Accountability

Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed John David “J.D.” Neeley of Camden to serve on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on July 2, 2018.

“J.D. loves the outdoors, he loves to hunt, and through his membership in a dozen boards, associations and his church, he has shown a commitment to serve others,” Gov. Hutchinson said. “His experience as a businessman and his knowledge of the land as a forester, an appraiser and a realtor will make him a valuable member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and give him an appreciation of our state’s conservation efforts.”

Neeley is president of Neeley Forestry Service and principal broker for United Country Neeley Forestry. He has served as a general appraiser, specializing in timberland, pasture land and recreational properties for 25 years. He also has worked as a licensed broker for the sale of timberland investment and recreational properties for 22 years.

“We are blessed in Arkansas to have such a rich, beautiful combination of landscapes, ecosystems and habitat, and an abundant assortment of wildlife,” Neeley said. “I’m deeply honored and humbled to be able to serve the governor and the state to help manage the wildlife and continue to practice conservation.”

Neeley, who is 54, and his wife, Beth, have a son and a daughter. His son, Daniel, works at the family’s firm; his daughter, Taylor, is studying pharmacy at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Neeley’s term is set to expire July 1, 2025. He replaces Steve Cook, former chair of the AGFC, whose term expired July 1, 2018.

915 Pickett Street, Camden, AR 71701
870-836-5981 O | 870-818-4102 M | J.D.Neeley@agfc.ar.gov

Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed Anne Marie Doramus of Little Rock to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on June 26, 2019. She is the first woman appointed to a full term on the commission in the state’s history.

In addition to being a successful businesswoman, Doramus also is a life-long friend and advocate of the outdoors, Hutchinson says. “She is an avid duck hunter and bass angler, but most importantly, she is committed to the conservation of our natural resources,” Hutchinson added. “This appointment is significant not only because she is the first woman appointed to a full 7-year term, but she also brings a fresh perspective in terms of what it might take to connect a new generation to the Arkansas outdoors.”

“When I hold a news conference, not this many people come to see it,” Hutchinson said. “They are here today because of the excitement of this moment.”

Hutchinson said Doramus has the three qualities he looks for in a Game and Fish Commission candidate: a deep love for hunting and fishing, a commitment to conservation and a unique perspective.

“You’re young, you’re a woman, you’re a hunter and fisherman,” Hutchinson said. “You bring all the things I value to a commission. The Game and Fish Commission faces some challenges today, and I believe your perspective will add to the solutions, and that will be important that you all work through the coming years.”

Doramus, is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and is vice president of special projects and sales for Arkansas Bolt Company, a fastener distributor and OEM supplier based in Little Rock. Anne Marie serves on the Board of Directors for the Arkansas State Fair and Livestock Show and served on the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation. She is a founding member of the Arkansas Outdoor Society, a group for young adults who are passionate about conservation and outdoors in Arkansas and directly support the mission of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation and Commission.

In addition to duck hunting and bass fishing, her other hobbies include fly fishing, mountain biking, golf, tennis, and working with her retriever, Baron. Anne Marie and her husband, Joe, live in Little Rock.

Doramus’ term is set to expire June 30, 2026. She replaces Ford Overton of Little Rock, whose term expired June 30, 2019.

2701 West Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR 72204
501-912-4355 | AnneMarie.Doramus@agfc.ar.gov

Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed Mountain Home businessman Rob Finley to the  Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on June 26, 2020.

“Rob’s love of the outdoors is in his blood,” Governor Hutchinson said. “His grandfather owned a fishing and bait store on Portia Bay, and by the time he was four, Rob was fishing from his grandfather’s boat launch. Rob and his cousins spent hours with their grandfather learning about fishing and hunting. His love of the outdoors inspired a passion for conservation. He and his wife, Nicki, have been successful in a variety of businesses, including outdoor retreats and lodges. In Rob, I found the perfect mix of attributes that make him a logical pick to serve as a Game and Fish commissioner.”

Mr. Finley was born on Eaker Air Force Base in Mississippi County, graduated from Cotter High School in Baxter County, and followed in his father’s footsteps to join the U.S. Air Force. After his service, he returned to Mountain Home, where he worked in the banking industry and developed a credit-insurance program for financial institutions. They own Route 66 Warranty in Mountain Home and Cranor’s White River Lodge in Cotter.

“The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is a body of seven stewards of the people’s property,” Mr. Finley said. “I take that very seriously, and I will work diligently to protect it. If I could drop the gavel 84 months from now with an increase in hunter/fishing participation and youth involvement numbers on the rise, I would consider my term a success.”

He and Nicki live in Mountain Home and have a daughter and three sons.

Finley’s term will expire in 2027. He replaces Ken Reeves of Harrison, whose term expired June 30, 2020.

PO Box 1300, Mountain Home, AR 72654
870-736-6700 | Rob.Finley@agfc.ar.gov

Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed Little Rock businessman Philip Tappan to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on July 1, 2021.

“Philip Tappan’s business savvy, his love of the outdoors, and his commitment to conserve the beauty of the Natural State will serve Arkansas well as he assumes his position as a Game and Fish commissioner,” Governor Hutchinson said today. “Philip’s life experiences and quiet leadership are a perfect fit for the commission as the members work to promote and preserve Arkansas’s great outdoors.”

Mr. Tappan is the managing partner of Tappan Land & Water, which owns the majority interest in Quality Foods LLC (Purple Cow Restaurants). Mr. Tappan says his mother was a “fanatical birdwatcher” and his father was an avid duck hunter. His interest in conserving land is a natural outgrowth of his love for the outdoors and hunting, he says.

“With the human impact on our globe, this is a wonderful opportunity for me to participate in the stewardship of our state’s rich portfolio of properties,” Mr. Tappan said. “We can continue to turn the tide for re-habitation of our forests and restoration of wildlife in ways that will benefit our entire state.”

Tappan’s term will expire in 2028. He replaces Andrew Parker whose term expired in June.

PO Box 7775, Little Rock, AR 72217
501-551-2201 | Philip.Tappan@agfc.ar.gov

Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed Bill Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Sissy’s Log Cabin in Pine Bluff, to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on July 6, 2022.

“Everyone knows Bill Jones as an entrepreneur and a successful businessman,” Governor Hutchinson said at a news conference today at the Witt Stephens Nature Center. “But Bill is much more. He’s passionate about the outdoors. He has a long history in conservation. He wants to ensure that we care for our natural resources so that everyone can enjoy our state – hunters, anglers, and people who simply appreciate the beauty of Arkansas. He is a father and grandfather who hopes his grandchildren love the outdoors as much as he does.”

Mr. Jones is a native Arkansan whose family settled in Arkansas in 1793. He is vice-chair of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation and past president of the Pine Bluff chapter of Ducks Unlimited. He has served as a member of the Jefferson Regional Medical Center board and as a Baptist Health Foundation trustee. He also has worked with the Arkansas Arts and Science Center; the Pine Bluff United Way; the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; and the Women and Children First Shelter.

“I’m an avid hunter, and through the years, I have learned valuable life lessons as I called ducks in the middle of a flooded rice field or scouted spring turkeys in dense cover. The beauty and fragility of Arkansas evokes reverence for our natural resources,” Mr. Jones said. “I’m humbled by the chance to join the other commissioners to conserve the natural beauty of our state and to promote the full enjoyment of it. Arkansas is written into my family’s legacy, and our care for the resources God has given us is part of that legacy. Arkansas is a jewel of rare price, and I am gratified for the opportunity to serve as one of the stewards of this gem.”

Mr. Jones’ term expires July 1, 2029. He is replacing Commissioner Bennie Westphal.

5201 South Hazel, Pine Bluff, AR 71603
870-489-5944 | Bill.Jones@agfc.ar.gov

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed Brandon Adams of Fayetteville to serve on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission July 5, 2023. The announcement at the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center was Sanders’ first appointment of an Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner.

Sanders spoke about getting to know Adams during a winter day spent in the marsh in search of waterfowl.

“You get to know someone very well when you spend six hours in a duck blind with them and you never get to pull the trigger,” Gov. Sanders said. “I’m not going to say that duck hunting was bad, but it was not our best day. But spending six or seven hours with someone in the freezing cold, you get to see their passion, you get to see what matters to them and you get to see what their areas of commitment are. … He loves his family. He cares about our state. And he loves the outdoors and the idea of making sure that every single Arkansan has access to the great resources that we have right here in our backyard.”

Adams is a lifelong Arkansan who grew up in Conway fishing the banks of Lake Conway. At his appointment he briefly spoke about his enthusiasm toward the recent announcement of the lake’s revitalization project, which stands to be the largest lake renovation in the AGFC’s 108-year history.

“I cannot be more excited about being involved in the restoration project over the next few years and to see the effect it has on Faulkner County, Conway and the surrounding areas,” Adams said.

In addition to his angling background, Adams and his family have been heavily involved in owning and developing property for wildlife habitat and hunting in Lonoke and Jefferson counties throughout his life.

“The time that my son, my brother, my father and I spend on these properties even today are some of the most special moments in my life,” Adams said. “Not only the hunting and fishing, but the countless hours in the offseason preparing and learning together the best practices for conservation and management of wildlife and their fragile habitats. Then watching over the years how our efforts pay off. I want everyone in Arkansas to be able to enjoy moments like these.”

Adams replaces Bobby Martin of Springdale, whose seven-year Commission term ended June 30. Many comments were made at today’s press conference about Martin’s term and the role he played in shaping the AGFC’s current path. But Martin spoke about the leadership within the Commission and its staff in a brief address after Adams’ announcement.

“Brandon, you come on at a very challenging time, a very interesting time and a very fitting time,” Martin said. “This is a very strong group of Commissioners, and it has been made even stronger with this appointment. Arkansas is very fortunate to have this Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and this Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is very fortunate to have the men and the women who serve this state.”

Adams has served on the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation’s board of directors since 2020. He is president and CEO of Reliance Healthcare, Inc., a Conway-based health care provider with facilities throughout the state. He also is a partner at Heartland Auto Group and Heartland Pharmacies. He is the chairman of the board at Banded Brands/Avery Outdoors, a nationally recognized hunting apparel and accessory company, and co-owner of Prairie Wings Duck Club in Altheimer, Arkansas. He lives in Fayetteville with his wife, Brandi.

Adams’ term expires July 1, 2030.

1420 E. Augustine Lane, Suite 3, Fayetteville, AR 72703
479-387-3096 | Brandon.Adams@agfc.ar.gov

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed Chris Caldwell to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on July 8, 2024, at the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center in Little Rock. 

Caldwell is a Saline County native who lives in Little Rock and leads Caldwell Consulting, a full-service lobbying, government relations and political consulting firm. He previously managed the Sarah for Governor campaign and served as a special advisor to the Governor-elect’s transition team. During the Trump administration, Caldwell was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the Federal Co-Chairman of the Delta Regional Authority. He also served on Senator John Boozman’s official staff and held senior leadership roles on several campaigns in Arkansas and around the country.

“Chris is a great friend and trusted advisor. I know how much he loves Arkansas, how much he adores hunting and fishing and the Arkansas way of life, and how hard he will work every single day in this role,” Gov. Sanders said. 

“Hunting and fishing have always been a big part of my life, and I’m proud to join the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and help provide the same opportunities I enjoyed to every kid and family in Arkansas,” Caldwell said. “I’m grateful that the Governor has selected me for this role and look forward to working with her and every Commissioner to help make Arkansas the best state in the nation to hunt, fish, live and raise a family.”

Chris is a University of Arkansas graduate. He and his wife, Ashley, have two children, Harley and Amelia.

Caldwell’s term will expire in 2031. He replaces Stan Jones of Walnut Ridge, whose term expired June 30, 2024.

501-612-4999 | Chris.Caldwell@agfc.ar.gov

Dr. Evans-White is a Professor at the University of Arkansas. She is a community and ecosystem ecologist and much of her research is at the interface of these two ecological levels. One major area of her research examines the roles of animals in organic matter and nutrient dynamics; she often consider how anthropogenic factors such as pollutants may alter these roles by modifying organismal physiology and behavior or by modification of community structure. Another major area of her research focuses on the role of inland aquatic ecosystems in regional and global carbon budgets; I am particularly interested in how this role will change with landscape and climate change. She directs a Research Experience for Undergraduates Program focusing on Assessment and Sustainable Management of Ecosystem Services (EcoREU https://ecoreu.uark.edu). For more information, please visit her laboratory website.

University of Arkansas, Science and Engineering Building, Room 601
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-575-4706 | Michelle.EvansWhite@agfc.ar.gov