Governor Asa Hutchinson appoints Lee Watson, CEO of Forge Institute, to the Arkansas Cyber Advisory Council
In response to the growing threat of cyberattacks, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced the formation of the Arkansas Cyber Advisory Council (ACAC), intended to identify and manage the risk of cyberattacks and enhance the response to those threats for the State.
Among the twelve persons named to the council is Lee Watson, founder and CEO of Forge Institute and advocate for establishing Arkansas as the Cyber Defense State.
“It’s my privilege to serve along with the Governor’s leadership team,” said Watson. “Together we can strengthen Arkansas’ credentials as the nation’s rally point for cyberdefense. This will help lower risks and enable new workforce and economic opportunities.”
The advisory council is comprised of State officials representing several departments:
Jonathan Askins, director of the Division of Information Systems and Chief Technology Officer
Gary Vance, state Chief Information Security Officer, Division of Information Systems
Mike Preston, secretary of the Department of Commerce
Lee Watson, CEO of Forge Institute
Jami Cook, secretary of the Department of Public Safety
Dr. José Romero, secretary of the Department of Health
Cindy Gillespie, secretary of the Department of Human Services
Johnny Key, secretary of the Department of Education
Major General Kendall Penn, secretary of the Arkansas Military Department
Alan McClain, commissioner, Arkansas Insurance Department
A.J. Gary, director of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management
Colonel (Retired) Steve Eggensperger, Governor’s Office Cybersecurity liaison
According to the Governor’s executive order, “The Arkansas Economic Development Commission coordinated with the Arkansas Department of Transformation and Shared Services Division of Information Systems to create the council.” The council is part of the Arkansas Cyber Initiative, which was enacted by the legislature in 2019. The council is expected to provide recommendations to the Governor on operational and executive branch efforts to improve the State’s cybersecurity posture.