AAC Board Profile: Deanna Sivley

AAC BOARD PROFILE

Deanna Sivley

Little River County Clerk

Little River County Clerk Deanna Sivley is a woman of many colors. Before running for County Clerk, Sivley worked for county government in the Collectors office for five years. A judge and friend encouraged her to take the leap to run, and the rest is history.

Serving as the County Clerk for 16 years and having held every position on the County Clerk’s Executive Board, she felt that the AAC Board of Directors was the next big step. The County Clerk’s Executive Board has become a family for her, so joining the AAC Board is just adding to her family.

Sivley is most proud of the relationships she has developed throughout her career.

“I don’t ask anyone to do anything that I won’t do myself. Whether it’s in my job or my private life,” she said.

Sivley was born and raised in Little River County. She was born in Ogden, on one end of the county, and now she lives on the other end of the county. She is married to her husband of 40 years and they have three children and nine grand children, ranging from ages 3 to 18. So she definitely has her hands full with loving on them.

When she is not working, which she says is rare, she is spending her free time outdoors.

“I’d rather work outdoors any day than mop a floor,” she said.

Her hobbies include some painting and wood working. Her main realm of wood working is furniture. She likes to give many of her pieces to the local fundraisers, with her most recent projects going toward the biggest fundraiser in Little River county, the Ashdown Community Foundation. She has been working on this fundraiser for about three months, so it’s a big deal for Sivley.

She also owns her own event venue in Little River County, Dee’s Barn and Venue. Dee’s opened about six years ago. Business was a little slow at first and then COVID-19 hit and just like everything else in the world, events stopped but picked up considerably again in 2021. The venue holds many types of events, from big events like weddings to small celebrations like birthday parties.

— Story and photo by Caitlin Brown

Board presents retiring member with Diamond Service Award

At its February 2022 meeting, the Assocation of Arkansas Counties’ Board of Directors presented its Diamond Service Award to Terri Harrison for her service to Polk County and the board. Harrison plans to retire from her position as Polk County Clerk at the end of 2022. She has served as Clerk since January 2001 and before that had worked for the previous county clerk since 1994. Pictured here is AAC Board President and Randolph County Circuit Clerk Debbie Wise, Polk County Clerk Terri Harrison, and AAC Executive Director Chris Villines.