Eichler to Chair UA Board; Ford Appointed, Other Officers and Committees Set

LITTLE ROCK (Tuesday, March 5, 2024) — The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas elected new officers at its Jan. 24-25 regularly scheduled meeting at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Kelly Eichler will serve as chairman of the 10-member board during the upcoming year.

Scott Ford, chief executive officer and co-founder of Westrock Coffee and former president and CEO of Alltel Corp., also has been appointed by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas for a 10-year term ending in 2034. He holds a B.S.B.A in Finance from the University of Arkansas.

Eichler, other officers, and the members of a new slate of Board committees appointed by the chairman started their roles March 1.

In addition to Eichler being elected as chairman, the trustees voted for Steve Cox to serve as vice chairman; Ted Dickey to serve as secretary; and Sheffield Nelson to serve as assistant secretary. The election was announced following an executive session at the Jan. 24-25 meetings at UAMS.

Morril Harriman previously served as chairman in the final year of his decade-long term as a trustee. Trustees are appointed to 10-year terms by the governor.

“Trustee Harriman was a very thoughtful and deliberate leader for our Board during the last year, and we’ll miss his many contributions and steadfast leadership he provided,” Eichler said. “I’m extremely excited about the appointment of Scott Ford to our Board and look forward to working with him alongside the diverse perspectives of our existing Trustees of the University of Arkansas. I’m optimistic about the year ahead and approaching the various issues we carefully deliberate to continue our service of providing world-class educational and professional opportunities for Arkansans.”

Ford, who founded Westrock Group in 2013 which serves as the Ford’s family office, has worked in a number of leadership roles, including president and CEO of Alltel Corp. from 2002 to 2009. From 1998 to 2002, he served as its president and COO. Before joining Alltel, he worked closely with Jackson T. Stephens, the Chairman of Stephens Group, Inc., and he worked in the Investment Banking Division at Merrill Lynch. Ford is a special advisor to Stephens Group where he brings extensive C-Suite experience in managing and operating both private and public companies, with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with a business undergoing accelerated growth initiatives.

Ford currently serves on the Board of Directors of AT&T, Inc. and Agaciro Development Fund, the sovereign wealth fund for the Republic of Rwanda. He has served on the Board of Directors of Tyson Foods and as chairman of the Little Rock Branch of the St. Louis Federal Reserve. He also served as Chairman of the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association.

“This is a tremendous addition to the Board of Trustees and one that will be celebrated by many across the System who would like to benefit from Mr. Ford’s talent and expertise in many areas,” said Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt. “His business acumen is unique in that it blends a mastery of supply chain management with meaningful humanitarian efforts on a global scale. I can’t be more thrilled to have him join the Board and get started.”

Under the umbrella of the UA Board are eight committees in which members are chosen under the discretion of the board chairman. Eichler and the office of UA System President Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt recently finalized those committees, which are listed below:

UA Board Committees Effective March 1, 2024:

STANDING COMMITTEES
(meets every Board meeting)

ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS
Ed Fryar, Chair
Tommy Boyer
Steve Cox
Sheffield Nelson
Jeremy Wilson
UA System Liaison: Ben Beaumont

AUDIT AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Nate Todd, Chair
Kevin Crass
Ted Dickey
Ed Fryar
Jeremy Wilson
UA System Liaison:  Tara Smith 

JOINT HOSPITAL
Kevin Crass, Chair
Tommy Boyer
Ed Fryar
Sheffield Nelson
Jeremy Wilson
UA System Liaison: Melissa Rust 

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
Ted Dickey, Chair
Tommy Boyer
Steve Cox
Sheffield Nelson
Nate Todd
UA System Liaison: Don Bobbitt

SELECT COMMITTEES
(meets as needed)

AGRICULTURE
Steve Cox, Chair
Ted Dickey
Sheffield Nelson

DISTANCE EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Ed Fryar, Chair
Nate Todd
Jeremy Wilson

ATHLETICS
Jeremy Wilson, Chair
Kevin Crass
Ted Dickey
Ed Fryar

TWO-YEAR COLLEGES AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS
Nate Todd, Chair
Tommy Boyer
Kevin Crass