Kathy Smith's life has been dedicated to improving education in Arkansas and the surrounding region, from her time has a teacher and school and district administrator to serving as the manager of K-12 grants and education policy. For the last 20 years, Kathy has led philanthropic and policy efforts for the Walton Personal Philanthropy Group in the Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma regions, including investments in charter school operations and facilities assistance. In 2022, she co-founded EdVision LLC, which consults with the Walton Personal Philanthropy group on K-12 policy for the three-state region.

Born and raised by a military father and a quintessential southern mother, she is no stranger to travel. Graduating from college in 1972, with a career that spanned across six states, and leadership skills that traversed from the classroom, to central office, to the boardroom, she is an educator in every sense of the word. While many of you know her for her fierce belief in teachers and her masterful grant writing skills, her family and friends know her as the “Chex Mix” maker during the holidays. Always thinking outside the box, her life has been committed to one enduring theme: “how do we provide an education that best meets the needs of ALL students?” She is a champion for special education, alternative education, education in the juvenile justice system, rural education, and yes, our beloved Charter Schools. Her passion and ability to make things happen have benefitted thousands of students, teachers, and school leaders throughout the country.

On June 30, 2016, Dr. Bobbie Davis retired from her position as the Director of Finance Services for the Arkansas Public School Resource Center. Bobbie had an illustrious career spanning Arkansas education from the classroom to the Superintendency, to Adjunct Professor to serving as the Assistant Commissioner for Fiscal and Administrative Services for the Arkansas Department of Education, and joining Scott Smith in establishing APSRC.

What set Bobbie apart was not just her vast wealth of knowledge and expertise but her deep commitment to helping educators solve the problems they were facing. She had an exceptional commitment to excellence, a network of experts who were always ready to assist her because they believed in her, and the ability to be a leader and a colleague to each educator she served. She believed in the power of education to transform lives, and she lived that commitment every day. She supported educators and changed public education in Arkansas, with her legacy continuing today.

The Arkansas Charter School Lifetime Achievement is granted to an individual who has devoted tireless passion in support of charter schools and dedicated his/her life to accomplishing significant results for the charter school movement. This honor is awarded to contributors who have had a lasting and fundamental impact on, not only charter schools, but the education system as a whole. The awardee is someone who has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to the cause, and whose numerous achievements have been acknowledge by charter school advocates, their professional peers, and the general public.