USA: New Parks And Tourism Director Named

Governor Asa Hutchinson said Thursday that Kane Webb, currently senior executive assistant to the governor, will be the next executive director of the state Department of Parks and Tourism.

The Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission voted Thursday to approve Webb for the position on Hutchinson’s recommendation. Webb will replace Richard Davies, who is retiring at the end of the year.

A Hot Springs native who grew up in Little Rock, Webb worked in journalism and communications for 30 years before joining the governor’s staff this year. He got his professional start as a sportswriter for the former Arkansas Democrat and has served as top editor at Arkansas Life and Louisville magazine, among other publications.

“I’ve known Kane for almost 20 years, and I’ve gotten to know him especially well since he joined our team,” Hutchinson said in a news release. “He has a deep and abiding passion for Arkansas. He’s written about more people, places and events in this state than I can count, and he understands how important parks and tourism are to Arkansans and its economic importance to our state.”