Founder, CEO and President, North Bluffs Development Corporation, North Little Rock, AR Lead real estate development company revitalizing a 50-acre downtown riverfront tract driving over $300 million in investment to the area resulting in 1000+ new residential units, a marina, and the creation of 500+ new jobs. Expert in public financing, including New Markets Tax Credits and improvement districts. Obtained over $18 million in grants for city and created the only successfully operating Tax Increment Financing District in the state.Lead teams of architects, engineers, and others to achieve regionally recognized results. Negotiate all financing, land acquisitions and government permits and obtain zoning changes and other favorable municipal and state legislation.

Specialize in corporate and international law.Provide full range of legal services to corporate clients including drafting and negotiating contracts, general corporate legal advice, and interpretation of effects of statutes and regulations on corporate activity. Clients include major international and multi-state companies with $10+ billion in revenue. Represent Chinese corporations with U.S. business interests.

Appointed by Governor to design, fund and implement dynamic workforce training initiatives responsive to global economic forces. Sought and won over $39 million in federal grants in highly competitive process. Results include training 6000+ jobseekers, meeting workforce needs of 3000+ employers and doubling average wages of jobseekers. Managed 200+ people to create one of the top ranked programs nationally as recognized by the National Governors’ Association.

Elected to three terms, the maximum permitted by law. Won over 70% of the vote in two primary and three general elections. Elected Vice-Chair of the Legislative Joint Budget Committee; oversaw the expenditure of the $9+ billion state budget. Served on the Legislative Audit Committee which reviewed audits of every state agency and other recipients of state funds. Authored and passed major innovative legislation including the Workforce Investment Act, Crime Victims’ Rights Act and other significant criminal justice, ethics, and economic development legislation. Appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve on key legislative committees: Judiciary, Insurance and Commerce, Legislative Audit, and Agriculture and Economic Development. Appointed Vice Chair of the Judiciary Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Criminal Law and Corrections.Elected by legislative colleagues as Chair of the 2nd Congressional Caucus and Co-Chair of the Women Legislators Caucus.

Advisor to governments of Nigeria, South Africa, Republic of Georgia, Ivory Coast Advised nascent democracies transitioning from armed conflict to stability. Worked with the highest-ranking leaders of major political parties to devise power sharing mechanisms, develop democratic legislative practices, budgetary oversight and anti-corruption legislation. Negotiated reconciliation strategies with warring Ivory Coast factions. Reviewed and recommended Constitutional changes to South African National Council of Provinces.

Concentrated research of Japanese Workforce Training and its impact on Global Economic Competitiveness and its potential application to the United States.One of five fellows selected nationwide.Consulted with corporate executives, government officials, union leaders and educators.

Investigated and tried over 100 cases including 24 jury trials with an over 90% success rate. Served on a three person team of attorneys which successfully prosecuted a high profile white collar crime with responsibility for the documentary evidence in the case. Wrote all legal briefs in the case which were upheld on appeal to the Arkansas Supreme Court.