23 Jul 2018 Person of the Month: John Merguie

Posted at 8:38 PMh in Neighbors by

City: Conway

Work: Police chief, University of Central Arkansas. Twenty-seven years with the department.

Community activities: Special Olympics.

Family: Wife, Lisa, of 25 years; two children, Alex and Julianne “Jules.” Both attend UCA, where I can keep an eye on them.

Education: In August 2017, I obtained my associate’s degree. I plan to finish my bachelor’s in the near future.

Last book you read: “Be Freaking Awesome.”

Favorite book: “With the Old Breed.”

Favorite meal: Catfish and hushpuppies, but only if made by my dad. 

Most cherished possession: My grandfather’s badge. 

Most enjoyed weekend activity: Hunting during the fall season and enjoying a sandy beach in the summer.  

Favorite quote: “Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage.” – Theodore Roosevelt

No. 1 vacation spot: Anywhere there is a white sandy beach and saltwater. 

Favorite place in Arkansas: Green timber “Duck Hole” my dad and I have hunted since I was old enough to go. “Location not disclosed.”

What do you love about living in the 501: Conway is a great community to raise a family. Friendly people with a small town feel, but I love seeing the growth of the city as well.

John Merguie, the new police chief at the University of Central Arkansas, was born and raised in Jonesboro, where he lived until after high school. “I am a transplant like a lot of people now living in Conway,” he said. “I met my wife, Lisa, when I was working in Newport. Lisa was already enrolled at UCA, so that is what brought me to Conway. After Lisa graduated from UCA, we moved back to Jonesboro, but shortly thereafter realized Conway was our home. We both agreed Conway was the place to work and raise our family.” (Mike Kemp photo)