Governor Asa Hutchinson
Asa Hutchinson was elected as the 46th Governor of Arkansas on November 4, 2014, winning 55% of the vote.
Raised on a farm near Gravette, Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson is no stranger to dedication, perseverance, and hard work. During law school, he started dating his college sweetheart Susan and hitchhiked to see her in Memphis where she was teaching. Although not making the best impression with his mode of transportation, they will be celebrating 40 years of marriage this year. Susan and Asa have four children and five grandchildren.
Governor Hutchinson and Susan love every corner of Arkansas. From the timberlands in the South to the hill country in the North and from the rice fields of the Delta to the small communities in the Ozarks, Arkansas is home sweet home. After graduating from the University of Arkansas Law School, Asa practiced law in Bentonville. At the age of 31, he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as the youngest United States Attorney in the nation. As United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, Asa successfully prosecuted drug traffickers, white-collar criminals and a terrorist group known as the Covenant, Sword and Arm of the Lord (CSA), a white supremacist organization in northwest Arkansas. After a three-day standoff between law enforcement and the CSA, Asa personally helped negotiate a peaceful surrender of James Ellison and other members of the Neo-Nazi group.
Asa has been a cornerstone for the Arkansas Republican Party for many years. Through his leadership as State Party Chairman in the early 1990's, the state GOP grew and initiated numerous reforms that became the foundation for today's two party system. He championed efforts in election reform, ultimately leading to public funding for primary elections and easier access to the polls. Asa also challenged the status quo in Arkansas from the unconstitutional formation of a partisan ethics commission to congressional districts that diluted minority votes.
Governor Hutchinson Hunting Asa practiced law all over the state of Arkansas for 21 years before being elected to the U.S. Congress in 1996. While in Congress, Asa was an early supporter of outpatient treatment centers for our veterans in Arkansas and concentrated on greater highway funding for the state. Asa also supported tax reductions for the first time in 16 years and a balanced budget. In 2001, when Asa left Congress, our nation had its last balanced budget.
After being elected to his third term in Congress, President George W. Bush appointed Asa as Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 2001. In January 2003, Asa was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be the first Under Secretary of the newly-created Department of Homeland Security.
Asa has spent the majority of his career in the private sector as a small business owner, lawyer, and entrepreneur. He serves on the board of directors of two companies and as advisor to numerous others. Asa's record in business and public service gives him a unique background to serve the people of Arkansas as Governor.
Director for Arkansas Career Education
Charisse Childers, Ph.D.
EMAIL 501-683-5961
Having spent all of her life in Arkansas, raised in Blytheville and now living in Little Rock, Dr. Charisse Childers is always working to make a difference in the lives of others. Her experiences, knowledge, and unwavering enthusiasm are demonstrated in everything that she does. With 30 years of years of work and personal experience in business, education, law enforcement, non-profits and economic development, she has built friendships and has contacts in all parts of the state.
After graduating from Blytheville High School, Dr. Childers worked her way through college at Arkansas State University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1988. Realizing that she wanted to continue her education and that additional education and training would open up greater opportunities, she later earned master’s and specialist’s degrees from Arkansas State University. Then at the age of 42, she graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Policy.
Dr. Childers’ career began in secondary and post-secondary education – giving her an opportunity to work with students and demonstrate the importance of an education. In addition to serving on a national education board and being recognized for her exemplary work in post-secondary education, she has written and administered federal, state, and local grants and has been a federal grant reviewer for the U.S. Department of Education.
She served from 2006–2014 as the executive director of Accelerate Arkansas, an 80-member statewide group of business and education leaders dedicated to knowledge-based economic development in the state of Arkansas. She was appointed director of the Arkansas Department of Career Education in January 2015 where she continues working with leaders around the state on education and economic development policy and career and educational services that prepare our youth and adults for jobs while meeting the needs of our businesses in Arkansas.
Most recently, Dr.Childers was recognized by her peers as the 2016 ‘Rising Star’ by Advance CTE – an association of state directors of career and technical education. Previously, she was recognized by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation as one of 40 non-profit leaders in the state-based on her accomplishments and strong leadership traits that exemplify the legacy of Governor Rockefeller and who are contributing to moving the needle in Arkansas.
Dr. Childers served on the Arkansas State Police Commission for seven years and currently is a member of the Arkansas State Police Foundation. She serves on the board of the Arkansas State Alumni Association and Advance CTE.
Chief Financial Officer
EMAIL 501-682-1651
Maria "Lorna" Claudio was born in the Province of Laguna, Philippines. After earning her Accounting Degree from Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the Philippines, she moved with her family to the United States in 1989.
Claudio began her career at Arkansas Children’s Hospital as an accountant, then worked as a Tax Auditor for the Department of Finance and Administration. Following that, she served as the Finance Manager of Home Health at the Department of Health and also completed the Leadership in Public Administration course during her tenure there. Claudio became the Finance Manager of Health Services Permit Agency where she served as the CFO of the agency for 8 years, a position she held until joining the Department of Career Education in March 2012.
Chief Information Officer
EMAIL 501-537-2415
Otis Dixon became the Chief Information Officer at the Arkansas Department of Career Education in 2016; however, his time with the agency began in 2013 as a Business Analyst and Interim Chief Information Officer.
While at the agency, Dixon has been instrumental in recommending and implementing cost-effective solutions that are critical for agency staff members to work effectively and efficiently. In addition, he has provided strategic input and best practices to protect agency personnel and business assets and data from outside threats and intrusion.
Dixon's professional experience also includes his serving in a leadership role at AT&T. For more than 25 years at the company, Dixon was totally immersed in leading-edge technology, prototyping, forward-looking research, and development.
Dixon earned a Master of Science Degree in Computer Science with an emphasis in Networking and Data Communications at the Illinois Institute of Technology. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Mathematics and Physics.
Director of Communications
EMAIL 501-683-5953
Charles "Chip" McAfee serves as the Communications Director for the Arkansas Department of Career Education. In this position, he leads all communication efforts for the agency and its four divisions.
McAfee, a Texarkana native, brings more than 20 years of leadership and communications experience to the team. He joined the Arkansas Department of Career Education in 2013 as the State Director for SkillsUSA, where he increased membership and implemented exciting new changes to the organization. He has also served as the agency’s Assistant Communications Director. McAfee’s professional background includes being a television meteorologist, an Associated Press award-winning television reporter, a broadcasting instructor, and a school campus Technology Director.
McAfee received both his Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology and Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
McAfee is the proud father of three children.
Human Resources Manager
EMAIL 501-296-1657
DeCarlia Smith serves as the Human Resources Administrator for the Arkansas Department of Career Education. She joined the agency in January of 2012 and has been a state employee for 15 years. Smith has two Masters Degrees; one in Human Resources Development, the other in Leadership and Management; both from Webster University. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management/Business from John Brown University. Smith is a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) with The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), IPMA-HR Senior Certified Professional (IPMA-SCP), and IPMA-HR Certified Professional (IPMA-CP). Holds additional certifications as an Arkansas State Grievance Mediator and Career Development Facilitator (CDF).
Personnel Manager
EMAIL 501-682-2498
Lisa A. Thompson serves as Personnel Manager for the Arkansas Department of Career Education. She joined the agency in June 2013 as Assistant Personnel Manager.
Thompson received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College.
Raised in Yorktown, Arkansas, Thompson has lived in Little Rock for nearly two decades. When not working, she enjoys reading, playing basketball, racquetball, traveling, and meeting new people. Thompson is a diehard football fan who can’t wait for each season to begin. Her passion is helping others through the outreach homeless ministry at her church.
Internal Auditor
EMAIL 501-682-5681
Don Bellcock serves as the Internal Auditor for Arkansas Department of Career Education. Bellcock joined the agency in 2010. He has been employed with the state since 1993, serving as auditor for the Department of Community Corrections, Department of Human Services, and the Health Department.
Bellcock has been a member of the Central Arkansas Chapter of Association of Government Accountants (AGA) since 1995 where he has served in various board positions including President, Program Chair, and Education Chair. He has also served as the regional Vice President of the AGA South Central Region. Bellcock served on the Audit Committee for the National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA) from 2013 through 2016 and as Audit Chair from 2014 to 2016.
Bellcock served in the Arkansas Air National Guard as part of the 189th Medical Group and actively served during Operation Desert Storm.
Bellcock earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Harding University.
Strategic Planning and Development Manager
EMAIL 501-682-1500
Kelly Hunt Lyon, Ed.D. serves as the Strategic Planning and Development Manager for the Arkansas Department of Career Education. She assumed this role in March 2018.
Prior to joining the agency, Dr. Lyon led Webster University's two Little Rock campuses with nine staff and 35 adjunct faculty members. The campuses offer seven classroom-based graduate programs. In 2013, she was one of 15 staff and faculty selected for Webster University's Global Leadership Academy.
Dr. Lyon earned an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
The fifth-generation Arkansan has served on numerous boards of directors, including the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence, and the EAST Initiative.
Commissioner - Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
EMAIL 501-296-1616
Alan McClain has a passion for people with disabilities and is committed to helping provide positive outcomes for the clients of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS). He is actively involved in several organizations focused on children and adults with disabilities and their families. In addition, McClain brings an incredible amount of knowledge of state government, regulatory, and supervisory experience to Career Education. Most recently, McClain worked as the Regional Director of the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute. Prior to the Institute, he worked with the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission for thirteen years and was the CEO of that commission for almost nine years.
Deputy Commissioner - Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
EMAIL 501-296-1614
Joe Baxter was born at Camp Lejeune, NC and raised in Nashville, TN. He holds a BS in Business Economics from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL and a Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis in Financial Management from the Naval Post-Graduate School in Monterey, CA. Mr. Baxter is a retired veteran with 26 years of military service. His extensive budgetary and programmatic experience includes service as an Acquisition Program Manager, and as a Budget Analyst at the Pentagon.
Chief Of Field Services - Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
EMAIL 501-296-1610
Carl E. Daughtery is a native of North Little Rock, Arkansas. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Philander Smith College in Little Rock and a Master’s in Public Administration from Webster University in Jacksonville, Arkansas. He also graduated from the University of Arkansas Currents Leadership Institute in 2005.
Since August 2009, Daughtery served has as Chief of Field Services for Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS). Prior to this appointment, he worked as Interim Chief of Field Services. He was previously a District Manager for five years in the Vocational Rehabilitation Field Services Program covering the North Little Rock, Conway, Russellville and Lonoke field offices.
Director for Arkansas Career & Training Institute (ACTI) - Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
EMAIL 501-624-4411, ext. 6310
Jonathan Bibb earned a Bachelor of Science degree in radiology from the University of Central Arkansas in 1995 and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2002. He is a registered radiologic technologist and a graduate of the Arkansas Academy for Public Health Leadership. Prior to his role as ACTI Director, Bibb was the apprenticeship program manager for the Arkansas Department of Career Education. Bibb’s first job in state government was as the administrator for the Mammography Accreditation and Compliance Program at the Arkansas Department of Health, a position he held for seven years.
Chief Financial Officer for Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
EMAIL 501-296-1614
James McCune assumed the position of Chief Financial Officer for Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS) in November 2016. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University in Shreveport with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Mr. McCune worked in both public and private sectors before going into business for himself. He has served in managerial positions for over twenty years. Before joining Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, McCune served as the Chief Financial Officer for the Arkansas Division of Services for the Blind.
Associate Commissioner of Access and Accommodations
EMAIL 501-683-6052
Nathan Winter assumed the position of Associate Commissioner of Access and Accommodations within Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS) in May 2017. He has a dedication to seeing people with disabilities achieve their vocational goals and has worked diligently with various agencies and businesses to figure out ways to best accommodate individuals to attain or maintain competitive integrated employment. He received his masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of Central Arkansas, a bachelors degree in Parks, Recreation, and Hospitality Administration from Arkansas Tech University, is an assistive technology professional (ATP) through the Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America and is a certified ergonomic assessment specialist (CEAS). Before assuming his new role Nathan has been responsible for developing programs and performing individual evaluations that promote clients needs for accommodations to remain or attain success in the workplace, or with their education, through Arkansas Rehabilitation Services [email protected] and SAW/RTW programs.
Director of Program Planning, Development & Evaluation
EMAIL 501-296-1604
Robert P. "Bob" Treviño serves as the Director of Program Planning, Development & Evaluation for Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS). He joined ARS in 2005.
Treviño was born in Warrington, Great Britain. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science at Louisiana State University-Shreveport and a Masters of Public Administration Degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. While in graduate school, Treviño was the recipient of the Arkansas City Manager Association Scholarship and the LULAC National Education Scholarship.
Before joining ARS, Treviño served as the Policy Advisor for Economic Development to Governor Mike Huckabee.
Transition Director of Special Projects
EMAIL 501-766-3948
Judy Seriale Smith serves as the Transition Director of Special Projects with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS). She joined the agency in May 2007 and has also served as Interim Director for the Arkansas Career Training Institute (ACTI).
Before joining the agency, Smith served as the Executive Director of Arkansans for Drug Free Youth in Camden and as Executive Director of the Arkansas Minority Health Commission.
In 1990, Smith was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives where she served for eight years. During her tenure, she was elected Deputy Majority Leader, served as Vice-Chair of the House Public Health, Welfare, & Labor Committee and chaired its Human Services sub-committee. She also served on several local, state and national committees. In 1998, Smith was the Democratic Nominee for Arkansas’ Fourth Congressional District.
Smith’s community involvement has ranged from working with young children to helping youth develop intergenerational activities. She was instrumental in the development of the UAMS Project SEARCH® site and the development of the 38 million dollar AR PROMISE research grant.
Smith is a graduate of Grambling State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, is a Certified Volunteer Manager, and Certified Career Development Facilitator (CDF).
Director of Business Engagement
EMAIL 501-296-1665
Rodney Chandler serves as the Business Engagement Manager for Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS) where he oversees and leads the agency’s Business Engagement efforts to support businesses to drive success through disability inclusion.
Rodney’s background includes experience in multiple disciplines and industries gained from employment with numerous fortune 500 corporations. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Philander Smith College in Little Rock. He serves on numerous charitable boards giving of his service and time to help others.
Managing Attorney
EMAIL 501-682-2286
Charles Lyford joined the Arkansas Department of Career Education as Managing Attorney in 2018. Previously, Lyford served as Assistant Attorney General, working in the Opinions and Civil Litigation Department. His legal career began in private practice for a Little Rock firm.
He is active in the community, having served as a member of the Riverfest Committee for several years.
Lyford is a cum laude graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University of Chicago.
Deputy Director for Adult Education
EMAIL 501-683-7334
Trenia Miles, Ed.D. is a Pine Bluff native with over 15 years of experience in higher education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in counseling at the University of Arkansas. She holds an Ed.D. in higher and adult education from the University of Memphis. Dr. Miles worked at the University of Arkansas for six years, working in the Career Services program where she held the positions of program coordinator, assistant director, and associate director.
She has worked for Southwest Tennessee Community College Workforce Development Center in Memphis, and later for Mid-South Community College (MSCC) in West Memphis. During her tenure at MSCC, she oversaw the offices of Student Activities, Academic Coaching, Career Services and Disability Services and implemented the Structured Learning Assistance program. While at MSCC, she received, among other honors, the 2008-2009 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award.
Associate Director for Adult Education
EMAIL 501-682-1974
Bridget Bullard Criner serves as the Associate Director of Adult Education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and a Master of Arts in Adult and Continuing Education from National-Louis University of Chicago.
Prior to joining the Department of Career Education in 2010, Bridget spent over 10 years in the areas of Adult Education and Professional Development within Illinois higher education institutions.
Deputy Director for Career and Technical Education
EMAIL 501-682-1705
Angela Kremers, Ed.D. joined the Department of Career and Technical Education as Deputy Director in August 2018. Before joining the agency, Kremers served as the Associate Director of Global Initiatives at Arkansas State University.
Kremers comes to the agency with experience in career and technical education, both in secondary and postsecondary education, along with knowledge in healthcare, nonprofits, and working with individuals with disabilities. Her experience in education took place in the Cabot Public School District, where she was a faculty member in the district's Career and Technical High School Medical Academy.
Kremers has also served as Senior Program Associate for Education at the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at the EAST Initiative, and State Director of Best Buddies International.
She received a Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy at Washington University in St. Louis, a Master's Degree in Management at Lindenwood University, and a Doctorate in Education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Associate Director for Career and Technical Education
EMAIL 501-682-4801
Cheryl Wiedmaier, Ph.D. joined the Department of Career Education as Program Coordinator for Curriculum and Career Development in June 2013. She became the Associate Director for Career and Technical Education in February 2016. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Office Administration/Secondary Education from Northwest Missouri State University and a Master of Education in Business Education and a Ph.D. in Practical Arts and Vocational-Technical Education from the University of Missouri at Columbia. Dr. Wiedmaier began her career as a junior high/high school business and technology teacher in Missouri. After completing her doctorate degree, she spent four years as a College of Business faculty member at Eastern Kentucky University, two years as a Hospitality, Retail, and Sports Management faculty member at the University of South Carolina, and eight years as a faculty member and three years as a department chair in the College of Education at the University of Central Arkansas. She has served on many professional organization boards, presented numerous workshops and research sessions, and published in a variety of professional journals.
Associate Director for Career and Technical Education Special Projects
EMAIL 501-683-4434
Sonja Wright-McMurray was born in Goldsboro, NC. She became an Arkansan after her father’s retirement from the United States Air Force in 1984. Wright-McMurray joined the Department of Career Education as Associate Director for Arkansas Works in October 2009. She became the Associate Director for Career and Technical Education in July 2015. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Wright-McMurray also earned a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Drake University. Wright-McMurray began her career as a Career Instructor with the Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) program at the University of Arkansas in 1996. After completing her Master’s degree from the University of Arkansas, she began working at the University of Central Arkansas as a Project Coordinator for Career Services and Cooperative Education in 2001.
In 2002, Wright-McMurray moved to Des Moines, IA where she was employed by Simpson College as an Academic Advisory for Upward Bound. In 2004, she was promoted to Director of Simpson College Upward Bound. Wright-McMurray returned to Arkansas in 2007 to accept a position at the University of Central Arkansas as Director of Minority Student Services.
Deputy Director for Office of Skills Development
EMAIL 501-683-5985
Cody Waits, a native of Fort Smith, holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies from the University of Arkansas. Appointed as Deputy Director of the Office of Skills Development in 2017, Waits possesses both public and private sector experience, most recently utilized in the Governor's Office. Prior to his work in the public sector, Waits managed multi-million dollar accounts and directed the sales efforts in multiple states in the transportation, logistics and information technology industries.
Waits' experience in sales, data analysis, customer service, communications, and team building, along with his education, have served to benefit the Arkansas Department of Career Education as it maximizes the investment of state dollars and serves to develop relationships with education and business partners.