Jo Alice Blondin, PhD
INTERIM PRESIDENT
Jo Alice Blondin, PhD became the Interim President of the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in Fort Smith, Arkansas on July 2026. Prior to this this position, Dr. Blondin served as the fifth president of Clark State College from July 1, 2013-June 30, 2026, and was granted the title of President Emerita for her outstanding service. She also held the positions as Chancellor and Professor English, Chief Academic Officer, and Chief Student Officer at Arkansas Tech University – Ozark, and Department Chair of English, Communication, and Social Sciences and Associate Professor of English at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in English from Arizona State University and Bachelor of Arts from Purdue University majoring in English.
Dr. Blondin is known nationally for her leadership in strategic planning, workforce development, accreditation, Board and shared governance, financial stewardship, safety preparation, program and technology alignment, and intentional marketing and communication plans for the colleges she has served. At Clark State, Dr. Blondin led the implementation of five successive strategic plans, the development of employee wellness, safety, and mentoring programs, the establishment of four baccalaureate degrees and numerous workforce programs, a reorganization of the campus to increase student success and completion that has resulted in an increase of more than 70% in state funding, secured $30 plus million in state funds for capital and community improvement projects, and received grant funding for Manufacturing, Precision Agriculture, Cybersecurity, Addiction Studies, Mental Health, scholarships, and youth programs totaling more than $26 million. Under her leadership, the Clark State Foundation has grown from $13 million to more than $35 million.
Dr. Blondin is past Chair and member of the Higher Learning Commission Board of Trustees, a past President (two terms) and Board member of the National Council for Workforce Education, past Chair of the Presidents for the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, and past Chair and board member for the Community College Alliance for Agricultural Advancement and the American Association of Community Colleges. She and her husband, Andy Fox, live in Springfield, and have one daughter, Dr. Helena Fox, who is a veterinarian.
Les W. Smith
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
CHIEF OF STAFF
Les joined the ACHE team in December 2019 as the Chief Business Strategy Officer following a 20+ year career at Arvest Bank. He was promoted to Senior Vice President & Chief of Staff in March 2024. Les also serves on the Board of Directors for Mercy Health Fort Smith Communities.
Les received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Arkansas and later a Graduate Banking and Finance Degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. He has been married for over 20 years to his wife, Monica. They have two children, daughter, Cameron, and son, Cooper.
Education
- B.S. in Finance, University of Arkansas
- Graduate Banking and Finance Degree from Louisiana State University
Accomplishments
Starting in banking as a teller with Arvest Bank in college and eventually being promoted within the same organization to Executive Vice President / Loan Manager.
Areas of Expertise/Interest
- Sports
- Construction & Real Estate
Teressa Brown, PhD
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER
PROVOST
Dr. Brown serves as the Senior Vice President, Chief Academic Officer and Provost of Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) in Fort Smith, AR. Before being promoted to Senior Vice President & Provost, Dr. Brown served as the Dean of the ACHE School of Physical Therapy. Prior to joining ACHE, she served as Program Director at West Coast University in Los Angeles, CA and as a faculty member at Simmons University in Boston, MA. She received her Bachelors of Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Simmons University in Boston, MA. In January of 2015, she completed her PhD in Health Professions Education at Simmons as well. Primary areas of research include instructional methods and assessment practices in anatomy education, predictors of success or difficulty in the DPT curriculum.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Health Professions Education, Simmons College, Boston, MA
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study, Health Professions Education, Simmons College, Boston, MA
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Simmons College, Boston, MA
Bachelor of Science in Health Studies, Simmons College, Boston, MA
Accomplishments
Graduate, Education Leadership Institute Fellowship, American Physical Therapy Association
Orthopedic Specialty Certification, American Board of Physical Therapy Specialization
Certified Instructor for the Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program
Certified Advanced Clinical Instructor
Areas of Expertise/Interest
Human Anatomy
Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy
Professionalism
Interprofessional Education
Chris Brown, CPA
VICE PRESIDENT
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Some people think that being a CPA means Chris is a numbers person. In reality, he is a people person. He loves working with people everyday. Growing up a preacher’s kid, Chris was taught to look for opportunities to serve others. He strives to look for those opportunities each day. Whether as a CPA, worship leader, husband, father, or friend, these truths hold firm: serve people, love people.
Chris is a graduate of Arkansas Tech University and started his career in public accounting as a staff accountant in 2010 at Landmark CPAs in Fort Smith. He eventually rose to the roll of Audit Manager before coming to ACHE in 2021. Chris is a licensed CPA in the state of Arkansas. He was promoted to Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer in January 2022.
Education
- 2010 BSBA in Accounting from Arkansas Tech
Accomplishments
- 2016 – Arkansas Business Journal “20 in their 20’s” list
- 2016 – NWA Business Journal “Fast 15” list
- 2017 – Arkansas Society of CPA’s “Emerging CPA of the Year” award
- 2019 – Arkansas Tech “19 in 9” award
- 2019 – AICPA Leadership Academy Graduate
Areas of Expertise/Leadership
- Leadership development through teaching and sharing life with people
- Bow hunting
- Razorback sports
- Chelsea FC
Jeremy M. Welsh, PhD
VICE PRESIDENT
CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER
Dr. Jeremy M. Welsh has held numerous leadership roles in higher education, most recently serving as the Vice President of Academics and Strategic Operations and the Chief Academic Officer at the University of Lynchburg. Prior to this role Jeremy served as the Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. Jeremy excels at driving strategic initiatives to enhance the institution’s mission and goals. He has overseen institutional teaching activities and academic administration. He has provided leadership to many areas within higher education, including all academic programs, library, art museum, public service activities, numerous academic centers, global education program, human resources, Title IX, and Campus Safety and Security.
Jeremy started working in higher education over 20 years ago, and his last institution started in 2013 as the founding program director for PA Medicine. Since that time, he founded the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program — the terminal degree for PAs and the first civilian degree of its kind — and has served as Department Chair, Associate Dean, Senior Associate Dean, Dean of the College of Medical Science, Chief Innovation Officer, Associate Vice President, Associate Provost, and Vice President. He founded the Center for Innovation and Strategic Partnerships and the Professional Development Institute. As part of a community partnership, Jeremy served as the Chief Academic Officer at the Community Access Network from 2021-2023. He serves on numerous community boards working to increase access and affordability to healthcare.
Before joining the University of Lynchburg, he served as a founding faculty member at Clarkson University as the director of clinical education and at Le Moyne College as an emergency medicine lecturer and problem-based learning faculty member. Jeremy served the South Onondaga, New York, community for eight years as a firefighter and EMT and worked in numerous disaster medicine/management settings and humanitarian missions. Jeremy also has experience as a healthcare administrator and owner/operator of several small businesses. Including a property development company that buys, sells, remodels, and builds homes. Jeremy co-owned and operated an urgent care practice in upstate New York. Jeremy was honored to serve the Virginia Academy of PAs (VAPA) for over 11 year, including serving as the president/CEO for two years.
Joel Webb, MS
VICE PRESIDENT
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Joel Webb serves as Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE), where he leads the institution’s technology strategy, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and digital transformation efforts. He sets and executes ACHE’s long-term technology vision, delivering secure, reliable systems that support the institution’s academic, clinical, and operational mission.
Webb brings more than 25 years of IT leadership experience across higher education, healthcare, private industry, and government. His expertise spans enterprise infrastructure, cloud computing, cybersecurity, business continuity, disaster recovery, and strategic technology planning, with a track record of leading complex initiatives from concept through execution.
Before joining ACHE, Webb served as IT Director for USA Capacity Solutions, Inc., overseeing enterprise technology operations for employees across North America. Earlier, he held technology leadership roles with the United States District Court and the Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Arkansas, managing mission-critical systems and leading next-generation infrastructure, cloud adoption, and disaster recovery initiatives.
Webb holds a Master of Science in Information Technology Management from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems from John Brown University. He maintains numerous professional certifications from Microsoft, Dell Technologies, Cisco, VMware, and ITIL, reflecting his ongoing commitment to technology excellence.
Susan Devero
VICE PRESIDENT
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Susan Devero, a native of Oklahoma, received her Bachelor of Science in Journalism with minors in Advertising and Public Relations from Oklahoma State University. She has held several marketing positions and is currently the Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education.
Susan is active as a volunteer in the Fort Smith community and is currently serving on the United Way Fort Smith Board of Directors, Methodist Village Senior Living, and Step Up, Speak Out (a community movement to prevent childhood sexual abuse). She and her husband, Ed, live in Fort Smith and are the parents of two daughters, Grace and Gabrielle.
Education
- Bachelor of Science, Oklahoma State University
Accomplishments
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award – 2015
- Noble Causes Award Recipient 2013
- Leadership Fort Smith Class of 2012
- Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce Health Coalition Committee
- Past President of the Trinity Junior High School Board
- Past Board member of the Hamilton House Child Safety Center
- Volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association
- Chancellor’s Leadership Council, Advisor 2009 – 2015
- Lionheart Volunteer for UAFS
- Chi Omega Fraternity Alumna Association
Tyler Farrar, JD
VICE PRESIDENT
CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER
GENERAL COUNSEL
Tyler R. Farrar is a licensed attorney in Arkansas state and federal courts. He holds a Juris Doctorate, an M.A., and a B.A., all from the University of Arkansas. During law school, Tyler clerked for the University of Arkansas Office of General Counsel, Tyson Foods, and several law firms. Before joining ACHE, Tyler was the University of Arkansas’s Title IX Coordinator, overseeing the university’s legal compliance in all areas of Title IX. Tyler previously served as a staff attorney at Legal Aid of Arkansas, focusing on fair housing, consumer rights, and civil rights issues.
Education
- University of Arkansas School of Law – Juris Doctorate
- University of Arkansas – M.A. Political Science
- University of Arkansas – B.A., Political Science
Accomplishments
- Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s 40 under 40, Class of 2020
- Selected to the 2019-2020 Inaugural Class of the Public Service Academy by the Arkansas Bar Association and the Clinton School of Public Service</li>
- UA Law School Journal of Food Law and Politics
- Frequent Guest Lecturer on the area of Title IX and Title VII issues
Areas of Expertise/Interest
- Spending time with family
- Traveling
- Arkansas Razorback sports
- Reading Non-Fiction
- Legal Issues in Higher Education
- Running/exercise
Vicki Broadaway
VICE PRESIDENT
CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER
With over 20 years of diverse experience in workforce planning, leadership development, and organizational transformation, Vicki is a dedicated Human Resources professional committed to fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment. Passionate about enhancing employee retention, she focuses on aligning HR functions with business objectives and accreditation standards.
Vicki’s career is marked by expertise in payroll and benefits administration, compensation strategy, compliance reporting, and policy development. She works closely with executive leadership to drive HR initiatives that optimize compliance and operational efficiency. Her ability to manage employee relations, tax management, retirement plans, software implementation, and training and development underscores her commitment to organizational success through strategic human resources leadership.
Currently serving as the Vice President and Chief People Officer at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Vicki has been a part of this esteemed organization since January 2020. Previously, she held roles as Payroll & Benefits Administrator at the Area Agency on Aging in Fort Smith, and Payroll Coordinator/Human Resources at Cooper Clinic, P.A. in Fort Smith for 10 years.
Her early career included a role as an Account Analyst at Mike Harms Associates in Weatherford, TX. Additionally, she served as Secretary for the Staff Judge Advocate at R.A.F. Upper Heyford, England, adding a unique international dimension to her extensive professional background.