Insurance leaders name Beck president
David Beck, vice president at First Arkansas Insurance of Pine Bluff, was elected president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas (Big I Arkansas.)
Beck brings more than two decades of industry experience and a deep commitment of community service to his new leadership role. He will serve in this position for the 2025-2026 term, according to a news release.
He has also been an alderman for the city of White Hall since 2001 and holds leadership positions on various boards, including the Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County, the Old State House Museum Associates and is co-chair of the Military Affairs Advisory Committee for the Pine Bluff Arsenal, according to the release.
“I am honored to serve as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas,” said Beck. “Independent agents are the backbone of our communities, and I look forward to advocating for our members and advancing our industry throughout the state.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Beck earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in accounting at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He has also obtained the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation.
He succeeds Brandi McKinney of McGhee Insurance NWA in Rogers. Joining Beck on the organization’s executive committee are Ralph Haymond, president-elect of Haymond Insurance in Searcy; Al Pearson, vice president of United Insurance Advisors in Harrison; Jesse Parsons, secretary-treasurer of Parsons Insurance in Little Rock; and Drew Higginbothom, national director of Smith and Co. in Forrest City.
Big I Arkansas represents approximately 400 Arkansas independent insurance agencies and more than 2,500 agents statewide. The association was organized in 1900 and is affiliated with the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, according to the release.
UAM sets educator workshop
The University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources will host a Project Learning Tree professional development workshop from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 23.
“Explore Your Environment,” is a workshop that offers interactive opportunities for both formal and informal educators to deepen their understanding of nature and environmental education, according to a news release.
Participants will receive PLT’s Explore Your Environment: K–8 Activity Guide, which includes 50 hands-on lessons covering topics such as forests, wildlife, water, energy, climate science and more.
“Project Learning Tree’s curriculum is designed to give educators practical tools and activities they can use right away in their classrooms or youth programs,” said Rob Beadel, director of forestry education for the Arkansas Forestry Association and Arkansas state coordinator for PLT. “Our goal is to help connect youth to the outdoors while reinforcing essential STEM concepts and critical thinking skills.”
The event qualifies for six hours of professional development credit approved by the Arkansas Department of Education. All activities align with national education standards and are designed to promote critical thinking, STEM learning and outdoor exploration.
The cost to attend is $10, payable on the day of the workshop by cash or credit card. Attendees are asked to bring their own lunch.
To register, email Traci Rushing at trushing@uada.edu and include your name and phone number. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
ASP: Drivers slow down
As part of the Speeding Slows You Down campaign, the Arkansas Highway Safety Office along with Arkansas law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminds everyone that speeding has life-threatening consequences and motorists should obey speed limits.
From July 9-31, state police troopers, sheriff’s deputies and city police officers will join this campaign by providing high-visibility patrols and issuing speeding citations to drivers breaking the law.
Communities across America are affected every year by fatalities that occur in speeding-related crashes. In 2023, there were 11,775 traffic fatalities that involved speeding, accounting for 29% of that year’s traffic fatalities. Speeding fatalities are not just an issue nationally, but in Arkansas for 2023, one of five traffic fatalities were speeding related.
“Speed limits are set to keep all road users safe,” said Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Col. Mike Hagar. “They minimize the likelihood of crashes and the force of a crash’s impact on a person’s body, which dramatically increases with each additional 10 miles per hour of speed. When a driver or motorcyclist drives above the speed limit, they are acting with no regard for their life, the lives of others on the road, and the law. That remains true regardless of the reason a person chooses to drive over the speed limit,” he said.
Speeding is an aggressive and deadly behavior. It reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object, or an unexpected curve.
According to NHTSA, local roads are more dangerous than highways for speeders. Drivers in neighborhoods, school zones, or secondary roads should be especially aware of this campaign and their speed. Local roads are where most of the speeding-related crashes occur. Arkansas law enforcement officers will be concentrating their efforts in these areas. Details: www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding.