She’s the go-to lady in economic development and the film industry

When Arlena Acree founded Career Adventures Inc. in 1985, she may not have realized what an adventure her own career would be at the time.

In fact, over the past 18 years Acree has worn so many hats, she has turned over the running of Career Adventures to others.

“I don’t even get involved in my business anymore,” Acree said. “They only contact me from time to time when they need me.”

Acree has been with the city of Shreveport since 1998, when she was appointed director of economic development by thenmayor Keith Hightower.

“Mayor Cedric Glover appointed me over the film industry in 2006,” she said. “Back then, it was really blowing and going.”

Her title was director of film, media and entertainment.

“The film business was down, but it’s picked up a little bit again,” Acree said. “We have two projects in prep right now. They’re small-budget projects, but they do spend money and bring folks in. Who knows? One day they could be bigger budget projects.”

Now on her third mayor, Acree finds herself in a combination of the two jobs – director of economic development and film.

“Mayor [Ollie] Tyler’s administration has reappointed me back into economic development,” she said. “When Liz McCain, who was economic development director, left to go to work for Louisiana Economic Development, it was just natural for me to go back into that position.”

Acree finds things have changed a bit for both industries.

“I still have a lot of the same contacts in the arena of economic development,” she said. “And film is economic development. A lot of companies, vendors and hotels really miss that industry because of the indirect and direct money they spend here.”

Acree said that as of July 1, the state began buying back film tax credits, and “things are starting to pick up.”

Economic development covers a wide range of topics, Acree pointed out.

“Any infrastructure, transportation is economic development,” she said. “When we have prospects in town, they want to know all this. It affects a lot of things, including a clean city.”

Which brings us to yet another job. Acree is also in charge of the mayor’s “Don’t Be Trashy, Keep It Classy” campaign, Shreveport’s beautification program.

“If you have a business or industry that is looking at Shreveport, it turns them off if the city is not clean,” she said. “I can name some cities that’s happened to. We still have a lot of work to do on that program, and we are implementing a lot of changes in the city including new signage and hidden cameras.”

Years ago, Acree resigned from several boards as a matter of self-preservation.

“My thing is, I have to be able to give it 100 percent,” she said. “I stay so busy with everything else.”

She has remained affiliated with University Health Board, James Burton Foundation, J. Frank McAneny Foundation, Committee of 100 and Walk of Stars.

“I started Walk of Stars when I was president of the Shreveport Chamber years ago,” Acree said. “It was under the auspices of the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, so for four years it’s been inactive. So, I reactivated it, and we have our own committee now.”

Walk of Stars is located in the Red River District, and Acree hopes for a couple of inductions before the end of the year. “It’s a good thing for Shreveport and tourism,” she said. “In fact, it’s good for Northwest Louisiana because inductees can be from anywhere in that area.”

So in all, Acree has been with the city of Shreveport almost two decades.

“When you work at the city so long, you get to know a lot of things, and it’s good have someone with continuity … especially in this arena,” she said. “Mayors come and go … our mayors can only serve two consecutive terms.”

How does she juggle all the hats she wears? “Thank God I have a wonderful family,” she said.

“Time management is very important. You just have to prioritize because I’m jumping from one thing to another. Everybody and every project is important, so I try and prioritize what’s the most important thing at that moment.”

– Bonnie Culverhouse

Photo by Marcus Mébes