Gov. Sanders names Lona McCastlain to chair Corrections Board, makes other appointments

Gov. Sarah Sanders named Lona McCastlain to the Board of Corrections and designated her as chair of the Post-Prison Transfer Board. She had been reappointed to a seven-year term on the Post-Prison Transfer Board in January.

She replaces Jamol Jones, who resigned amidst controversy two weeks ago.

McCastlain is a former prosecuting attorney who represented Lonoke County from 1998-2008.

In other appointments, Sanders made the following assignments:

State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission
Shash Goyal, Little Rock, to the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission. Term expires January 14, 2030. Reappointment.

Austin Albers, Rogers, to the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission. Term expires January 14, 2030. Reappointment.

Gary Vernon, Bella Vista, to the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission. Term expires January 14, 2030. Replaces Ronnie Gossage.

Graduate Medical Education Residency Expansion Board
Dr. Kevan Meadors, Little Rock, to the Graduate Medical Education Residency Expansion Board. Term expires February 13, 2027. New Position.

Dr. Sherry Turner, Fort Smith, to the Graduate Medical Education Residency Expansion Board. Term expires February 13, 2027. New Position.

Dr. Sharmila Makhija, Rogers, to the Graduate Medical Education Residency Expansion Board. Term expires February 13, 2027. New Position.

Dr. Evan Branscum, Harrison, to the Graduate Medical Education Residency Expansion Board. Term expires February 13, 2027. New Position.

Grant County Quorum Court
David Damron, of Sheridan, to serve as the Justice of the Peace for District 4 for Grant County. Term expires on December 31, 2024. Fulfills the remaining term of Grant Westmoreland.

Howard County Quorum Court
Bobbie Jo Green, of Mineral Springs, to serve as the Justice of the Peace for District 9 for Howard County. Term expires on December 31, 2024. Fulfills the remaining term of Bobby Don Turner.

Ouachita County Quorum Court
Linda Hines, of Camden, to serve as the Justice of the Peace for District 8 for Ouachita County. Term expires on December 31, 2024. Fulfills the remaining term of James Manley.

Saline County Quorum Court
George Wyrick, of Alexander, to serve as the Justice of the Peace for District 12 for Saline County. Term expires on December 31, 2024. Fulfills the remaining term of J.R. Walters.

Searcy County Quorum Court
Larry Dye, of Harriet, to serve as the Justice of the Peace for District 9 for Searcy County. Term expires on December 31, 2024. Fulfills the remaining term of Rick Watts.

White County Quorum Court
Shirley Quattlebaum, of Searcy, to serve as the Justice of the Peace for District 10 for White County. Term expires on December 31, 2024. Fulfills the remaining term of Bobby G. Quattlebaum.

Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council
Bobbi Shepherd, El Dorado, to the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. Term expires July 1, 2025. Reappointment

Judge Brandon Ellison, Mena, to the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. Term expires July 1, 2025. Replaces Chris Villines.

Mitchell Allen, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. Term Expires July 1, 2025. Replaces Tareneh Manning.

Allyson de la Houssaye, Bentonville, to the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. Term expires July 1, 2025. Replaces Regina Walker.

Arkansas Waterways Commission
John Edwards, Scott, to the Arkansas Waterways Commission. Term expires January 14, 2028. Replaces Joe Harris, Jr.

Rajesh Chokhani, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Waterways Commission. Term expires January 14, 2030. Replaces Matthew King.

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Oversight Committee
Tom Lundstrum, Springdale, to the ESG Oversight Committee, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. New position.