The Senate confirmed Christopher Masingill as the new co-chairman of the Delta Regional Authority on Thursday night.
“I have been proud to serve my home state of Arkansas and Governor Beebe, and I am equally honored to serve President Obama by leading the Delta Regional Authority," Masingill said. "I look forward to working with Members of Congress and the Governors of this eight-state Region in creating new opportunities for the people of the Delta.”
Currently, Masingill heads up the state's recovery implementation office and is Beebe’s director of intergovernmental affairs.
“Chris has always been a passionate advocate for the Delta, both before and during his time in my administration,” Beebe said. “This appointment lets him pursue that passion on a grander scale, an opportunity he will utilize to the benefit of Arkansas and the entire Delta region.”
The Delta Regional Authority was created by Congress as a federal-state partnership to address the economic and infrastructure needs of the Delta region. Masingill comes on board as the federal co-chairman, while Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, acts as the state co-chairman.
Masingill is no stranger to the national political scene or the Delta Regional Authority.
Prior to working for Beebe, he was Rep. Mike Ross’s district director and also served as Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s special projects assistant during Congress’s establishment of the Delta Regional Authority.