Rob Anderson
Insurance
Rob Anderson, formerly the director of content strategy for three years at Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods in Little Rock, has been hired as director of public relations at Arkansas Farm Bureau. In his new position, Anderson will head organizational messaging and communication tool development, as well as manage the insurer’s social media team.
Energy
Matt Morais has been named associate general counsel at Southwest Power Pool of Little Rock. After serving the Electric Reliability Council of Texas as assistant general counsel since 2008, Morais will oversee both legal and regulatory policy issues related to markets and operations that involve Federal Energy Regulatory Commission matters.
Education
Colleen Briney, formerly the assistant dean for finance in the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, has been named the institution’s new associate vice chancellor for business affairs. A university employee for more than 30 years, Briney will now oversee several areas, including but not limited to accounts payable, procurement, the university bookstore, leased retail space in the Garland Center and risk management.
Shaun Potgieter, a former All-American rugby player for Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, has returned to his alma mater as the university’s head rugby coach. Potgieter was the team’s assistant coach during its last season.
Gary Gerber has succeeded Scott Holsclaw as the dean of the School of Fine Arts at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. Gerber, a university employee since 2004 and formerly the chairman of the university’s Division of Music, holds degrees from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. Holsclaw, who has been at OBU since 1985, has served eight years as dean but will now return to teaching and directing full time, in addition to serving as chairman of the university’s Division of Applied Arts, which includes visual arts and theater.
Rebecca Lochmann, a professor of aquaculture and fisheries at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, has been inducted as president of the World Aquaculture Society during a May organization business meeting in South Korea. Lochmann will head the society’s board of directors until her term expires next year.
Nonprofits
Vicki Farmer has been elected president of the Arkansas Society of Association Executives. Farmer is also the executive director of the Arkansas Optometric Association, which provides vision care to seniors and infants in the state. Along with Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Farmer graduated from the U.S. Chamber Institute of Organization Management. Her Certified Association Management certification is still in effect. Brent Stevenson, president of Brent Stevenson Associates, was elected immediate past president. Karen Hutchins, executive director of the Arkansas Bar Association, was elected vice president of the ASAE. Brian Itzkowitz, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas Inc., was elected ASAE’s secretary and treasurer. The association also installed several new board members: Max Braswell, Rita Madison, Drew Ramey, Derek Rudkin, Jodiane Tritt and Guy Washburn.
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