Meet the Board
Board of Directors
Leadership Team
George Eldridge, Chairman
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Janice Beard, Secretary
Janice Beard received a bachelor’s degree in education from Arkansas State University and served the Augusta, Arkansas school district as an elementary school teacher for 22 years. During that time, she was elected president of the Augusta Classroom Teachers Association, worked with member benefits for the Arkansas State Education Association and was named Arkansas Conservation District Outstanding Teacher of 2000.
Janice has also served as the Family Support Chairperson for two years at the Woodruff County Health Center in McCrory. She formerly served as office manager for Jensen Construction and for MM Cohn clothing company, where she was responsible for presenting fashion and style shows on KATV Ch. 7, KARK Ch.4 and KTHV Ch. 11. She is currently a teller at the Bank of Augusta and in 2010 she received the Outstanding Service Award by the Augusta Development Corporation.
Janice has served as a 1-star judge with the Miss Arkansas Pageant System and organized the Miss Augusta Pageant for the Augusta Days Festival. Janice is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, the First United Methodist Church in Augusta and an active member in the Augusta chapter of P.E.O.
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Clyde Collier, Treasurer
Clyde Collier has served as vice president of sales for Peking Handicraft Inc. since 2007. In this role, he manages the sales efforts for the U.S., Canada, South America, and Asia. He has been in the textile industry since 1989 and held several leadership positions with Westpoint Stevens Home and Springs Industries prior to working at Peking Handicraft.
Originally from Augusta, Arkansas, Collier received a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and an MBA in marketing from Dallas Baptist University. He currently resides in Edmond, Oklahoma with his wife, Carla, and their seven children. Serving on the Arkansas Family Health Foundation board is a highlight for him, as he sees this as a way to contribute to the region where his roots are. Collier is an active member of Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Edmond.
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David Morris
On January 1, 2011, David Morris was sworn in as Mayor of the City of Searcy, Arkansas. Prior to becoming mayor, he was the Assistant Director for the Association of Arkansas Counties. This statewide organization serves as the official voice for county government, representing elected county and district officials and county employees in the state of Arkansas. The purpose of the Association of Arkansas Counties is to work for the improvement of county government in Arkansas.
Morris comes from a varied background of experience with 32 years in the operation and administration of county government, serving in various positions in White County, including Administrative Assistant to the County Judge. In 1982 he was elected County Judge in White County. After serving a term in office, David became Assistant Administrator of White County Memorial Hospital (presently White County Medical Center), a county owned and operated acute-care health facility in Searcy.
Prior to joining the staff at the Association of Arkansas Counties, Morris served as Executive Director of the North Central Arkansas Private Industry Council, an organization concerned with economic and employment development serving ten counties in north central Arkansas.
Morris was born in Searcy and graduated from Searcy High School in 1971. He graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a bachelor of science degree and received a Master of Health Services Management and a master’s degree in business, both from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Morris and his wife, Gail, were married in 2003. Gail is a native of Cleburne County. Together they have seven children, twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Morris is a member of the First United Methodist Church.
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Morgan Berry
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Dr. Steven Collier, CEO
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Talmage Whitehead, CFO
In the course of a diverse 10 year career in all aspects of finance, Talmage J. Whitehead has proven to be a skilled executive, visionary entrepreneur and an adroit leader in all aspects of life. He started his career working for Arkansas’ largest Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm, BKD, LLP.
He provided valuable auditing and consulting services to many not-for-profits as well as for-profit companies across the state of Arkansas. Upon his departure from BKD, LLP he served as Controller for ARcare before assuming the role of Chief Financial Officer ten months later. In his six year tenure he has improved ARcare’s financial stability; helped initiate new employee-patient focused campaigns, and has created and developed successful relationships with significant state and national leaders.
Talmage J. Whitehead holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting and a Masters of Business Administration from Harding University.
Additionally, Mr. Whitehead is active in the community as a member of the McCrory Church of Christ, as well as President of the Augusta Industrial Development Corporation.
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Teresa Edwards, Controller
Teresa Edwards joined the ARcare team in 2007 and serves as Controller, where she is responsible for the supervision of the financial department operations. Teresa has more than 20 years experience in the accounting and tax field. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Arkansas State University and received her Certified Public Accountant license in 2000.
At ARcare, Teresa has had much success by placing an emphasis on cost reduction while encouraging quality and efficiency throughout the day-to-day financial operations. She now brings this approach to Arkansas Family Health Foundation. Teresa is a member of Clearwater Baptist Church in Judsonia, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants.
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Alex Collier, Director of Development
Julie Wray, Development Coordinator and Marketing
Julie Wray received a bachelor’s degree in marketing management from the University of Arkansas in 2004. While attending the University, she worked as a student assistant in the Men’s Athletics Sports Information Department. She also served as an assistant at the 2004 Southeastern Conference’s Media Days and 2004 SEC football championship.
After graduation, Julie served as the Manager of Media Relations and Marketing for the Arkansas RimRockers, an NBA development league franchise, for two years. In 2006, she accepted a position with Maritz, Inc., in St. Louis, Missouri, where she served as a travel director and special events coordinator.
Julie returned to Arkansas in 2009 and joined Little Rock advertising agency, Eric Rob & Isaac, as a public relations specialist. In 2010, she served as account executive for Eric Rob & Isaac on the award-winning ARcare rebranding campaign and helped develop the identity for Arkansas Family Health Foundation. She officially joined the ARcare and AFHF team in November 2010 where she leads marketing efforts and oversees daily activities in the Foundation office. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Searcy, Pi Beta Phi and P.E.O.
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