William "Bill" Walker Jr., director of the Arkansas Department of Career Education since 2007, notified employees in his agency Wednesday that he will not be retained in the job by Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson.
Walker, 54, has been a member of Gov. Mike Beebe's administration. As a state agency head, he serves at the pleasure of the governor.
"As we approach the close of the Beebe administration, I have had a conversation with our Governor-elect Asa Hutchinson and he has informed me that he intends to make a change in the leadership of the Arkansas Department of Career Education," Walker said in an afternoon email to the staff in the agency's different divisions and to members of the state Board of Career Education.
"During the transition," Walker continued, "I have pledged my absolute support and cooperation with this new administration and the future Director and I respectfully ask for yours as well."
J.R. Davis, director of communications for Hutchinson, said Wednesday evening that he was not able to immediately verify that Hutchinson had notified Walker that he would be replaced.
"I cannot confirm that right now. I know that he has had meetings with several directors," Davis said about the governor-elect.
In recent days, Hutchinson has notified some other agency leaders -- including Col. Stan Witt, who is director of the Arkansas State Police, and Grant Tennille, who is director of the Economic Development Commission -- that they will not be retained in his new administration.
John Riggs IV, chairman of the Workforce Education board, said he understood the governor-elect's desire to put his own people into a department that is key to the state's economic development.
Riggs also praised Walker for his leadership.
"His forte was building a sense of teamwork that I don't think was there before," Riggs said. "He instilled a feeling in his staff that this is the most important part of state government and that we have to perform at a high level and we all have to get along.
"I went to several of his executive retreats," Riggs added, "and they were always inspiring."
"Eight years ago, I was given the privilege and honor to be appointed as the Director of the Arkansas Department of Career Education," Walker wrote to his staff. "During this time, I developed a passion, respect and love for the work, and the team that we have assembled to serve Arkansans many of whom had been underserved and vulnerable.
"The work that we have done during those eight years, has been both a calling and nothing short of incredible," he continued. "As I have said on many occasions, people must be better off because we served. For that, I will always be grateful for this incredible journey."
Walker, who earns $153,462 annually, was sworn in as director of what was then called the Arkansas Department of Workforce Education in March 2007. The agency name changed in 2009.
Walker is a former member of both the Arkansas Senate and House of Representatives, having served eight years in each of the houses. A businessman who holds a degree from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, he began his career in politics and public service as a Pulaski County justice of the peace.
Before serving as an agency head, he was a member of the Arkansas Parole Board.
A section on 12/04/2014