Gov. Asa Hutchinson has named an old friend and long-time Republican political operator, Mark Myers, to head the Department of Information Systems, the troubled state agency once headed by Claire Bailey.

Hutchinson said Myers had a technology background during his military service and understands the importance of the position.

Advertisement

Myers has been director of strategic initiatives at the secretary of state since 2011. There, he put his tech talents to work on Twitter, often with acerbic defenses of his boss Mark Martin. He managed during his time at the office to work on post-graduate college courses.

He’s a graduate of the Army Signal School and a major in the Army Reserves, with active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. His past work includes campaign consulting and a marketing company.

Advertisement

He steps into an agency criticized for the quality and cost of its services to public schools. It was the subject of a tough audit shortly after director Claire Bailey submitted her resignation as director. Former Democratic House Speaker Herschel Cleveland has been interim director since.

I’d expect some major changes to come at this agency. And appropriately so.

Advertisement

Be a Part of the Fight

Step up and make a difference by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, the progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock that's been fighting for truth for 50 years. Our tough, determined, and feisty journalism has earned us over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, all of whom value our commitment to holding the powerful accountable. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Join us in the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article Lloyd Warford to lead Medicaid fraud control unit Next article Annals of the legislature: Guns and drones