ACHE promotes Brown to CFO

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) announced Monday (Jan. 24) that Chris Brown was promoted to vice president and chief financial officer. Brown, a licensed certified public accountant, was hired in 2021 as the director of accounting.

“Chris will play a vital role in ACHE’s strategic initiatives. His proven integrity and accuracy skills are what we need to help propel us into our future endeavors,” said Kyle Parker, ACHE CEO.

Brown replaces Dennis Bauer, who retired as CFO at the end of June. Les Smith, who was promoted to chief operating officer at ACHE in January 2021, had been handling the responsibilities of CFO since Bauer’s retirement, said Susan Devero, executive director of marketing, communications and community relations.

“To have the opportunity to be part of something with such an enormous impact on our community and region is incredibly humbling,” Brown said. “ACHE will continue to impact, continue to grow, and continue to improve the lives of others. With that mission in mind, I am so excited to serve in the CFO role.”

Brown has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. He previously worked at Landmark CPAs in Fort Smith.