Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has made an array of appointments to the Board of Trustees (BOT) of several institutions in the Arkansas State University System.
Randy Lawson has taken a seat on the University of Arkansas (U of A) BOT, with a term to expire March 1, 2027. Lawson currently serves on the Arvest Bank Benton County Board of Directors and as a commissioner on the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission. He has an extensive history serving on various boards, including for economics committees, hospitals, colleges and national security. Lawson has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from U of A. He succeeded Tommy Boyer in the role.
Judd Deere has also been appointed to the U of A BOT, replacing Sheffield Nelson. Deere’s term will expire March 1, 2035. He will continue serving as deputy chief of staff in the governor’s office. Deere brings more than 10 years of government management and communications experience to the role, previously serving in a variety of positions with the White House, the Arkansas Governor’s Office and multiple senators. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Lyon College in Batesville.
Carole Farmer has also joined the Arkansas State University System BOT. Farmer replaced Christy Clark in the role, with a term set to expire Jan. 14, 2032. She brings extensive healthcare experience to the position, previously working for 17 years with the largest multi-specialty physician medical clinic in northeast Arkansas, culminating in her role as the clinic’s administrator. She served on the Board of Directors for the Arkansas Medical Group Managers Association and owns her own medical consulting firm. She graduated from Arkansas State University with a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Iverson Jackson is the final new appointment, replacing Laura Winning on the BOT of Southern Arkansas University (SAU). Jackson has a history of active involvement with the university, serving on the SAU Foundation Board for five years. He previously served as executive director of the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission. Jackson has a master’s degree in public administration from Webster University and an undergraduate degree from SAU.
Len Cotton has been reappointed to the Arkansas Tech University BOT, updating his term’s expiration to Jan. 14, 2030. Cotton was originally appointed to the board in 2020. He has drawn from his 37 years of experience working for the Arkansas Department of Health to lead the university. He has served on several commissions, including as chairman of the American Legion Arkansas Boys State Commission and as a member of the Arkansas Veterans Commission, Tri-County Regional Water Board and the Dardanelle Chamber of Commerce. Cotton has earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from U of A.
Kay Hinkle is another reappointment and will retain her seat with the BOT of the University of Central Arkansas (UCA). This will be her fourth consecutive term, originally appointed to the board in 2004. Hinkle previously served 11 years on the Mountain View School Board and is a member of the Committee of 100 for the Ozark Folk Center. She is an alumna of UCA.