Board of Directors
Our dedicated Board of Directors is devoted to seeing our scholars graduate with the strength of character and academic abilities needed to succeed in life.
Judge Chalk Mitchell
Board Vice Chair Judge, First Judicial Circuit Court Read Bio
Close
Judge Chalk Mitchell
Board Vice Chair Judge, First Judicial Circuit CourtMr. Chalk Mitchell grew up in Helena, Arkansas, and graduated from Eliza Miller High School before pursuing his undergraduate degree at Morehouse College and graduate degrees at both Georgetown University Law Center and Harvard University. He previously served as Helena-West Helena's City Attorney. He serves on the board of several community groups in his hometown and recently completed his term as chair of KIPP Delta’s Board of Directors.
George Cotton Sr.
Interim Board Chair Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Read Bio
Close
George Cotton Sr.
Interim Board Chair Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, University of Arkansas at Pine BluffGeorge Cotton Sr. is a multi-talented fundraising professional currently serving as vice chancellor for institutional advancement at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. With more than 30 years of experience in advancement, program planning, and educational consulting, his background highlights tenures leading non-profits, educational institutions, and community-based organizations. This includes the roles of vice president for university advancement and executive director of the Florida A&M University Foundation, vice president for major and planned gifts at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and urban youth specialist with the University of Missouri Extension Service. A native of West Helena, Arkansas, he holds a bachelor’s degree in commercial art and a master’s degree in political science, both from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Lisa John-Adams
Board Member Quality Systems Director, Nucor Steel Arkansas Read Bio
Close
Lisa John-Adams
Board Member Quality Systems Director, Nucor Steel ArkansasMrs. Lisa John-Adams has been with Nucor Corporation since 1994. She has led the implementation of NSA's Quality Management System, which has kept its certifications since first certified in 2001. She is a certified Quality and Environmental Systems Lead Auditor. Lisa holds a Master of Science in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of the West Indies and the University of Toronto. Lisa is the 2014 President of the Board of Directors of the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce. She is also the President of the Board of Directors of The Haven, a domestic violence shelter. Lisa is a member of the Mississippi County Solid Waste Board and chairs the Board's recycling committee. Lisa is married to Tracy Adams and together they have three children. Lisa and her family live in the Blytheville area.
Vince Billingsley
Board Member Vice President, Capital Financial Service Group, Inc. Read Bio
Close
Vince Billingsley
Board Member Vice President, Capital Financial Service Group, Inc.Mr. Vince Billingsley lives in Forrest City, Arkansas, and services customers in the areas of Employee Benefits and Insurance. Vince is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor's degree in marketing. After graduating, Vince moved to Vail, Colorado, for three years where he worked in the hospitality and service industry. He taught children's ski school in the winter, worked on golf courses in the summer, and also worked as a waiter and cook in a variety of restaurants. In 2003, Vince moved back home to Forrest City where he began his career in the family insurance and financial services sector. Vince married his wife, Amber, in 2008 and they have three daughters, Ona, Norah, and Emily. His family attends St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church where Vince currently serves as Chairman of the Finance Council. He is an active member of the St. Francis County Master Gardeners, Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute's Technology Advisory Committee, and the Forrest City Downtown Revitalization Commission.
Von Daniels
Board Member Director of Student Support Services, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas Read Bio
Close
Von Daniels
Board Member Director of Student Support Services, Phillips Community College of the University of ArkansasVon Daniels holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Arkansas, a Master of Arts degree from Jacksonville Theological Seminary, and a Master of Education degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He currently serves as the Director of Student Support Services at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas.
Kevin Smith
Board Member Former Arkansas State Senator and Helena-West Helena Mayor, Owner, Smith Insurance Agency Read Bio
Close
Kevin Smith
Board Member Former Arkansas State Senator and Helena-West Helena Mayor, Owner, Smith Insurance AgencyKevin A. Smith is a former Arkansas State senator who served as mayor of Helena-West Helena from 2019 - 2022. Mr. Smith represented nine counties in the Arkansas Senate, including Phillips County, over his ten year tenure in the State Senate prior to reaching his term limit in 2003. He was chairman of the Legislative Joint Audit Committee and chaired the subcommittee overseeing city government financial audits and reports. Smith worked for then-Gov. Bill Clinton (D-Ark.) at the staff level on issues facing the Delta region and served more than four years on the staff of then-U.S. Sen. Dale Bumpers (D-Ark.) in Washington, D.C. Mr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs from The George Washington University. He is the co-owner of Smith Insurance Agency and is married to wife Sissy with four children.