Colleagues recall extension trailblazer
Ivory Lyles, who became the first African-American to head an extension service in a predominately white university system when he was appointed director of the Cooperative Extension Service in Arkansas, has died. He was 65.
As Arkansas extension director, Lyles was also an associate vice president for agriculture within the University of Arkansas System. He served as director from October 2000 until May 2009, according to a news release from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
A native of Mississippi, Lyles obtained a master of science in agriculture education from Mississippi State University and a Ph.D. in agriculture education from The Ohio State University.
“Ivory Lyles was a trailblazer who opened a lot of doors,” said Deacue Fields, vice president-agriculture for the University of Arkansas System, and head of the Division of Agriculture, which is home to the Cooperative Extension Service.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Fields is the first African-American to become head of the Division of Agriculture.
“As I saw him at various Land-Grant meetings, I appreciated hearing about his experiences,” Fields said.
Before coming to Arkansas, Lyles was a district supervisor for the University of Tennessee and Cooperative Extension Program administrator for Tennessee State University.
“Dr. Lyles devoted his career serving agriculture as an educator and administrator within the Land-Grant system,” said Ron Rainey, assistant vice president for the Division of Agriculture. “He served in four states as a visionary leader committed to serving agriculture and rural communities.”
John Anderson, current director of Arkansas’ Cooperative Extension Service, said “Dr. Lyles enjoyed a relatively long tenure as extension director in Arkansas and his impact is still felt throughout the system.”
“Many of the county agents, extension specialists, and administrators currently in senior positions in the organization were hired during Dr. Lyles’ time and are part of the outstanding cohort of extension professionals who have shaped extension’s work today,” Anderson said.
Lyles also served as director of the Cooperative Extension Service and was associate dean of engagement for the University of Nevada, Reno. He was hired by Oregon State University in September 2021 as vice provost for extension and engagement and director of Oregon State’s extension service. He retired in March 2024.
A funeral for Lyles was scheduled for April 20 at the Holifield Funeral Home at Forest, Miss. A celebration of life service was planned for April 21 at the Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, also in Forest.
Simmons reports first quarter results
Simmons First National Corp. reported Wednesday net income of $38.9 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $23.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and $45.6 million for the first quarter of 2023, according to a news release.
Diluted earnings per share were $0.31 for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $0.19 in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $0.36 for the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted earnings for the first quarter of 2024 were $40.4 million, compared to $50.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and $47.3 million for the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted diluted earnings per share1 for the first quarter of 2024 were $0.32, compared to $0.40 for the fourth quarter of 2023 and $0.37 for the first quarter of 2023.
Details: https://ir.simmonsbank.com/2024-04-24-Simmons-First-National-Corporation-Reports-First-Quarter-2024-Results .
Expo breakfast tickets still available
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce urges participants to call their office to purchase Business Expo Breakfast tickets or to purchase a sponsored table of eight.
The Pine Bluff Convention Center has a deadline of Friday for agencies who need to order additional services (carpet, electricity, etc.), according to the Chamber newsletter.
Business Expo 2024 will be held May 2 at the Convention Center. The Business VIP Hour is 9-10 a.m. and the expo opens to public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Business Expo Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. and the program starts at 8 a.m. Tickets are $25 each or a table for 8 people is $300.
The breakfast speaker is Austin Booth, director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The breakfast is sponsored by Simmons Bank.
For Expo questions, email jennifer@jeffersoncountyalliance.com or call (870) 535-0110.