ABOUT
JIM CARGILL
I'm actively engaged in advancing enhancements in educational results and other community development priorities throughout Arkansas, particularly in the Little Rock region. As co-founders of Back Porch Consulting, LLC, my wife, Kathleen, and I are working to make improvements in graduation rates, law enforcement, and public safety.
I recently retired as president and CEO of Arvest Bank in central, southwest, and northeast Arkansas, where I oversaw all banking operations and strategic direction for more than 425 associates and 29 banking locations in 12 communities. With over 40 years in banking, my career began at First National Bank of Lewisville after I graduated from the University of Arkansas. I joined Arvest in 1985. Among other civic endeavors, I recently served as the chairman of the board of directors for the Arkansas Bankers Association and the Little Rock Regional Chamber. I'm also a member of Fifty for the Future.
Currently, I'm co-chairing the newly-formed Law Enforcement Task Force, a joint committee of the Little Rock Regional Chamber and Fifty for the Future.
My passion is to improve local public schools for all students via the Academies of Central Arkansas, recognizing that high-quality learning opportunities lead to bright futures for students and economic prosperity in our communities.
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Let's talk about how I can help you!
KATHLEEN CARGILL
Kathleen started her teaching career in the Little Rock community in 1982 at The Anthony School, a private school devoted to helping children embrace advanced curriculum, empowering them to become indendepent and excited students.
Her teaching experience spans 14 different schools in two states (Arkansas and Oklahoma) and 14 communities. Kathleen’s enthusiasm to staying focused on her impact on the betterment of each and every one of her students is a well-known priority, impacting kids from age 3 to their teens. She played the role of classrooms teacher, math coach, physical education teacher and remedial reading specialist.
In her pursuit of a better way, Kathleen embraced new approaches to helping students have a better shot at academic achievement every step of their educational journey.
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She worked with a team in the Bentonville School District to develop one of the first public schools in the entire state of Arkansas to offer a “year-round teaching calendar.” The goal of this new model was to ensure all students and their parents had viable choices to navigate the challenges families face in achieving a work/life balance.
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When Kathleen retired from her classroom teaching role in the public school system, she quickly re-directed her energy to continue to educate children at her church as a Children’s Sunday School teacher and Vacation Bible School Leader for Trinity Presbyterian Church in Little Rock. She also works as a volunteer tutor for AR Kids Read.