Profile

John Newcomb was born and raised in Osceola, Arkansas.  He is a 1977 graduate of the prestigious Episcopal High School In Alexandria, Virginia.  During that time, Newcomb did internships for Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt.

In 1981, Newcomb graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. in Business Administration.  That same year, Newcomb began as a sales representative for Edwards Pharmaceuticals in Memphis. In 1985, Newcomb became President of Edwards Pharmaceuticals.  Newcomb served on the board of NPA and was elected President of the National Pharmaceutical Alliance 1987-1988 (NPA in D.C.).  Newcomb was a pharmacy technician, and ran drug stores in Osceola and Wilson.  

In 1985, Newcomb became Chief Operating Officer of Stonewall Plantation in Tchula, Mississippi.  He served on the Board of StaplCotn in Greenwood, Mississippi for over 30 years.  He served as a delegate on the National Cotton Council DC, & Cotton Inc. NYC. 

In 1985, Newcomb joined the board of Grains Jamaica, Montego Bay, Jamaica.  This was a joint venture Newcomb put together under President Ronald Reagan's Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).  In partnership with the Jamaican Government, Grains Jamaica boosted the tonnage of rice Jamaica could purchase through the USDA’s PL-480 program.  This was a win for Arkansas rice farmers and Jamaicans, because the rice was milled in Montego Bay and distributed throughout the island.  He helped formed the Caribbean Rice Association in Georgetown, Guyana.  This helped the Caribbean rice growers and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in tracking rice shipments. In 1995, Newcomb became Chairman of Grains Jamaica Board for over 20 years.  Newcomb also took over a sugar plantation in Jamaica and converted it to produce citrus, bananas, peppers, vegetables, mango and papaya orchards. 

Locally, Newcomb got Osceola into the Arkansas Main Street program and was Chairman for Osceola’s program for over 30 years.  He and Osceola’s Mayor Kennemore, 24 years ago, started Osceola’s Heritage Music Festival as part of Main Street activities.  Newcomb was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Arkansas Northeastern College by Governors Mike Huckabee, Beebe, and Hutchison from 2000-2022, served as Chairman from 2017-2019.  Newcomb has served on the Board of the Osceola South Mississippi County Chamber of Commerce and as its President.  

In 2020, Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed Newcomb as Commissioner on the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and in 2024 Newcomb became the Chairman of AEDC.  

Newcomb has two boys, Blan (37) and Nick (35) and two grandkids Nolan (6), and Grace (4).

Newcomb is a lifelong member of the 1st United Methodist Church in Osceola.