Mike Malone is a seasoned economic development professional with nearly three decades of experience bridging government, private sector, and educational organizations to drive community and economic growth. Throughout his career, he has built strategic partnerships, led transformative initiatives, and delivered measurable economic impact at the local, regional, and state levels.

Most recently, Malone served as Vice Chancellor for Economic Development at the University of Arkansas (2022–2025), where he spearheaded efforts to expand economic opportunities and enhance the quality of life across the state. In this role, he worked closely with public and private stakeholders to foster workforce development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and business expansion.

Prior to that, he was Vice President for Corporate and Community Affairs at Runway Group (2016–2022), a private, for-profit development firm focused on strategic investments and community growth in Northwest Arkansas. There, he managed diverse projects in infrastructure, workforce development, and regional planning, playing a key role in strengthening the area’s economic competitiveness.

From 2006 to 2016, Malone served as President and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council, a non-profit regional development organization, where he led regional growth strategies that resulted in significant job creation, economic expansion, and quality-of-life improvements. His leadership in infrastructure development, workforce readiness, and business recruitment helped position Northwest Arkansas as a thriving economic hub.

Earlier in his career, Malone held key roles in Washington, D.C., including Deputy Assistant to the President for Management and Administration at The White House, as well as positions at FEMA, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations. His federal experience provided him with deep insights into public policy, funding mechanisms, and intergovernmental collaboration — key assets in economic development.

Malone currently serves on the board of directors for Heartland Forward and as a trustee of Hendrix College. He holds a Master of Arts in Public Affairs from the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and graduated cum laude from Hendrix College with a bachelor’s degree in political science.