Darrin Williams

CEO, Southern Bancorp

Williams’ career is a unique combination of law, business, and politics. Currently serving as the CEO of Southern Bancorp, Inc., Williams oversees the strategic direction and operations of each of Southern’s three Community Development Financial Institutions: Southern Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company; Southern Bancorp Bank, one of America’s largest rural development banks; and Southern Bancorp Community Partners, a 501(c)(3) development finance and lending organization – collectively known as “Southern.”

Williams received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Hendrix College, his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University School of Law, and his Master of Laws degree in Securities and Financial Regulation from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.

Curtis barnett

President & CEO, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Curtis Barnett serves as president and chief executive officer for Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. As CEO, Barnett serves on the board of directors of the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. He also serves as the chairman on the Association's board of managers for the Federal Employee Program and is a member of the Health Leadership Advisory Committee. Barnett is also chairman of the board of managers for Blue Health Intelligence, a healthcare data analytics and solutions company.

Barnett received a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Arkansas, a master's degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas and is a graduate of the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management's Advanced Executive Program. He also has earned several professional designations, including the certified employee benefits specialist and a professional in the Academy of Healthcare Management.

amy fecher

Cabinet Secretary, Arkansas Department of Transformation & Shared services

Fecher led efforts to enact Act 910, the Transformation and Efficiencies Act, which reorganized 42 cabinet level agencies and hundreds of boards and commissions into 15 Cabinet-level departments. She was appointed as the first-ever secretary of Department of Transformation and Shared Services.

She led the Governor’s efforts to pass the Transformation and Efficiencies Act of 2019 – the first reorganization of state government in almost 50 years. Fecher served is Executive Vice President of Operations at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and Governor Hutchinson’s designee to the Delta Regional Authority’s Board of Governors.

Fecher is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

Terry Mohajir

Director of Athletics, Arkansas State University

Mohajir is in his seventh year as director of athletics for Arkansas State and has guided the athletic program to unprecedented overall success academically, competitively and financially. Mohajir was appointed to a three-year term no the College Football Playoff Committee in January. He is the first Group of Five athletic director selected for the committee. The athletics department’s budget has increased from $15.3 million in Mohajir’s first year to a school-record $43.1 million, representing an increase of 181 percent. A-State has completed, or is in the process of completing, a combined $80 million in construction and facility renovations since Mohajir’s arrival.

Mohajir graduated from Arkansas State University with a major in sports management and a minor in business marketing in 1993. He was a starting safety on A-State's football team.

Ed choate

president & cEO, Delta Dental of Arkansas

Choate Joined Delta Dental Of Arkansas As President And CEO In 2000. Prior To Joining Delta Dental Of Arkansas, He Worked For 20 Years In The Managed Healthcare Industry In Leadership Roles At Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, NovaSys Health And HealthScope Benefits.

Choate Was Named Arkansas Business Executive Of The Year In 2006 And Was Inducted Into The Southern Arkansas University Sports Hall Of Fame In 2011. Delta Dental Was Chosen As The Arkansas Business Of The Year In 2013 And Has Been Recognized As One Of The Best Places To Work In Arkansas Every Year Since 2013.

Choate Is Chairman Of The Baptist Health Board Of Trustees, A Past Chair Of The Delta Dental Plans Association And DeltaUSA Boards Of Directors. He Is Recognized As A Board Leadership Fellow By The National Association Of Corporate Directors And Attended The Stanford Law School Director’s College In 2018.

Choate Is A Graduate Of Southern Arkansas University.