At Large, 2027 

Kelly Carlson was elected to the Bentonville Schools Board of Education in 2019 and currently serves as president. He is a Senior Vice-President at Arvest and a graduate of Bentonville High School. Kelly is known for his financial stewardship and for his commitment to the community he calls home. He is a Board Member and Vice President/Treasurer of the Scott Family Amazeum, where he is actively engaged in strategically planning the future of the museum. Kelly is passionate about the growth of Downtown Bentonville and is a Board Member of Downtown Bentonville, Inc. He is actively involved with the Boys and Girls Club golf tournament and previously served with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Habitat for Humanity and Leadership Benton County.

Kelly and his wife, Cortney, also a 2000 graduate of Bentonville High School, have two daughters; Julianna Mae and Caroline Kelley.

Kelly enjoys golfing, running and spending time outdoors with his family. The Carlson family is actively involved in their church, Bentonville Church of Christ. 

Connect with Kelly
kellycarlson@bentonvillek12.org

At Large, 2026

Willie Cowgur is a Senior Vice-President at First Western Bank overseeing business development. Willie is in his second five-year term on the Bentonville Schools Board of Education. Born and raised in Bentonville, he has watched the community change significantly and worked hard to steward Bentonville Schools soundly as its population reflects the city’s overall growth.

 Willie is a passionate sports enthusiast.  His wife, Martha, also a graduate of Bentonville High School, was a basketball standout. Together, they love coaching their children in a myriad of sports. Their children, Cole, Caroline and Will are all students at Bentonville Schools. Willie received his undergraduate degree in history from the University of Arkansas. 

Connect with Willie 
williecowgur@bentonvillek12.org

Zone 2, 2024

Jennifer has had children in Bentonville Schools for more than 16 years. Throughout those years, she has served the district in numerous volunteer roles. Having served in the trenches, she’s able to share with her fellow board members how to better serve parents and teachers. Jennifer is also a licensed professional counselor at Still Waters Family Counseling. 

Jennifer’s husband, Lance, is a healthcare professional as well, and together they parent Luke, Sara, Hope and Emma. Jennifer received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Ouachita Baptist University and a Master's Degree in Counseling from the University of Central Arkansas.

 Connect with Jennifer
jenniferfaddis@bentonvillek12.org

Zone 5, 2025

Tatum Aicklen began her service to the Bentonville Schools Board of Education in 2022. For years, she has been heavily engaged with the district by serving on the 2021 pandemic district reopening committee, within a number of parent-teacher organization roles and is a staunch supporter of teachers and students. 

She and her husband, Michael, are parents to four children: Renshaw, Lily, Annabelle and Henry. Tatum is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in business administration.

 Connect with Tatum
tatumaicklen@bentonvillek12.org

Zone 1, 2026

Joel Dunning boasts almost three decades of education management, teaching and coaching experience with students of all ages and from different backgrounds. His passion for improving the quality of learning comes from his diverse experience while participating in nine different school systems in four states, including the prestigious Colorado School of Mines. Throughout his career in education, Joel has served as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, principal and curriculum director. Joel holds a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geology, a Minor in Biology and a Master of Arts in Administration and Counseling. At Western State University, he played football and ran track allowing him to better connect with younger athletes throughout his career.

Joel serves as the Director of Education for Unity Energy. He and his wife, Katie, live in Bentonville.

 Connect with Joel
joeldunning@bentonvillek12.org

Zone 3, 2025

Jeremy Farmer is a proud Bentonville High School graduate now watching his own children make their way through the district. Daughters Aubrey and Emerson started in Bentonville Schools as kindergarteners. 

Jeremy is employed with Launch Marketing where he works in sales and business development. He has served the district and community through leadership roles in his daughters' parent-teacher organizations and is a former president of CASA of Northwest Arkansas. 

 Connect with Jeremy
jeremyfarmer@bentonvillek12.org

Zone 4, 2027

Becky Guthrie is a former educator turned current board member. Born and raised in Bentonville, she has watched her hometown flourish under thoughtful leadership. Becky was elected to the board of education in 2022 but taught at Apple Glen Elementary in Bentonville for a decade.

Prior to beginning her career, she studied early childhood education at the University of Central Arkansas where she received her degree. She and her husband, Clay, are parents to three sons: Caleb, Charlie and Cason. Becky is currently a full-time homemaker who enjoys cheering on her husband, her boys and the Arkansas Razorbacks.

 Connect with Becky
beckyguthrie@bentonvillek12.org