Stovall To Become Executive Director of Two-year College Group

Former Speaker of the House Bill Stovall, who currently serves as Chief Operations Officer in the Arkansas House, will become the new executive director of the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges.

Stovall will become the second executive of the association, assuming leadership October 1, 2013, succeeding Dr. Ed Franklin upon his retirement January 2, 2014.

“We’ve worked with Bill Stovall for more than a decade and have always been impressed with his enormous understanding of the state budget and attention to detail on all legislative matters,” said Chris Thomason, Chancellor of the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope and Chairman of the Presidents and Chancellors Division of the AATYC. “Bill brings a commitment to our organization and community colleges on a variety of levels. Under his leadership, our growing responsibility to build a quality workforce for Arkansas will be in good hands.”

Stovall, a native of Heber Springs, served on the Cleburne County Quorum Court for eight years before being elected to the House of Representatives in 2001. He served as Speaker of the House from 2005-2006.

Since his retirement due to term limits, Stovall has remained employed by the House in various roles, including Chief of Staff and Chief Operations Officer.

Stovall received an associate of arts degree from Pulaski Technical College, a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and a master’s degree in liberal arts from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.

“I look forward to serving the mission of Arkansas’ community colleges. As the changing job market demands more post-secondary degrees and certificates, we have an ambitious agenda in Arkansas,” Stovall said.

Franklin has served as President and CEO of the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges (AATYC) since 1996. Under his leadership, AATYC has successfully collaborated with two-year colleges, business/industry leaders, state agencies, and other organizations to develop regional and sector partnerships as well as implement student success initiatives.

Current Speaker of the House Davy Carter (R-Cabot) applauded the decision.

“[Stovall] helped me become a better Speaker, helped our members become better legislators, and in turn made Arkansas a better state,” said Carter. “We are going to miss his knowledge and leadership here in the House, but he now carries his devotion for higher education to students across the state. I can’t wait to see the positive changes that will be forthcoming in our two year colleges as a result of his leadership and vision.”