Arkansas Business

Tom Kimbrell

Tom Kimbrell grew up in Corning, where his father was superintendent of schools. He earned his bachelor's degree in education at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, then a master's and doctorate in education at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. His career path started as a teacher and coach in Paragould and Pocahontas, director of fiscal services for the Pocahontas School District, superintendent of the Paragould and North Little Rock districts, and four years as executive director of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators. He succeeded Ken James as director of the Arkansas Education Department in September 2009.