VA secretary appointed to University of Arkansas System board of trustees

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced a new member Wednesday (June 22) to the University of Arkansas System board of trustees. Col. (U.S. Army, Ret.) Nathaniel “Nate” Todd of Pine Bluff, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, joins the board for a 10-year term.

Todd is replacing Dr. Stephen Broughton, a Pine Bluff psychiatrist, whose 10-year term expired in March. Colonel Todd’s term will expire in March 2032.

According to a news release from the governor’s office, Todd is a 37-year veteran of the Army and Army Reserve, where his roles included Director of Health Financial Policy for the U.S Army Surgeon General and Chief Financial Officer for Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.

“Nate Todd has devoted his entire life to the service of the United States, starting at Pine Bluff High School where he was a member of the Junior Air Force ROTC,” Hutchinson said in a statement. “His appointment as a University of Arkansas trustee is a natural extension of his career of caring for his state and nation. Colonel Todd is a quiet man whose compassion and faith drives all that he does. I am grateful he has agreed to serve. His wisdom and kindness are critical at this time in the history of the University of Arkansas.”

Todd was chief financial officer of the Central Arkansas Veterans Health Care System in February 2017 when Hutchinson appointed him director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2019, Hutchinson appointed Todd as the first cabinet secretary for the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs after the General Assembly passed the governor’s government transformation initiative.

“I give glory to God for His limitless blessings,” Todd said in a statement. “I am honored and deeply grateful to Governor Hutchinson for his confidence in me, thankful for the unending support from my family, and appreciative of the Pine Bluff community and its educators who inspired me to be a life-long learner.

“I am eager to serve with the other trustees and to learn from them and Dr. Bobbitt, as we build on the work of those who came before us. I am humbled for the opportunity to share my life experiences and to join other leaders as we serve the University of Arkansas System to continue its journey toward even greater heights in support of Arkansas students and faculty.”

The UA System board oversees 20 campuses, divisions and units and is comprised of 10 trustees representing each of the state’s four congressional districts.

For the full release, click this link.