JAMES E. BOBO, MBA 

Chairman

After a successful 38-year career with Entergy Corporation, the Little Rock Diamond Foundation is delighted to welcome James Bobo, a founding member, as Board Chairman. Throughout tenure at Entergy, he specialized in Power Plant Operations, Nuclear Design Engineering, Customer Service, and Regulatory Services. As a driven and results-oriented collaborator, James played a pivotal role in the Foundation. He holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management.

James has contributed to the local community by serving the boards of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre and Youth Home,. for 12 years (including one year as board), as well as being involved with Downtown Kiwanis Little Rock Central PTSA as Co-President, and the United Way Planning and Allocations Committee. He has also coached at Riverdale Soccer Club and Penick Boys and Girls Club.

Currently, he is a member of the UA Little Rock Alumni Board and the UA Little Rock Centennial Campaign Cabinet, and actively participates in the Little Rock (AR) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. As an Elder at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, leads a Discipleship Group and supports the Guest eXperience Team. He is married to Rose, and they have four adult children and 14 grandchildren. In his leisure time, James enjoys traveling, playing golf, and cherishing moments with family and friends.

TYRUN HAYNIE, MSM 

Vice Chairman

Ty Haynie is a native of Forrest City and currently resides in Little Rock Arkansas. Ty has an innate affinity and passion for the smaller guy to win. These feelings fuel his entrepreneurial mindset and service-oriented heart. 
 
Ty has more than 20 years of work experience in the Operation & Retail Industry. Throughout his career Ty was recognized as Company Manager of the year while with a Fortune 500 company. Also held various leadership roles and one the youngest African American to hold these roles in his career field.  Recently, Ty has taken on a new challenge in his career as an Operation Leader in the Healthcare Industry.
 
Ty is a native of Forrest City, Arkansas. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in management and leadership. He is the CEO of NESS.Inc. The foundation of the company is to “Create Your Own Future (CYOF)”, with a mission for people to believe in themselves and have an entrepreneurial mindset. Haynie has an innate affinity and passion for the smaller guy to win. These feelings fuel his entrepreneurial mindset and service-oriented heart. Haynie spends his free time helping youth in single-parent households and underserved communities.  He also volunteers his time for various non-profits boards. Haynie loves spending time with his nephew and family. Haynie wants to continue to serve his community and make an impact. He loves traveling, cycling, and listening to jazz.

DIETERICK GOVAN, DBA

Vice Chairman - Emeritus

Dr. Dieterick Govan is an essential part of the leadership team and has been with Little Rock Diamond Foundation since the very beginning. As a professor in higher education, he has worked with and helped countless students achieve their educational dreams. He holds a Doctorate of Business Administration, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor in Business Administration.
 
Dr. Govan has served more than 10 years in higher education and is currently a Business Professor at Webster University and The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Dr. Govan has also taught at UA-Pulaski Tech, Philander Smith College, and the University of Phoenix in the business departments. Dr. Govan is also working as a Bookkeeper at an Industrial Fastener Company in North Little Rock, Arkansas with over 20 years of service. Socially, he is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and a member of Prince Hall Masonic Lodge of Arkansas: Protho Lodge #281.

ORVILLE ABRAMS, Jr., CPA

Director of Finance

Orville E Abrams, Jr., CPA is retiree from State of Arkansas as Division Director and as an Instructor for Philander Smith College (PSC).  Owner and operator of Abrams Services, LLC which is a full-service accounting firm.  Providing tax preparation for personal or business tax service, business development, tax resolution, residential and commercial and personal and business financial planning.   He holds a Bachelor of Business – Accounting major, Master of Business Administration- Management Concentration and Licensed Certified Public Accounting.
 
Orville has served as board member and or officer for UCA Foundation, Just Community, PARK, Delta Present Foundation, Arkansas Capital Corporation, Little Rock Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi and Little Rock Diamond foundation. He is also an active member of the Little Rock (AR) Alumni Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
 
Orville attends St John Missionary Baptist Church. Orville is married to Linda, and they have 2 adult children and 6 grandchildren. In his spare time, Orvile enjoys traveling domestically and aboard.

CHAUNTEE COLEMAN, Ph.D. 

Director / Secretary

Dr. Coleman is a tremendous asset to the Little Rock Diamond Board, as she is a team player and can offer diverse insight and leadership skills. Her commitment to service will assist in making sure the board has adequate resources to advance its mission. Dr. Chauntee’ Coleman is a social worker of 19 years. She has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to education and self-improvement, obtaining a bachelor's degree in Sociology in 2001, a Master of Social Work Degree in 2005, and a Doctor of Social Work degree in 2019. She has also obtained certifications in life/professional coaching and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. She currently serves our country's veterans and active-duty service members as a Clinical Social Worker at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. She is one of the initial contacts for patients seeking mental health care.  Prior to this role, Dr. Coleman built an extensive work history holding management and senior leadership roles in government and non-profit organizations.
 
Outside work, she has a strong history of service. While residing in Los Angeles, prior to moving to Arkansas (2022), she regularly volunteered with various community groups. She served inner-city LA communities with a primary focus on populations with housing insecurity through outreach and engagement activities. She also provided leadership mentoring with young non-profit professionals, and was a member of the Los Angeles Silhouettes of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In her role with the Silhouettes, she participated in service and fundraising activities to help families in need, and to provide scholarships to graduating seniors of the Kappa League. Since moving to the Metro Little Rock area, she has volunteered with Baptist Health, providing patient care for stroke recovery patients. She also volunteers with Immerse Arkansas where she works with transitional-aged youth to provide mentorship and basic life skills support.
 
Dr. Coleman is married to John Coleman, together they have 3 adult children. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring art, food, and music culture as well as spending time with her family.
 

JANAN ARNOLD THOMAS, ESQ.

Director

JaNan Arnold Thomas has practiced law in Arkansas for twenty-one years.  She has practiced in the area of Civil Rights Defense at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton since 2005. JaNan was born and raised in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Her father was a soft drink bottler and local legislator; her mother was the Spanish teacher at the local high school.
 
After graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ouachita Baptist University in 1994, JaNan attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law, where she graduated with honors with her Juris Doctorate in 1997. She was a law clerk for Judge Andree Layton Roaf at the Arkansas Court of Appeals until 1998 and then practiced in U1e law firm of Perroni & James in the areas of criminal defense and civil litigation. JaNan was elected as the City Attorney of Maumelle in 2001 and served in that position until the end of 2014.
 
JaNan has been an Arkansas Bar Association member since 1997. She has served on the Executive Council for the Young Lawyers Division and was a member of the House of Delegates. She is currently a member of the Arkansas Bar Association Committee on Diversity. She is also a member of the Pulaski County Bar Association, the Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers, the Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel, and the International Municipal Lawyers Association. JaNan is a past president of the Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers and the Arkansas Association of City Attorneys. JaNan provides training to lawyers on various litigation issues and provides training to law enforcement officers on jail law, constitutional law, and use of force.

JaNan has three daughters: Elizabeth (20), Emmeline ("Emme")( 18), and Ella Fu (14 ). She is a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. JaNan was active in international missions for 13 years and led teams to East Asia for various projects between 2002 and 2013. She attends the Greater Little Rock campus of New Life Church and is active in local missions and service projects. 

DARRYL "TATE" SWINTON, MBA

Director

Darryl Swinton serves as the Executive Director of Housing & Economic Development for Better Community Development Inc.  In this capacity, he is responsible for all aspects of affordable housing, weatherization, and economic development for the Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO) certification status and neighborhood reinvestment initiatives. 
 
Darryl serves as President/Owner of Diamond Legacy Group, LLC. a licensed General Contractor and Realtor. He also provides bid inspections on residential and commercial properties, as well as, new construction and rehabilitation. In this capacity, he has researched, purchased, constructed, and developed over 200 units of income-producing properties, both Single Family and Multi-Family Housing units in hard-to-serve communities. 

Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors of Southern Bancorp. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. He also served as Chairperson of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas Advisory Council, Vice-Chair of Housing Arkansas, former Chairperson of the Community Housing Advisory Board for the City of Little Rock, and a host of other Boards and Commissions.   
 
Darryl holds an MBA in finance from Webster University and a BBA in business finance from the University of Central Arkansas. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. and resides in Little Rock with his Karen and two kids Darryl Jr. and Taylor.  He attends Theresa Hoover Memorial United Methodist Church. 

OCIE HUNTER JR., BS

Director

Ocie Hunter, Jr. received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, as well as a Master in Business Administration, and Master in Arts in Human Resources Management. He is current working for Department of Human Services within the Division of Youth Services as Program Manager. He been working for the State of Arkansas for 6 ½ years. 
Ocie is an active member of the Little Rock (AR) Alumni Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Also he serves as the Keeper of Exchequer for the Arkansas Caucus for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

Ocie attends New Hope Baptist Church in North Little Rock. In his spare time he enjoys playing golf, swimming, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

RAYMOND HEAGGANS, BS

Director

Little Rock Diamond Foundation is excited to have Raymond Heaggans as one of our newest board members! Raymond is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a Bachelor of Science degree in Science. He worked for the Arkansas Department of Health as an Environmental Health Specialist, Program Specialist, and Central Region Environmental Manager until retirement in 2016 after 39 years of service in the Public Health sector.

Raymond is the Past President of the Arkansas State Employee Association where he was also a board member for a total of 8 years. He was appointed to the SEGAP panel by then-Governor Jim Guy Tucker. He was also appointed to the Arkansas State Board of Sanitation where he served as Board Chairman, as well as, Secretary/Treasurer. Raymond also served as the Arkansas State Representative to the American Public Health Association for 8 years.

He serves as a trustee at The Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Maumelle, Arkansas. Raymond and his wife Donita have two adult children and two grandchild whom he loves spending time with.

TROY ELLISON, BS

Director

Major Troy Ellison is truly a valued member of the Little Rock Diamond Foundation. Troy is the past president of the Little Rock (AR) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Troy Ellison accepted a position with the Little Rock Police Department in 1995 as a Patrol Officer, where he served until 1998, and was then assigned to the Special Investigations Division as a Detective until 2012.  In 2012 he was promoted to Sergeant and worked in the Training Division until 2014, when he served in the Field Services Division in the Downtown and Southwest Patrol Divisions.  Troy was promoted to Lieutenant in 2016 and continued to supervise in the Field Services Division, before returning to SID as the Intelligence Lieutenant. He commanded the Intelligence Unit, Major’s Detail, Gun Crimes Unit, Vice Detail and numerous federal taskforce detectives.
Troy was promoted to Major with the Little Rock Police Department in 2021. He served as the Commander over the Special Operations Division, has overseen the SWAT team, School Resource Officers, Special Response Unit, K-9, Airport, Special Events, Youth Programs, Motors, Street Crimes and Hit & Run Investigations. 

Major Ellison was born and raised in Little Rock and a graduate of Little Rock Central High School. Upon graduation, he attended Grambling State University and received a Bachelor Degree in Organizational Management from John Brown University. Active in the community, in civic and service organizations,

Troy was promoted to Assistant Chief on March 24, 2023.

BRIAN PICKETT, BS

Director Ex Officio

Brian L Pickett is our newest board member of Little Rock Diamond Foundation. He has great enthusiasm for growing the Foundation and expanding our community service footprint throughout Central Arkansas.

Brian is a healthcare sales professional with 18 years of service in the pharmaceutical industry with
various companies, primarily in Neurology and Internal Medicine/Primary Care/Family Practice in Central and
Southern AR. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business and Economics from the
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Brian served our country for 8 years as a Quartermaster with the rank of Specialist 4 in the U S Army. He is
also an active member of the Little Rock (AR) Alumni Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated
and currently serves as the 43rd Chapter Polemarch. Brian is also a Grand Life Member and a Southwestern
Province Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated.

Brian attends St. Luke Baptist Church in North Little Rock, where he serves as an Men's Ministry Director and
Facilitator for Men of Wisdom CLD Class and Youth Mentor Instructor for Middle-High School youth. Brian is
the father of 2 children (Taelor 30 and Harrison 17) and 2 grandchildren (Tannor 10 and Temple 4). In his
spare time, Brian enjoys traveling, eating fine cuisine and spending time with family and friends.

RUFUS WHITMORE, JR., BA

Director

The Little Rock Diamond Foundation is fortunate to have Rufus Whitmore, Jr. as one of our newer board members. He proudly embodies the values of dedication, compassion, and community spirit in all aspects of his life. He is a distinguished individual with a wealth of experience in social services and community engagement. A 1966 graduate of AM&N College (now UAPB) with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Services, Rufus has dedicated his career to making a positive impact in communities across several states, including Illinois, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Georgia.

With a background that includes roles such as VISTA volunteer with migrant families in Long Island, NY, Program Director for Chicago Commons Association, Program Coordinator for Chicago Urban Housing, and Executive Director for OIC of Rhode Island, Rufus has demonstrated his passion for community development and social progress.

Rufus Whitmore, Jr. has also been actively involved in various volunteer initiatives, including his participation in the Rotary Club in Stamford, CT, and Providence, RI, service on Public Library Boards of Directors in Providence, RI, and Stamford, CT, membership in the Providence Chamber of Commerce, engagement with the Minority Small Business Committee in Providence, RI, and his contribution as a Board Member of the Huntington Country Club in Huntington, CT.

In addition to his professional and volunteer work, Rufus has achieved several notable accomplishments, including:
◇ 1966 United Way Executive Management Objective Studies Team at Springfield College, Springfield, IL
◇ 1980 Nonprofit Management and Organization program at New York University Graduate School of Public Administration
◇ 1988 Chevron Leadership Development Program
◇ 1988 Minority Business Executive Program at Tuck School of Business Administration, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
◇ 1985 NAACP Community Service Award

Rufus is an active member of the Little Rock Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Alumni Chapter, where he serves as the esteemed Senior Kappa Chairman, exemplifying his commitment to leadership and service. Whitmore is married and has three children and five grandchildren. Rufus is member of Liberty Hill Baptist Church.

ROBY WARREN

Director

Bio in progress.

CHARLES HOLLOWAY

Director

Charles Holloway Jr., a new member of the Little Rock Diamond Foundation board, brings extensive technical skills to the organization. Charles holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He has worked in IT leadership for over two decades across various industries, including telecommunications, state government, software service, and banking.  
 
Charles has previously served as president of the NAACP. He is also a “Life Member” of the Little Rock Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, where he has held the position of Keeper of Records. He has been involved in the mentorship program, YMTF, at UAPB for over 15 years and has served on several boards at Philander Smith University.
 
Charles was introduced to Christianity at a young age with the guidance of his father, who was a pastor. He has two adult daughters and will be welcoming twin grandchildren in July of 2025.
His hobbies include mentoring young men and assisting them in their spiritual development to become responsible individuals.