Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Governor appoints Deavens
FAYETTEVILLE — Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed a Fayetteville teacher to fill a vacant seat Thursday on the Washington County Quorum Court.
Alicia Deavens, 47, is an assistant principal at the Fayetteville Christian School, according the school’s website. She will fill the seat left open by Rick Cochran, a Republican who resigned in January.
Deavens will represent District 7 located west of Farmington. Her term ends in December 2018, according to the governor’s news release.
As a justice of the peace, Deavens will oversee the county’s $66 million budget. Justices of the peace have said they are worried about spending outpacing expected revenue. Deavens will earn about $200 per meeting, plus mileage.
A spokesman for the governor didn’t have more information to release on Deavens late Thursday, but Jim Estes, Washington County Republican Party chairman, said he’s pleased the governor selected her. “She’s a strong Christian lady,” Estes said. “She’s a solid Republican.”
Deavens didn’t list a party affiliation on her voter registration, according to the secretary of state.
Deavens has worked and volunteered at the Fayetteville Christian School for at least 20 years, according to her resume posted to a social media website. Before joining the school, Deavens had a computer analysis career and worked with government agencies and businesses in Texas, Arkansas and Tennessee, according to information listed on the school’s website.
Deavens has been a volunteer, an international student advisor and teacher for the school, according to online information. She works with other school officials “to ensure the best opportunities for our international students,” according to her online resume.
Estes said he interviewed Deavens and was impressed with her service to the school and her resume. She was among four names Estes recommended to Gov. Asa Hutchinson for appointment, he said. Deavens is the kind of person who can stand up and state her opinion and possibly change minds, Estes said.
Deavens graduated from Ashdown High School in 1988 and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello in 1992. Her degree is in computer information systems. Deavens didn’t respond to a message left on a social media website.