Greenwood’s population has nearly tripled since 1990. What has been the biggest challenge in meeting the needs of a rapidly growing community? Infrastructure is always an important issue and concern with a growing and vibrant community. Planning for the future is sometimes difficult. The rising cost of all things related to municipalities is overwhelming at best. Ensuring citizens are receiving quality water, sewer, fire, police protection and all other essentials is imperative. Finding ways to fund these essentials is sometimes daunting.

Before being elected mayor, you were the city’s first ever director of its new parks department, and greenspace and recreation amenities remain a priority for you. What’s on the horizon for Greenwood’s parks and rec? Yes, after serving the city as parks director for nearly nine years, the future of our parks system is very important to me. I’m encouraged by the progress and completion of our splash pad in Bell Park, along with plans for a new all-inclusive park near Westwood Elementary. There are also plans for trail extensions within the city that I am very excited about. As we all know, parks, trails and outdoor recreation are very important to young families when looking for a place to live. Our future in that is very bright.

As a former restaurateur, what are some of your favorite places to grab a bite in Greenwood? We are blessed to have some fine eating establishments within the city of Greenwood, all of which offer great food and service. I’m partial to Mexican food due to my 35-some years’ experience in owning and operating Juan’s Mexican Restaurant in Fort Smith and Abuela’s in Greenwood. Pizza Barn is of course a mainstay, having been open in Greenwood for well over 40 years. You can find me at all of our eating establishments at one time or another. I love to eat!

You’ve been active in the Arkansas Municipal League since first taking office. Why is League participation important to you? I have been active in the Arkansas Municipal League even before becoming mayor in my parks director days, but even more so since becoming mayor almost 12 years ago. The League offers training that is invaluable along with the ability to network with cities from around the state, not to mention the superb Municipal Health and Municipal Vehicle and Property programs. And let’s not forget the best legal aid in the country, in my opinion. Serving on the executive committee and now serving as the League president, I can tell you we are represented exceptionally well with Mark Hayes and his amazing staff. Staying connected with AML is imperative to your city’s success.

You’ve become well known for your quick wit. You love Elvis and Captain America. There’s a sign in your office that reads “You’re only young once but you can be immature forever.” How do you manage to keep a sense of humor even when the going gets tough? As I pondered running for mayor, I asked my wife, Pam, what she thought of the idea, to which she replied, “Why in the world?!” I also asked her if I ran and somehow won should I continue to “dress up” as my favorite characters like Captain America, Elvis, Thanksgiving Turkey, Santa Claus, Elf and even Batman. Yes, I in fact have all those costumes and more! Her response was, “You have to be you no matter what position you hold.” The rest is history, as they say. I love to see people smile and if I can make that happen, then I’m happy. Not every day as mayor is full of joy and happiness, but these things help me through the not-so-fun times along with my faith in God.

After being raised in the St. Louis area and then working in retail and banking there and in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, you moved to Beebe for a fresh start. What about the city let you know that you had found your new hometown? In 1997, I was ready to move my boys to a small town where life revolved around family. I loved Beebe because my children went to school with the same children they went to church with. I loved Friday nights, because we all went to the football and basketball games at the school. We laughed and cheered as a whole family, and there were always a lot of aunts, uncles and cousins. All the more reason to make Arkansas home. And of course, Arkansas is such a beautiful state to live in.

You’ve served your adopted hometown in many capacities, both in community organizations like the VFW and Kiwanis, as well as serving on the city planning commission, the city council and now as clerk/treasurer. What continues to inspire you to serve? I am also very involved in The American Legion Auxiliary—taking care of veterans, active-duty military and their families is my passion. But back to your question, I feel like if you are going to live in a community, you should do your best to work in that community to make it better. For me, even though I had lots of family here, getting involved helped me to meet citizens in the community who have become some of my closest friends. Making Beebe the best “Dream Hometown” to live in and for my sons and now granddaughter to live in is what I enjoy doing and what I want to do. What inspires me to serve? That is a great question. I love to know what is happening in my community; being involved not only keeps me current but puts me in the company of other like-minded individuals. Getting involved is getting to know your town. I am also inspired by those in this community who worked hard to put Beebe on the map, and a lot of them are gone now. I want to continue the tradition of moving Beebe forward. Serving the community and our citizens inspires me to be a better person.

The clerk profession is one of the most essential and demanding positions in local government. What advice would you give to someone following in your footsteps? Another great question! I would say first you need to love your community and all it holds—if you are just in it for a paycheck, this role is not for you. You have to be willing to help everyone, even if they voted against you or you do not agree with them. You must be a person who inspires citizens to be better and do better!

How has your involvement in the League and the Arkansas City Clerks, Recorders and Treasurers Association helped you in your career in local government? I would not have been in office as long as I have without the knowledge I gained from being involved in ACCRTA and the League. Taking advantage of all the offered education opportunities has kept me on top of the business of managing a city and is a primary reason why I have not had a challenger in the past several election cycles. I believe the citizens of Beebe see how much I want to learn and grow so that I can help grow our city in the right direction. The mayor and the council members have a lot of faith in me and listen to my advice because they know it’s based on experience gained through this training. They know I will not steer them in the wrong direction. I am blessed by having a mayor, council members and my family who support me. They all encourage me to keep learning and be involved in the both the ACCRTA and the League.

Beebe has been called “The Flea Market Capital of the World.” Do you like to go picking, and if so, what’s your most fabulous find? I am not much on going to flea markets; I go with my sister and cousins once in a while. There are two items I always enjoy looking for. One is antique jewelry, especially pins and broaches. My mother and I love to wear these. Years ago, I received some snowman dishes which I love, and when I go picking, I am always looking for more dishes to add to my set. Beebe is the perfect confluence of pickers’ heaven and hometown kindness. I encourage everyone to come and hunt and pick and shop!

With four terms as the mayor of Gassville under your belt, what has been the key to maintaining the citizens’ faith in your leadership over the years? Just as I believe all who enter public service want to make a difference daily for all the people we serve and for the betterment of the cities we serve, I have been blessed to work with a great group of leaders and staff at Gassville who strive to do the same.

Located in north central Arkansas with easy access to the White River and Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes just a short drive away, Gassville is in one of the most beautiful parts of our state. What is something unique about your city that people may not know about? Many people may not know this, but Gassville was home to the first hospital in Baxter County. The Rollins Hospital building still stands today on Main Street.

You have made the announcement that, after 16 years of service, you will not seek reelection next year. What have been a few of the most satisfying accomplishments you and the city have achieved during your tenure as mayor? Improvements to our two city parks, the wastewater expansion project that brought new economic development, new housing developments and city facilities.

What plans do you and your wife have for the post-mayoral chapter of your lives? First, I want to say it has been a privilege to serve the city of Gassville for 23 years, 16 as mayor and seven as a council member. My wife and I intend to build a new home on family property in Fulton County and spend time with our grandchildren. Our sixth was born just a few weeks ago!

You’re a lifelong resident of Heber Springs. You’ve owned and operated your own business, Cuts and Colors Salon, since 2003. What about your hometown has inspired you to stay and create your life there? Heber Springs has always been home. My family is here and there is just something about small town charm. I had the opportunity to sell the salon last year to two stylists who have worked beside me for many years.

Before being appointed and then elected mayor, you first won a seat on the city council in 2014. What initially inspired you to run for public office? I wanted to be a part of something bigger. I saw areas that could use improvement and wanted to be involved in the process of making the community better.

You also began coming to League meetings around that time. Has participation in the League helped better prepare you to serve your city? Absolutely! Classes are a must when you are elected to a new position. The League staff is always there to help with any questions. They truly are the best resource.

This question may involve just a bit of projection: What is the public’s perception of your job versus the reality of being the mayor of a small city? The general public doesn’t get to see all of the moving parts. When I get asked questions, I feel most of my answers include educating them on how those parts work together and the process of getting tasks accomplished. The reality is that mayors have a lot going on. There is a law for everything we do. We work with many state and federal entities and endure the stress from every department. It’s a lot!

You are in your first term as mayor, but you’ve served the citizens of Pea Ridge for more than 20 years, starting with mowing city greenspaces as a 21-year-old. You later served as street superintendent under former Mayor (and former League president) Jackie Crabtree. How has your background with the city shaped your approach to leadership as mayor? My background has helped in my position by having resources, contacts and trust in the community, which led to a lot of collaboration efforts in the region. I want to always be accessible to people. If they have an issue or concern, I would like to know about it so we can address the need. I have learned through the years that we as a city must be transparent with our residents. I really just wanted to serve my city and help with the growth we all knew was coming. I want to make Pea Ridge the best Pea Ridge we can for our residents and region. I am not a politician; I am PASSIONATE about Pea Ridge.

Nestled in the hills just north of Bentonville and Rogers, Pea Ridge hasn’t been immune to the incredible growth in northwest Arkansas. Has the city been able to maintain its hometown feel while tapping into the opportunities growth provides? I look at “hometown feel” more as an individual aspect. We as people create the feel, by attending events, creating opportunities for community engagement. So, we have really been intentional about creating those opportunities. Every month we have an event that in some way brings the community together. As long as we keep doing that, we will keep the hometown feel. We have to get individuals out of their homes and give them a place they can meet their neighbors, new friends, etc.

What is the biggest challenge the rapid regional growth has presented? Our biggest challenge is infrastructure improvements, and it’s a regional issue. We have started to collaborate with others to really think about regionalism for our area. This can be from water/sewer and transportation to solid waste.

With your diverse background of service, you’ve developed many skills over the years. What’s one talent or skill you have that people may not know about? I don’t know that I have any skills or talents. I am just a regular, everyday individual serving my city. I will say that I have learned over the years that people want to be heard and seen.

You have an extensive background in the insurance industry. How has that experience served you as a city official? Having made a career in the insurance industry in many ways prepared me for my work as mayor. The first is operating a business, and equally important to me is the service aspect. City government first and foremost is serving the people of our community.

Through public-private partnerships with groups like the Murphy Foundation, arts and cultural events have once again made El Dorado a south Arkansas hub and a true destination. What are some of the must-visit events and places in the city? El Dorado was a community dependent on agriculture and timber until 1921 when oil was discovered. Then we became a booming “oil town.” Men like Charles Murphy, Sr., set up shop and built a bustling community. Murphy USA still has its headquarters in the downtown area. Over the years the Murphy family has supported everything from festivals to the symphony, the arts center and the historic district. The entertainment district even carries the name Murphy Arts District.

What advice would you offer to other small cities seeking to replicate some of that success? Partnership. Civic, corporate and individuals. Find those in your community who care as much as you do and you’ll have a good starting point. My belief is that good, caring people will find their way.

What is your favorite place to relax in El Dorado? PJ’s Coffee Shop on the square. I can always find a friend there.

Why is it important to you to be an active participant in the Arkansas Municipal League? It’s information central, a true support group. You are dealing with the people who understand what you need and they are able to deliver.