George Westmoreland

George Westmoreland graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1967 and was commissioned by the Razorback Brigade as a distinguished military graduate. He served in Germany, where he commanded the All-Europe Shooting Team, is a veteran of the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star.

Mr. Westmoreland has been active professionally in banking and finance, serving as chief executive officer of two Arkansas banks. He joined Merrill Lynch in Northwest Arkansas in 1982, eventually opening and managing the Rogers office. In 2001, Merrill Lynch named Mr. Westmoreland a senior vice president. He has served as chairman of the Rogers United Fund, Rogers Planning Commission, the Rogers Airport Commission, and the city of Rogers search committees for the chief of police and fire chief. He served on the board of trustees of Central United Methodist Church, the board of advocates for Saint Mary's Mercy Hospital, the State of Arkansas school funding commission, and the University of Arkansas College of Business Dean's advisory board. He was the first chairman of the NWA Regional Airport Authority and was appointed by the governor to the school funding task force, the Aerospace Study Commission, and the Arkansas State Library board.

In 1995, Mr. Westmoreland founded LEAP, The Law Enforcement Assistance Program, an organization designed to bridge the gap between police and the community. He has sponsored and started veterans programs at the U of A and NWACC. In March 2007, he was appointed to be the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army in Arkansas. Governor Beebe chose Mr. Westmoreland to head up the Yellow Ribbon Task Force, which introduced new legislation and programs for the benefit of veterans. He is currently holding a position on the director's committee for the first-ever United States Marshals Museum that is expected to open in Fort Smith, Arkansas, later this year.
George and his wife, Cheryl, have two grown children and two grandchildren, all of whom have attended the University of Arkansas.