FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Kim Randle (B.S.B.A. 1979) has been named director of corporate and foundation relations for university development at the University of Arkansas.

She will report to Dave Gearhart, vice chancellor for University Advancement, in his current additional role as interim associate vice chancellor for University Development.

“Kim’s extensive experience in the corporate world makes her a natural fit for this position,” said Gearhart. “She understands the importance of fostering mutually beneficial partnerships in our community, across the state and around the world. I am thrilled to welcome Kim to our team.

“The University of Arkansas has been fortunate over the years to have outstanding support from many organizations,” he said. “Through those relationships, we have accomplished great things and I know there are many more great things to come.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as an ambassador for my alma mater,” Randle said. “The University of Arkansas prepared me extremely well for a career in the global marketplace, and I value the quality education I received. By working in this capacity, I can directly affect the future of the university’s academic programs by building relationships with corporate and foundation entities and by raising funds to support new and existing efforts. I look forward to returning to my home state and representing the University of Arkansas.”

Randle comes to the University of Arkansas with extensive experience in government and public affairs. Her most recent position was at the Association of Commerce and Industry of New Mexico where she served as vice president of government affairs. In that role, she was responsible for lobbying a broad-based business agenda and implementing a governmental affairs program for the association, which also serves as the state’s affiliate for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Manufacturers’ Association. Prior to that, she was a senior public affairs manager for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in Texas, New Mexico and Louisiana, a state government affairs manager at El Paso Corp. representing the company’s non-regulated assets, and an external affairs director at Southern Energy Inc./Mirant Corp. in Atlanta. Responsibilities in these positions included lobbying at the state and local levels, community outreach and media relations.