
Kelley Erstine, an alumnus of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, started work last week as chief of staff at his alma matter. In his new role, Erstine will make $165,000 a year.
UCA President Tom Courtway originally announced Erstine as chief of staff in 2013, though Erstine later declined the initial job offer and chose to stay in his role as CEO at Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina. He worked at the insurance company from 2008 to 2014. (The chief of staff position was vacant after the 2012 resignation of Jack Gillean, who was subsequently convicted on six counts of commercial burglary after he gave a master key to a student who used it to steal tests and medication.)
Erstine graduated from UCA in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He was later appointed to the UCA Board of Trustees, serving from 2000 to 2004. Following his status on the board, Erstine became vice president for institutional advancement in 2004 and served in that position until 2008, when he moved to North Carolina to work at Independent Insurance Agents.