Jason Brown announced his resignation as President and CEO of the Greater Bryant Chamber of Commerce. He will end his service to the business community in mid-May 2023 in that capacity. Rhonda Sanders has been named as the replacement.
“In January of this year I gave my resignation to the executive board of the Greater Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce, with an open date (of me leaving) or after the airshow or at a the service of the executive board,” Brown said.
“During my time at the Chamber I have had the privilege of working with the best leaders I could have ever asked for. Their passion for the businesses and the community are unmatched. You can thank this organization, these businesses, these people, for so many behind the scene things that make our communities what they are.”
“Being able to work beside these people, on a daily basis, is what I will miss most about leaving the Chamber. I’m proud of so many things of my time here, but I’m most proud of the Airshow, it was my baby, and now I get to hand it off and they will do it more justice.”
He went on to thank his co-worker Anna Brimhall at the Chamber, and his wife and son, Sherri and Gabriel Brown. Jason Brown is also a member of the Bryant City Council, Ward 3 Seat 1.
Meanwhile, the Board of the Greater Bryant Chamber of Commerce has named Rhonda Sanders as the new Director. The announcement:
Bryant Chamber is pleased to announce Rhonda Sanders as its new director. Rhonda will begin working part-time immediately and begin full-time on July 1, 2023.
Rhonda Sanders is the former CEO of the Arkansas Foodbank, an organization that acquires, processes, and distributes food to 33 counties in Arkansas. Under her leadership, the Arkansas Foodbank and the Arkansas Depot successfully merged, increasing food distribution to 40 million pounds a year. During her tenure, the facility was expanded and a branch office was added in the Delta, all while maintaining a strong financial position.
Rhonda served on multiple Feeding America committees and was a co-chair of the Feeding America National Contract Task Force. She worked with non-profits and state officials to coordinate disaster response efforts.
Rhonda is a highly engaged Bryant community member, having served on the Bryant School Board for 10 years, the Bryant City Council for 2 years and the Bryant Chamber of Commerce board for 3 years. She is active in Rotary, the Bryant Senior Adult Center, and serves on the Saline Memorial Hospital Advisory Board.
Rhonda earned an Accounting degree from Ouachita Baptist University and holds a Masters degree from the UAMS College of Public Health. She was named as one of the 200 Most Influential People in Arkansas in 2018, 2019, 2020, and again in 2021. In 2019 she was awarded Feeding America’s Dick Goebel Public Service Award.
Rhonda and her husband have lived in Bryant for 29 years. Her children and now grandchildren continue to call this community home.
“The Bryant Chamber is very fortunate to have someone with the unique skill set and leadership experience that Rhonda possesses,” said Brooke Plack, Bryant Chamber Board of Directors Chair. “Our board has been so pleased with the direction Jason Brown has taken the Bryant Chamber over the past five years. We are very excited to see Rhonda Sanders continue to provide our business community with the partnership they deserve for success.”
dddd