Ron Harrod remembered

Former Arkansas State Highway Commissioner Ron Harrod of Warren, Arkansas passed away June 8th. He served on the Commission from 1983-1993.

Harrod was appointed to the Arkansas Highway Commission in 1983 by then-Governor Bill Clinton. He worked diligently for the betterment of Arkansas highways throughout his 10-year term on the Commission. He ended his tenure as Chair of the Commission. Throughout his term, more than 3,200 highway projects were undertaken at a cost of more than $2 billion, creating jobs and bolstering Arkansas’ economy. More than 9,000 miles of roads and more than 900 bridges were constructed, replaced, or improved during Harrod’s tenure.

“Commissioner Harrod selflessly dedicated a decade of his life to improving Arkansas’ highways and bridges,” said ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor. “We are immensely grateful for his service to our state and the legacy he left behind.”

Harrod’s passions included his family, politics, and history. He was a graduate of Dumas High School and attended Ouachita Baptist University where he studied political science. He served on the Alcohol Beverage Control Board, the Prescott School Board, and the Arkansas Insurance Commissioners Licensing Advisory Board.

He served as President of his own public affairs firm.  He was a contract lobbyist starting in 1993 until 2019. “This was what he enjoyed doing.  He enjoyed giving tours of the State Capitol, sharing history of the state’s politics explaining about various events that had happened.”