Veterans Commission welcomes 4 new members

The Arkansas Veterans Commission welcomed four new members at its quarterly meeting on July 18 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed Martha Cothren, Brad Hegeman, Dianna Lankford, and Monte Mills to serve on the commission effective May 27, 2025.

The four new members bring a wide range of experience to the commission.

“I’m very honored to be here amongst you all and to be representing the veterans of this state,” said Monte Mills, an Army combat veteran. “I served 14 years and three back-to-backs during OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom), and then I started my public life in the ‘real world,’” he added. Mills serves as Vice President of Protective Strategies for SafeHaven Security Group.

Brad Hegeman is the Vice Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer for Nabholz Construction in Conway. He has served on several military advisory boards. “Veterans are a pillar of our organization and the key to our success, so I hope to be able to contribute something positive to this commission.”

Martha Cothren, a retired teacher, brings a strong sense of patriotism to the commission. Cothren famously removed student desks from her classroom for a day until they could tell her how those desks were earned. By the end of the day, none of the students guessed correctly. That’s when a large group of veterans, each bringing a desk, returned to the classroom. As she was quoted in The Florida Times-Union, “You don’t have to earn those desks. These guys already did. They went halfway around the world, giving up their education and interrupting their careers and families so you could have the freedom you have.”  

Diana Lankford is the wife of a Vietnam Veteran. Together, they organized volunteer groups to support veterans in Northwest Arkansas. “I found a venue and I called every organization I could to put on a huge veteran’s event and we got everything donated,” Lankford said. Lankford is also a member of the Northwest Arkansas Council of the Bella Vista Wall, where her husband serves as vice-president. “I’m all about veterans, and I thank each of you for your service,” Lankford added.

Commission members meet quarterly to collaborate and discuss veteran issues with the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs. The next meeting is scheduled for October 17.

Story by Mark Woodall