Bill Gossage will resign from his position as Deputy Chief of Staff, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced on Aug. 8. Gossage has served in the position since 2016, when he resigned from his office representing District 82 in the Arkansas House of Representatives to join Hutchinson’s staff.
“Bill has been an extraordinary asset to my administration as well as a longtime friend who has helped me shape my vision for the future of our state,” Governor Hutchinson said. “He contains a gentle kindness that anyone who meets him can immediately feel, and it will be a hard task to find someone as dedicated to the state of Arkansas as him.”
Gossage has recently been named as the vice president of governmental affairs for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. He replaces Kirkley Thomas, who retired on Aug. 1 after more than 24 years of service with the cooperatives.
“It is a privilege to represent the interest of the 1.2 million electric cooperative members throughout Arkansas,” Gossage said. “My career in education along with my service as an elected and appointed state official has provided me with opportunities to assist our great citizens. My new role with the cooperatives will enable me to continue this service while advancing the cooperatives’ mission of ensuring a safe, affordable, reliable, and balanced power supply for members.”
Gossage is a retired assistant superintendent for the Ozark School District with 34 years of experience as an educator. He served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2012 to 2016.
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas comprise 17 electric distribution cooperatives, Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to approximately 600,000 homes, farms and businesses in Arkansas and surrounding states.
More information about Gossage’s departure can be found here, and more information about the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas can be found on the group’s website.
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