Kelley Erstine is the new vice president for Development at the University of Central Arkansas. President Lu Hardin made the announcement on Monday.
?It is indeed an honor to be able to come back to my alma mater in a lead role of bringing about positive and sustainable results economically to the institution,? Erstine said. ?I owe a debt of gratitude to President Hardin and the Board of Trustees for giving me the opportunity to be a part of something that I believe in and hold a deep respect for. I also commend President Hardin and the Board for their vision in marketing and branding UCA. The table has been set, I believe, in now making it easier to attract sizable and significant gifts. We also want our prospective donors to be aware of the benefits gained personally with their giving.
I also want to thank Governor Huckabee for appointing me to the UCA Board of Trustees. Even though I will be resigning from the board, I will continue to work with them closely in helping to fulfill the mission of the university. It has truly been an honor for me to serve with them the past three years.?
Erstine will resign from the UCA Board of Trustees at the Dec. 12 meeting and will begin his new job at UCA on Jan. 12.
?Kelley Erstine will be an asset to the University of Central Arkansas,? said President Hardin. ?He is a former students government association president, and I do not know of an individual more committed to UCA. He knows the legislature, UCA alumni and through his previous work, has contacts in all 75 counties in Arkansas. He is the perfect choice.
While we will miss him on the board, he will be a great member of this team.?
Erstine, a 1979 graduate of UCA, has been executive vice president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas since June of 1995. His duties include managing the affairs of the 425-member agency association and directing the organization?s governmental affairs division.
He is a registered lobbyist in the state of Arkansas, representing the association before the Arkansas State General Assembly, Arkansas? constitutional officers, members of the U. S. Congress and state and national regulatory agencies. Topics of special interest include all areas of insurance, banking, regulatory issues, small business, third party reimbursement and workers? compensation. Erstine also is a past president of the Arkansas Society of Professional Lobbyists and still serves on its board of directors.
Prior to joining the IIA of Arkansas, Erstine was executive vice president of the North Carolina Dental Association, representing approximately 4,000 dentists, following eight years as executive director and lobbyist for the Arkansas State Dental Association.
Gov. Mike Huckabee appointed Erstine to the UCA Board of Trustees in 2000. He also is serving his second year as a member of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America?s National Governmental Affairs Board and State Governmental Affairs Board.
While attending UCA, Erstine was president of the student body. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism.
He and his wife, Leslie, along with their two daughters, Ashleigh and Madison, reside in Sheridan.
His new position is actually a return to the Development area of UCA. He previously served as the university?s assistant director of development when it was first organized under President Jeff Farris. Erstine served about 18 months in that position working for Bill Patterson.
-Tommy Jackson
