Member Spotlight | Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives

Cari White is the executive vice president and chief operating officer for the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce. She is responsible for programs, events and committees and is the director of the Leadership Jonesboro and Jr. Leadership programs. Cari earned her Certified Chamber Executive designation in 2006. She is an active participant in Arkansas Hospitality Association, Delta Leadership Network, AEDCE, and MAKO.

1. What do you love most about Arkansas? Her beauty and the diversity of her landscape. I have never lived anywhere else!
2. Very few people know that I…Love to sing in my church choir.
3. What advice would you give to your 21-year old self? Always remember that you are relevant.
4. Top three things on your bucket list? Retire and get better at golf, Travel West, See a Broadway Musical….no more travel outside the U.S.!
5. If you were a superhero, what superpowers would you like to have? (Choose two) To Fly and To Be Invisible whenever I want!
6. If you weren’t in economic development/chamber work, what would you being doing? Speech writing for politicians
7. The greatest risk I ever took was…? Accepting the job in Jonesboro before I told my husband.
8. What issue facing Arkansas, or your local community is most pressing in your mind? How to grow and keep our young talent!!
9. How long have you been in the chamber/economic development profession? OCTOBER IS MY 30th YEAR!! What do you like most about your job? Working with volunteers to celebrate a plan that works exactly as it was supposed to.
10. What is the best career advice you would give someone in the chamber/economic development profession? Embrace every experience…the victories, the disappointments and most of all the relationships with the others in the business! They have been my greatest blessing over the years!

Flave Carpenter is a Customer Service Manager with Entergy Arkansas, LLC. Over his 24 years with Entergy, he has also served as Trade Show Manager and as a Community Development Consultant. In his current role, Flave is responsible for managing the largest industrial customers in the North Central region of Arkansas along with the relationships with area leaders. He serves as the primary Entergy contact for 7 counties and is officed in Searcy. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Batesville Area, Heber Springs Area and Searcy Regional Chambers, most recently as the Chairman of the Board of the Searcy Chamber.

1. What do you love most about Arkansas? It is a beautiful state with 4 seasons and easy access to plenty of natural and cultural amenities.
2. Very few people know that I… am a big fan of Impressionists painting.
3. What advice would you give to your 21-year old self? Find something that interests you, then find a mentor in that field and save every nickel you can along the way.
4. Top three things on your bucket list? I don’t really have a “bucket list” but I would really like to see the Northern Lights.
5. If you were a superhero, what superpowers would you like to have? I think it would be pretty cool to be able to fly and also to shape shift – even if it’s just to shift out of about 30 lbs.
6. If you weren’t in economic development/chamber work, what would you being doing? Exactly what I’m doing now as a Customer Service Manager.
7. The greatest risk I ever took was…? Moving out of my original field of choice as a potter. I was teaching pottery at Garland County Community College and started volunteering at the Garland County IDC to get a foot in the Economic Development door.
8. What issue facing Arkansas, or your local community is most pressing in your mind? Six months ago, I would have said Workforce Development and while that’s still important, I think the most critical issue for all of us these days is having the mindset and ability to quickly adapt to change. We can’t afford to get too comfortable.
9. How long have you been in the chamber/economic development profession? What do you like most about your job? I started in the business in 1992 in Hot Springs although I’ve been around it much of my life. My dad got in the chamber and later the ED business in the late 60’s. The thing that I’ve always enjoyed most about my past and current work is having access to the inner workings and being a part of the development/betterment business.
10. What is the best career advice you would give someone in the chamber/economic development profession? Build an effective network wherever you are. If you’re going to be successful, you’re likely not going to do it alone.