secretary
Members of U.S. Senate agriculture panel spar with Vilsack over USDA spending, response
WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack bristled at complaints from both Democrats and Republicans of unchecked departmental spending and delayed support for farmers during a Thursday U.S. Senate oversight hearing. He also lobbied Congress to provide a farm bill that will balance large-scale productivity with the needs of small and mid-sized producers, a theme the […]
Arkansas legislative panel approves pay changes requested by Sanders
A legislative budget subcommittee approved salary increases for several members of the governor’s cabinet and accepted new salary ranges for five newly created positions on the governor’s staff. The five new classifications cover the governor’s chief of staff, two deputy chiefs of staff, public affairs director and chief legal counsel with authorized salary ranges between […]
Nominee for Arkansas education chief described as goal-driven, ambitious
When Jacob Oliva arrived at Florida’s Flagler County School District nearly 25 years ago, his first employer remembers him as an enthusiastic teacher out to change the world. Oliva had a big impact on the district, working his way up from a special education teacher to superintendent during his 17-year tenure. In 2017, he moved […]
Former Entergy CEO to be Arkansas secretary of commerce, Huckabee Sanders announces
Gov.-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Thursday she will nominate former Entergy Arkansas CEO Hugh McDonald as secretary of the Department of Commerce. McDonald, 64, served as president and CEO of the state’s largest electric utility from 2000 to 2016. Entergy provides power to more than 700,000 customers. He remains active in civic roles on the […]
Wes Ward to continue as agriculture secretary under Huckabee Sanders
Wes Ward, Arkansas’ current agriculture secretary, will continue in that role in the administration of Gov.-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders, according to a Monday press release. “I look forward to continuing to invest in our strong, dynamic agriculture industry as the secretary of agriculture,” Ward said in the release. “Governor-elect Sanders shares my deep appreciation for […]