Date and Place of Birth:          December 24, 1948, Russellville, Arkansas

Education:    High School - Dover, Arkansas
                      College - University of Arkansas - B.S. Agricultural Engineering, 1971
                                      University of Arkansas - M.S. Environmental Engineering, 1975
                                                 Major Studies: Water Resources and Sanitary Engineering

Work Experience:

May 30, 1985 to present - Executive Director, Arkansas Natural Resources Commission

Responsibility: Gubernatorial appointee as Executive Director of department level state agency with responsibility for state programs in nonpoint source pollution abatement, soil conservation, water resources planning and development, water rights, floodplain management, financial assistance, and dam safety.

Recent Initiatives Include:

Leadership in development and implementation of three major water, waste water and solid waste infrastructure financing programs. Authority to provide up to $350 million in financing to local communities. Over 200 projects with financial assistance, totaling in excess of $120 million have been constructed.

Leadership for enactment of Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Act of 1991. This act was responsible for implementing the Groundwater Protection and Management Act of 1991. Guided development of a program that promotes voluntary reduction of ground water use in designated critical ground water areas. Voluntary efforts are encouraged by tax incentives, technical assistance, and information efforts. Sparta Critical Ground Water Area designated in 1996.

District Capacity Building Program Cooperative Management Team (Created 1991). Served as Chairman of the three member Cooperative Management Team for Arkansas’ District Capacity Building program. Major accomplishments of the program have been: a consensus on training requirements for conservation District Directors, and creation of training programs for Directors and District staff.

Chairman, Governor’s Animal Waste Task Force (Created 1991). The purpose of the Task Force was to advance solutions to animal waste disposal problems. The Task Force recommended that management of animal waste continue as a voluntary program and that the program include education, technical assistance, program management, and industry involvement. Program has been successfully implemented.

Chairman, Governor’s Water Resources and Wetlands Task Force (1994). The purpose of the Task Force was to “provide recommendations to the Governor regarding protection of Arkansas Water Resources and Wetlands”. The Task Force developed and won passage of legislation that provides for state income tax credit for development and restoration of wetlands, riparian zones and other water conservation projects, and allows for the creation of a State Wetlands Bank.

Executive Secretary, Arkansas Water Well Construction Commission. In July of 1995, the responsibility for implementation of the Water Well Construction Commission’s programs was transferred to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (formerly the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission). While the Water Well Construction Commission remains an independent Commission, staff support is provided by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission with its Executive Director serving as their Executive Secretary. This working relationship has economically benefited the state and its citizens.

January 1975 to May 1985 — Deputy Director/Chief Engineer, Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (formerly the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission).
Responsibility: Oversight of Commission programs for state water planning, water
rights, dam safety, water resources development and technical review.

July 1972 to January 1975 — Water Resources Engineer II, Arkansas Natural Resources Commission.
Responsibility: Compilation of basic data and assistance in preparation of the State
Water Plan, assistance in administration of Water Development Fund, and development of the Water Resources Management Information System (AWRMIS).

June 1971 to July1972 — Water Resources Engineer I, Arkansas Natural Resources Commission.
Responsibility: Conducted water resources research, performed engineering work in
dam safety and water rights programs, and compiled basic data for use in preparation of the State Water Plan.

Outside Interests:    Sports, fishing, raising mules, and hunting.

Professional Licenses Obtained:      Registered Professional Engineer in State of Arkansas

Membership:    National Society of Professional Engineers
                          American Society of Civil Engineers
                          Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers
                          American Water Resources Association
                          National Ground Water Association
                          Red River Valley Association

Member of the Following Commissions/Committees/Boards:

Red River Compact Commission
Arkansas-Oklahoma Arkansas River Compact Commission
Arkansas Pollution Control & Ecology Commission
Arkansas Water Well Construction Commission
Interstate Council on Water Policy, Chairman 1990-91, Secretary-Treasurer 1994-96
State Technical Review Committee, Chairman
Arkansas-White-Red Basins Interagency Committee
National Association of State Conservation Agencies, Secretary 1997-98, 
              Vice-President 1998-99, President 1999-2000

Awards:

2004 National Association of Conservation District's Professional Service Award
2006 Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Arkansas College of Engineering
2006 AACD Conservation Hall of Fame Award

 

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