Arkansas EDC

About Mike Gaines

Mike Gaines

Mike Gaines serves as Deputy Director for Administration and Finance.

For five years, beginning in 2003, Mike was Vice President and Counsel of James Lee Witt Associates - in Washington, D.C. for three years and later in the firm's Little Rock offices.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton appointed Mike to the U.S. Parole Commission, an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice. Designated Chairman by the President in 1997, he led and managed the agency, with day-to-day oversight of a staff of approximately 85 employees; oversaw the development of the agency's annual budgets; led the agency and its staff through major expansion and transition; and worked closely with Senate and House members, committees, and staff on budget and other issues relevant to the agency. While in Washington, Mike also served as a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

Mike's career began with service on the Governor's Security details of Governors Dale Bumpers and David Pryor. In 1983, he joined Governor Bill Clinton's staff as the Governor's liaison to various state agencies, assisting with policy development and drafting of legislation, and worked closely with committees and individual members of the Arkansas General Assembly in advancing the Governor's legislative initiatives.

Mike later served as the first full-time Chairman of the Arkansas Parole Board and as Executive Director of the Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct, managing the office responsible for the investigation of allegations of unethical conduct by attorneys licensed to practice in Arkansas.

Mike received his JD degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1977.