Arkansas Alumni Association Announces New Board Members

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top, l-r: Linda Jackson, Robert Kolf, Greg Lee; bottom l-r: Paul Parette, Ronald Rainey, Brian Wolff

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Alumni Association is adding six new members to its National Board of Directors, which assists the Alumni Association’s mission to connect and serve the University of Arkansas family.

These six alumni have agreed to serve a three-year term and are part of the Class of 2019 board members:

• Linda Y. Bedford Jackson, of Austin, Texas, was one of the first two African-American female student athletes on the Arkansas women’s track and field team in 1976-77. Jackson was also the first female sports editor of the Arkansas Traveler, the University of Arkansas’ student-run newspaper. She is a 1980 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Jackson is director of University Relations at Huston-Tillotson University and co-owner of Yvette’s Bakery Box. She also received a master’s degree in business administration from LeTourneau University in Dallas and was part of the Harvard Management Institute at Harvard Graduate School.

Jackson is a board member of the Arkansas Alumni Association Black Alumni Society. Her community involvement includes 2016 Communications Recipient for 14th Biennial African-American Women’s Profiles of Prominence; member of the Austin Metroplex Chapter of the National Women of Achievement, Inc.; and Austin Independent School District Chair.

"As a proud U of A graduate, serving on the national alumni board is an opportunity to not only remain connected with the U of A but the opportunity as an ambassador to engage with more alumni and supporters who share the same passion,” she said.

Robert G. Kolf, of Wildwood, Missouri, is a 1978 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Kolf is principal engineer II for AECOM, Inc. in St. Louis. Kolf is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Engineers’ Club of St. Louis and a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Kolf is also the special events chair for the St. Louis chapter of the Arkansas Alumni Association and served as chapter president from 2013-16. Chapter accomplishments include the 2012 Rising Star Award, the 2013 Most Improved Chapter Award and the 2014 Board Cup for Outstanding Chapter Award. Kolf led the effort to establish joint St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield chapters’ Annual Battle Line Rivalry Hog Wild Tailgate Scholarship event for Missouri students in conjunction with the Missouri vs. Arkansas football game. In the 2014 inaugural year, the event drew 600 alumni, family and friends to Columbia, Missouri, and raised $10,000 in scholarships.

"I'm truly humbled by my selection to serve on the Alumni National Board,” Kolf said. “The University of Arkansas has had a profound impact on my life, and I am eager to give a small yet impactful contribution back to the community and institution that I love.”

Greg W. Lee, is a life-long resident of Fayetteville. He is a 1970 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He retired as Chief Administrative Officer and President of Tyson Foods International in April 2007 after 27 years of service to Tyson Foods, Inc.

Lee is a member of the Northwest Arkansas Council and a member of Accelerate Arkansas. He is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, and he co-chairs Campaign Arkansas for the college, serves on the U of A Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee and is a member of the board for the U of A Technology Development Foundation. He is also chairman of Whiteriver Bancshares board and vice-chairman of the board for Signature Bank of Arkansas; chairman of the Washington Regional Medical System; chairman of the Walton Arts Center Board; a member of the boards of VIC Technology Development Company and Akeso Biomedical Company; and a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Lee received the 2009 Walton Business College Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2014, he received the Citation of Distinguished Alumni Award from the Arkansas Alumni Association.

"The U of A has been an important part of my life from childhood until the present. I grew up a block from the campus and attended many U of A activities all through childhood. When I enrolled in the Business College in 1965, it was in many ways just like going to the 13th grade,” he said. “As the first college graduate in my family, my experience at the U of A has paid many dividends to both me and my family. I am proud to be an Arkansan, a U of A alumni, and the father of U of A Alumni. It is an honor to serve as a member of the U of A Alumni Association Board.”

Paul N. Parette, is a partner at Deloitte & Touche LLP in Dallas. Deloitte & Touche is one of the largest professional services firms in the United States, with offices in more than 100 cities. Parette has served clients in a variety of industries including petroleum refining and marketing, oil and gas exploration and production, oil and gas transportation, energy service, power generation, hospitality, publishing, internet service providers, telematics, professional services, transportation and manufacturing.

Parette is a 1989 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting. He is a member of the Walton College of Business Accounting Department Advisory board and has served on the Walton College of Business Dean’s Alumni Advisory Council. He received the Accounting Department’s 2005 Alumni Award. He also is a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

“I am honored to be asked to serve on the board and will strive to be a voice of responsible leadership with this illustrious group. My efforts will be focused on increasing our membership and scholarships,” Parette said.

Ronald L. Rainey, of Little Rock is a professor with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and works as an economist within the Department of Agriculture Economics and Agribusiness. His academic background includes a 2001 doctorate degree in economics, a 1993 master’s degree in agricultural economics and a 1991 bachelor’s degree in agribusiness, all from the University of Arkansas. As an economist, Rainey works with all segments of the food system including growers, processors, and wholesale/retail companies within Arkansas and throughout the southeast region. He provides leadership through collaboration with industry stakeholders and leaders throughout the state serving on the Board of Directors for Arkansas Farmers’ Market Association and the Arkansas State Horticulture Society. On the national level, he actively participates in the Food Distribution and Research Society having served as President of the society and is currently the society’s Vice President of Logistics and Outreach.

Rainey is also project director for Arkansas’ MarketMaker project and is active with MarketMaker’s national leadership team serving on its national board of directors. He serves as a co-director of the Southern Risk Management Education Center and program director with the Center for Agriculture and Rural Sustainability for the University of Arkansas.

“I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve on the board of a university that I love.  I have been honored to serve as a president of our Little Rock Chapter and the Bumpers College Society,” Rainey said. “I truly believe in the invaluable role that education plays on a journey to success! Hope that my efforts can enhance the U of A’s connections to alumni, supporters, and prospective students to expand this pathway and the opportunities that the U of A provides.”

Brian L. Wolff, of Sherwood Forest, Maryland, is Senior Vice President of External Affairs at Edison Electric Institute and is responsible for managing the Government Relations and Communications departments for the Institute. Wolff is an Arkansas native and 1989 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in economics and journalism. He also received an executive master’s degree in business administration from the University of California at Berkeley and is pursuing a master’s degree at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government. Prior to joining the institute in 2009, Wolff served as a Capitol Hill strategist for the U.S. House of Representatives and has served under Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, the Hon. Robert T. Matsui (D-CA), Hon. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), and Hon. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). He also served as finance and taxation legislative aide to former Sen. David H. Pryor (D-AR).

Wolff is part of the Campaign Arkansas Alumni Association Unit Committee. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and serves on the Board of Directors for the Public Affairs Institute. He is also a Board Member of the Roosevelt Institute and serves on the Executive Committee of the Institute.

“I am honored to serve with so many talented members of the Alumni Board to build, strengthen and connect us all to the University of Arkansas family,” Wolff said.

Five additional board members – John Forrest Ales, Susan Kemp, Lott Rolfe IV, Roger Sublett and Amy Tu – were selected to serve a second three-year term and are also in the Class of 2019.

The National Board of Directors is taking nominations for its next class. The nomination deadline is Dec. 1, 2016. To submit a nomination, contact Debbie Blume at dblume@uark.edu.