Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has announced several leadership changes within the Office of the Attorney General, including the appointment of State Senator Ben Gilmore as Senior Advisor effective July 1.
Gilmore will resign from the Arkansas Senate, where he has represented Senate District 1 for the past 5 1/2 years, to join Griffin’s senior leadership team.
Griffin praised Gilmore’s legislative experience, saying his work on public policy issues at both the state and federal levels will provide valuable insight for the Attorney General’s Office. Gilmore previously served as Griffin’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director when Griffin was Lieutenant Governor.
The Attorney General also announced that Chief Deputy Ryan Owsley will leave the office on July 31 after serving in multiple leadership roles during his career. General Counsel Zach Mayo will be promoted to Chief Deputy Attorney General, while Deputy General Counsel Kevin Lee will become General Counsel.
Additional leadership changes include the retirement of Deputy Attorney General Darnisa Johnson after 35 years of service. Johnson, who has led the Criminal Division for 24 years, will be succeeded by Senior Assistant Attorney General Vada Berger.
Deputy Attorney General Tammera Harrelson, who oversees the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, will also retire at the end of July. Senior Assistant Attorney General Leigh Patterson will assume leadership of that division.
Gilmore said he is honored to continue serving Arkansas in his new role and thanked the people of southeast Arkansas for their trust during his time in the legislature.
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