Hendrix College is pleased to announce the
appointment of six new members to its Board of Trustees. The newly appointed
trustees— Melissa Taulbee Brighton ’97, Margaret K. Dorman ’85, Jeff Johnson
’88, Rev. Nathan Kilbourne, Rev. Zach Roberts ’01, and Rev. Jennie
Williams—bring a wealth of experience in ministry, leadership, business,
finance, education, and service to the Hendrix community.
“I am pleased to welcome these exceptional
individuals to Hendrix’s Board of Trustees,” said Karen Petersen, Hendrix
president. “Their commitment to our College comes at a pivotal moment for
higher education and an exciting juncture for Hendrix College as we plan for
our sesquicentennial next year.”
The Hendrix College Board of Trustees
establishes policies for the governance of the College; holds, manages,
invests, and reinvests the property, endowments, and assets of the College; and
is responsible for the selection of the President and the conferral of honorary
degrees. Members of the Board dedicate their expertise and resources to the
advancement of Hendrix and play an integral role in the implementation of the
mission, purpose, and strategic plan of the College. The new trustees are:
Melissa Taulbee Brighton ’97
Melissa Taulbee Brighton graduated cum laude
from Hendrix College in 1997 with a double major in English and secondary education.
A passionate advocate for education and community, she is the co-owner of
TargetSmart, a political data and analytics firm based in Washington, D.C.
Brighton has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth over the past 20
years and is known for her leadership, empathy, and persuasive communication.
She and her husband, Drew Brighton ’98, have three children.
Margaret K. Dorman ’85
A graduate of Hendrix College with a Bachelor
of Arts in Economics-Business, Margaret Dorman has had a distinguished career
in the oil and gas industry spanning more than 35 years. She served as Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer of Smith International, a Fortune 250 company,
for over a decade. Following her retirement in 2009, Dorman established a
foundation to support educational initiatives and provide scholarships for
high-potential students with limited resources. She has also served on the
boards of several public and private energy companies and has chaired compensation,
audit, and ESG committees. Dorman began her career at Ernst & Young and is
a Certified Public Accountant in Texas and Arkansas.
Jeff Johnson ’88
Jeff Johnson is a Hendrix alumnus and former
Warrior basketball player who earned his degree in economics and business. He
spent over two decades at Vratsinas Construction Company, ultimately serving as
president, and later co-founded Summit Industrial Construction, which he
continues to lead as CEO under Comfort Systems USA. Johnson is married to
fellow Hendrix graduate Katherine Arnold Johnson ’89, and they have two
children.
Rev. Nathan Kilbourne
Rev. Nathan Kilbourne is an ordained elder in
the United Methodist Church and currently serves as senior pastor of Conway
First United Methodist Church. With over 15 years in ministry across
Arkansas—including appointments in Jacksonville, Vilonia, and Little
Rock—Kilbourne is deeply committed to community engagement and mental health
advocacy. He holds a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School and a
Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Psychology (magna cum laude) from Emory and
Henry College. He also serves on the Board of Methodist Family Health. Rev.
Kilbourne and his wife, Rev. Lynn Kilbourne, have two daughters.
Rev. Zach Roberts ’01
An eighth-generation Arkansan and Hendrix
alumnus, Rev. Zach Roberts currently serves as superintendent of the northeast district
of the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church and dean of the ARUMC
Cabinet. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Hendrix and a Master of Divinity
from Duke University. Rev. Roberts and his wife, Beth ’04, live in Arkansas
with their two children.
Rev. Jennie Williams
Rev. Jennie Williams is an ordained elder in
the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church, currently appointed to
Central UMC in Fayetteville. A former youth minister and accountant, she has
led revitalization efforts in her congregation and serves on multiple
conference committees, including finance and ordained ministry. Williams holds
a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Lipscomb University and is deeply
committed to the vitality and wellness of the United Methodist Church. She and
her husband, Brandon, have two children.
The Hendrix College Board of Trustees is
composed of up to 34 members. At least 50 percent of Board members must be
alumni of Hendrix College and three seats are reserved for clergy from the
Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Board of Trustees Chair Hank Neely said,
“Each trustee plays a vital role in honoring the rich traditions that define
Hendrix’s unique spirit, while thoughtfully guiding the institution toward
innovative practices that ensure our continued success. As we approach our
150th anniversary, their leadership will be instrumental in sustaining the
momentum that will carry Hendrix confidently into the future.”
About
Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges
That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges
and celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic
quality, engaged learning opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus
life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III
sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since
1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“… Through engagement that links the
classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice,
and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives
of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.” –Hendrix
College Statement of Purpose