Visit Bentonville CEO Kalene Griffith was appointed Friday, Nov. 13 to the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission. Griffith replaces commissioner Mark Givens from El Dorado. The appointment expires January 14, 2021.
Kalene Griffith has served as president/CEO of Visit Bentonville, the city’s tourism bureau, for 10 years. During her tenure she established the wayfinding signage program, opened Lawrence Plaza ice rink and splash park, and, most recently, funded the competitive swimming pool at the newly opened Bentonville Community Center.
When asked about the appointment Griffith states, “I’m honored. This appointment is a reflection of our team’s hard work to put Bentonville and northwest Arkansas on the map as a true tourism destination. The state travel commission is an incredible group of people, and I look forward to joining their efforts in promoting the state of Arkansas.”
Kalene Griffith will be sworn in the week of Nov. 16,and she will attend her first meeting as a commissioner on Thursday, Nov. 19 in Fort Smith, Ark.