Washington County Executive Committee 2019-2021
Debby Winters, Chair
Debby Winters is an Intellectual Property and Business Law attorney who graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law and has practiced law in Fayetteville for 15 years. She is actively involved in the growing start-up community in NWA. She received her Ph.D. at the University of Georgia and worked at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine before moving to Fayetteville to join the faculty at the UA. She and her husband, who is a professor at the University, raised their two daughters in Fayetteville. Although not born and raised in Northwest Arkansas, she chose it as the perfect place for her family. She has served on the board and in executive positions of several nonprofit organizations. Her work with charity organizations include the Alzheimer’s Association, the Heart Association, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She’s an exercise enthusiast and avid runner who has completed both national and international marathons. She is also actively involved in the world of rescuing dogs who are looking for the perfect forever home.
Debby Winters is an Intellectual Property and Business Law attorney who graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law and has practiced law in Fayetteville for 15 years. She is actively involved in the growing start-up community in NWA. She received her Ph.D. at the University of Georgia and worked at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine before moving to Fayetteville to join the faculty at the UA. She and her husband, who is a professor at the University, raised their two daughters in Fayetteville. Although not born and raised in Northwest Arkansas, she chose it as the perfect place for her family. She has served on the board and in executive positions of several nonprofit organizations. Her work with charity organizations include the Alzheimer’s Association, the Heart Association, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She’s an exercise enthusiast and avid runner who has completed both national and international marathons. She is also actively involved in the world of rescuing dogs who are looking for the perfect forever home.
Bobby Howard, First Vice Chair
Bobby Howard is currently finishing his PhD, conducting research in philosophy of religion, political philosophy, and structural racism. He came to Fayetteville from Mountain Home almost ten years ago for college and now loves to call Fayetteville home. Bobby was very involved in the campaigns of Rep. Nicole Clowney and Rep. Denise Garner and looks forward to working in the NWA community to send even more public servants who share our values to the state legislature. As an educator Bobby is passionate about equipping young people to effectively advocate for their values, and he is passionate about getting community members of all ages and backgrounds involved in the work that builds community.
Bobby Howard is currently finishing his PhD, conducting research in philosophy of religion, political philosophy, and structural racism. He came to Fayetteville from Mountain Home almost ten years ago for college and now loves to call Fayetteville home. Bobby was very involved in the campaigns of Rep. Nicole Clowney and Rep. Denise Garner and looks forward to working in the NWA community to send even more public servants who share our values to the state legislature. As an educator Bobby is passionate about equipping young people to effectively advocate for their values, and he is passionate about getting community members of all ages and backgrounds involved in the work that builds community.
Zane Chenault, Interim Treasurer
Zane Chenault is Interim Treasurer. We will hold elections for the term in our monthly meeting on July 15, 2019.
Zane Chenault is an Arkansas native who was born into a career military family. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1991. Chenault then attended and graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning, Georgia. He achieved the rank of First Lieutenant before leaving the service.
Following his service in the Army, Chenault entered the private sector. During the last seven years of a twenty year career, he was a Vice President of Service Delivery responsible for over $250 Million in IT services revenue and a staff of over 2,000. “I applied myself and was very successful in the private sector, now I want to use my expertise to give back to my community.”
Chenault has been employed by the State of Arkansas since 2016.
Chenault was appointed as the Member-at-Large Representative for the Fayetteville Airport Board in 2018 and elected as the Board Chairman in 2019. “Public service is a privilege and an honor. I look forward to applying my leadership skillset to strengthen the Washington County Democratic Party.”
Chenault and his wife Peggy, a graduate of John Brown University, moved back to Northwest Arkansas in 2015 to make it their permanent home. Peggy is currently employed at Arkansas Children’s Northwest. The Chenaults have been married 30 years and have two adult children.
Zane Chenault is Interim Treasurer. We will hold elections for the term in our monthly meeting on July 15, 2019.
Zane Chenault is an Arkansas native who was born into a career military family. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1991. Chenault then attended and graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning, Georgia. He achieved the rank of First Lieutenant before leaving the service.
Following his service in the Army, Chenault entered the private sector. During the last seven years of a twenty year career, he was a Vice President of Service Delivery responsible for over $250 Million in IT services revenue and a staff of over 2,000. “I applied myself and was very successful in the private sector, now I want to use my expertise to give back to my community.”
Chenault has been employed by the State of Arkansas since 2016.
Chenault was appointed as the Member-at-Large Representative for the Fayetteville Airport Board in 2018 and elected as the Board Chairman in 2019. “Public service is a privilege and an honor. I look forward to applying my leadership skillset to strengthen the Washington County Democratic Party.”
Chenault and his wife Peggy, a graduate of John Brown University, moved back to Northwest Arkansas in 2015 to make it their permanent home. Peggy is currently employed at Arkansas Children’s Northwest. The Chenaults have been married 30 years and have two adult children.
Alina Anima, Secretary
Alina Anima was born and raised in Northwest Arkansas and the oldest of two children. She graduated from Har-Ber High School and completed her Bachelor’s in Social Work at the University of Arkansas in 2016. During her time at the University of Arkansas she worked closely with Diversity Affairs to recruit 1st generation Latinx high school students, and studied abroad in Cambridge University and Oxford University. After graduating she began working for a community mental health clinic working with severely emotional distressed children and families and provide therapeutic interventions. She is currently in graduate school finishing her last semester for her Master’s in Social Work.
She was actively involved in State Representative Megan Godfrey’s campaign. She began her involvement because she felt compelled that for politics to be more inclusive towards communities that traditionally left out of the political process, there needs to be more diverse representation in positions of power. She was able to witness first hand the need for more young people to be involved in the party across all levels to make significant progress in getting democrats elected. After witnessing Representative Godrey's win, she felt hope and determination and that involvement can bring change.
Alina Anima was born and raised in Northwest Arkansas and the oldest of two children. She graduated from Har-Ber High School and completed her Bachelor’s in Social Work at the University of Arkansas in 2016. During her time at the University of Arkansas she worked closely with Diversity Affairs to recruit 1st generation Latinx high school students, and studied abroad in Cambridge University and Oxford University. After graduating she began working for a community mental health clinic working with severely emotional distressed children and families and provide therapeutic interventions. She is currently in graduate school finishing her last semester for her Master’s in Social Work.
She was actively involved in State Representative Megan Godfrey’s campaign. She began her involvement because she felt compelled that for politics to be more inclusive towards communities that traditionally left out of the political process, there needs to be more diverse representation in positions of power. She was able to witness first hand the need for more young people to be involved in the party across all levels to make significant progress in getting democrats elected. After witnessing Representative Godrey's win, she felt hope and determination and that involvement can bring change.
Lynn Cunningham, Vice Chair for Volunteers and Voter Protection
Lynn Cunningham is an attorney, nonprofit founder, and loves working in public service. She recently joined the Public Buildings Board in Fayetteville, which oversees access to affordable housing and healthcare facilities for low-income and elderly residents. This past election cycle, she led the texting get-out-the-vote initiative for Josh Mahoney’s House of Representatives campaign, and canvassed for Denise Garner, Lou Reed Sharp, and the Washington County Democrats. Lynn founded Mountain View Parents Association, a 501(c) nonprofit that is dedicated to building a community of supportive parents. As president, she managed the board and raised over $20,000 for homeless families. She is a Presidential Management Fellow alumni, and worked for the General Service Administration in the Public Buildings Service division. Lynn and her husband and two sons recently moved to Fayetteville from California to be closer to extended family. When not working in public service, you’ll find her baking, hiking, writing, or on a yoga mat.
Lynn Cunningham is an attorney, nonprofit founder, and loves working in public service. She recently joined the Public Buildings Board in Fayetteville, which oversees access to affordable housing and healthcare facilities for low-income and elderly residents. This past election cycle, she led the texting get-out-the-vote initiative for Josh Mahoney’s House of Representatives campaign, and canvassed for Denise Garner, Lou Reed Sharp, and the Washington County Democrats. Lynn founded Mountain View Parents Association, a 501(c) nonprofit that is dedicated to building a community of supportive parents. As president, she managed the board and raised over $20,000 for homeless families. She is a Presidential Management Fellow alumni, and worked for the General Service Administration in the Public Buildings Service division. Lynn and her husband and two sons recently moved to Fayetteville from California to be closer to extended family. When not working in public service, you’ll find her baking, hiking, writing, or on a yoga mat.
Katie Terrell, Vice Chair for Marketing
Katie L. Terrell is an instructor in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. She received her BA degrees in English Literature and in the Spanish language from the University of Central Arkansas and her MBA from the University of Arkansas. She expects a doctoral degree by 2019 in Human Resources and Workforce Development. She has taught students at the University of Arkansas; Soochow University (Suzhou, China); the University College Dublin (Ireland); and Duoc UC, a branch of the Catholic University of China (Vina del Mar, Chile).
She is a member of the American Accounting Association and has published a Statement on Management Accounting for the Institute of Management Accountants on managing organizational change in operational change initiatives. She has recently been recognized for her innovative teaching by receiving the Mark Chain/FSA Teaching Award for innovative graduate-level accounting teaching practices in 2016. She has also worked at Tyson Foods, where she held various information system roles, focusing on business analysis, project management for ERP implementations and upgrades, and organizational change management.
She is a co-author of the textbook Data Analytics for Accounting, currently in its first edition published by McGraw Hill, and is passionate about covering data analytics across the accounting curriculum.
Katie L. Terrell is an instructor in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. She received her BA degrees in English Literature and in the Spanish language from the University of Central Arkansas and her MBA from the University of Arkansas. She expects a doctoral degree by 2019 in Human Resources and Workforce Development. She has taught students at the University of Arkansas; Soochow University (Suzhou, China); the University College Dublin (Ireland); and Duoc UC, a branch of the Catholic University of China (Vina del Mar, Chile).
She is a member of the American Accounting Association and has published a Statement on Management Accounting for the Institute of Management Accountants on managing organizational change in operational change initiatives. She has recently been recognized for her innovative teaching by receiving the Mark Chain/FSA Teaching Award for innovative graduate-level accounting teaching practices in 2016. She has also worked at Tyson Foods, where she held various information system roles, focusing on business analysis, project management for ERP implementations and upgrades, and organizational change management.
She is a co-author of the textbook Data Analytics for Accounting, currently in its first edition published by McGraw Hill, and is passionate about covering data analytics across the accounting curriculum.
Samia Ismail, Vice Chair for Youth and Ally Engagement
Samia Ismail is a biomedical engineering student at the University of Arkansas. She is passionate about finding ways to encourage inclusivity on both the university campus and Northwest Arkansas communities. Over the past year, she has dedicated hours to canvassing, phonebanking, and recruitment efforts in order to get Representative Nicole Clowney and Representative Denise Garner elected to the Arkansas State House. At the University, she elevates the voices of marginalized communities through her service as the Associated Student Government Co-Director for Diversity and Inclusion and the Vice Chair of the Distinguished Lectures Committee. She is excited to recruit a new generation of politically active Arkansans to support progressive policies and candidates and wants to show that there is room for all in the Democratic Party. She was recently named a Harry S. Truman Scholar.
Samia Ismail is a biomedical engineering student at the University of Arkansas. She is passionate about finding ways to encourage inclusivity on both the university campus and Northwest Arkansas communities. Over the past year, she has dedicated hours to canvassing, phonebanking, and recruitment efforts in order to get Representative Nicole Clowney and Representative Denise Garner elected to the Arkansas State House. At the University, she elevates the voices of marginalized communities through her service as the Associated Student Government Co-Director for Diversity and Inclusion and the Vice Chair of the Distinguished Lectures Committee. She is excited to recruit a new generation of politically active Arkansans to support progressive policies and candidates and wants to show that there is room for all in the Democratic Party. She was recently named a Harry S. Truman Scholar.
Lou Reed Sharp, Vice Chair for Candidate Recruitment
Lou Sharp is a small business owner, retired Hospice RN, non-profit founder and was a first-time candidate for the Arkansas House of Representative in Rural District 80 in 2018. Lou graduated from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and grew up on the family farm in Reed Valley. Lou and her husband, Doug raised 4 children in NWA, all of whom have pursued advanced degrees and have successful careers.
Lou Sharp has always been involved with area non-profits with organization, growth, and in leadership roles. Sharp is on the Board of the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market where she is the Treasurer. She has actively served on the Board of Ozark Folkways, Winslow, the Free Health Clinic, the Tontitown Planning Commission, the Stony Valley Extension Club, the State Hospice and Home Health Associations, Kiwanis, and other community activities. Sharp currently runs a small business working with women who cannot hold traditional jobs, but who can sew. They can sew the apparel and products that Sharp designs, sews and sells at the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market.
Being involved with the Democratic Party and the candidates this last year has been an incredible experience for Lou. She loved working in the community, meeting people, listening to their stories, and becoming involved in activities in the rural towns and organizations. She thinks it is vitally important to reach out to the rural communities and give them a voice. A voice that reflects their home town values and creates opportunities for their children and families.
As a first-time candidate who ran a shoestring, grassroots campaign, she would love to help others become involved in the democratic process. Running was a lot of hard work, but she found it not only fun but energizing, rewarding and very empowering. Lou believes she can help people see their potential in being a candidate. She believes that working with the Democratic Leadership Team, the newly elected officials and all of the invaluable community contacts, that we can create unique learning opportunities.
Lou does intend to run for the House District 80 seat again in 2020. As she gets back in those communities, she will be able to spread the Democratic message and recruit new members and candidates.
Lou Sharp is a small business owner, retired Hospice RN, non-profit founder and was a first-time candidate for the Arkansas House of Representative in Rural District 80 in 2018. Lou graduated from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and grew up on the family farm in Reed Valley. Lou and her husband, Doug raised 4 children in NWA, all of whom have pursued advanced degrees and have successful careers.
Lou Sharp has always been involved with area non-profits with organization, growth, and in leadership roles. Sharp is on the Board of the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market where she is the Treasurer. She has actively served on the Board of Ozark Folkways, Winslow, the Free Health Clinic, the Tontitown Planning Commission, the Stony Valley Extension Club, the State Hospice and Home Health Associations, Kiwanis, and other community activities. Sharp currently runs a small business working with women who cannot hold traditional jobs, but who can sew. They can sew the apparel and products that Sharp designs, sews and sells at the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market.
Being involved with the Democratic Party and the candidates this last year has been an incredible experience for Lou. She loved working in the community, meeting people, listening to their stories, and becoming involved in activities in the rural towns and organizations. She thinks it is vitally important to reach out to the rural communities and give them a voice. A voice that reflects their home town values and creates opportunities for their children and families.
As a first-time candidate who ran a shoestring, grassroots campaign, she would love to help others become involved in the democratic process. Running was a lot of hard work, but she found it not only fun but energizing, rewarding and very empowering. Lou believes she can help people see their potential in being a candidate. She believes that working with the Democratic Leadership Team, the newly elected officials and all of the invaluable community contacts, that we can create unique learning opportunities.
Lou does intend to run for the House District 80 seat again in 2020. As she gets back in those communities, she will be able to spread the Democratic message and recruit new members and candidates.
Max Deitchler, Election Commissioner
Statute (ACA 7-4-102) that requires members of the election commission to be elected in odd-numbered years, following the elections of a party's other officer positions: "(a)(1) In January of each odd-numbered year following the election of county committee officers, members of the county board of election commissioners shall be elected by their respective county committees."
Statute (ACA 7-4-102) that requires members of the election commission to be elected in odd-numbered years, following the elections of a party's other officer positions: "(a)(1) In January of each odd-numbered year following the election of county committee officers, members of the county board of election commissioners shall be elected by their respective county committees."