AACRMF ’safety guy’ Barry Burkett retires

AACRMF ‘safety guy’ retires after more than 11 years

The Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC) family celebrated Barry Burkett, the long-time loss control specialist for the Risk Management Fund (RMF), with a retirement party on Feb. 26. His last day was Feb. 28.

AAC staff, former AAC staff, county officials, and others gave the “safety guy” a gentle roasting. Burkett, who had worked for the AAC for 11 years and three months, took the ribbing in stride. Of course, the roasting was tempered with serious moments.

AAC Executive Director Chris Villines presented Burkett with a Diamond Award, recognizing him for “his years of service.” Risk Management Director Debbie Norman presented Burkett with his own Safety Award for no injuries while on the job.

“We didn’t include home,” Norman said, referring to fall 2016 when Burkett fell at home and broke his leg.

Burkett had earned the Approved Professional Safety Source designation through the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission’s Health and Safety Division. That designation allowed him, in his role as AACRMF loss control specialist, to provide assistance and direction to Arkansas’ counties for their safety plans and programs. Each year Burkett visited counties and met with county judges, road department superintendents, and Office of Emergency Management or safety directors, to help counties obtain points for AAC’s annual Safety Awards, which he presented to the judges at AAC’s annual summer conference.

Burkett’s wife, Dianne, and daughter, Jennifer, attended the retirement party. Burkett thanked them for encouraging him to go back to college and earn his degree, which paved the way for him to be hired at the AAC. Then, to lighten the mood a bit, Burkett summed up his time at the AAC.

“I’ve had a good time,” he said to laughter and applause. Top left: Burkett, wearing a gag retirement hat with all manner of trinkets pinned to it, poses with his wife, Dianne, and his daughter, Jennifer. Top right: AAC Executive Director Chris Villines shakes Burkett’s hand after presenting him with a Diamond Award, recognizing him for his 11 years and three months of service to AACRMF. Bottom right: Burkett poses with Brenda Pruitt, a former AAC executive director who originally hired Burkett, and her husband, Buddy.