29 Dec 2023 Winthrop Rockefeller Institute board adds three members
The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute (the Institute) announced on Dec. 5, 2023, that three leaders have accepted an appointment to the board of directors:
Lisa Willenberg — Chancellor of the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
Dr. Deacue Fields — Vice President for Agriculture of the University of Arkansas System
Gus Vratsinas — Chairman of Bailey Construction & Consulting, LLC of Little Rock
“It is a privilege to work alongside these outstanding leaders whose professional backgrounds bring diverse experience to our board, a vital component of the ‘Rockefeller Ethic,’” said Institute Executive Director/CEO Janet Harris.
“The Institute benefits significantly from the perspective of our University of Arkansas system board members, such as Dr. Fields and Ms. Willenberg, as they help us understand where our mission and services can help system campuses collaborate,” Harris said. “Mr. Vratsinas brings valuable expertise in financial management, capital construction and facilities, all of which will help take the best care of our historic mountaintop campus in service of Winthrop Rockefeller’s legacy.”
The Institute is a 509(a)(3) proud supporting organization of the University of Arkansas System. In 2005, the Winthrop Rockefeller Charitable Trust, in coordination with the University of Arkansas System, established the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and has since supported the Institute’s operations and programmatic activity. Five of the nine Institute board members are appointed by Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt, president of the University of Arkansas System.
The nonprofit organization’s mission is to continue Winthrop Rockefeller’s collaborative approach to transformational change. This is accomplished by employing the “Rockefeller Ethic,” which represents the belief that diversity of opinion, engaging in respectful dialogue, and practicing collaborative problem solving combine to create transformational change.
