JIM HUDSON

Chief Financial Officer, State of Arkansas
Secretary, Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed Jim Hudson Chief Financial Officer for the State of Arkansas and Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) in August 2023. As Chief Financial Officer and Department Secretary, Hudson and DFA oversee the state’s taxing authority, state budget, accounting, motor vehicle administration, driver services and regulation of industries such as alcohol, tobacco, medical marijuana, casino gambling and live horse racing. Additional services and divisions within DFA include Child Support Enforcement, Assessment Coordination, Intergovernmental Services, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and Information Services. DFA has more than 2,200 employees across its Divisions.

Hudson previously served as Chief of Staff for the Arkansas Department of Commerce. As chief of staff, Hudson worked to align the activities of the nine divisions within the Department of Commerce.

Prior to joining Department of Commerce, Hudson spent over twenty-five years in executive leadership with for-profit and non-profit organizations in Central and Northwest Arkansas. He is passionate about organizational clarity and helping the teams he leads navigate in a high-change environment.

He obtained a bachelor's degree from Hendrix College in Conway, a juris doctor from the Bowen Law School in Little Rock, a master's degree in leadership from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, and a master of divinity from Southern Seminary in Louisville.

Secretary Hudson and his wife Leigh have their home in Little Rock.

Andy Babbitt

Comptroller – State of Arkansas
Deputy Director – DFA

Andy Babbitt spent the first seven years of his career in the private sector with a local healthcare facility, however the State of Arkansas came calling in 1995 when Babbitt joined Arkansas Legislative Audit as a Field Auditor.

At the time, he held a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock). As his responsibilities continued to expand within Legislative Audit, he was certified as a public accountant in 1998. In 2005, he added a Master of Business Administration degree from UA Little Rock. By 2009, Babbitt was named a Supervising Senior Auditor within Legislative Audit. In addition to managing staff and overseeing a wide range of reports and audits, responsibilities included assisting various law enforcement agencies with information related to fraud identification. Babbitt developed standardized audit methods to ensure consistency and compliance across state government and testified before various committees of the Arkansas General Assembly.

Although his workload remained heavy, he continued to pursue education and new information in his field. This resulted in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners certifying Babbitt as a Fraud Examiner in 2019.

Following more than 25 years of service at Legislative Audit, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) asked Babbitt to join the Department as Assistant Accounting Administrator in 2021. He accepted and joined DFA in July 2021. Consistent with past roles, Babbitt had an extensive list of duties. Examples included leading the team that prepared the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the state, managing and certifying quarterly and annual financial and performance data to the U.S. Treasury and providing guidance and assisting constituents applying for American Rescue Plan Act funding.

In April 2023, DFA Secretary Larry Walther announced the selection of Babbitt as State Controller and DFA Deputy Director. This position oversees DFA’s Accounting Division and serves as the lead accountant within state government. The Accounting Division ensures fiscal integrity within the state’s financial records and serves as a centralized reporting source for state appropriations and funds. Additionally, Accounting has handled all accounting and reporting for the state’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.  Accounting also oversees DFA’s Office of Information Services (OIS). “With decades of experience auditing Departments throughout state government, Andy brings the skill set needed to the State Controller role,” said Secretary Walther when announcing his selection.

Babbitt, an Arkansas native, lives in Saline County with his family.

Alan McVey

Deputy Director & Chief of Staff – Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)

Alan McVey has served as Chief of Staff and Deputy Director at DFA since November 2019. As Chief of Staff and Deputy Director, he works directly with Secretary Walther in overseeing the day to day operation of all DFA Divisions.

Alan provides guidance to Administrators and others on a wide variety of issues, from staffing needs to budget matters to media inquiries. As Chief of Staff, he works closely with the Governor’s Office and maintains relationships with leaders across state government. During the legislative session, Alan works with DFA’s Revenue Division to track and address legislation that could impact state revenue or any of DFA’s Divisions.

Prior to being named Chief of Staff and Deputy Director, he was the Administrator of DFA’s Office of Child Support Enforcement, a role he accepted in April 2015.

Before joining DFA, he was Executive Director for the Delta Center for Economic Development, and also served as Deputy Director for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Alan’s state government experience includes the Governor’s Office, where he was a Policy Advisor to Governor Mike Huckabee.

Alan is a native of Des Arc, where he served five terms on the City Council. A graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, he and his wife, Molly, live in Little Rock and have one daughter and four grandchildren.

Charlie Collins

Deputy Director​​​​​​​ and Commissioner of Revenue - DFA

Charlie Collins graduated from the US Naval Academy and served as a Naval Intelligence Officer aboard an Aircraft Carrier.  He then joined Procter & Gamble (P&G) and worked in headquarter Sales & Marketing roles.  P&G moved him to Arkansas in 1996 to work on the Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club business. More recently, Charlie served in the Arkansas state legislature for 8 years before joining state government with DFA as an employee in the Budget Office. He also worked as Chief Innovation Officer for the newly formed Transformation & Shared Services Department.  He was excited and honored to be selected to rejoin DFA as Commissioner of Revenue in late 2019.