Keep Arkansas Beautiful Elects Simpson and Sparks as New Board Chairs
The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission (KAB) has announced that it has elected Mark Simpson as chair and Jeremy Sparks as vice-chair on its 2021 board of commissioners. Simpson and Sparks follow a long line of dedicated chairs. The immediate past chairs are Laurie Blackwell Black of Lake Village, Arkansas, and Jane Phillips-Jolly of Hot Springs who both served two terms as chair and vice-chair.
Simpson is a retired mayor of the City of Clarksville and former assistant fire chief with three decades of experience in the oil field. He specializes in positive community growth and regularly attends training sessions for beautification efforts. Currently residing in Clarksville, Simpson will utilize his expertise in public service to facilitate and implement initiatives to advance KAB’s mission to enhance Arkansas’ quality of life, livability and economy.
“We are honored to have Mark serve as chair for our board of commissioners,” said Mark Camp, executive director of KAB. “He is a well-known public servant with a great sense of civic pride who cares deeply about improving our communities across the state. We are excited to see where his leadership will take our board throughout the year.”
Sparks is the chief innovation officer at Central Arkansas Water and serves in the U.S. Air National Guard as a lieutenant colonel and 153d Force Support Squadron Commander. He has been serving with KAB’s board of commissioners for more than three years and will offer his expertise in the environment and leadership to help guide the board and its beautification efforts.
“Jeremy has been a true asset to our board since joining three years ago and we are thrilled to have his guidance in a new capacity as vice-chair,” said Camp. “In both their careers and volunteerism, he and Mark have a long history of public service and are dedicated to improving Arkansas’ environmental health. Together, they create a winning pair.”
He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from the University of Arkansas Monticello, a Master of Business Administration in strategic leadership from Trident University and also attended the Air War College, the U.S. Air Force’s senior Professional Military Education (PME) school. His other board appointments include the Monticello Board of Visitors at the University of Arkansas and the National Guard Bureau Innovation Council.