LITTLE ROCK (11-3) – Jonathan Barnett, Vice Chairman of the Arkansas State Highway Commission, was elected to chair the Special Committee on Commissions and Boards, for a two year term, at the recent American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) annual conference in Portland, Oregon.

     Over the past two years, Barnett served as Vice Chairman for the committee and during the meeting last week was unanimously voted to be the Chairman for the next two years.  He is currently serving not only as the Vice Chairman of the Arkansas State Highway Commission, but also as the Chairman of the Special Committee on Commissions and Boards for the Southeast Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (SASHTO).           

     “Jonathan’s experience as Chairman of the SASHTO Committee made him the obvious choice to lead this committee,” stated Prissy Hickerson, Chairman of the Arkansas State Highway Commission.  “His knowledge and experience will guide the committee through two successful years.”

     “I was not surprised to learn of the recent election of Jonathan to Chairman of the committee,” said Dan Flowers, Director of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department.  “He has had years of experience on commissions, boards and numerous committees around Arkansas.  He is a natural leader and this nomination and election just made sense.”

     Barnett served as a member of the Siloam Springs City Council from 1974 to 1977. He was named Director of the Arkansas State Building Services in 1996 and served as Chairman of the State Building Services Council from 1997 to 1999. Barnett was also appointed to a position on the Governor’s Citizen’s Council on Highways and Transportation in 1997.  He was appointed by Governor Mike Huckabee to serve a 10-year term on the Arkansas State Highway Commission and took the Oath of Office on January 15, 1999. His term will expire in January 2009.

     A native of Siloam Springs and a graduate of John Brown University, Barnett has been in the construction business all of his adult life as a self-employed building contractor. His company, Jonathan Barnett Enterprises, specializes in commercial and residential construction.  Barnett and his wife, Christy, reside in Siloam Springs and have three children, Sarah, Joe and Lacey.

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