Bentonville Chamber Appoints Emily Medlock as Interim Lead
The board of directors named Emily Medlock to replace outgoing CEO Brandom Gengelbach.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in People
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The Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce has appointed Emily Medlock as its new interim executive director. She will take over as current president and CEO Brandom Gengelbach steps down from the organization.
Why it matters
This leadership transition marks a significant shift for the chamber as it prepares for upcoming organizational goals. The appointment aims to ensure stability as the chamber moves into the next calendar year.
Emily Medlock previously spent 3 years as the director of membership and general manager at Blake Street. She joined the Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce in May 2026.
The players
Emily Medlock
She is the newly appointed interim executive director of the Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Brandom Gengelbach
He is the outgoing president and chief executive officer of the Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce
This local organization facilitates business development and advocacy for the Bentonville community.
Blake Street
This institution served as the previous place of employment for Emily Medlock.
The details
The board of directors selected Medlock following her tenure as the chamber's director of business development. Gengelbach is set to assist the board and staff through the transition period.
Timeline
Medlock joined the chamber as director of business development in May 2026.
The appointment was officially announced on October 26, 2026.
Brandom Gengelbach will step down from his role on October 31, 2026.
Medlock is scheduled to support organizational planning throughout 2027.
Market Landscape
This leadership change follows established governance protocols for executive turnover within the Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce. The move signals a strategic emphasis on maintaining continuity as the organization transitions into a new planning cycle.
Local business owners and community stakeholders can expect a continuation of standard chamber operations during this transition. Future organizational priorities for 2027 will be shaped under the direction of the new interim leadership.
The takeaway
Organizations often leverage internal talent to maintain momentum during executive departures. Stakeholders should monitor upcoming chamber announcements for updates regarding the long-term strategic direction for 2027.
Further reading
For more information on local leadership, visit the Bentonville People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
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