Former state Rep. Andy Davis is joining UAMS as vice chancellor of institutional relations.
Davis of Roland, who served in the legislature from 2013-2021, is expected to start the lobbying position around May 1, UAMS said in a news release. He follows Maurice Rigsby, who left the job in January after more than four years.
In Davis' new role, he'll advocate for UAMS by building relationships with federal, state and local policymakers to ensure legislative funding and policy initiatives reflect the needs of the university. Legislative and funding priorities are coordinated through the Office of the Chancellor.
"I am thrilled that Andy is joining us at UAMS," UAMS Chancellor Dr. Cam Patterson said in the release. "His knowledge of state government and his years of service in the state legislature paired with his commitment to improving the health of Arkansans make him the perfect candidate for this role."
Davis joins UAMS from Periscope Holdings Inc. of Austin, Texas, where he's the general manager of ARBuy, the online procurement system for the state of Arkansas. Prior to that, Davis was the head of New Water Systems, a company he founded in 2003.
During his time in the legislature, he served on the Joint Budget, Education, House Rules and State Agencies & Governmental Affairs committees. He was appointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson to the Highway Funding Workgroup and the Government Transformation Advisory Board.
Davis is a member of the 2012 class of Arkansas Business 40 Under 40.
He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from the University of Arkansas.
