Gov. Asa Hutchinson wants former Republican lawmaker Aaron Burkes to be the next head of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority.
Hutchinson on Monday submitted Burke’s name to the ADFA board. Gene Eagle currently serves as ADFA president.
Burkes is a former state representative from Lowell who recently was named associate vice chancellor for business affairs at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, a job he has yet to start.
Before being selected for the UA job, Burke spent the past several years in economic development and college administration roles in Iowa and Wisconsin, according to a news release from Hutchinson’s office.
For the last three years, Burkes has been an administrator at Madison College in Wisconsin in roles that include assistant vice president for economic and workforce development and interim vice president for administration.
Hutchinson’s official statement on his nomination of Burkes:
“I am pleased to submit the name of Aaron Burkes to serve as the next president of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority. Aaron’s varied experience and educational background make him an ideal fit to lead this department. He understands banking, real estate and the law and, as a former state representative, Aaron knows the legislative process. In addition, his recent experience in economic and workforce development and administration should serve him well in this important post.”
Burkes spent 15 years in banking and real estate development in northwest Arkansas before becoming the executive director of a regional council of governments focused on the economic development and housing needs of five Iowa counties, according to the release.
A licensed attorney, Burkes is a graduate of Southside High School in Fort Smith. He received his bachelor’s degree from the UA, a master’s degree in economics from Clemson University and his J.D. from Baylor University.