The executive committee meets monthly by invitation only, topics discussed include but are not limited to:
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Submission and approval of the Treasurer's Report
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Conservative issues impacting the state/counties
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Updates on 3rd District news and events
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Planning monthly events and fundraisers
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Discuss legislative & election matters with county-wide elected officials
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Financial donations to be made to Republican candidates for office
Executive Officers
Barbara Tillman
Chairwoman
Barbara grew up in Lake Village, Arkansas, the daughter of entrepreneurs and farmers. She always had a keen interest in politics, and worked on her first congressional campaign at age 18 in Arkansas’s 4th District. She lives in Bella Vista on a small farm, has two sons and three grandchildren, and practices real estate.
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After moving to Texas to begin her professional career, her political leanings were solidified in the conservative Republican Party. She moved to Northwest Arkansas and became active in the Benton County Republican Women, serving three terms as president. She joined the County Committee and served as Secretary, all Vice Chairman positions, and has been involved in planning every Lincoln Day Dinner. One of her most memorable events was working at George W. Bush’s last stop on Election Day 2000 at XNA.
Barbara is a committed and unapologetic constitutionalist and leads the RPBC as such. She is committed to an aggressive program of education and enlarging our conservative base and keeping Benton County and Arkansas “Red”.
J.D. Davis
1st Vice Chair
Bio pending...
Elizabeth Botson
2nd Vice Chair
Elizabeth attended her first RPBC meeting in January 2021 and became a member. Since then, she has actively helped the RPBC in various ways, most notably with events. She has worked hard to get the RPBC name out in the community and bring in new members. She is a firm believer that “Local Action = National Impact.”
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Elizabeth graduated from John Brown University with a degree in Organizational Management. She works in the Walmart/Vendor world and has over 15 years of experience in sales and account management.
Elizabeth is an Arkansas native, moving to NWA in the early 90s as a child. She is married with 4 children. She and her husband live in Garfield on 24 acres, where they enjoy gardening and raising chickens. They love the outdoors and spend their extra time camping, hiking, and canoeing.
Patricia McKeehan
3rd Vice Chair
Patricia is an Arkansas native. She became a Republican while studying at The University of Arkansas and graduated with a Business Management degree.
She is an active Christian and wife to JP Richard McKeehan; she forrmerly co-owned McKeehan Engineering and served as V.P. and Treasurer.
Patricia has served as Treasurer of RPBC as well as Benton County Republican Women, and as an officer for Bentonville Republican Women
Andrew Sova
Treasurer
Andrew is originally from the Chicagoland area, and has called Arkansas home since 2014. He's been married for 7 years to his wife Lauren, and they recently welcome their first child, Benek.
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Andrew developed a passion for politics in graduate school where he attended Saint Louis University. He has been a member since 2020.
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In a recent career role, Andrew was responsible for developing weekly financial reports for a multi-billion dollar agricultural company, so the transition to treasurer has been easy.
Melanie Elliott
Secretary
Melanie made Benton County her home in 2000. In 2010, she found her conservative sisterhood in the Benton County Republican Women, where she became an active member and officer, including President from 2016-2018. Her membership in the Republican Party of Benton County began in 2016, and she was elected Secretary in 2021.
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From her first visit to the ballot box at age 18, she has voted for conservative and Republican ideals. Over her adult lifetime, she has made it a priority to educate herself and others about political issues, worldview, current events, truth, faith, and how all of those impact our lives. She identifies as a four-faceted conservative: biblical, constitutional, fiscal, and social.
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She and her husband Rob have raised two "Rush babies" who are now twenty-something adults.
