Board Members
Mrs. Graycen Bigger, Chair
Committee(s): Academic Committee
Term Expires: 2025
Email: Graycen.bigger@adhe.edu
Address: 101 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 300 \ Little Rock, AR 72201
Biography: Mrs. Graycen Bigger of Pocahontas was appointed to the Higher Education Coordinating Board in 2021 and is serving a term that will expire in 2025. Mrs. Bigger is the Assistant Vice President of Community Development for Farmers and Merchants Bank as well as the Executive Director of the Northeast Arkansas Intermodal Authority, a regional economic development alliance based in Pocahontas. Graycen holds a MA in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York as well as bachelor degrees in the history of art and photojournalism from Arkansas State University. She is a White Riley Peterson Fellow and currently serves on Black River Technical College’s Foundation Board of Directors. She was named one of Astate’s Emerging Alumni in 2020 and enjoys attending alumni and sporting events.
Dr. Jim Carr, Secretary
Committee(s): Academic Committee
Term Expires: 2027
Email: Jim.Carr@adhe.edu
Address: 101 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 300 | Little Rock, AR 72201
Biography: Dr. Jim Carr was appointed to the Coordinating Board in 2015 and is currently serving his second term that will expire in 2027. Dr. Carr previously served as Senior Vice President and Professor of Business at Harding University. Prior to joining the Harding staff he served in administrative positions at Florida State University and the American College Testing Program. In 2006, he was nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to a position on The National Security Education Board. Dr. Carr is currently on the State Board of the Chamber of Commerce and Board of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the Arkansas Forestry Commission from 2003 to 2015. He consults regularly with colleges and universities around the country in the area of strategic planning, student retention, enrollment development and fundraising. Dr. Carr received his PhD from Florida State.
Mr. Keven Anderson
Committee(s): Finance Committee
Term Expires: 2023
Email: Keven.Anderson@adhe.edu
Address: 101 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 300 | Little Rock, AR 72201
Biography: Mr. Keven Anderson of Rogers was appointed to the Coordinating Board in 2017 and is serving a term that will expire in 2023. He is the President and CEO of Anderson Electric and Plumbing Supply Company. Mr. Anderson is a former member of the NorthWest Arkansas Community College Board of Trustees and a current member of the Arvest Bank Board. He holds a degree in Business Administration from Drury University. He is also a former state Representative where he served from 2002-2008 and was Chair of the Revenue and Tax Committee in 2007.
Mr. Al Brodell
Committee(s): Finance Committee
Term Expires: 2023
Email: Al.Brodell@adhe.edu
Address: 101 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 300| Little Rock, AR 72201
Biography: Mr. Hugh Allan “Al” Brodell of Jonesboro was appointed to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board in 2017 and is serving a term that will expire May 1, 2023.
Dr. Jerry Cash
Committee(s): Academic Committee
Term Expires: 2026
Email: jerry.cash@adhe.edu
Address: 101 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 300 | Little Rock, AR 72201
Biography: Dr. Jerry Cash of Harrison was appointed to the Higher Education Coordinating Board in 2021 and is serving a term that will expire in 2026. He earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Ouachita Baptist University, an M.S.E in Guidance and Counseling from Arkansas State University, an Ed.S. in Psychological Diagnostics from ASU and an Ed.D. in College Student Personnel Administration from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Dr. Cash previously worked at North Arkansas College for 31 years in various positions including Director of Counseling Services, Admissions Counselor, Dean of Students, and Vice-President of Educational Services. Dr. Cash served on the NAC Board of Trustees for six years.
Mr. Kelley Erstine
Committee(s): Finance Committee
Term Expires: 2027
Email: Kelley.Erstine@adhe.edu
Address: 101 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 300 | Little Rock, AR 72201
Education: Mr. Kelley Erstine of Conway was appointed to the Higher Education Coordinating Board in 2022 and is serving a term that will expire in 2027. Erstine is Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas, a professional trade association representing approximately 300 independent insurance agencies in Arkansas. He previously served as Chief of Staff at the University of Central Arkansas and also served as interim president for a short period of time during a presidential transition. He was appointed and previously served as a member of the UCA Board of Trustees. Erstine is a graduate of Sheridan High School (Grant County) and the University of Central Arkansas, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. He and his wife Leslie, live in Conway.
Mr. Chad Hooten
Committee(s): Finance Committee
Term Expires: 2025
Email: Chad.Hooten@adhe.edu
Address: 101 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 300 | Little Rock, AR 72201
Biography: Mr. Chad Hooten of Little Rock was appointed to the Higher Education Coordinating Board in 2019 and is serving a term that will expire in 2025.
Mr. Andy McNeill
Committee(s): Academic Committee
Term Expires: 2022
Email: Andy.McNeill@adhe.edu
Address: 101 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 300 | Little Rock, AR 72201
Biography: Mr. Andy McNeill of Russellville was appointed to the Higher Education Coordinating Board in 2019 and is serving a term that will expire in 2022. Mr. McNeill earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Auburn University and his Master of Business Administration at the University of Notre Dame. He currently serves as a Board Member for Friendship Community Care and Russellville Regional Economic Development Alliance. Mr. McNeill is President and CEO of Danali Water Solutions, a national specialty waste and environmental services company.
Dr. Kyle Miller
Committee(s): Finance Committee
Term Expires: 2024
Email: kyle.miller@adhe.edu
Address: 101 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 300 | Little Rock, AR 72201
Biography: Dr. Kyle Miller of Helena was appointed to the Higher Education Coordinating Board in 2021 and is serving a term that will expire in 2024. A native of Helena, Arkansas, Dr. Miller attended the University of Central Arkansas on a vocal music scholarship, later graduating with a BA in Mass Communications. Miller received a Master of Science Degree in Radio-TV from ASU and his Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Mississippi. After spending several years in the television news business, Dr. Miller accepted a part-time position at the Delta Cultural Center as the Assistant Public Information Officer. He then became the Afterschool Program Director for Helena West Helena Schools and later became Executive Director of Phillips College’s student support program, GEAR UP, and the University of Arkansas Little Rock’s Children International. Dr. Miller is currently the Director of the Delta Cultural Center in Helena.