Staff
Jerry Chism, Director
jerry.chism@arkansas.gov
office: 501-376-6781
cell: 501-951-3500
Jerry Chism is a native Arkansan, born and raised in Cabot, Arkansas where he still lives. In 1982, Jerry married his High School sweetheart, Kelly, and they have three children and nine grandchildren. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1984 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree and practiced architecture for 20 years, with 10 years as partner in his own firm.
A life-long interest in aviation led him to begin flying lessons shortly after graduating from college and flying soon became an addiction. In January 2004, he was able to turn his hobby into a career when he joined the Division of Aeronautics as Assistant Director. He was appointed to the position of Director by Governor Asa Hutchinson in 2015.
Jerry is a Multi-engine, instrument rated Commercial Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor, and flies the agency’s Beechcraft A36 Bonanza.
He and Kelly enjoy spending time with their grand kids, riding their Indian motorcycle and flying their 1950 Cessna 170.
jerry.chism@arkansas.gov
office: 501-376-6781
cell: 501-951-3500
Jerry Chism is a native Arkansan, born and raised in Cabot, Arkansas where he still lives. In 1982, Jerry married his High School sweetheart, Kelly, and they have three children and nine grandchildren. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1984 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree and practiced architecture for 20 years, with 10 years as partner in his own firm.
A life-long interest in aviation led him to begin flying lessons shortly after graduating from college and flying soon became an addiction. In January 2004, he was able to turn his hobby into a career when he joined the Division of Aeronautics as Assistant Director. He was appointed to the position of Director by Governor Asa Hutchinson in 2015.
Jerry is a Multi-engine, instrument rated Commercial Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor, and flies the agency’s Beechcraft A36 Bonanza.
He and Kelly enjoy spending time with their grand kids, riding their Indian motorcycle and flying their 1950 Cessna 170.
Richard Mills, State Airport Engineer
richard.mills@arkansas.gov
office: 501-376-6781
cell: 501-607-3214
Richard was born in West Germany, the son of an Air Force veteran and a German mother. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and obtained his Professional Engineers license. He has also obtained an Associate’s degree in mathematics from Arkansas State University. After working over 8 years in Planning & Research for the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, Richard came to the Division of Aeronautics in 1999. He hasn’t looked back since!
Richard is married to Gabriell (Perry) Mills and has two children. They have lived in Benton since 1992. While not a licensed pilot yet, he will eventually fulfill that dream. He enjoys meeting people as he assists them in our grant program and as he visits the state’s airports doing airport and project inspections. Richard enjoys working in aviation and is honored to be associated with the Arkansas Aviation Community.
richard.mills@arkansas.gov
office: 501-376-6781
cell: 501-607-3214
Richard was born in West Germany, the son of an Air Force veteran and a German mother. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and obtained his Professional Engineers license. He has also obtained an Associate’s degree in mathematics from Arkansas State University. After working over 8 years in Planning & Research for the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, Richard came to the Division of Aeronautics in 1999. He hasn’t looked back since!
Richard is married to Gabriell (Perry) Mills and has two children. They have lived in Benton since 1992. While not a licensed pilot yet, he will eventually fulfill that dream. He enjoys meeting people as he assists them in our grant program and as he visits the state’s airports doing airport and project inspections. Richard enjoys working in aviation and is honored to be associated with the Arkansas Aviation Community.
McCall Harriman, Grant Coordinator
mccall.harriman@arkansas.gov
office: 501-376-6781
McCall is a native of Springdale, Arkansas. She attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville until relocating to Central Arkansas, and completed her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. She came to work at the Division in 2011 and is honored to be part of a passionate, hardworking group of people and to be involved in a program that is so important to the economic development of Arkansas communities.
McCall lives in Little Rock with her husband, John, and two children. She is a devoted Razorback football fan, frowns upon cold weather, and fits in going to the lake as much as possible during the summer. She thoroughly enjoys working with individuals involved in the field of aviation and looks forward to continue serving the Division, the people, and airports of Arkansas in the future.
mccall.harriman@arkansas.gov
office: 501-376-6781
McCall is a native of Springdale, Arkansas. She attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville until relocating to Central Arkansas, and completed her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. She came to work at the Division in 2011 and is honored to be part of a passionate, hardworking group of people and to be involved in a program that is so important to the economic development of Arkansas communities.
McCall lives in Little Rock with her husband, John, and two children. She is a devoted Razorback football fan, frowns upon cold weather, and fits in going to the lake as much as possible during the summer. She thoroughly enjoys working with individuals involved in the field of aviation and looks forward to continue serving the Division, the people, and airports of Arkansas in the future.
Kay Groce, Executive Assistant
kay.groce@arkansas.gov
office: 501-376-6781
Kay Groce was born Kay Finkbeiner in Little Rock, AR where she still resides. She is a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with a degree in Journalism. Married to Paul Groce, a retired lawyer and former U.S. Marine Corps Captain, they are the parents of two children: Jai, a microbiologist, and Benjamin, a U.S. Army Engineer Officer and a former Reconnaissance Marine.
Kay has been a part of the aviation community since 2000, having started with Omni Air, her brother’s FBO. In 2015, she acquired her idyllic position with the Division of Aeronautics.
In fact, aviation glides throughout her family tree. Her sister-in-law and brother are pilots, and their father, Chris Finkbeiner, Board Chairman of Little Rock Meatpacking Company, was also a pilot who flew his family all across the United States, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Haiti. Additionally, two uncles were pilots; during World War II, one flew with the Black Sheep Squadron. This sketched history explains why Kay is delighted to be a member of the team that is so instrumental in furthering the expansion and improvement of aviation in Arkansas.
kay.groce@arkansas.gov
office: 501-376-6781
Kay Groce was born Kay Finkbeiner in Little Rock, AR where she still resides. She is a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with a degree in Journalism. Married to Paul Groce, a retired lawyer and former U.S. Marine Corps Captain, they are the parents of two children: Jai, a microbiologist, and Benjamin, a U.S. Army Engineer Officer and a former Reconnaissance Marine.
Kay has been a part of the aviation community since 2000, having started with Omni Air, her brother’s FBO. In 2015, she acquired her idyllic position with the Division of Aeronautics.
In fact, aviation glides throughout her family tree. Her sister-in-law and brother are pilots, and their father, Chris Finkbeiner, Board Chairman of Little Rock Meatpacking Company, was also a pilot who flew his family all across the United States, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Haiti. Additionally, two uncles were pilots; during World War II, one flew with the Black Sheep Squadron. This sketched history explains why Kay is delighted to be a member of the team that is so instrumental in furthering the expansion and improvement of aviation in Arkansas.
