Bell to resign as Arkansas Ag Secretary
by June 19, 2012 5:26 pm 119 views
Richard “Dick” Bell, Arkansas’ Secretary of Agriculture, will leave his post on June 30. In a letter to Gov. Mike Beebe, Bell says he is leaving because he has accomplished the work he set out to do when appointed seven years ago, and due to health reasons.
“Dick Bell has provided steady leadership for the Arkansas Agriculture Department since its inception and through two administrations,” Beebe said in a news release. “We’ll miss him, and I thank Dick for his service on behalf of all Arkansans, but especially Arkansas farmers and ranchers.”
The Arkansas Agriculture Board appointed Bell as Secretary after the Arkansas General Assembly created the umbrella Agriculture Department in 2005.
Prior to that, Bell had been president and CEO of Riceland Foods and worked in international affairs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Agriculture Board will name Bell’s replacement, who will then be confirmed by Beebe. The Governor’s office said Beebe plans to make a recommendation to the board as well, but did not provide a name.