LITTLE ROCK – University of Arkansas System President Donald R. Bobbitt has named State Senator Johnny Key associate vice president for university relations for the UA System.
Key will assist Melissa Rust, vice president for university relations, in the coordination of the government relations efforts of the 18 campuses, units and divisions of the UA System. Key’s start date in the position will follow the conclusion of his service in the Arkansas State Senate.
Key, who was recently a finalist for the position of vice chancellor for university relations at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, was an ideal choice to fill a need for additional government relations support across the system, Bobbitt said.
“We’ve had a need for some time to bring on someone to help Melissa, who essentially works for all 18 UA System entities to educate policymakers on the many issues we are facing in higher education,” Bobbitt said. “Johnny Key has been fully vetted through the search process at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to hire him to join our team at the UA System. His service as a lawmaker has given him a unique perspective on the legislative process and I know his knowledge and skills will be an asset to our government relations efforts.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the University of Arkansas System and all of its campuses and units in this capacity,” Key said. “I have always had a passion for improving our state’s educational system to benefit all Arkansans and I’m honored to have an opportunity to use that passion to advance higher education.”
Key was elected to the Arkansas State Senate in 2008, representing portions of Baxter, Boone and Marion counties. He has served as chairman of the Senate Education Committee and vice chairman of the Joint Budget Committee, among other roles. He’s also served as a vice chairman of the Education Standing Committee and a member of the Budgets and Review Standing Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Previously, Key served as a justice of the peace on the Baxter County Quorum Court followed by a six-year term in the Arkansas House of Representatives. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, with a degree in chemical engineering.
“I’m so pleased that Johnny Key has agreed to take on this role,” said Rust, who served as a member of the search committee that named Key as a finalist for vice chancellor for university relations at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. “Because we serve such a large and diverse system, we deal with a range of issues that impact all parts of higher education. Having someone with Johnny’s skill set on board will only complement and enhance our ability to serve the many needs across the system.”
As a condition of his employment, Key has agreed to only participate in activities that are consistent with Arkansas law and the rules and regulations of the Arkansas Ethics Commission. As a retiring lawmaker, he will not be allowed to register as a lobbyist, under A.C.A. 21-1-402, for one year from the expiration of his term in office. In the absence of registration, Key is allowed to lobby in an official capacity as an employee of the UA System, pursuant to A.C.A. 21-8-601 and Section 504 of the Rules and Regulations of the Arkansas Ethics Commission.
The Ethics Commission stated in Advisory Opinion 93-EC-004 that a “public servant, acting on behalf of the interests of [her] his agency, is free to advise, consult, testify, encourage or object to legislation or administrative regulations which affect the agency,” and that “such action as being within the public servant’s official capacity.”