Gov. Asa Hutchinson has named the Arkansas Cyber Advisory Council to identify and manage the risk of cyberattacks and enhance the response to those threats for the state.
Council members are:
- Lee Watson, founder and CEO of Forge Institute;
- Jonathan Askins, director of the Division of Information Systems and chief technology officer for the state;
- Gary Vance, the state's chief information security officer, also with the Division of Information Systems;
- Mike Preston, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Commerce;
- Jami Cook, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Public Safety;
- Dr. José Romero, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health;
- Cindy Gillespie, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Human Services;
- Johnny Key, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Education;
- Maj. Gen. Kendall Penn, secretary of the Arkansas Military Department;
- Alan McClain, commissioner of the Arkansas Insurance Department;
- A.J. Gary, director of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management; and
- Col. (Ret.) Steve Eggensperger, cybersecurity liaison for the governor's office.
