Board of Directors
DR. EDDIE DRY
ROBERT H. GRIFFIN
MELONEY HARRIS
PRESIDENT
He/Him
Eddie is a strong advocate for young people coming from marginalized demographics. As an assistant professor of biology at Arkansas State University - Mountain Home, Eddie serves as co-advisor of the student organization, the Gay-Straight Alliance, and has organized monthly HIV nonprofit testing events on the ASUMH campus s
PRESIDENT
He/Him
Eddie is a strong advocate for young people coming from marginalized demographics. As an assistant professor of biology at Arkansas State University - Mountain Home, Eddie serves as co-advisor of the student organization, the Gay-Straight Alliance, and has organized monthly HIV nonprofit testing events on the ASUMH campus since 2015. He also is a leader at ASUMH in promoting events and programs that highlight the value of inclusion and diversity in higher education. Off campus, Eddie co-organized and became a charter member of the Ozark Diversity Coalition, a grass-roots group of individuals passionate about promoting diversity in our communities.
MELONEY HARRIS
ROBERT H. GRIFFIN
MELONEY HARRIS
VICE PRESIDENT
She/Her
Meloney is a true believer in second chances and is dedicated to assisting individuals access skills training, employment opportunities, and higher education. She provides mentorship to persons needing help navigating a better standard of living for themselves and their families. Knowing HIV is a lifechanging agent, s
VICE PRESIDENT
She/Her
Meloney is a true believer in second chances and is dedicated to assisting individuals access skills training, employment opportunities, and higher education. She provides mentorship to persons needing help navigating a better standard of living for themselves and their families. Knowing HIV is a lifechanging agent, she encourages those around her to use it as an opportunity for positive change to enrich their lives.
ROBERT H. GRIFFIN
ROBERT H. GRIFFIN
ANDREW ("DREW") THOMAS
TREASURER
He/Him
Born and raised in Little Rock, Robert brings decades of business and tax preparation experience to the table. He was previously a District Manager with H & R Block prior to owning and operating 3 franchise locations in Arkansas. Robert believes whole-heartedly in the mission of EAC and continues to look for ways to give ba
TREASURER
He/Him
Born and raised in Little Rock, Robert brings decades of business and tax preparation experience to the table. He was previously a District Manager with H & R Block prior to owning and operating 3 franchise locations in Arkansas. Robert believes whole-heartedly in the mission of EAC and continues to look for ways to give back to communities in a state he knows and loves. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies, traveling, and going out to eat. In fact, if you are looking for the best wings, cheese dip, or chicken livers in Arkansas, Robert can tell you where to go without hesitation!.
ANDREW ("DREW") THOMAS
ANDREW ("DREW") THOMAS
ANDREW ("DREW") THOMAS
SECRETARY
He/Him
Andrew (Drew) is a Florida native with a background in healthcare. Throughout his career, he’s gained first-hand knowledge of how people with HIV and other STDs are often treated differently in health and community settings. Personal accounts of people likening HIV to “laying with the Devil” and nursing staff drawing straw
SECRETARY
He/Him
Andrew (Drew) is a Florida native with a background in healthcare. Throughout his career, he’s gained first-hand knowledge of how people with HIV and other STDs are often treated differently in health and community settings. Personal accounts of people likening HIV to “laying with the Devil” and nursing staff drawing straws to see who will care for the person living with HIV are all too real. It’s because of these types of experiences Drew became involved with organizations like EAC. Now, he advocates for others who face stigma, shame, blame, and discrimination in the very systems that are supposed be environments they should be able to look to for healing and support. He believes the biggest missed opportunity continues to be a lack of education—the ignorance, misunderstanding, or lack of knowledge for important concepts as powerful as the message of U=U.
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LARRY HOUSTON
ANDREW ("DREW") THOMAS
LARRY HOUSTON
BOARD MEMBER
He/Him
Larry was previously featured as an emerging leader in POZ Magazine's "The POZ 100: Celebrating Youth Power". His most recent roles have included CHIPP Project Director at ARcare Positive Connections and Research Assistant for a university project focused on HIV and substance use prevention for college students ages 18-
BOARD MEMBER
He/Him
Larry was previously featured as an emerging leader in POZ Magazine's "The POZ 100: Celebrating Youth Power". His most recent roles have included CHIPP Project Director at ARcare Positive Connections and Research Assistant for a university project focused on HIV and substance use prevention for college students ages 18-24. Larry's professional experience includes coordination, case management, and research-based roles with University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Recovery Centers of Arkansas, Family Service Agency, and Arkansas AIDS Foundation. Throughout his career, Larry has worked with programs supported through a variety of partnerships and funding sources including Greater Than AIDS, SAMHSA, Ryan White, and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA).
ROBBIE GILL
ANDREW ("DREW") THOMAS
LARRY HOUSTON
BOARD MEMBER
She/Her
Robbie is an advocate for education and accessibility for those among disenfranchised and marginalized communities. She has served as a middle and high school educator in the past and is currently Assistant Director of Academic Advising and Career Services Coordinator at the University of Arkansas at Pulaski Technical C
BOARD MEMBER
She/Her
Robbie is an advocate for education and accessibility for those among disenfranchised and marginalized communities. She has served as a middle and high school educator in the past and is currently Assistant Director of Academic Advising and Career Services Coordinator at the University of Arkansas at Pulaski Technical College. She is dedicated to decreasing the rate of transmission of HIV in the state of Arkansas through extensive education, testing, and prevention.
BRIAN TYNES
ARLEE WALKER
ARLEE WALKER
BOARD MEMBER
He/Him
Brian is very passionate about HIV prevention and educating people about where they can find resources or medical support in communities where information is not widely available. He is a graduate of University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a BA in Mass Communication with emphasis in Radio/TV/Film and is currently a Re
BOARD MEMBER
He/Him
Brian is very passionate about HIV prevention and educating people about where they can find resources or medical support in communities where information is not widely available. He is a graduate of University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a BA in Mass Communication with emphasis in Radio/TV/Film and is currently a Retail Store Manager at Belk. Brian has participated in community theatre and actively fundraised across the state for organizations serving the HIV community, especially affected individuals without insurance.
ARLEE WALKER
ARLEE WALKER
ARLEE WALKER
BOARD MEMBER
He/Him
Arlee is very passionate about spreading HIV awareness, particularly with youth ages 12-18. He wants to make a difference in the community by promoting critical services and showcasing powerful individuals to encourage self-growth, acceptance, and resilience while guiding others through their sexual health. Arlee has a
BOARD MEMBER
He/Him
Arlee is very passionate about spreading HIV awareness, particularly with youth ages 12-18. He wants to make a difference in the community by promoting critical services and showcasing powerful individuals to encourage self-growth, acceptance, and resilience while guiding others through their sexual health. Arlee has a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and is currently a Paralegal with the Padgett Law Group in Little Rock.
About Our Board
EAC has an active Board of Directors to safeguard our mission, set a clear vision, and ensure sustainability of the organization. We are always in need of diverse leaders to serve on EAC’s Board of Directors.
Desired Qualifications:
- Professional experience and/or significant leadership accomplishments in healthcare, business, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector
- A commitment to and understanding of HIV and HIV prevention, preferably based on experience
- Diplomatic skills for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals
- Personal qualities of compassion, integrity, and a passion for improving the lives of Arkansans
Special Skills:
- Finance and Banking
- Local Government
- Legal Services
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
Responsibilities:
A primary responsibility of serving on EAC’s Board of Directors is to participate in the development of policy and major decision-making at board meetings held monthly. Other key responsibilities are to be active on at least one committee of the board, and to ensure that the organization has the resources it needs to fulfill its mission, including fundraising.
The Advisory Council serves as a critical community champion of EAC. Members of the Advisory Council share their gifts in service to our mission by providing our organization with their professional expertise; their diverse knowledge of constituent perspectives; their connections to local/ national resources, colleagues, or peers; their philanthropic support or other forms of needed assistance. The Advisory Council has no governing function within the organization.
Reasons to Participate:
- You support us and want to stay connected, but you have limited time.
- You'd like to link EAC to important professional and technical expertise.
- You'd like to serve as an ambassador for the organization in the community.
- You'd like to assist in efforts to increase philanthropic support.
Expectations:
- Act in a significant way to support the organization’s mission
- Keep informed about plans, activities, and needs of the organization.
- Be a vocal promoter and supporter of EAC in your local community
- Allow us to publicize your name and participation on the Council
- Participate in special events and social gatherings