Submitted by NGP Admin on Wed, 2005-11-30 00:21.
Little Rock- Democrat Bill Halter today unveiled an impressive and diverse list of Arkansans who are serving as the first members of his exploratory committee's steering committee.
"The members of my team share a commitment to moving Arkansas forward with new ideas for education and economic development," said Halter. "This team wants an Arkansas with new and better paying jobs, excellence rather than adequacy in our schools, our seniors living in dignity, and access to affordable health care."
Halter's steering committee includes: former staff members for Governor and President Clinton; the former Staff Representative for Arkansas of United Steelworkers of America; a former Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor and U.S. Senate; a doctor; a teacher; a local elected official who is a retired veteran and National Guardsman; the former chairman of the Arkansas Democratic Party; and the immediate past Chair of the Benton Democratic Central Committee.
"I am grateful to have the support of such a diverse group of talented and experienced Arkansas Democrats helping me as I move forward," remarked Halter.
Halter's steering committee includes (in alphabetical order):
Joseph Brown A Church of God In Christ minister, Brown has previously worked as staffer/consultant for Jimmie Lou Fisher for Governor, as a special assistant to the Democratic National Committee, and as the Director of the "Victory '98" Arkansas Democratic Party Surrogate Speaker Program.
Neil Bryant Bryant is a North Little Rock Alderman; U.S. Army veteran commissioned as a second lieutenant who also served various other military assignments. In 1979, he entered the National Guard Reserve Program and retired from active duty in 1993. Presently, he is an owner and operator of Gadwall's Grill in Sherwood.
Hadley Carson Carson is the immediate past chair of the Benton County Democratic Central Committee and was President of the Benton County Democratic Women's Club (Jan. 2002- Dec 2003). The Benton County Democratic Women's Club is the largest Democratic Women's Club in Arkansas. Ms. Carson was also awarded the Gresse Carnes Democratic Woman of the Year award in 2003. A member of the Arkansas Victory 2002 team, Ms. Carson was also the Fundraising Director for Jan Judy for Congress in 2004.
Thedford Collins Collins is the former Democratic candidate for Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District; former Deputy Director of Human Services under Governor Bill Clinton.
Nate Coulter Coulter was the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 1993, and a 1998 Democratic primary candidate for United States Senate. He previously served as Governor Bill Clinton's assistant legal counsel. He is in private practice with the Little Rock firm Wilson, Engstrom, Corum & Coulter. He is a member of the Arkansas and Pulaski County Bar Associations and the Arkansas Trial lawyers Association.
Presently he is Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Arkansas Bar Association.
Sherry Curry Curry if a former staff member for Governor Bill Clinton and Governor Jim Guy Tucker. Presently, she is a Little Rock realtor.
Don Ernst Ernst is the former Director of Education Policy for Governor Evan Bayh of Indiana. Previously, he served as Staff Liaison for Education for Governor Bill Clinton. Prior to that he taught high school social studies in Arkansas.
Carroll Gaither Gaither is a retired member of the United Steelworkers of America and formerly was Labor's Representative on the United Way of Pulaski County.
Harold Gist Gist previously held senior positions in the Clinton Administration and Democratic National Committee (DNC). In 1988, he was the Arkansas Field Director for both Al Gore and Dukakis/Bentsen. In 1992, he served in the 1992 (Deputy Campaign Manager) and 1996 Clinton-Gore (Associate Deputy Campaign Manager) campaigns. In 2002, he was Senior Advisor to the Chairman and Director of African-American Outreach Strategies at the DNC in the 2002 campaign cycle. He also previously served as the DNC White House Liaison and coordinated its African-American voter turnout. He served as Acting Director and Associate Director of Intergovernmental Affairs in the Department of Transportation under President Clinton. In 2005, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Crittenden County NAACP Branch. He is a native of West Memphis, Arkansas with undergraduate ad graduate degrees from Arkansas State University.
John Harding Harding is the retired, former Staff Representative for Arkansas, United Steelworkers of America; former Democratic National Convention delegate.
Dr. Clint Henson Earlier this year, Henson was honored as "Physician of the Year, Surgery Department, St. Joseph's Regional Health Center" (2004). Presently, he is a partner of Hot Springs Medical Group, Inc. He is a member of the Arkansas State Medical Society, Garland County Medical Association, Ducks Unlimited, and St. John's Catholic Church.
Catherine Koehler Koehler is a teacher at Baseline Elementary School in Little Rock where she serves as the library media specialist.
Dana Lawrence Lawrence served in the Clinton White House and several Arkansas campaigns in various roles, including: U.S. Senator Bill Fulbright's 1968 re-election; McGovern for President; Mark Pryor for U.S. Senate; 1992 Clinton-Gore Campaign; archivist for U.S. Senator David Pryor.
Ron Oliver Oliver is the former Chairman of the Arkansas Democratic Party. Presently, he is a businessman and political consultant.
Sam Perroni Perroni is the Founder of Arkansas' Ronald McDonald House (Home-away-from-home for parents of children hospitalized at Arkansas Children's Hospital); President and Founder of Parents & Friends of Children & Adults, Inc., which built and operates the UAMS Family Home (Home-away-from-home for cancer patients and parents of premature babies); Founder of The Harrison House (Home-away-from-home for transplant patients); he is an Elder and Deacon of the Second Presbyterian Church.
He is the Senior Attorney of Perroni Law Firm. Since 1995 the Arkansas Times has recognized his as the "Best Criminal Defense Attorney".
Paul Root Root is the former Special Assistant to Governor Bill Clinton for education. He was the Graduate Dean at Ouachita Baptist University (O.B.U.) and retired from O.B.U. in 2001.
Kay Stebbins Stebbins is a free-lance communications consultant with a broad range of experience both in the private sector as well as in Arkansas politics. She has served as: Assistant Press Secretary for Governor Bill Clinton; advance staffer for the Clinton-Gore Campaign; Communications Supervisor for the Arkansas Department of Education; Senior Public Relations Account Executive for Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods advertising firm; Director of Information Services for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
Stebbins serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Centers for Youth and Families. She also is former Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Cathedral School.
*All biographical information was provided to Halter for Arkansas by the individuals listed.