Darin Gray is leaving his position as chief executive officer of Gray Matters, a niche publishing company in Springdale.
Gray, whose company produces the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal among its Web and print titles, said Tuesday that he is undecided on what his next step will be.It is possible, Gray said, that he will consider a run for public office among other public service and private sector opportunities.
“It was time to go back out and see what all the possibilities might be,” said Gray. “I enjoy the relationships and networking I’m able to do throughout the state of Arkansas, but I don’t know what’s next. That’s part of why the announcement needed to be made. I needed to be able to consider all the options that might be out there and not tie the company down to me trying to operate it while considering other options.”
Gray, whose final day at Gray Matters is Monday, has served on the Arkansas Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission since 2007. Gov. Mike Beebe appointed Gray to the commission for another six year term in 2013.
Before joining Arkansas Business Publishing Group in 1997, the Bryant native worked for the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission and in economic development for the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. He formed Gray Matters in 2004 when he bought a majority stake of the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal and its other publications from Arkansas Business Publishing Group.
Returning his focus to issues of “broader, statewide perspective” prompted Gray to make the change after nearly 17 years in niche publishing, he said. Gray has transferred ownership of Gray Matters into the TDG Family Trust. Gray’s wife, Tami, is the sole trustee.
Gray, 49, took sole ownership of the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal in August. He purchased the remaining 25-percent stake from Arkansas Business Publishing Group in Little Rock and announced changes to Gray Matters’ leadership structure on Sept. 2.
Rob Gutterridge was named publisher and Paul Gatling added the associate publisher role to his duties as editor. Gutterridge said even before the changes were implemented that Gray had been working to move out of day-to day duties.
“It’s kind of been something we’ve been talking about for a while,” Gutterridge said. “Now what his plans are, I really don’t know. I’m sure he’s got a plan. He doesn’t do anything without some sort of plan.”
Gatling said he anticipated few, if any, changes to the company’s products.
According to circulation numbers from the Alliance of Area Business Publications, the biweekly Northwest Arkansas Business Journal has a circulation of 4,826. Gray Matters also distributes a weekly e-newsletter, runs a website affiliated with the journal and publishes specialty titles, including the Northwest Arkansas Guest Guide and Northwest Arkansas Newcomers Guide.
Business, Pages 25 on 02/06/2014