Matt Twyford named AEDC’s Senior Manager for Community Development

AEDC Executive Director Mike Preston today announced that Matt Twyford has been named the agency’s Senior Manager for Community Development. Twyford has worked for AEDC as a Regional Manager for Community Development since March 2014.

“Matt has gone above and beyond during his years with AEDC, and I feel he is the ideal candidate to lead our Community Development Division into the next phase of growth,” Preston said. “He has proven he knows how to work with our communities to bring out the positive attributes that make them more competitive for economic development projects.”

During his tenure at AEDC, Twyford has served as the primary point of contact between AEDC and communities throughout Arkansas as the agency sought to build and maintain relationships with leaders in an effort to stay informed on issues affecting communities. Before joining AEDC, Twyford served with the Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System, Arkansas State Employees Association, State Board of Private Career Education, Arkansas Development Finance Authority and VALIC.

“I am very grateful for this opportunity, and I am excited about what lies ahead with community development in the state,” Twyford said.  

Twyford is a graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with concentrations in financial management and real estate finance. He is a graduate of Class 30 of Leadership Greater Little Rock, the Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas, The University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and the Mid-South Basic Economic Development Course held by the International Economic Development Council. He currently holds his Professional Community and Economic Developer certification through the Community Development Council.