LR native to lead arsenal division

A Little Rock native was selected recently to lead the Pine Bluff Arsenal’s directorate of chemical and biologic defense operations.

As director, John Burkhead, who has been with the Pine Bluff Arsenal since 2003, will be responsible for planning, organizing, hiring and will be an integral part of the senior leadership team.

He replaces Phillip Vick, who retired from the position in December. Burkhead served under Vick as quality management division chief.

“As a chief, I went from managing about 50 people and just over 10 programs,” Burkhead said. “Now, I’m managing over 100 people and 30 programs. With all the meetings, my schedule has filled up very quickly. I’m excited about the job.”

Burkhead, the son of Joyce and Fred Burkhead, grew up in Pine Bluff and graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1994. He has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.