V.O. "Butch" Calhoun, director of the state Plant Board, will resign by June 30, just shy of a year in the job.
Calhoun announced his plans in an email Tuesday morning to Plant Board members and officials with the state Department of Agriculture. Calhoun said in the email that he had "mixed feelings" about the decision.
"I know that it is the right decision for my family, myself and also in the best interest long term" for the Plant Board, Calhoun wrote. "I'm not getting any younger, and getting up at 4:30 a.m. every morning to make the 65 mile drive from my home to the office and normally arriving back home at approximately 6:30 p.m. is taking a toll. If I were a few years younger it probably wouldn't bother me. This is a personal decision and no issue has led me to retire. I have put much thought and prayer into this decision. There is a time for everything."
Calhoun, 67, of Des Arc became Plant Board director in July, after the unexpected decision by then-Director Terry Walker to retire, effective immediately. Calhoun said then that he had been approached 10-14 days earlier by Gov. Asa Hutchinson about taking the job.
"No issues at all," Calhoun said by telephone Wednesday, again citing the effects of a 130-mile daily commute and 12-hour workdays. "I'll be 68 next week," he said. "I'm just tired and want to tend to my family and grandkids."
Greg Hay of Conway, the Plant Board's chairman, said Wednesday that Calhoun "did a great job" and deserves a good retirement. "I wish he'd stay longer, but I understand," Hay said.
Hay said the board likely will address Calhoun's departure and hire his successor at its next regular quarterly meeting, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. June 11. "I think it will be filled then, but anything can happen because we don't know what the governor could come up with at the last minute," Hay said.
State law says the director is appointed by the board with the approval of the governor and serves at the pleasure of the governor.
Calhoun, in his email to board members, recommended a successor -- Scott Bray, the board's assistant director since last year. Bray is a 26-year employee of the board.
"He has worked his way up to the position he is in now," Calhoun wrote. "He has a great work ethic, his knowledge about the different aspects of the agency is outstanding, and he knows the employees and understands most of their duties. He also has the demeanor and the ability to lead by example. He is at the point in his life and career that he could be a steady capable leader for years to come."
Calhoun served from 2012-14 as the state's second agriculture secretary, a position that didn't exist until 2005 when the General Assembly created the Agriculture Department.
Calhoun also served five terms as county judge in Prairie County and four terms in the state House of Representatives. He was director of the state Department of Rural Services in the administration of Gov. Mike Beebe before becoming agriculture secretary.
According to state government's transparency website, Calhoun's salary is $108,109. Bray makes $70,675.
Business on 05/30/2019