Kudos: Griffin Names Ray As Campaign Manager, Crystal Bridges Hits Million Milestone

Congressman Tim Griffin names a campaign manager, Speaker Davy Carter picks six for an insurance oversight board, and Crystal Bridges prepares for its one-millionth visitor.

CONG. GRIFFIN TAPS DAVID RAY TO LEAD CAMPAIGN
Second District Congressman Tim Griffin (R ) named Republican Party of Arkansas communications director David Ray as his campaign manager for his 2014 re-election bid.

“David brings high-level national experience with a love and knowledge of Arkansas, and I look forward to working with him as I represent the people of the Second Congressional District who want government to live within its means and create an environment where we can grow good-paying jobs,” Griffin said in a press release.

Ray served most recently as Communications Director of the Republican Party of Arkansas. His professional experience includes a stint with the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and he has also managed multiple Congressional races, including the campaign of Congressman Tim Huelskamp of Kansas.

A Memphis, Tennessee native, Ray graduated from the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas in 2007.

Mitchell Lowe will continue to work with the Griffin campaign following his managing of Griffin’s successful 2012 re-election. Lowe will serve as a senior advisor to the campaign.

CRYSTAL BRIDGES TO WELCOME VISITOR NO. 1 MILLION
During the week of August 12, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art anticipates welcoming its one-millionth visitor since its opening on Nov. 11, 2011.

When Crystal Bridges was first proposed, annual attendance was estimated to range between 150,000 to 300,000 guests. However, the museum’s attendance topped 650,000 visitors in the first year.

“Reaching one million visitors just 21 months after our opening is a huge milestone for us,” said Crystal Bridges Executive Director Rod Bigelow. “From the day we opened our doors, our goal has been to welcome visitors to experience the power of art and the beauty of nature, and we’re thankful to have been able to create these connections with such a vast audience. The museum has had a warm welcome from visitors not only throughout our region, but from across the globe; we’re grateful to each and every visitor for being ‘one in a million,’ and making this a vibrant, exciting place to be.”

Of those one million visitors, 64 percent were from Arkansas, and some 20 percent came from the six nearby states: Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Louisiana and Mississippi. The remaining 16 percent hailed from other states in the U.S. and global addresses.

SPEAKER CARTER NAMES 6 TO HEALTH INSURANCE OVERSIGHT BOARD
Arkansas House Speaker Davy Carter has announced the following appointments to the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace Legislative Oversight Committee:

• Rep. Jeremy Gillam (District 45-Judsonia)-Co-Chair
• Rep. John Burris (District 98-Harrison)
• Rep. Sue Scott (District 95-Rogers)
• Rep. Eddie Armstrong (District 37-North Little Rock)
• Rep. Jeffrey Wardlaw (District 8-Warren)
• Rep. Deborah Ferguson (District 51-West Memphis)

The Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace Oversight Committee was created by Act 1500 of the 89th General Assembly. The Committee will consist of 6 House members appointed by the Speaker of the House and 6 Senate members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

The Committee will study matters pertaining to the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace and may request reports pertaining to the operations, programs, or finances of the Marketplace. Members will meet quarterly upon the joint call of the co-chairs and submit an annual report by December 15 of each year to the General Assembly of its analysis and findings.