A press conference was held today at the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation (HCEDC) Office where board members announced the selection of Anna Powell as the new HCEDC President. Board members discussed their confidence in Powell's leadership, and Powell said she was honored and humbled for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Hope and Hempstead County. HCEDC issued a press release shortly after the press conference that said Powell will begin her new role June 12th. The full press conference can be seen in the video above and the press release can be found below.
HCEDC Press Release
May 22, 2023
The Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation recently named Anna Lee Powell as the new President. In a press conference held at the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation on May 22, 2023, Powell was officially announced as the President and is expected to begin her new role on June 12, 2023. Powell has been employed at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana since 2016. She has served in many roles at the college, most recently as the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the UAHT Foundation. Powell brings over a decade of experience in building community partnerships to advance community opportunities.
“I am honored to lead Hope and Hempstead County in promoting and developing Southwest Arkansas,” said Powell. “My ambition to expand prosperity and economic opportunity through business and industry expansion, place-making strategy, and community development will be instrumental to regional growth creation and implementation for the future.”
Anna was born and raised in Stuttgart, Arkansas. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Public Administration from the University of Central Arkansas in 2011. She has held positions at the Chamber of Commerce in Conway, AR, Hewlett- Packard Software Division, and Iroko Pharmaceuticals. Powell also serves or has served on several local boards, including United Way of Hempstead County, Southwest Arkansas Arts Council, Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce, and Hope Junior Auxiliary. Anna is a graduate of Leadership Texarkana and the Community Development Institute. In 2019, Powell was named in Four States Living Magazine as one of the “Fabulous Forty & Under.” Powell was also recently named top 20 under 50 by SWARK.Today.
For more information about the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation, contact Anna Powell at 870.777.8485 or [email protected].
