Little Rock, Arkansas – On November 9, Craig Dobbs Campbell Sr., who served as Arkansas’s Game and Fish Commissioner from 2006 to 2011, died at the age of 76.
Campbell relocated to Little Rock and enrolled at Little Rock University (now the University of Arkansas at Little Rock) after graduating from Helena Central High School in 1966.
As an active government servant, Campbell served as the Arkansas Democratic Party’s executive director, supported President Jimmy Carter during his campaign, and continued to be involved in politics until his passing.
Former Governor Mike Huckabee selected Campbell to serve as the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) commissioner, filling the void left by the resignation of John Benjamin.
The action showed a significant shift for AGFC.
The commission saw substantial change as a result of the outcomes that followed the appointment.
During his tenure as chairman from 2010 to 2011, AGFC’s committee structure underwent a phase of reform, which was based on the Arkansas General Assembly’s methodology.
For AGFC, seven commissions were established, with a different commissioner leading each body.
Due to modifications made by previous Governor Mike Beebe, Campbell’s tenure as commissioner foreshadowed changes to the use of state-owned vehicles.
The number of AFGC vehicles and employees was drastically cut.
Evaluation and action were also taken in response to the AGFC Codebook.
“We had regulations in there that had never, not once, been used by our officers,” Campbell stated during his final AGFC meeting.
Its page count was lowered by 90 pages by eliminating obsolete regulations and language.
Campbell spearheaded the search for a new director, and Scott Henderson was chosen to fill the position for seven years.
Later, he left that position to become assistant director before making the move to retirement.
The position was filled locally by Deputy Director Loren Hitchcock, despite a nationwide search.
Later, Hitchcock gave his namesake the biggest lake ever created by a state conservation organization.
On the final day of his chairmanship, Campbell was honored in a ceremony that acknowledged his dedication and long-standing efforts.
Because of his tenacity and willingness to assist the state of Arkansas, Lake Conway was formally renamed Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir.
On November 17, the legendary dedication ceremony was held.
“Naming this lake after Craig is certainly fitting for all the work he’s done,” Dunklin stated.
