Tyler Clark hired as new executive director of Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA

Tyler Clark, development director for Springdale-based Community Clinic, has been hired as the new executive director of the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas.

Clark, 36, is replacing Jody Dilday, who resigned in June to accept a job with the development staff with the Arkansas Community Foundation.

Natalie Bartholomew, vice chair of the SPSF NWA board of directors, said Clark will begin his new job July 27.

“Tyler brings a lot to the table and the board is excited about the energy he will add to the organization,” Bartholomew said. “We are committed to the future of SPSF NWA and feel confident that Tyler is the right person for the job as executive director.”

Clark has worked for the nonprofit Community Clinic for the past seven years. He’s also worked previously at The Jones Center in Springdale.

He said by volunteering for the SPSF NWA through the years, he’s long been a fan of the organization.

“I’ve watched them grow and grow and grow,” he said. “And knowing the staff and some of the board members, it just seemed like a natural fit for me to follow in Jody’s footsteps and continue the great work they are doing.”

SPSF NWA helps low-income single parents pursue a post-secondary education as a way of seeking a better quality of life for their children. The organization was founded 33 years ago and serves Washington, Carroll and Madison counties. Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County is a separate entity.

SPSF NWA has an annual budget of about $850,000.

Clark said he’ll spend his first month on the job connecting and listening with board members, staff and scholarship recipients he hasn’t yet had a chance to meet, and asking three questions.

“What are we doing right, what are we doing wrong and what can take us to the next level,” he said.

Clark also said he will be resigning his part-time volunteer role as treasurer of the Arkansas Democratic Party.

“I opted to do that to really focus on the opportunity at hand full-time and work diligently with the staff full-time,” he said.

He will, though, remain involved in politics for the next couple of years as chairman of the Washington County Democrats. His term there ends in 2019, and Clark said he won’t seek re-election.