The Office of the Governor of the State of Arkansas

02/17/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/17/2026 09:48

Governor Sanders Announces Appointments

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced the following appointments:

Alcoholic Beverage Control Board

Alex Blass, Rogers, to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Term to expire January 14, 2032. Reappointment.


Arkansas Economic Development Council

Lance McAlindon, Centerton, to the Arkansas Economic Development Council. Term to expire January 14, 2030. Replaces James Smith.


Arkansas Forestry Commission

Ray Dillon, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Forestry Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2031. Reappointment.


Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission

Bob Connell, Searcy, to the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2031. Replaces Deborah Hoofman.

Martin Smith, Cherry Valley, to the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2035. Replaces Lucien Gillham.


Arkansas Real Estate Commission

Suzett Sparks, Rogers, to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission. Term to expire December 31, 2028. Replaces Jerry Halsey.

Luke Heffley, Russellville, to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission. Term to expire December 31, 2028. Reappointment.


Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board

Jennifer James, Newport, to the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2027. Replaces Jeff Rutledge.


Arkansas State Board of Acupuncture and Related Techniques

Nick Ortiz, Little Rock, to the Arkansas State Board of Acupuncture and Related Techniques. Term to expire July 31, 2028. Replaces Wendy Poole.

Michael Sims, Fayetteville, to the Arkansas State Board of Acupuncture and Related Techniques. Term to expire July 31, 2026. Reappointment.

Zach Beavers, Winslow, to the Arkansas State Board of Acupuncture and Related Techniques. Term to expire July 31, 2027. Previously vacant position.


Arkansas State Police Commission

John Allison, Conway, to the Arkansas State Police Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2033. Reappointment.


Auctioneers Licensing Board

Brian Bozza, Hensley, to the Auctioneers Licensing Board. Term to expire April 15, 2030. Previously vacant position.


Black History Commission

Joseph Wood, Little Rock, to the Black History Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2033. Reappointment.

Muskie Harris, Little Rock, to the Black History Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2032. Previously vacant position.


Board of Trustees of Arkansas Tech University

Andrea Lea, Russellville, to the Board of Trustees of Arkansas Tech University. Term to expire January 14, 2031. Replaces Bill Clary.


Board of Trustees of Southern Arkansas University

Joe Pieratt, Magnolia, to the Board of Trustees of Southern Arkansas University. Term to expire January 14, 2031. Replaces Proctor Evers.


Board of Trustees of the Arkansas State University System

Heather Maxey, Mountain Home, to the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas State University System. Term to expire January 14, 2033. Replaces James Eddington.


Board of Trustees of the State Police Retirement System

Kyle Lane, Paragould, to the Board of Trustees of the State Police Retirement System. Term to expire July 1, 2028. Previously vacant position.

John Allison, Conway, to the Board of Trustees of the State Police Retirement System. Term to expire July 1, 2031. Reappointment.


Board of Trustees of the University of Central Arkansas

Terry Fiddler, Conway, to the Board of Trustees of the University of Central Arkansas. Term to expire January 14, 2033. Reappointment.


Crime Victims Reparations Board

Paula Steinsiek, Sherwood, to the Crime Victims Reparations Board. Term to expire October 5, 2028. Reappointment.

Vincent France, Little Rock, to the Crime Victims Reparations Board. Term to expire October 5, 2029. Previously vacant position.


Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission

Courtney Little, Little Rock, to the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2032. Previously vacant position.

Holly Wyman, Little Rock, to the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2031. Previously vacant position.

Allyson De La Houssaye, Bentonville, to the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2030. Previously vacant position.

Michael Sacomani, Benton, to the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2031. Previously vacant position.


Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board

Justin Craft, Bono, to the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board. Term to expire January 14, 2028. Reappointment.


State Banking Board

Barry LaFarlette, Jonesboro, to the State Banking Board. Term to expire December 31, 2030. Replaces Randy Scott.


State Board of Barber Examiners

Ricky Bryant, North Little Rock, to the State Board of Barber Examiners. Term to expire June 30, 2031. Reappointment.

Lee Morris, Little Rock, to the State Board of Barber Examiners. Term to expire June 30, 2027. Previously vacant position.


State Board of Embalmers, Funeral Directors, Cemeteries, and Burial Services

David Medders, Crossett, to the State Board of Embalmers, Funeral Directors, Cemeteries, and Burial Services. Term to expire July 1, 2030. Reappointment.


State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission

Johnny Brazil, Russellville, to the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2032. Replaces Blair Allen.

Stewart Hornor, Stuttgart, to the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2032. Replaces Molly Jackson.

Harvey Williams, Marianna, to the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2030. Previously vacant position.

Tyler Griffin, Batesville, to the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2032. Replaces Bob Connell.


State Plant Board

Shane West, Springdale, to the State Plant Board. Term to expire August 15, 2028. Previously vacant position.


Benton County Quorum Court

Lucas Pointer, Bentonville, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 15, for Benton County. Term expires December 31, 2026. Fulfills the remaining term of Joel Edwards.


Carroll County Quorum Court

Gary Capcik, Holiday Island, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 1, for Carroll County. Term expires December 31, 2026. Fulfills the remaining term of Stuart Bruce Wright.

Jack Deaton, Eureka Springs, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 2, for Carroll County. Term expires December 31, 2026. Fulfills the remaining term of David Blakenship.


Cleveland County Quorum Court

Patrick Berry, Rison, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 6, for Cleveland County. Term expires December 31, 2026. Fulfills the remaining term of Owen Rushing.


Desha County Quorum Court

David Allen Binns, McGehee, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 9, for Desha County. Term expires December 31, 2026. Fulfills the remaining term of Norris Sims.


Franklin County Quorum Court

Sherrie Sanders, Ozark, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 4, for Franklin County. Term expires December 31, 2026. Previously vacant position.


Montgomery County Quorum Court

Ty Whisenhunt, Mount Ida, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 5, for Montgomery County. Term expires December 31, 2026. Fulfills the remaining term of Kenn Green.


Sevier County Quorum Court

Tim Erwin, Lockesburg, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 9, for Sevier County. Term to expire December 31, 2026. Fulfills the remaining term of Allan Gregory Wright.

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