“Formal or informal oversight for these recommendations and others should rest with an individual or team that shall work in a collaborative manner with the executive branch to advance efficiencies.” Policy Foundation, Arkansas Efficiency Project, Recommendation #20, 3Q-2016

 

(February 19, 2017) Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced today the founding of the Transformation Advisory Board, which will continue to “examine the recommendations for potential efficiencies and cost-savings from a report by the Arkansas Policy Foundation released last year.”

 

The panel “will also be charged with evaluating additional efficiencies within state government and prioritizing the state’s plan of action for transformation,” according to a press release from Hutchinson’s office.

 

The 15-member advisory board “is a volunteer group of citizens from both the public and private sectors, who will make policy recommendations” to Amy Fecher, the state’s chief transformation officer.1

 

Mike Carroll  of Fort Smith will chair the advisory panel.  Policy Foundation Board member George Dunklin, Jr., was named to the panel along with the following members:

 

Jennifer Bell of North Little Rock

State Rep. Andy Davis of Little Rock

Amy Fecher of Sherwood

Alex Garcia of Rogers (Walmart)

Solomon Graves of Little Rock (Arkansas Department of Correction)

Lt. Governor Tim Griffin

Tim Leathers of Little Rock (InVeritas)

State Rep. Matthew Shepherd of El Dorado

Keesa Smith of Jacksonville (Department of Human Services)

William “Bill” Tippin of Washington, D.C. (Webster University)

Dean Matt Waller of Fayetteville (University of Arkansas)

Mark White of Little Rock (Arkansas Public School Resource Center)

State Sen. Eddie Joe Williams of Cabot 

 

Policy Foundation Executive Director Greg Kaza said, “Citizen involvement is crucial to increasing efficiency in Arkansas state government.  Today’s announcement is consistent with the Efficiency Project’s recommendation that citizens should work with the executive branch to advance efficiencies.”

1  Policy Foundation memo (December 2016) “Phase Two of Efficiency Project Launched: Gov. Hutchinson Establishes Office of Transformation”