Duke McLarty

As the executive director of Groundwork, Duke works with community partners across Northwest Arkansas to advocate and advance innovative housing solutions that will bring housing options to market for the region’s workforce. Groundwork works to catalyze the development of well-designed housing options in walkable and transit-accessible neighborhoods for the region’s workers and their families. Duke joined Groundwork after serving as the senior director of government affairs and community relations for AIR Communities, an apartment focused real estate investment trust. In his role at AIR, Duke developed and implemented legislative, government affairs and community engagement strategies for one of the country’s largest owners and operators of apartments and mixed use communities in the U.S.

Prior to joining AIR Communities, Duke served the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Housing Administration focusing his work on government insured lending and government & industry relations. Duke served in the White House prior to his time at HUD. Duke earned his bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University and Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law. He is married with three children.