The SAU Foundation Board of Governors steward and support Southern Arkansas University’s fundraising goals while serving as the governing body for SAU Foundation. They oversee the foundation and its investments on behalf of donors and SAU.
These experienced leaders dedicate their time and talents to secure a strong future for SAU. Our board governors come from a variety of backgrounds, with one common thread: sincere dedication to the success of SAU. Members meet quarterly and are led by four officers and six committees, which include Audit, Development, Governance, Investment Management, Membership, and Scholarship.
2022-2023 Officers
- Chair – Jennifer Pierce
- Vice Chair – Steve Card
- Secretary – Allison Schultz
- Treasurer – John Dews
Board of Governors 2021-2022
Governing Members
Debbie Arnold '85 (2022)
Magnolia, Arkansas
Senior VP of Marketing
Peoples Bank
Travis Buchanan '78 (2022)
Norman, Oklahoma
Operations Manager
Upstream International
Steve Card '83 (2023)
Magnolia, Arkansas
Regulatory Advisor
Albemarle Corporation
Cory Childs '99 (2024)
Dallas, Texas
Sr. Legal Counsel, Governance & Regulatory
Santander Consumer
Tim Daniels '77 (2023)
Camden, Arkansas
Retired Professor
John Dews '77 (2024)
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Retired, Bank President
John Dumas '79 (2022)
El Dorado, Arkansas
Retired, Murphy Oil Corporation
Monty Harrington '93
Chair, SAU Board of Trustees
Magnolia, Arkansas
Magnolia Market President
Farmers Bank & Trust
Iverson Jackson '86 (2023)
Little Rock, Arkansas
Retired, Lieutenant Colonel
U.S. Army Reserve
Julia Laney-Machen (2022)
Magnolia, Arkansas
Retired, Non-profit Director
Jerry Mayfield '70 (2023)
Houston, Texas
Retired, CEO
Universal Pegasus International
Evan McCrary '13 (2024)
Little Rock, Arkansas
Senior Financial Analyst
Amazon
Joe Pieratt '92 (2023)
Magnolia, Arkansas
Chief Information Officer
Farmers Bank & Trust
Jennifer Pierce '92 (2021)
Little Rock, Arkansas
Attorney
Mitchell Williams Law Firm
David Rankin, Ph. D. (Emeritus)
Magnolia, Arkansas
Retired, President
Southern Arkansas University
Allison Schultz '85 (2023)
Magnolia, Arkansas
COO & President
Southern Aluminum
Edelma Simes '71 (2024)
West Helena, Arkansas
Retired, Dean
Phillips Community College
Betty Stringfellow '62 (Emeritus)
Little Rock, Arkansas
Retired, Insurance VP
Patsy Taylor '71 (2022)
Glenn Heights, Texas
Business Owner
Orlando Todd '80 (2023)
Prosper, Texas
Retired
Entergy Services, Inc.
Stephen Weaver '93 (2023)
Prosper, Texas
Business Owner
Ex-Officio Members
Dr. Trey Berry
Magnolia, Arkansas
President
Southern Arkansas University
Roger Giles
Magnolia, Arkansas
VP for Administration
Southern Arkansas University
Josh Kee
Magnolia, Arkansas
VP for Advancement
Southern Arkansas University
Shawana Reed
Magnolia, Arkansas
VP for Finance
Southern Arkansas University
Amy Freedman
SAU Alumni Association Board Chair
Texarkana, Texas
Attorney
Law Offices of Amy Freedman