Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Friday appointed Bennie Westphal of Fort Smith to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Westphal is CEO of The Westphal Group, which is involved in commercial real estate development, oil and gas investments, and insurance sales. He succeeds Joe Morgan, who died in November after serving on the commission for five years.
Westphal also sits on several company and community boards, including the Fort Smith Mercy Foundation Board, BancorpSouth Advisory Board, Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club Inc. Board and the U.S. Marshals Museum Board.
“Bennie Westphal brings to this position a love of the outdoors and years of experience as a businessman and community leader,” Hutchinson said in a news release. “I have known Bennie for over 30 years, and I have full confidence in his commitment to conservation and to serving the public in this key position.”
Westphal said, “Arkansas is so abundant in its natural beauty. I have been an avid hunter and fisherman most of my life and look forward to learning and working with the commission.”
He holds a master’s degree in business administration and a juris doctor from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he also was a two-year letterman for the Razorbacks football team.
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