Wayne Woods

Wayne was named president of CJRW in 2003 and became chairman of the board and chief executive officer in 2010.  He chairs the agency's four-member executive committee and oversees the daily operations of the agency, managing almost 100 employees in two offices.  In addition, Wayne oversees the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism account.

Wayne began his career in 1971, when he joined the agency his brother, Shelby, founded four years earlier.  As executive vice president of The Woods Brothers Agency, Wayne developed expertise in the promotion of the travel and tourism industry in Arkansas. He has helped numerous cities throughout Arkansas form and develop advertising and promotion commissions. 

Wayne and Shelby were named "Advertising Men of the Year" in 1990 by the Arkansas Advertising Federation.  This honor was given for their major contributions to the advertising industry on behalf of the state of Arkansas.

Wayne was awarded the Hospitality Association's Silver Cup in 1990 – the highest award presented by this statewide organization.  In 1991 at the Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism, he was named "Tourism Person of the Year" and was given the Henry Award.  In 1999, he was inducted into the Arkansas Hospitality Association Hall of Fame.  And, in 2000, Wayne was named the "Tourism Person of the Year" by the Arkansas Hospitality Association.

A Dumas, Arkansas, native and high school football All-American, Wayne attended the University of Arkansas on a football scholarship and majored in marketing and advertising.  He spends his free time flying the "Arkansas Is A Natural" hot air balloon and boating on the Arkansas River on his beloved yacht, "Southwind II."