Connect Arkansas programs and organization development will be guided by the Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of strategic partners with an interest in promoting a more economically competitive Arkansas.

Board of Directors

Chair: Rex Nelson
President, Arkansas's Independent Colleges and Universities

Vice Chair: Dr. Edward Franklin
Executive Director, Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges

Mike Abbiatti
Executive Director, Arkansas Research & Education Optical Network

Dr. John Ahlen
President, Arkansas Science & Technology Authority

Carolyn Ashcraft
State Librarian, Arkansas State Library

Greg Ashcraft
Chief Financial Officer, South Arkansas Telephone Company

Claire Bailey
Director, Department of Information Systems

Phil Billingsley
Director of Business Development, Information Network of Arkansas

Elizabeth Bowles
President, Aristotle

Garry Bowman
Director, Business Operations - Mid South Region, Suddenlink Communications

Tom Chilton
Technology Development Manager, Arkansas Economic Development Commission

Larry Clary
President, CT&T

Eddie Drilling
President, AT&T Arkansas

Jennifer Flinn
Office of the Governor

Bob Franke
Chief Executive Officer, E Commerce Arkansas, LLC

Marc Harrison
Liaison, Office of the Governor

Bill Hegmann
General Manager, Southwest Arkansas Telephone Cooperative

Dan Hodges
President & CEO, Vue Inc., and TitleVue, Inc.

Chris Holmes
Regional Executive, IBM

Jeff Jones
Manager, Market Development, CenturyLink

Katie McLane Burns
Manager, Regulatory/Government Affairs, CenturyLink

J.T. Meister
Vice President of State Government Affairs, Windstream Communications

Joe Molinaro
Executive Director, Arkansas Cable Telecommunications Association

Dr. Mark Peterson
University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service

David Phillips
Director of Telecommunications, University of Arkansas Community College at Hope

Len Pitcock
Director of Government Affairs, Cox Communications

Ann Purvis
Administrator, Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration

Steven Rice
Director, System Performance - Verizon Wireless

Brad Shepard
Account Manager - Public Sector, Cisco

John Strode
Vice-President of External Affairs, Ritter Communications

Kirkley Thomas
Manager, Economic Development, Arkansas Electric Cooperatives

Randy Veach
President, Arkansas Farm Bureau

C. Sam Walls
Chief Executive Officer, Arkansas Capital Corporation

Rickey Williams
Manager, RJB  Broadband Holdings LLC

James Winningham
Insurance Deputy Commissioner, Arkansas Insurance Department

Officers

C. Sam Walls, President

Leslie Lane, Senior Vice President

Sam Walls III, Senior Vice President

Marie Bruno, Vice President