Southern Arkansas University alum and Magnolia City Inspector David Nelson was appointed to the SAU Board of Trustees by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson on January 30, 2015.
Nelson was appointed to a five-year term. James Freeman’s term on the SAU Board expired January 14. Freeman, SAU alum and Dillard’s CFO, was also recently appointed by the Governor to serve on the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. He was originally appointed to the SAU Board to complete the term of Ken Sibley, who moved out of state.
A vacant position still remains on the Board of Trustees. No announcement regarding this appointment has been made at this date.
Nelson came to SAU from Springdale High School. He is a 1997 Ag Business graduate of SAU and has remained active in the University, including serving as president of the SAU Alumni Board of Directors.
“I look forward to the giving back opportunities to SAU for all the opportunities the University has given to me,” said Nelson.
Nelson has also been quite active in the Magnolia community. He was recognized in 2012 with the Community Service Award from the Magnolia-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. He served as chairman of Vote for Growth in Columbia County, is a LeaDAR graduate, past president of Leadership Magnolia, and is chairman of the Magnolia Blossom Festival World Champion Steak Cookoff. Nelson is also a former Columbia County justice of the peace, former Jaycee, a member of the Magnolia Police Auxiliary, and a member of the Republican Party.
Although Nelson cannot vote on anything until he is officially sworn-in, he made his first official appearance with the SAU Board on Tuesday night as a part of the SAU presidential candidate interview process.
