Advisory Committee Named for Athletic Director Search

Composition includes representation from board, alumni, former student-athletes, coaches, volunteers and academic affairs.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas Chancellor Joseph E. Steinmetz has announced the members of a committee to advise him on the hiring of the next vice chancellor and director of athletics for the university.

“I sought to assemble a committee representative of the university, spanning past and present in our academics and athletics history, with knowledge and perspective about Arkansas, and, notably an appreciation of the source of pride the Razorbacks are for the state of Arkansas,” Steinmetz said. “I have great faith in the approach that each of these advisors will bring to the process and I’d like to thank these folks for their time in this endeavor.”

Steinmetz formed the committee in consultation with Julie Cromer Peoples, interim director of athletics. He has indicated he wishes to move the search along as quickly as possible.

Members of the public wishing to contact members of the committee are encouraged to send email to feedback@uark.edu.

Lance Harter, Fayetteville

Head Coach for Women’s Track and Field, Cross Country

The most successful coach in University of Arkansas and Southeastern Conference women’s cross country and track and field history, Lance Harter is in his 28th year at the helm of the Razorbacks program. Harter was inducted into the USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014, at the organization’s convention in Phoenix. He is also a member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor, Mt. SAC Relays Hall of Fame and Cal Poly Hall of Fame. Harter cemented his place in Razorback history in 2015 by winning the NCAA Indoor National Title, the first ever title by a women’s program at the University of Arkansas, and repeated in 2016 when his outdoor team won the NCAA title. With two national titles, he remains the only coach of a women’s program at Arkansas to win a national championship.

Ben Hyneman ’71, Jonesboro

Chairman, UA Board of Trustees

Ben Hyneman of Jonesboro, president of Southern Property & Casualty Insurance Company, earned his B.S.B.A. from what is now called the Sam M. Walton College of Business. He is former commissioner and chairman of the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Hyneman’s term on the UA Board expires in 2018. He has a history of philanthropy to the University of Arkansas and volunteer service, having previously supported scholarships and currently serving as a member of the university’s Campaign Arkansas volunteer steering committee. Recently he and his wife Janet created an endowment for the benefit of the University Libraries.

Gerald Jordan ’70, Fayetteville

Faculty Athletics Representative and Associate Professor of Journalism

Jordan, a longtime faculty member and Arkansas native, was appointed in 2017 to be the faculty member who certifies the eligibility of student-athletes. In this role, he also serves as the university’s faculty representative to the NCAA and the Southeastern Conference. Having worked with U of A students for more than 17 years, playing a role in the recruitment and retention of African American and other minority students, Jordan brings a perspective about the nature, experience and needs of students to be successful.

Stacy Lewis ’08, Houston, Texas

Professional Golfer and U of A Alumna

Lewis is the most decorated player in Razorback history and is Arkansas’ volunteer assistant coach. She returns to Northwest Arkansas between professional appearances to work with the women’s golf team. Lewis finished her career as a four-time All-Southeastern Conference and four-time All-American. She won a pair of SEC Championship titles, first as a freshman in 2005, and again as a senior in 2008. In addition to a successful golf career, Lewis earned numerous academic and community service honors. She was a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American and a four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection. Lewis is a 2008 graduate in finance from Arkansas. She is a 2007 NCAA Division I individual champion. She brings the valuable perspective of a successful former student-athlete/current professional athlete.

Peter MacKeith, Fayetteville

Dean and Professor of Architecture, Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design

MacKeith, dean at the University of Arkansas since 2014, is the only U of A dean with intercollegiate athletic experience at the NCAA Division I level, as both a varsity soccer player (4-year letterman and captain, 1977-81) and an assistant coach (1981-82) at the University of Virginia. He provides a bridge and perspective between the academic/administrative side of the university coupled with the experience of understanding the values and demands of division I athletics.

Richard N. “Rick” Massey ’84, Little Rock

Partner, Westrock Capital Partners

Massey earned his J.D. with honors from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1984.

Rick Massey is a Partner of Westrock Capital Partners. He also serves as Chairman of First Federal Bank, Bear State Financial Holdings, LLC and First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. He previously served as chief strategy officer and executive vice president/general counsel at Alltel Corporation. He is also a director of Fidelity National Financial, Inc., is lead director of FIS, Inc. (both Fortune 500 companies) and a director of Black Knight, LLC, a privately held technology company. He is on the Razorback Foundation Board of Directors, the nonprofit entity charged with developing the necessary resources for Razorback athletics programs.

William A. “Bill” Montgomery ’71, Dallas, Texas

Investor, Alumnus and Former Student-Athlete

Montgomery is a member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, the University of Arkansas All-Century Team, the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor, the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame, and the SEC Football Legends. As a former Arkansas quarterback who finished his Razorback career (1968-1970) as the school record-holder in virtually every passing category, including career touchdown passes, career passing yards, single-season passing yards and single-game passing yards. Montgomery brings a perspective that spans several eras in athletics at the University of Arkansas. He began his investment career in New York but has lived in Dallas for a number of years. He served as a volunteer member of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee, which raised more than $1 billion for the university at its conclusion in 2005.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.