
Jim von Gremp
Jim von Gremp of Rogers has joined the board of directors of America’s Car-Mart of Bentonville, the company announced Friday.
Von Gremp, 66, is a former Wal-Mart executive and has served on University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees since 2005. He was also the chairman of the Arkansas Public Service Commission in 1999-2000 and served in Gov. Mike Huckabee’s administration as executive director of government operations in 1996-97.
He was a state representative from District 2 in Benton County in 1993-96.
“America’s Car-Mart is very fortunate to have someone of Jim’s caliber join our team,” said Car-Mart CEO Hank Henderson in a statement. “Jim’s past experience along with his desire to contribute to our efforts will be a significant benefit to us as we move forward.”
In its most recent proxy filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, America’s Car-Mart reported that its independent directors historically received 5,000 shares of stock on May 1 of each year and $40,000 in cash. Former COO Eddie Hight, who is a member of the board, did not receive $40,000 for being a director but as salary as the company’s associate development manager.
Von Gremp’s appointment as an independent director expands the Car-Mart board to eight as he effectively fills the spot left vacant when William Sams retired July 30, 2014. Henderson, Hight and company CFO Jeff Williams are on the board, as are independent directors Daniel Englander, Kenny Gunderman, John David Simmons and Cameron Smith.