Arkansas State Chamber/AIA Names Lance Turner Director of Communications
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Nov. 5, 2026) — The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas today announced the hiring of Lance Turner as director of communications. Turner will oversee the State Chamber/AIA’s communications strategy, including digital and social media, media relations, publications and member outreach.
“Lance spent nearly 25 years covering Arkansas business, and he knows our members, our economy and our state’s media landscape,” said Randy Zook, president and CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber/AIA. “He understands the issues that matter to Arkansas employers and knows how to tell their stories clearly and credibly. We’re excited to welcome him to our team.”
Turner brings more than 25 years of experience in journalism and public relations. Most recently, he served as an account supervisor at Ghidotti Communications of Little Rock, where he led strategic public relations and media relations efforts for clients in industries including banking, commercial real estate, education, energy, health care, nonprofits, technology and tourism.
Before joining Ghidotti, Turner worked in reporting and editing roles at Arkansas Business Publishing Group of Little Rock. He served as editor of Arkansas Business from 2021 to 2023 and as online editor from 2000 to 2021, helping build ArkansasBusiness.com and its portfolio of daily and weekly e-newsletters into a leading source of business news in the state. Under his leadership, Arkansas Business and its digital products earned multiple gold awards from the Alliance of Area Business Publishers, including best newspaper in 2023.
From 2007 to 2023, Turner also appeared daily on KTHV-TV Channel 11’s morning newscast, delivering Arkansas Business news segments, and served as an on-air commentator for the CBS affiliate’s political coverage.
“For most of my career, I’ve had a front-row seat to the work Arkansas businesses do to create jobs, invest in their communities and move our state forward,” Turner said. “The State Chamber and AIA have been a strong voice for those businesses for decades, and I’m honored to join Randy Zook and this team. I look forward to helping the State Chamber and AIA serve their members by keeping them informed, sharing their stories and making sure the business community’s perspective is heard loud and clear across Arkansas.”
Turner is a graduate of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and printing.
About the Arkansas State Chamber/AIA
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas are private, nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the business climate in Arkansas. By partnering with state and local leaders, networking with key stakeholders and actively collaborating with members, the organizations advance policies that benefit businesses and industries across the state.
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