed Clifford, left the chamber to take over leadership at The Jones Trust in Springdale in 2012.

“It’s been an honor to serve the Greater Bentonville area, and I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to participate in so many things positively impacting the entire region,” Davis said. “I am proud of the accomplishments the Chamber has made over the past four years, and I am excited to see what comes next for the community and the Chamber.”

Several initiatives started under Davis’ leadership, including a small-business hub program providing training and education to small businesses, an annual small business awards program, NWA Technology Council and the NWA Technology Summit. Davis also worked to bring the Young Entrepreneur’s Academy to the region.

Davis always was receptive to ideas regarding growth and innovation, said Alan Dranow, Walmart Heritage Group senior director.

Davis represented the greater Bentonville area well and thought regionally, Dranow said.

“He definitely left his mark on Bentonville,” he said.

Davis and Amazeum Executive Director Sam Dean moved to the area within months of each other. Dean recalled Amazeum’s office having three people at the time.

“Dana was willing to help us get going not only as a museum, but as a small business in the community,” Dean said. “He helped us grow and become the place we are today.”

Davis has put the chamber on “strong footings” and has been a vocal leader on important initiatives, Craig Rivaldo, board chairman, said.

“We appreciate his leadership and his dedication and effort to restore the chamber to a position of financial strength that will allow us to take on new projects and efforts that positively impact our members and the communities we serve,” he said.

Davis’ four-year stretch is short compared to the leaders of surrounding Chamber of Commerce organizations. Rogers’ Raymond Burns has been its president and CEO for 30 years. Springdale’s Perry Webb has led that chamber for more than 20 years. Steve Clark took the helm at Fayetteville’s eight years ago.

“... I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to participate in so many things positively impacting the entire region.” — Dana Davis, Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce

Davis