Committee Advances Three Finalists for Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The committee appointed in February by University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart to seek and review candidates for vice chancellor for governmental relations has advanced the names of three finalists to the chancellor, said Kathy Van Laningham, vice provost for planning and chair of the search committee. Richard Hudson, who currently holds the vice chancellor position, is retiring on July 31.

The vice chancellor for governmental relations coordinates University of Arkansas activities related to government organizations on a local, state and federal level and works with organizations such as the Chambers of Commerce and our state and congressional delegations in Arkansas and Washington, D.C.

“The committee is pleased with both the number of applications we received and the depth of experience among the applicant pool,” Van Laningham said. “Our charge was to find someone who can not only foster good relations with elected officials at the local, state and federal level, but who will also be effective in making the case and building support for our institutional priorities. Richard’s are big shoes to fill, and we feel confident that we’ve identified three very solid individuals as potential successors.”

The three finalists are:

• Mac Campbell, a former aide to Sen. Blanche Lincoln and deputy staff director of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee  
• Sen. Johnny Key (R-Mountain Home), who served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2003-2009 and in the state Senate since 2009.
• Randy Massanelli, state director for U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor

The finalists will each meet separately with the chancellor, as well as other campus and community members over the next two weeks.

“I’d like to thank the search committee members for their due diligence and thorough effort researching and vetting candidates, and narrowing the pool thus far,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “I appreciate the time, service and sincerity with which they approached their task.”

The search committee included the following members:

• Jerry Adams, president and CEO, Arkansas Research Alliance
• Lynda Coon, professor, department of history
• Steve Higginbothom, former state senator, District 16
• Stacy Leeds, dean, School of Law
• Katy Nelson-Ginder, assistant vice chancellor for university development
• Charles Robinson, vice chancellor for diversity and community
• Melissa Rust, vice president for university relations, University of Arkansas System
• Gary Smith, president, Glass Erectors

Of the 42 total applicants for the position, five were invited to campus to interview with the search committee, and three among that group were chosen by the committee as finalists.