12 Jan 2015 Bingham to lead staff at Governor's Mansion

by Sonja J. Keith

Noted gourmet chef and 501 LIFE contributor Don Bingham will be leading the staff at the Governor’s Mansion for newly-elected Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

Bingham received a bachelor of arts degree from Tennessee Temple University in speech and communications and has done master’s degree work at Dallas Theological Seminary. He is a certified chef and a certified culinary administrator with the American Culinary Federation.

Bingham previously worked as Governor’s Mansion administrator and executive chef for then-Gov. Mike Huckabee. He is leaving a position as director of special events at the University of Central Arkansas to return to the Governor’s Mansion.

“I have deep appreciation for Tom Courtway and Shelley Mehl (at UCA). We had eight wonderful years working together at UCA,” he said, adding that he looks forward to working with UCA officials in his new capacity at the Governor’s Mansion.

Supervising a staff of 18, Bingham will work closely with the governor and Arkansas First Lady Susan Hutchinson to oversee a variety of events planned at the Governor’s Mansion and on the grounds. He will also work with the Governor’s Mansion Commission and Governors Association.

“I want to express my appreciation to the previous administration and staff for keeping the Governor’s Mansion in order,” he said. “I look forward to the future and continuing the work of maintaining the elegance, ambiance and reverence for the Governor’s Mansion for our entire state.”

Bingham has been in the hospitality business for nearly 45 years. He is also worship pastor at Family Life Bible Church and has worked with numerous fundraising efforts throughout the community.

He and his wife, Nancy, have five married children and 11 grandchildren.

“501 LIFE would like to congratulate Don on his new position at the Governor’s Mansion,” said 501 LIFE editor/publisher Sonja J. Keith. “He is a truly talented individual and we have been so blessed by his support since before the magazine even launched. We are excited that he will continue to write for 501 LIFE.”