6 Arkansans join regional academy

Fellows work to grow Delta economy

Thirty-one people in eight states have been named to the Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy class for 2018-19.

The classmates, known as fellows, will participate in a 10-month program to improve skills in community leadership and policy development, and work regionally to help drive economic growth in the Delta Regional Authority’s eight-state area.

The fellows were selected by their state’s governor and Delta Regional Authority leadership.

The class has three members from Alabama; six from Arkansas; four from Illinois; two from Kentucky; five from Louisiana; five from Mississippi; one from Missouri; and five from Tennessee.

The Arkansas fellows are: Tiffny Calloway, Jonesboro, director of Community Development for the city of Jonesboro.

Aaron Germany, Helena-West Helena, director of Career and Technical Education at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas.

Amy Hopper, North Little Rock, program officer for Winrock International.

Jennifer Reaves, Jonesboro, community development specialist at the Arkansas Department of Health.

Eddie Thomas, Pine Bluff, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act area manager for the Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District.

Jordyn Williams, Lake Village, program technician for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Obesity Reduction program at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

The Delta Regional Authority works in eight states — Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee — to help create jobs, build communities and improve lives. About 10 million people live in the 252 counties and parishes of the Delta region.