The Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday that Paul Latture will begin work immediately as vice president of economic development as well as executive director of the Metro Little Rock Alliance.
Latture has more than three decades of experience in economic development including 14 years as the executive director of the Port of Little Rock. Latture served as the chamber's executive vice president for economic development from 1993-1999.
Latture has also been president of chambers of commerce in Jackson, Mississippi; and Wichita Falls and Joplin, Missouri.
"This is a homecoming of sorts, to an organization that I both worked for and worked closely with for the past 30 years," Latture said in a news release. "It is highly respected in industry and economic development circles. I look forward to helping advance the job creation and business investment in central Arkansas."
Latture has been awarded the designations of certified chamber executive and certified economic developer.
"To find an individual as talented and as knowledgeable as Paul is exciting. To find one with this level of experience and level of comfort within our market is unbelievable," chamber President and CEO Hay Chesshir said. "This is a unique opportunity that doesn’t come around often."
Latture's position is part-time.
"Filling this position full time while the economic development lawsuit is ongoing is not an option," Chesshir said.
Economic development activities at the chamber have been largely on hold since a lawsuit last year questioned the constitutionality of city payments to chambers and related entities for economic development programs.