A legislative panel Wednesday approved the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission's request to hire former state Rep. Tommy Wren, a Democrat from Melbourne, as a conservation program manager at a $72,257 annual salary -- after learning that Wren is paid $150,000 a year as a consultant for a lobbying firm.
The Legislative Council's personnel subcommittee signed off on the request without any discussion by lawmakers.
Wren, who was ousted by Melbourne Republican Michelle Gray in November, served in the state House of Representatives from 2011-2015.
He has worked as a consultant for Ted Mullenix & Associates lobbying firm since April and was a legislative liaison for Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson from January-April. He also is a cattle farmer and certified real estate appraiser.
Arkansas Natural Resources Commission Executive Director Randy Young said in a letter distributed to the personnel subcommittee that the proposed $72,257-a-year salary is substantially lower than Wren's current salary of $150,000 a year with Mullenix & Associates.
The job's entry-level salary is typically $45,377.
"The fact that the requested salary still represents a 51 [percent] reduction from his current salary outside of state government demonstrates Mr. Wren's overall commitment to the mission of the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission," Young wrote in his letter.
Wren would serve as a liaison between the commission and other government agencies, private industry, conservation districts and the general public as the commission determines strategies for statewide conservation program development, implementation and management, Young said.
Young said Wren would begin his new job Monday. Wren could not be reached for comment late Wednesday afternoon.
Metro on 10/15/2015