AAC
FEATURE
Pictured are, from left to right, AAC Legal Counsel Lindsey Bailey, AAC Consultant Eddie Jones, retired Administrative Office of the Courts Staff Attorney Keith Caviness, County Judges’ Association of Arkansas President and Madison County Judge Frank Weaver, retired Arkansas Department of Transportation State Aid Director David Mayo, AAC Executive Director Chris Villines, and AAC Chief Legal Counsel Mark Whitmore.
County partners retire with combined 77 years of service
T
Story by Christy L. Smith Photo by Holland Doran AAC Communications Department
he County Judges’ Association of Arkansas (CJAA) recently honored two longtime friends of county government: State Aid Director David Mayo and Attorney Keith Caviness. Both retired at the end of 2017. Mayo worked for the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) for 40 years. ArDOT’s State Aid Division administers the State Aid County Road Program. State Aid personnel determine the eligibility of road and bridge projects for federal and state funding, and then provide administrative and engineering assistance to counties. When presenting Mayo with an award for his “tireless work, outstanding contributions and dedicated service,” CJAA President and Madison County Judge Frank Weaver noted that he had used State Aid money on road projects every year for at least seven years. “David, I just want to tell you that you played an important part in my job. I really do appreciate that,” Weaver said. A humble Mayo took the podium and said he had enjoyed his job. “I had a passion for it, and I wanted to do everything I could to help the county judges and help the people of Arkansas — your citizens — to have a better lifestyle, safer roads, smoother roads, and paved roads,” Mayo said. COUNTY LINES, WINTER 2018
The CJAA also recognized the contributions Caviness, an attorney who worked for the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) for 37 years, has made to county government. Eddie Jones, AAC consultant, former AAC executive director, and personal friend of Caviness, presented Caviness with his award. “Keith Caviness has been a friend to county government for many years. I have worked with Keith on numerous court issues that affected county government,” Jones said. Jones went on to share stories about Caviness, who went into private practive after graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock law school — now known as the William H. Bowen School of Law. Jones complimented Caviness’ persuasiveness. “It’s that persuasiveness that we needed and used on many occasions at the Capitol on bills dealing with the court system,” Jones said. When he took the podium, Caviness spoke of growing up in the unincorporated community of Gravelly in west Yell County. He said it’s hard to stand out in the legal profession, but he was proud to have accomplished what he did at the AOC. “I was able to be an agent of change and make a mark on state government and local government and the judiciary in the state of Arkansas,” he said. “But I fully understand that many, many of the accomplishments I was a part of would not have been possible without the vision, the trust, and the cooperation of county government and the AAC. This is a special award. I really deeply appreciate this recognition,” Caviness said. 35
