Forty Under 40: Mike Malone

Mike Malone used to spend his days in the White House; now he has a modest office overlooking rooftops off the downtown Fayetteville square.
Since 2006, he spends most of his time seamlessly circulating between captains of industry and politicians as an advocate for Northwest Arkansas’ infra-structure and watershed needs.

From 1994-99, Malone worked within President Clinton’s office of management and administration. Malone started out making photocopies, he said, but eventually became the deputy. He worked at the administration again from 2000 through the end in 2001 and helped set up the post-presidency office.
Malone then worked for both the U.S. Senate Rules Committee for a year and then the House for the Committee on Appropriations for four years before accepting his gig back home.

The Fayetteville native earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hendrix College in 1992 and a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Minnesota in 1999.

His goals over the next few years include having some highway projects under construction and a Beaver Lake watershed plan well in the works.
His advice to those interested in public affairs? “Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves.”