March 19, 2025 Story by: Editor
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has appointed a former Democratic state senator and the current chair of the Arkansas GOP to the Black History Commission of Arkansas.
Linda Chesterfield, a former lawmaker from Little Rock, and Joseph Wood, the Republican Party chair from Fayetteville, will fill two vacant seats on the seven-member commission, which is responsible for promoting and preserving African American history in the state.
Additionally, Daion Daniels, a graduate research assistant in the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, will join the commission, replacing Jesse Hargrove, whose term has ended. According to a press release from the governor’s office, Daniels’ term will extend until January 2032, while Wood’s will expire in January 2026 and Chesterfield’s in January 2028.
The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
Sanders also announced several other appointments to key state boards and commissions, including:
- Dr. Jason Williams (Little Rock) – Appointed to the Arkansas Early Childhood Commission, replacing Elizabeth Waldrum. Term expires June 30, 2027.
- Sam Russell (Bentonville) – Appointed to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, replacing John Schmelzle. Term expires January 14, 2027.
- Blake Flemister (Little Rock) – Appointed to the Arkansas Ethics Commission. Previously vacant position. Term expires December 31, 2026.
- Bailey Taylor (Little Rock) – Appointed to the Arkansas-Oklahoma Arkansas River Compact Commission. Previously vacant position.
- Tracey Rancifer-Rittlemeyer (Little Rock) – Appointed to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission, replacing Tony Moore. Term expires December 31, 2027.
- Dr. Kenneth Bruce Jones (Jonesboro) – Appointed to the Arkansas State Medical Board, replacing Dr. John Scribner. Term expires December 31, 2030.
- Dr. Josh Roller (Fayetteville) – Appointed to the Arkansas State Medical Board. Previously vacant position. Term expires December 31, 2030.
- Rep. Bruce Cozart (Hot Springs) – Appointed to the Board of Control for Southern Regional Education, replacing Rep. Brian Evans. Term expires June 30, 2028.
- Larry Walther (Little Rock) – Appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System, replacing Candace Franks. Term expires March 9, 2031.
- Carole Farmer (Fayetteville) – Appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas State University System, replacing Christy Clark. Term expires January 14, 2032.
- Len Cotton (Dardanelle) – Reappointed to the Board of Trustees of Arkansas Tech University. Term expires January 14, 2030.
- Kay Hinkle (Conway) – Reappointed to the Board of Trustees of the University of Central Arkansas. Term expires January 14, 2032.
- Iverson Jackson (Little Rock) – Appointed to the Board of Trustees of Southern Arkansas University, replacing Laura Winning. Term expires January 14, 2030.
- David Sloan (Rogers) – Appointed to the Contractors Licensing Board, replacing Billy Carney. Term expires December 31, 2027.
- Matthew McKinley Stewart (Shirley) – Appointed to the Contractors Licensing Board, replacing Matthew Cashion. Term expires December 31, 2027.
- Stephen Forsgren (Fort Smith) – Reappointed to the Contractors Licensing Board. Term expires December 31, 2029.
- June Wood (Fayetteville) – Appointed to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, replacing Derek Scott. Term expires September 1, 2028.
- Kenneth “Muskie” Harris (Little Rock) – Appointed to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, replacing Gerald Canada. Term expires September 1, 2026.
- Steve Deere (Benton) – Appointed to the War Memorial Stadium Commission, replacing Daryl Coker. Term expires January 14, 2032.
These appointments mark another step in the administration’s efforts to fill leadership positions across state agencies and commissions.
Source: Arkansas Advocate
