Bank On It

OUT OF 135 ARKANSAS LEGISLATORS IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, THE NUMBER OF BANKERS (OR THOSE WITH SIGNIFICANT BANKING EXPERIENCE) IS SMALL BUT INFLUENTIAL. THESE THREE MEMBERS ARE OFTEN LOOKED TO FOR EXPERTISE ON A VARIETY OF BANKING-RELATED, FINANCIAL AND FISCAL ISSUES.

SEN. JIMMY HICKEY

R-Texarkana

State Senator Jimmy Hickey is actually a retired banker, having served for over 25 years with Commercial National Bank in Texarkana, where he retired a senior vice president. He now oversees business interests that include rental and real estate investments.

Hickey served as the Senate President Pro Tempore in the last regular session and currently chairs the influential Senate Revenue and Tax Committee. Known as a budget hawk, he frequently dives deep into the details of budgeting and the fiscal impact of legislation.

He is also a member of the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee, the Joint Retirement and Social Security Committee, the Senate Efficiency Committee, the Arkansas Legislative Council and the Joint Budget Committee.

The 94th General Assembly

SEN. RICKY HILL

R-Cabot

State Senator Ricky Hill is an Executive Vice President with Bank OZK. He also operates a family farm and owns residential rental property. His previous work experience may be the most interesting of any member of the legislature.

As a young man, Hill joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and competed on the professional rodeo circuit as a professional bull rider for four years. During that time he married his wife, Cynthia, who was a professional barrel racer. After a professional rodeo career, he returned to Cabot. He was hired by SF Services and was the company’s youngest general manager. For 10 years he managed three stores in central Arkansas before transferring into banking.

Hill is co-chair of the powerful Joint Budget Committee and chairman of the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the Senate Transportation, Technology and Legislative Affairs Committee, the Joint Energy Committee, the Senate Rules, Resolutions and Memorials Committee and the Arkansas Legislative Council. He is also the Majority Whip of the 94th General Assembly.

REP. HOWARD BEATY, JR.

R-Monticello

State Representative Howard Beaty, Jr. is the President of the Crossett Economic Development Foundation and has more than 30 years of experience in banking and economic development.

Beaty is the Vice-chair of the House Revenue and Tax Committee and a member of the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee.

In his hometown of Crossett, he is a board member of the Friends of the Crossett Public Library and the Crossett Rotary Club and has been called upon to serve in a variety of community leadership and servant roles over the years. He's active in his church, First Baptist Church of Crossett, where he serves a trustee, chair of the facilities use committee, and a member of the budget committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Louisiana Tech University.