Mike Mills, President
Mike Mils is the founder and CEO of the Buffalo Outdoor Center, Green Energy Products and Voices Entertainment, all headquartered in Ponca, Arkansas. He is a member of numerous boards and foundations, including Arkansas Travel Council and Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1969-1971. From 1974-1976, he managed Lost Valley Lodge in Ponca, Arkansas. In 2009 Mike became President of the America Outdoor Association. He was the Director of Tourism for the State of Arkansas from 1982-1986. He graduated with a B.S. from Hendrix College.
Mike Mils is the founder and CEO of the Buffalo Outdoor Center, Green Energy Products and Voices Entertainment, all headquartered in Ponca, Arkansas. He is a member of numerous boards and foundations, including Arkansas Travel Council and Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1969-1971. From 1974-1976, he managed Lost Valley Lodge in Ponca, Arkansas. In 2009 Mike became President of the America Outdoor Association. He was the Director of Tourism for the State of Arkansas from 1982-1986. He graduated with a B.S. from Hendrix College.
Timothy T. Jones, Vice President
Timothy Jones currently practices environmental law for Tyson Foods, Inc. in Northwest Arkansas. Previously, he worked for the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Arkansas Attorney General's Office. Jones' family can be traced to the middle Buffalo in the late-1800s, and he became familiar with the river at a very early age. Since boyhood he has been a Buffalo River canoer, fisherman, and hiker. Timothy Jones has a B.A. from the University of Tulsa, a J.D. from the University of Arkansas, and an LL.M. from George Washington University.
Timothy Jones currently practices environmental law for Tyson Foods, Inc. in Northwest Arkansas. Previously, he worked for the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Arkansas Attorney General's Office. Jones' family can be traced to the middle Buffalo in the late-1800s, and he became familiar with the river at a very early age. Since boyhood he has been a Buffalo River canoer, fisherman, and hiker. Timothy Jones has a B.A. from the University of Tulsa, a J.D. from the University of Arkansas, and an LL.M. from George Washington University.
Colene Gaston
Colene Gaston is the Staff Attorney for the Beaver Water District, the water supplier for much of Northwest Arkansas. Colene received her B.A. with honors in Biology from Austin College and her J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law. She has over twenty-five years of experience with environmental issues. Colene has worked with legal services on the Navajo Reservation, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston, Massachusetts, and in private practice in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership and the Advisory Board of the Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association.
Colene Gaston is the Staff Attorney for the Beaver Water District, the water supplier for much of Northwest Arkansas. Colene received her B.A. with honors in Biology from Austin College and her J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law. She has over twenty-five years of experience with environmental issues. Colene has worked with legal services on the Navajo Reservation, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston, Massachusetts, and in private practice in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership and the Advisory Board of the Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association.
Kenneth Smith
In cooperation with the National Park Service, Kenneth Smith is coordinating a multi-year project to build a 26- mile hiking trail along the Buffalo National River. He was formerly a civil engineer and park planner for the National Park Service from 1962-1974. He served as Education Director for The Ozark Society from 1974- 1977. He was a freelance writer, photographer, and researcher from 1977-2004. His publications include two books, The Buffalo River Country (1967) and Buffalo River Handbook (2004). He co-authored the first master plan for development and use of the Buffalo National River. Kenneth Smith has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas and an M.S. in Natural Resources Administration from the University of Michigan.
In cooperation with the National Park Service, Kenneth Smith is coordinating a multi-year project to build a 26- mile hiking trail along the Buffalo National River. He was formerly a civil engineer and park planner for the National Park Service from 1962-1974. He served as Education Director for The Ozark Society from 1974- 1977. He was a freelance writer, photographer, and researcher from 1977-2004. His publications include two books, The Buffalo River Country (1967) and Buffalo River Handbook (2004). He co-authored the first master plan for development and use of the Buffalo National River. Kenneth Smith has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas and an M.S. in Natural Resources Administration from the University of Michigan.
Katy Carver
Katy Carver is a student at the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She was previously the special projects manager at Capitol Resources, a public relations firm in Arlington, VA, specializing in nonprofit and international relations. She also worked as a committee assistant for the Virginia House of Delegates during the 2008 session. She has experience in project management, fundraising, and large-scale event planning. Her father, Joel Carver, campaigned for legislation to create the Buffalo National River.She obtained a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in Spanish from the University of Georgia in 2006.
Katy Carver is a student at the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She was previously the special projects manager at Capitol Resources, a public relations firm in Arlington, VA, specializing in nonprofit and international relations. She also worked as a committee assistant for the Virginia House of Delegates during the 2008 session. She has experience in project management, fundraising, and large-scale event planning. Her father, Joel Carver, campaigned for legislation to create the Buffalo National River.She obtained a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in Spanish from the University of Georgia in 2006.
Don Nelms
Don Nelms currently serves on the board of Arkansas Nature Conservancy and the Arkansas Forestry Commission and Buffalo River Foundation, and is the co-owner of Adventure Subaru in Fayetteville. He obtained his B.S. in Math and History from East Texas State University. Nelms has served on the NW Arkansas Regional Airport Commission, served as a Legislative Liaison to Gov. Tucker and Gov. Beebe, as co-chair to Gov. Beebe's transition team, was on the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission, and spent five years as Chairman of Arkansas Audubon. After 32 years as an automotive dealer he took up photography, a calling he views not only as a method of expressing himself, but most of all as a way for him to share his desire to preserve our natural world.
Don Nelms currently serves on the board of Arkansas Nature Conservancy and the Arkansas Forestry Commission and Buffalo River Foundation, and is the co-owner of Adventure Subaru in Fayetteville. He obtained his B.S. in Math and History from East Texas State University. Nelms has served on the NW Arkansas Regional Airport Commission, served as a Legislative Liaison to Gov. Tucker and Gov. Beebe, as co-chair to Gov. Beebe's transition team, was on the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission, and spent five years as Chairman of Arkansas Audubon. After 32 years as an automotive dealer he took up photography, a calling he views not only as a method of expressing himself, but most of all as a way for him to share his desire to preserve our natural world.
William Swaim Scruggs, III
Bill Scruggs is the proprietor of Wild Bill's Outfitter, the largest outdoor outfitter in the state of Arkansas. Previously, he founded a successful chain of convenience stores in Mississippi and managed Holiday Inn hotels in Mississippi and Florida. Bill Scruggs holds a degree in Hotel Restaurant Management from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and has successfully completed courses in hotel, food and beverage management from Holiday Inn University. He served in the United States Army and Army Reserve until 1981. He previously served on the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission.
Bill Scruggs is the proprietor of Wild Bill's Outfitter, the largest outdoor outfitter in the state of Arkansas. Previously, he founded a successful chain of convenience stores in Mississippi and managed Holiday Inn hotels in Mississippi and Florida. Bill Scruggs holds a degree in Hotel Restaurant Management from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and has successfully completed courses in hotel, food and beverage management from Holiday Inn University. He served in the United States Army and Army Reserve until 1981. He previously served on the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission.
Ben Milburn
Ben Milburn is currently the President and CEO of Buffalo River Outfitter, and founder of RiverTrail Manufacturing, both located in Silver Hill, Arkansas. He is a member of numerous trade organizations associated with resort and livery services and tourism in Arkansas. He attended Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, studying biology and anthropology for 2 years before transferring to the University of Arkansas where he received his B.S. in Administrative Management. He is an Eagle Scout and proud supporter of the Boy Scouts of America.
Ben Milburn is currently the President and CEO of Buffalo River Outfitter, and founder of RiverTrail Manufacturing, both located in Silver Hill, Arkansas. He is a member of numerous trade organizations associated with resort and livery services and tourism in Arkansas. He attended Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, studying biology and anthropology for 2 years before transferring to the University of Arkansas where he received his B.S. in Administrative Management. He is an Eagle Scout and proud supporter of the Boy Scouts of America.
Hailey Mills
Hailey Mills is currently a territory manager and sales representative for Professional Business Systems of Rogers. Hailey attended the University of Arkansas for two years and completed her studies in marketing at South Arkansas University in 2006. Prior to her current position, she worked as a Brand Strategist for the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal. Hailey's family owns the Buffalo Outdoor Center, one of Arkansas' largest and best-known resorts on the Buffalo River. She grew up on the upper Buffalo River and spent much of her time canoeing, hiking, and camping.
Hailey Mills is currently a territory manager and sales representative for Professional Business Systems of Rogers. Hailey attended the University of Arkansas for two years and completed her studies in marketing at South Arkansas University in 2006. Prior to her current position, she worked as a Brand Strategist for the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal. Hailey's family owns the Buffalo Outdoor Center, one of Arkansas' largest and best-known resorts on the Buffalo River. She grew up on the upper Buffalo River and spent much of her time canoeing, hiking, and camping.
