Jerry Adams is the President/CEO of the Arkansas Research Alliance. A new economic development non-profit modeled on the very successful Georgia Research Alliance. Its primary focus is to leverage university-based job-creating research in Arkansas.
Jerry retired from Acxiom Corporation in October, 2007 after 34 years serving a variety of senior leadership roles.
Jerry recently stepped down as the chair of Accelerate Arkansas, a statewide volunteer group of leaders focused on building a knowledge-based economy in Arkansas. He continues to serve on Accelerate Arkansas’ executive committee. Jerry also served as chair of the EAST Initiative, a secondary school technology based project learning initiative active in over 200 schools in Arkansas and six other states. Jerry also serves on the Southern Technology Council, a council of the Southern Growth Policies Board.
Jerry is involved with education reform having served on the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Committee for Higher Education. He is currently serving on the Board of Visitors at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, past board member of the Dean’s Advisory Board at the University of Arkansas Walton School of Business and the University of Central Arkansas Advisory Board for the College of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Jerry also serves on the board of the Arkansas Department of Education Accountability Council.
Governor Beebe has recently appointed Jerry to the Governor’s Healthcare Roundtable. Jerry also recently joined the Board of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. Jerry is the founding board chair for the Conway Interfaith Clinic, a clinic focused on providing medical and dental services to segments of the community that are underserved. Jerry also serves on the Board of the Conway Regional Hospital.
Jerry was the founding board chair for the Faulkner County Community Foundation. Jerry serves on the state board of the Arkansas Community Foundation and continues to serves as a board member of the local community foundation. Jerry also serves as the vice-chair of the Conway Development Corporation and a member of the Board of the Conway Downtown Partnership.
Jerry is married with two grown married sons and four grandchildren. Jerry and his wife, Madelyn, reside in Conway, Arkansas.