Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Mr. Dalton Person, President
Zone: V
Occupation: Attorney/Member at Jones, Jackson, Moll, McGinnis & Stocks, PLC
Family: Wife: Claire Person
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree, University of Chicago
- Juris Doctor: University of Arkansas School of Law
- FSPS, Southside High School
Years Lived in Fort Smith: Over 25
Involvement in Schools:
- Vision 2023 Team Leader (Career Planning Action Team)
- Fort Smith Public Schools, Citizens Committee
- Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee
- Former Student Mentor
Involvement in Community:
- Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce (Board of Directors, 2020-Present)
- United Way of Fort Smith Area (Board of Directors, 2019-Present)
- Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club (Board of Directors, 2017-Present)
- First United Methodist Church of Fort Smith (Foundation Board of Directors)
Why You Were Interested in Serving on the Board: I am a product of Fort Smith and its public schools. I care deeply about both. In my opinion, the best way to improve a community is by investing in its future. My service on the school board is my way of giving back, and I am proud of what we have accomplished and will continue to do.
Elected: March 2020
Term Expiration: March 2027
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Mr. Phil Whiteaker, Vice President
Zone: I
Occupation: Sales/Marketing - Morgan Supply
Family: Wife: Nikki Children: Blakley and Oakley
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree in English/Theatre
Years Lived in Fort Smith: Over 20 years
Involvement in Schools:
- Proud orchestra and debate dad
- A supporter of a Maverick football manager/trainer, mentor, and all things Fort Smith Public Schools
Involvement in Community:
- Vice President - Business By Referral
- Former President/Assistant Governor/Member - Rotary Club of Fort Smith
- Member - Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association
- Member - River Valley Fellowship of Christian Athletes Board
Why You Were Interested in Serving on the Board: Our children are our future. To be able to help make decisions that guide our next generation is important to me, and I’m honored to serve our students, faculty, staff, and our community. Our district should be proud of our accomplishments and our students, faculty, and staff.
Elected: May 2022
Term Expiration: May 2026
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Mr. Davin Chitwood, Secretary
Zone: At-Large
Occupation: Key Account Manager at Bachoco USA
Family: Mother: Traci Chitwood, Father: Greg Scott | Siblings: Derek Chitwood, Garrett Scott, Mika Scott
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree in International Business, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith
- FSPS graduate, Northside High School, Chaffin Junior High, and Woods Elementary.
Years Lived in Fort Smith: Over 24 years
Involvement in Schools: Mentor, Belle Point, Board of Education Member
Involvement in Community:
- Little League coach at the Fort Smith Boy's and Girl's Club (basketball & baseball)
- Fort Smith Boy's and Girl's Club Stand With U Mentor Program Director
- Fort Smith Boy's and Girl's Club Young Alumni Board Member
Why You Were Interested in Serving on the Board: I wanted to serve as a school board member for FSPS because I genuinely care about our school district, Fort Smith, and our community. During my time in FSPS as a student I had a wonderful experience and made life-long friends, mentors, and overall I was presented with opportunities and prepared for opportunities that I am now taking advantage of. All the effort and time our school district poured into me, I am extremely grateful for, and now is my chance to give back and try to provide better opportunities for our students and district.
Elected: May 2022
Term Expiration: May 2025
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Ms. Talicia Richardson
Zone: IV
Occupation: Executive Director, 64.6 Downtown
Family: Husband: Jay Richardson. Children: Yuri and Jag
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree: Sociology, Spelman College
- Master's Degree: Counseling, University of Arkansas
- FSPS Graduate, Northside High School
Years Lived in Fort Smith: Native of the area but returned in 2015
Involvement in Schools:
- Mentor, PTA
- Partners in Education
Involvement in Community:
- Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Community Development Institute Class Director/Advisory Board University of Central Arkansas
- Leadership Fort Smith
- Arkansans for the Arts Advisory Board
Why You Were Interested in Serving on the Board: My focus is on our students, which includes all aspects of their lives and those who support their journey. It simply feels natural to me to be an advocate for our students, yet in a more official capacity that impacts policy. It is important to get back to the basics of simply being kind to all of God's children.
Elected: September 2016
Term Expiration: September 2026
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Mr. Matt Blaylock
Zone: At-Large
Occupation: Mechanical Contractor, Master Plumber, President of Blaylock Heating & Air
Family: Married. Children: Molly, a Sophomore at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree, Arkansas Tech University
Years Lived in Fort Smith: Life-long resident
Involvement in Schools:
- Partners in Education
- PA for FSPS sporting events
Involvement in Community:
- COFS Plumbing Advisory Board
- Board Member of Fort Smith Animal Haven
- Young Adult Class Director at Grand Ave Baptist Church
Why You Were Interested in Serving on the Board: The district was in a major transitional period, and I did not like what I was hearing from the stakeholders. I had two children in the district and wanted them to have the same great experience, memories, and pride I have related to FSPS. I felt convicted to help in what ever way I could to make FSPS the best version of itself it could be. I did not think it would be easy, and it is not. I did not sign up to do what is easy, I signed up to do what is right.
Elected: May 2021
Term Expiration: May 2025
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Ms. Susan. Krafft
Zone: III
Occupation: Executive Director, Babb Center for Career Services, University of Arkansas – Fort Smith
Family: Husband: Chris Krafft. Children: Aaron and Rachel
Education:
- Master's Degree: Industrial/Organizational Psychology, University of Tulsa
- Bachelor's Degree: Psychology, Hendrix College, Honors Diploma,
- Fort Smith Public Schools, Northside High School
Years Lived in Fort Smith: Over 30 years
Involvement in Schools: Through my work at the Chamber and through my own children – motivates me to help grow and improve our district. FSPS has been here since before I was born and will exist long after I’m gone – I would hope to leave the district in better shape for the next generation of both students and teachers. My work at UAFS allows me to interact with future teachers in our School of Education, and I want FSPS to be their district of choice. I see so many wonderful things happening that we can build on. I see negative forces that are sometimes louder than the positive ones, and I want to be a positive voice for our District. But that
doesn’t mean we won’t have tough conversations on improvements, barriers, challenges – I am prepared for that as well. My service and participation in Leadership FS, on the Hope Campus Board, and even challenges in previous work environments have prepared me well for those tough conversations. When you lead with good intentions, a good heart, and the best interest of the community – so much can be accomplished.
- Northside High School Building Committee (2018-2019)
- FSPS Partners in Education Board (2013-2015)
Involvement in Community:
- Riverview Hope Campus: Board member, Vice-President, and current President (2018 – Present)
- Arkansas Association of Colleges and Employers: Member, current Secretary (2021 – Present)
- Past Member of Fort Smith Downtown Rotary Club & Florence Rotary Club (SC), Past Pen Pal
- Committee co-chair (2012 – 2021)
- Art on the Border (formerly the Celebrity Classic Foundation) Board Member (2020-2021)
- Leadership Fort Smith, Class of 2008 & past member of the Leadership Fort Smith Alumni Board
- PTO President, Immaculate Conception Elementary School (2011-2014)
- Make A Wish Foundation of the Mid-South, past volunteer and trained wish-granter
- Outside Agency Funding Review Panel – City of Fort Smith Commission appointment (2011-2014)
Why You Were Interested in Serving on the Board: I have always been drawn to serve - to give my time and talent where I can make a difference. As I have
said many times, Fort Smith is the community that raised me and I feel it is my obligation and responsibility to give back where I can. Since I haven’t won the lottery yet, giving of my time, skills, and talent is the best way for me to contribute. Communication, leadership, teamwork, compassion, community service - these are all areas where I believe I am skilled and experienced.
Elected: Appointed July 12, 2023, Elected March 2024
Term Expiration: March 2029
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Ms. Lynnett Lott
Zone: II
Occupation: Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Family: Husband: Daniel Lott. Children: Shannon, Becca, and Wyatt
Education: Associates of Applied Science, Dental Hygiene, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Years Lived in Fort Smith: Over 30 years
Involvement in Schools: PTA, Booster Club, Mav Bash Committee
Involvement in Community: I have helped coach volleyball and basketball teams at Girls Inc for approximately 14 years and am still involved. I helped coach softball and baseball teams. I am in children's ministry at Community Bible Church and have been for approximately nine years and counting.
Why You Were Interested in Serving on the Board: I truly believe that being a productive member of society means helping where and when you can. I love this area of Arkansas and know that in order for growth in a city you have to have a solid academically achieving school system. I want to be a part of positive progress.
Elected: March 5, 2024
Term Expiration: March 2029
