Beebe Appoints Hoofman, Kinard To Court Of Appeals Seats

Gov. Mike Beebe made two appointments to the Arkansas Court of Appeals on Wednesday. The two vacancies were caused by the appellate judges being elected to the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Cliff Hoofman of Enola will fill the vacancy on the Arkansas Court of Appeals created by Judge Rhonda Wood, who was elected to the Supreme Court. Hoofman’s appointment expires December 31, 2016.

Hoofman is a former state Senator and has filled several appointments during the Beebe administration, including a stint as a highway commissioner.

Mike Kinard of Magnolia, a former state Senator, will replace Judge Robin Wynne, who was also elected to the Arkansas Supreme Court in 2014. Kinard’s appointment will extend through December 31, 2016.

Beebe made several other judicial appointments on Wednesday (Dec. 31). They included:

Donald R. Betterton, Osceola, as District Court Judge of Mississippi County, Osceola Division. Appointment expires December 31, 2016. Replaces Judge Mike Gibson.

Jeannie Denniston, Morrilton, as Conway County District Judge. Appointment expires December 31, 2016. Replaces Judge Bart Virden.

Tim Gauger, Little Rock, as a Special Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court for the case styled In The Matter of Jerry Judson Shepard, Jr., CV-14-366. Replaces Justice Courtney Hudson Goodson, who has disqualified herself from the case.

Judge Jake Looney, Mena, as Polk County District Court Judge. Appointment expires December 31, 2016. Replaces Judge Jerry Ryan.

Gregory Thurman, Berryville, as District Judge of the Eastern District of Carroll County. Appointment expires December 31, 2016. Replaces Judge Scott Jackson.

Beebe also announced the following appointments to boards and commissions:

Dr. Gary Bass, Little Rock, to the State Board of Health. Appointment expires December 31, 2017. Replaces John Page.

Jim Bigger, Walnut Ridge, to the Arkansas Seed Arbitration Commission. Appointment expires March 1, 2018. Replaces David Luter.

Steve Bryant, Jr., Batesville, reappointed to the Arkansas Board of Pharmacy. Appointment expires June 30, 2020.

Shelia Castin, Little Rock, to the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy. Appointment expires June 30, 2015. Replaces Larry Ross.

Ronald “Joe” Cowling, Stamps, to the Lafayette County Quorum Court, District 3. Appointment expires December 31, 2016. Replaces William Smith.

Theresa “Terri” Harris, Hot Springs, as Prosecuting Attorney for the 18th Judicial District East. Appointment expires December 31, 2016. Replaces Steve Oliver.

Michael Hutchinson, Little Rock, to the Capitol Zoning District Commission. Appointment expires August 13, 2017. Replaces Solomon Bradford.

Charles McGowan, Palestine, as Languille Township Constable. Appointment expires December 31, 2016. This is an open position.

William “W.J.” McKiever, Monticello, to the Drew County Quorum Court, Position 3. Appointment expires December 31, 2016. Replaces Billie Gober Ferrell.

Erasmo Reyes, Little Rock, to the State Council for Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. Appointment expires August 15, 2017. This is a new position.

Brian Rodgers, Monticello, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, District 10. Appointment expires January 14, 2017. Replaces Lee Pinkus.

Samuel Sicard, Fort Smith, to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Appointment expires May 1, 2019. Replaces Dr. Joe Bennett.

Richard Vaught II, Royal, to the Arkansas State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. Appointment expires November 1, 2019. Replaces Glen Laurent.

John Wilkerson, Little Rock, to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. Appointment expires June 1, 2017. Replaces Mary Allen.

James Woodard, Wynne, reappointed to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. Appointment expires June 1, 2017.