MEET THE 2022 NEBCO FIRE/EMS BOARD MEMBERS

Dave Douglass has been chair of the NEBCO Board of Directors since the spring of 2020 and a board member since August 2019.  He also served on the Board as secretary in 2015-2016.  He and his wife Tammy became full-time residents of the area in June 2013 following his retirement from a 35 year career in the Aerospace and Defense industry.  Dave took a short hiatus from retirement to serve as deputy director of Sandia National Laboratories from 2017-2019.  He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Kansas State University, an MBA from Rockhurst University, and is an alumni of Harvard’s General Manager program.  Dave and Tammy are members of Lost Bridge Community Church.  When Dave isn’t fishing, you’ll find him in his woodworking shop or enjoying the lake with family (3 sons, 2 daughter-in-laws and 4 grandchildren) and friends.

Jim Wilkins recently moved to Garfield/Beaver Lake area in October of 2021. Having grown up in small-town Illinois and having spent most of his adult life in Kansas City, Jim is looking forward to retirement and the lifestyle that NWA offers. Prior to opening his own business, Jim had a successful sales career for US Foodservice, where he worked as a territory manager & a major account manager. Most recently, he was a business owner – running a catering business for nearly 5 years and then opening a sandwich franchise (2 locations) & running it for 10 years in KC before selling it in order to retire.  Jim has an undergraduate degree in business and a master’s degree in education. Jim has been married to his wife, Aileen, for 32 years and they have 3 adult age children.  Based on his experience growing up in a small town, Jim believes that It’s important to be involved in the community and he will work diligently to help make Garfield, Beaver Lake and the surrounding area a better place for everyone.  In addition to NEBCO, Jim has served as a committee member for RMEF (Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation) & NWTF, a deacon at his church, as well as a youth group leader. Other interests include golf, competitive cooking, hunting & fishing, and hosting/entertaining guests and family.

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Gary Sims has been a resident of Garfield since 2006. He was born in Memphis, TN and raised in Benton, AR.  He moved to northwest Ohio, with his job for approximately five years before returning to Arkansas in 2006. He works for an area engineering firm as a fire protection systems designer and has been in the fire protection industry since 1989. He currently serves as the president of North Ashmore Creek POA. His hobbies are hunting, fishing, archery. He also enjoys kayaking with his family, raising a small garden and smoking/frilling. He and his family have 10 acre hobby farm with horses, chickens, guineas, hogs, dogs and cats. His wife and two children are his greatest treasure. 

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