Kelley Erstine
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders recently appointed Kelley Erstine to the University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees.
Erstine, a native of Sheridan, Arkansas, is a 1979 graduate of UCA with a degree in journalism. Erstine currently serves as CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas, a professional trade association of independent agents.
Prior to his current role, Erstine has served the industry as chief executive officer of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina and executive vice president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas.
Erstine has a long, dedicated history with UCA starting with his service as president of the UCA Student Government Association during his senior year. He is a former member of the UCA Alumni Association Board of Directors. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee appointed Erstine to the UCA Board of Trustees in 2000, and he served until 2003. He also previously served as vice president of Advancement and Development from 2004 to 2008, and he later served as chief of staff at UCA from 2015 to 2019. Erstine also has the distinction of being one of only five individuals in history who have been interim president of UCA.
Erstine is a member of the board of directors of the Conway Corporation, the CARTI Foundation and the Little Red River Foundation. Additionally, Erstine was appointed to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board in 2022 by former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
“I am truly honored to once again be appointed to the UCA Board of Trustees. I am deeply appreciative to Governor Sanders for her confidence in me to serve my alma mater in this important capacity,” Erstine said.
He and his wife, Leslie, who is also a UCA alumna, have two daughters and two grandchildren.
