Background

Mike Malone is an economic development strategist with nearly three decades of experience spanning federal government, higher education, private investment, and regional and state economic development. Mike’s career has taken him across the full spectrum of sectors that shape economic growth; he’s led economic development functions in a major research university, a private investment firm, and a nonprofit regional organization, and also served at the highest levels of the federal government. This cross-sector experience gives him a uniquely integrated perspective on how economies actually work and how to move them forward.

He previously led economic development at the University of Arkansas, directed corporate and community affairs at Runway Group, a private investment firm in Bentonville, and spent a decade as President and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council — helping transform the region into one of the country's most dynamic economies. Earlier in his career, Mike served in Washington, D.C. as Deputy Assistant to the President for Management and Administration at the White House, and in roles at FEMA, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House Appropriations Committee — giving him a foundation in federal policy and public administration that informs everything he does today.

Work

Economic development is inherently complex, requiring the alignment of stakeholders with competing interests — business, government, philanthropy, education, and communities — each with their own priorities and timelines. Throughout his career, Mike has been particularly effective at navigating that complexity, bringing leaders together around shared economic challenges and translating across sectors and perspectives to build the alignment that turns strategy into action.

Mike consults and speaks on a range of topics at the intersection of economic strategy and practical implementation, including the impact of AI on the workforce and workplace, infrastructure investment, public policy, philanthropic-led development, place-based economic strategies, entrepreneurship and innovation, and regional development. As a Partner at Economic Leadership LLC, he has advised states and regions on economic competitiveness and long-term growth strategies, with recent work in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado and Virginia.

About

Mike 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 where he now serves on the Board of Trustees. Mike is the father of two adult children and he and his wife, Allyson, live in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He loves live music, the Arkansas Razorbacks and playing pinball whenever possible.