WRK of ARKANSAS, LLC.

Application Technology & Aviation Insurance is our specialty

Born and raised on a dairy farm in Northwest Arkansas, Washington County. Married - 2 daughters – 4 grandchildren – 1 great grandson. Age 69.

Education

Ph.D. Engineering, University of Arkansas, 1992. Dissertation title: "Computer Simulation of Dry Material Distribution Patterns from Agricultural Aircraft".

M.S. Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas, 1981. Thesis title: "Evaluation of Cotton Plant Thinning and The Effects of Along-the-Row Plant Distribution".

B.S. Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas, 1979.

Awards

 Resolution of Appreciation – Arkansas State Plant Board - September 2017

 FAA Safety Team Certificate of Appreciation – September 2017

 FAA Safety Team Aviation Safety Award – FAA January 2016

 Evans-Christopher Operation S.A.F.E. Award – NAAA 2015

 Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Arkansas College of Engineering, 04/2013

 FAASTeam Aviation Safety Award – Certificate of Appreciation FAA, 10/2012

 Associate of the Year, Arkansas Agricultural Aviation Association 2011

 National Agricultural Aviation Hall of Fame, 2009.

Arkansas Association of Cooperative Extension Speicalists – Faculty Service Award 2008.

Pesticide Stewardship Alliance – Program Excellence (PAASS & S.A.F.E.) 2008

Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame, 2007

FAAST Aviation Safety Counselor of the Year, Arkansas 2008.

CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) of the Year – Arkansas 2008

William O. Marsh Safety Award, NAAA, 2005

Lee Abide Award, MS AAA , 2005

FAA Aviation Safety Counselor of the Year, Arkansas and Southwest Region, 2004.

Biological & Agricultural Engineering Academy, Arkansas, 2004.

NAAA Falcon Club,  2003.

ASAE Blue Ribbon Award – Education Aids:Fact Sheets, 2003

Outstanding Agricultural Engineer, Arkansas Section ASAE, 2001.

Outstanding Education Award, Arkansas Agricultural Aviation Association, 2001, 2002.

University of Arkansas – Chancellor John White Team Award,  University of Arkansas Rice Processing Program, 2000.

Outstanding Service & Honorary Associate Membership, Missouri Agricultural Aviation Association, 2000, 2002-present.

Agrinaut Award, National Agricultural Aviation Association, 1999

Service Award, Professional Applicator Institute, Agricultural Retailers Association, 1998.

Outstanding Service Arkansas Section ASAE – 1998.

Outstanding Service, Missouri Agricultural Aviation Association 1996.

Lifetime member, Arkansas Agricultural Aviation Association 1995.

Meritorious Service - Arkansas Agricultural Aviation Association 1994.

Delta Air Corporation “Puffer” Award - For outstanding achievement in the design of agricultural aircraft and equipment, National Agricultural Aviation Association, 1993.

Outstanding Specialist of the Year - Arkansas Association of Cooperative Extension Specialists, 1989.

Outstanding Service - Arkansas Agricultural Aviation Association, 1988, 1990, 1993.

Outstanding Young Agricultural Engineer - Southwest Region -American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 1987.

Job History

Professor & Associate Department Head,  UofA Biological & Agricultural Engineering, October 2002 – January 2009

 

Extension Engineer, UofA Cooperative Extension Service, June 1982 to October 2002.

President, WRK of Arkansas, LLC Lonoke, Arkansas, 1997 to present.

Extension Professor, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 1992 to January 2009.

Vice President for Research & Development and Partner, W R K, Inc., Manhattan, Kansas, 1990 to 1997.

Instructor & Graduate Research Assistant, UofA, Fayetteville, AR, August 1989 to 1992.

Test Engineer, Bush Hog R&D Center, Selma, Alabama, August 1981 to June 1982.

Truck Driver, Howard Liles Co., Fayetteville, AR,  May 1977 to May 1982.

Graduate Research Assistant, UofA, Fayetteville, AR, August 1979 to August 1981.

Veteran, United States Marine Corps, 1970-74.

Data Processor, Bear Brand Hosiery Co., Fayetteville, AR 1969 to 1974.

Current Job Responsibilities

WRK of Arkansas, LLC  Agricultural chemical application research, testing, product development, drift evaluations, training seminars, fly-in clinics, literature development, and education. Specializing in all types of chemical application technology from a variety of platforms. Aviation Insurance Agent.

Professor & Associate Department Head - Extension Engineer  (Retired) - Biological & Agricultural Engineering UofA CES. Primary emphasis areas are agricultural chemical applications (pesticides and plant nutrients - aerial and ground), processing (grain storage, drying, and handling), precision agriculture GIS/GPS, and agricultural fencing systems.

Committees

Arkansas Aviation Historical Society Board of Directors

President, Biological & Agricultural Engineering Academy Advisory Council – 2011-12

Professional Aerial Applicator Support System (PAASS) – content committee 2000 – present.

Arkansas Engineering Foundation, member &  past Chairman 1997- 1999

Arkansas Council for Engineering and Related Sciences,  Arkansas Section ASAE representative 1995 – present

National Agricultural Aviation Association,  Board of Directors, Research & Technology, Research & Education Foundation, Federal regulations & safety

U.S. Coalition for Drift Minimization Co-chairman of the Technology Section, 1996 to 2000.

AAPCO (American Association of Pesticide Control Officials) Drift Management Sub-committee

Hobbies

Aviation, water sports, hunting, archery, fishing, tennis, racquetball, snow skiing, ammunition reloading and testing, martial arts, woodworking, carpentry, electronics, mechanics and international travel.

Aviation

Commercial Pilot (ASEL, AMEL, Instrument, Agricultural, FAASTeam Lead Representative, Wings level XIV, CFI,EAA Chapter 122 Past President, Australian pilot’s license)

AAAA Lifetime Member, Arkansas Agricultural Aviation SAFE Analyst, AAAA Fly-In coordinator, AAAA Convention - Technical Program Coordinator, MO, MS, LA, OK, CO AAA & Canadian AAA member,

WRK Agricultural aviation research and education, development of WRK Dry Material Analysis System and Drift Analysis System, WRK DropletScan™, all types of chemical application training nationally and internationally, and chemical application technologies, efficacy, and litigation