The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce has named Novella Humphrey (pictured) as its next chief operating officer, effective in July.
In a release, the chamber said Humphrey is “a dedicated leader with extensive experience in education and program coordination and brings a wealth of experience that aligns with the chamber’s mission to drive economic growth, enhance community partnerships, and strengthen the workforce in Independence County.”
“We are thrilled to announce that Novella is joining our team at the Chamber,” said BACC CEO Crystal Johnson. “I have had the opportunity to work with Novella over the past 15 years through our shared work in education. She has an exceptional ability to lead teams, create vision, and execute, making her the perfect addition to our team.”
Prior to joining the chamber, Humphrey served as the director of curriculum and federal programs for the Southside School District. The Arkansas Literacy Association recognized her as the Administrator in Reading recipient, highlighting her impactful efforts in promoting literacy within the community and across the state. Humphrey is involved in community initiatives such as the IMPACT Foundation, IMPACT Independence County’s Educational Excellence hub, and the WorkWired initiative, among others, aimed at economic development and local business support.
“I am excited to join the chamber team and contribute to our community’s continued growth and success,” Humphrey said. “I look forward to working alongside local leaders and businesses to create meaningful opportunities and lasting impact. Together, I believe we can build on the strong foundation already in place, driving innovation and fostering connections that strengthen our local economy and enhance quality of life for all in our community.”
This announcement follows the news that Jamie Rayford will assume the new chief strategy officer role at the chamber, “focused on leveraging her strategic leadership to further advance long-term economic and community development goals,” the chamber said.
“Since joining the organization in 2015, Rayford has led significant efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of chamber operations while facilitating cross-sector partnerships within the IMPACT Independence County network, resulting in meaningful growth and increased impact county-wide.
Image provided by the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce
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