Sanders announces Chris Caldwell as newest Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner

BY agfc

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that Chris Caldwell will serve as the newest Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner. Caldwell’s seven-year term will last until 2031. He is replacing outgoing Commission Chairman Stan Jones, and John David “J.D.” Neeley will become the Commission Chairman.

“Chris is a great friend and trusted advisor. I know how much he loves Arkansas, how much he adores hunting and fishing and the Arkansas way of life, and how hard he will work every single day in this role,” Gov. Sanders said.

“Hunting and fishing have always been a big part of my life, and I’m proud to join the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and help provide the same opportunities I enjoyed to every kid and family in Arkansas,” Caldwell said. “I’m grateful that the Governor has selected me for this role and look forward to working with her and every Commissioner to help make Arkansas the best state in the nation to hunt, fish, live and raise a family.”

Caldwell is a Saline County native who lives in Little Rock and leads Caldwell Consulting, a full-service lobbying, government relations and political consulting firm. He previously managed the Sarah for Governor campaign and served as a special advisor to the Governor-elect’s transition team. During the Trump administration, Caldwell was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the Federal Co-Chairman of the Delta Regional Authority. He also served on Senator John Boozman’s official staff and held senior leadership roles on several campaigns in Arkansas and around the country.

Caldwell is a University of Arkansas graduate. He and his wife, Ashley, have two children, Harley and Amelia.

Arkansas governor names Dr. Ken Warden as new state higher education commissioner

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Monday that she will name Dr. Ken Warden as the Commissioner of the Arkansas Division of Higher Education. 
 
“I am pleased to announce that Dr. Ken Warden will serve as the commissionerof the Arkansas Division of Higher Education,” Sanders said. “Dr. Warden’s extensive leadership experience in higher education makes him the clear choice to serve in this role as we usher in a bold new chapter in Arkansas education. Together, we will continue expanding access to quality education from grade school to higher education – preparing students to take on high-paying jobs in the workforce and unleashing a new era of opportunity for every Arkansan.”
 
“I am humbled and honored to serve as the commissioner of the Arkansas Division of Higher Education,” Warden said. “I look forward to working closely with Governor Sanders and Secretary Oliva as we empower Arkansans with education – paving a path to prosperity for all Arkansans. Governor Sanders has made education reform the hallmark of her administration, and I am ready to get to work with her and the talented team at the Department of Education as we begin a new day in Arkansas education.”
  
Dr. Ken Warden biography:

Dr. Ken Warden has worked for the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith for the past 9 years, most recently serving as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Compliance and Legislative Affairs. Dr. Warden previously served as the Dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology for six years and as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development for one year.
 
He also spent 17 years working with Arkansas Tech University – Ozark. Over the course of his time there, he served as the Department Chair of Automotive Service Technology, Business and Industry Coordinator, and Chief Officer for Business and Community Outreach. 
 
His breadth of work in higher education is extensive, having worked in adult education, two-year colleges, and university systems. He has experience in program design, project management, community partnerships, career pathways, grant implementation, and senior level academic leadership. 
 
His research interests are focused on adult learners and non-traditional students, credit and non-credit workforce aligned programs, student retention, and sustainability initiatives on college campuses.
 
Dr. Ken Warden holds a Doctorate in Education in Workforce Development from the University of Arkansas, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Arkansas Tech University, a Bachelor of Science in Vocational Education from the University of Arkansas, and an Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Service from Westark Community College, now University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.

Governor Hutchinson Appoints Susannah Marshall As Commissioner of Arkansas State Bank Department

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has appointed Susannah Marshall as the next commissioner of the Arkansas State Bank Department.

“Susannah Marshall understands banking and knows Arkansas banks as well as anyone in the state,” Governor Hutchinson said today. “Her promotion to commissioner will provide a seamless transition of leadership as Commissioner Franks retires with the banking department in excellent condition.”

Ms. Marshall has worked for the Arkansas State Bank Department since 1995. She was appointed deputy bank commissioner in 2007. She will replace Commissioner Candace Franks, who will retire October 1 after forty years with the State Bank Department.

“I’m delighted to have Susannah serve as the twenty-second bank commissioner of Arkansas,” Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston said. “She brings twenty-five years of industry knowledge and experience working in various capacities of our bank department. We look forward to her continued leadership and service to the banking industry.”

Before her appointment as deputy bank commissioner, Ms. Marshall was a commercial bank examiner from 1995 to 2003. In 2005, she became a financial analyst and was promoted to financial analyst supervisor. As deputy bank commissioner, Ms. Marshall directly oversees the application and analyst division of the department, as well as two commercial examination groups, and the information systems examination group.

"I am honored to be appointed as the next bank commissioner for the Arkansas State Bank Department, and I want to thank Governor Hutchinson and Secretary Preston for this opportunity,” Ms. Marshall said. “I look forward to continuing to serve the banking industry in Arkansas. As commissioner, I will work to further strengthen the regulatory partnership with Arkansas banks and help our industry build on many years of growth and success. Arkansas is a national leader in banking and finance, and our institutions are committed to serving their customers and enhancing economic development in their communities.”

Ms. Marshall earned her undergraduate degree in accounting from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro in May 1994. She is a 2002 graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking in Dallas, and Arkansas Business selected her for its 40 Under 40 honor in 2011. Ms. Marshall obtained the designation of Commissioned Senior Examiner and is a certified examination manager.

Ms. Marshall has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and currently serves on various committees within the organization, including vice-chairman of a multistate regional regulatory committee and a national committee of state and federal regulators.