UPDATE OCT 3, 2023
Many in the Bryant area business community are curious who will be the interim CEO for the Greater Bryant Chamber of Commerce. We have more information today on the Chamber Board’s activities. But first, some background:
How did we get here?
Rhonda Sanders is taking a 5-month hiatus from the position of CEO at the Chamber. Sanders was appointed on Thursday, September 28, 2023, to serve as Mayor of the City of Bryant, until the election March 5, 2024. That March election is for someone to complete the remaining approximately 3 years left in the Mayoral term at that time. It will be on the ballot with the Preferential Primary Election.
Election Pro Tip:
Don’t confuse that with Bryant’s special election on November 14, 2023, which will ask for an Advertising & Promotion tax, and a bond for Parks & Recreation improvement projects.
What are they doing now?
You can read more about the “why” in the links below, in the original story from September 30th. Let’s move to the current status at the Chamber.
Brooke Plack, is the President of the Chamber Board. She stated that the Executive Committee met on Monday. “We will have a meeting on Thursday with the entire Board to vote on the next steps.”
We should have news of an interim Chamber CEO by the end of the week. Meanwhile Anna Brimhall is a longtime staff member at the Chamber. Plack said Brimhall “is operating all programs as normal and working on planning for upcoming events.”
But wait – who is running for Mayor in March?
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ORIGINAL STORY DATE SEPT 30, 2023
It’s been several days of transition for Bryant, Arkansas. Mayor Allen Scott resigned in a scandal, with over 3 years left in his term, and needed replacing. The replacement – for now – is Rhonda Sanders, the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce. So now the Chamber needs to replace her.
READ MORE BELOW ?
Brooke Plack is the Board President of the Greater Bryant Chamber of Commerce. She said that this wasn’t a surprise to the Board. “Rhonda notified the Board before the City Council meeting. The Board is working on a plan for the interim. We know she’s not going to run for the elected office of Mayor in March.”
By Arkansas state law, the City must hold an election to replace the Mayor, since there was more than one year left in Scott’s term. However, with a special election already coming November 14th, it’s too soon to add a Mayor election onto the ballot. The Saline County Clerk needs the election ordinance ready 70 days before an election. The City opted to wait until the March 5th Presidential Primary, so that why there is an appointed Mayor in the meantime.
The November 14th special election has two questions. The first is whether to start an Advertising and Promotion tax. The second asks for a bond to build parks projects. More on that election later, when the ballot is published. Meanwhile…
READ MORE BELOW ?
Plack stated that the Chamber Board does need an interim CEO quickly, but they are also looking to make a quality decision. There is also human resources and salary involved in the decision. It should be someone who is invested in the present and future of Bryant business. The Chamber will be planning their annual events like the First Responders Luncheon, the Christmas Block Party, and the Wings Over Bryant Airshow.
This is a full-time job that will extend from October until about mid-March. If you or someone you know may be interested in applying for the 5-month position, email your resume and introduction to [email protected]. You can also talk to one of the Board Members if you know them. But do it quickly. Plack said they hope to announce the interim CEO at the beginning of the week.
Read these 2 previous stories about the Mayor’s resignation, and appointed replacement:
City of Bryant releases EEOC complaint that triggered Mayor Scott’s resignation