Commission

Marty Shell, of Fort Smith, represents the Arkansas River and his term expires in 2025. As a second-generation port terminal operator, Commissioner Shell has been employed by Five Rivers Distribution for the past 28 years being able to work with his father Buck Shell, the founder of Five Rivers Distribution for 15 of those years. Commissioner Shell is active with both the Fort Smith and Van Buren Chambers of Commerce, serves as a Civil Service Commissioner for the City of Fort Smith Police and Fire departments, and is a former President and current member of Arkansas Oklahoma Port Operators Association. Commissioner Shell and his wife Shannon have been married for 20 years and have three children, Mackenzie, Avery, and Nathan Shell.

Phyllis Harden, of Hensley, serves at-large and her term expires in 2026. Commissioner Harden is primarily responsible for Legislative and Special Projects for Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Company. She began her career with Pine Bluff in 1981. Commissioner Harden was instrumental in the initiation of Pine Bluff’s most successful Safety Program, which dramatically reduced injury and illness to the company’s highly productive people. She is frequently in Washington, DC lobbying for The Corps of Engineers waterway projects and funding. Phyllis is on the Board of Directors and a Past-President of the Mississippi Valley Associated General Contractors, which is the largest geographical Branch of the Associated General Contractors of America and represents contractors on the river system from the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Dredging Contractors of America, Washington, D.C., and is on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the National Waterways Conference, Washington, DC. Locally, Commissioner Harden is Vice-Chairman of the Pine Bluff-Jefferson County Port Authority Board. She was the first female commission member, and on June 23rd, 2020, she became the first female Arkansas Waterways Commission Chair.

The Commission appointment representing the Ouachita River is currently vacant with a term that expires in 2027.

Commissioner John Edwards
Term expires January 14, 2027

John Edwards, of Scott, represents the Mississippi River and his term expires in 2028. Commissioner Edwards was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and spent much of his childhood in rural Lonoke County, Arkansas. He graduated from the University of Central Arkansas and the Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Commissioner Edwards served as an aide to former U.S. Senator David Pryor of Arkansas, where he was responsible for working with agricultural related issues. In 1996, he was appointed by the Clinton Administration as the Arkansas State Director of USDA Rural Development, the youngest person ever appointed to this post. USDA Rural Development is the lead federal agency providing funding for rural housing, businesses, and public drinking water systems. Commissioner Edwards was recognized by his superiors as having one of the best run offices in that agency and was noted for finding innovative solutions to infrastructure challenges in communities across the state of Arkansas.

After the end of the Clinton Administration in 2001, Commissioner Edwards opened his own law practice and also worked extensively in various capacities in the field of water management, especially with the Grand Prairie Irrigation District. His solo law practice would be short due to the war in Iraq.

Commissioner Edwards is a veteran of the Iraq War, being called to active duty in October 2003 to serve with the 39^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Arkansas Army National Guard that was attached to the famed 1^st Cavalry Division.  His first day in Baghdad was almost the last day in his life, narrowly being hit in the head by small arms fire as his convoy was ambushed on the infamous Route Irish in Baghdad. Commissioner Edwards served as the Staff Judge Advocate with an outstanding team of soldiers and advised commanders on the Law of War and the Rules of Engagement in a very dynamic combat environment. Within months of returning to America in 2005, he was recalled to duty as a member of the first Task Force from the Arkansas National Guard that evacuated stranded people at the convention center in New Orleans after Katrina hit in August 2005. He served in the greater New Orleans area until November of that year. During that time, Commissioner Edwards led a military inquiry that dispelled many of the rumors regarding the level of violence at the convention center which had been widely reported in the media. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve from the ROTC Program at the University of Central Arkansas. He was named a Distinguished Military Graduate, which is limited to the top 5% of all newly commissioned officers. Commissioner Edwards concluded his career as a Colonel on December 31, 2012, having served in both the US Army Reserve and the Arkansas Army National Guard. He has been awarded the Bronze Star, the Humanitarian Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist Badge, among others. 

In November 2008, Commissioner Edwards was elected to his first term in the Arkansas House of Representatives in what was known as one of the most competitive and cleanest House races Pulaski County has seen in recent years. During the 88^th General Assembly, he was assigned by House Speaker Robert Moore to draft and handle the legislation for updating a comprehensive plan of water resources in Arkansas for the first time in decades. He has also authored and passed legislation that has increased the ranking of Arkansas for being a “Veteran Friendly” state for those military service veterans seeking to start their own businesses. He was given the “Unsung Hero Award” by Speaker Moore for his efforts in the 88^th General Assembly. 

Commissioner Edwards was reelected to a 3rd term in November 2012. He was nominated by House Speaker Davy Carter to serve as the House Chairman of the Arkansas Legislative Council, which serves as the governing body of the Arkansas General Assembly when it is not in session. He served as a member of the House Agriculture and Education Committees. During the 89^th General Assembly in 2013, Commissioner Edwards wrote and sponsored the legislation that secured the authorization to build a new state veterans’ home after the one in Little Rock was closed in 2012 after falling into disrepair. Well known political columnist John Brummett named Commissioner Edwards one of the top 10 most influential legislators of the Arkansas General Assembly in 2013 for his ability to work with people and get things done. His final term ended in January 2015, when he was no longer allowed to run for office due to term limits.

Currently, Commissioner Edwards serves as the legal counsel and economic development officer for the Helena-West Helena/Phillips County Port Authority. Known as Helena Harbor, it is one of the newest harbors and industrial parks on the Mississippi River, just over 1 hour south of Memphis, TN. He was voted Citizen of the Year by the members of the Phillips County Chamber of Commerce for his efforts in restoring rail service to Phillips County, Arkansas. In November 2017, Commissioner Edwards was named one of the 200 most influential business leaders in the state by Arkansas Business. In 2023, he was appointed to the Phillips County Sewer Facilities Board by Phillips County Judge Clark Hall and elected to be Executive Director of the organization by his fellow board members. Commissioner Edwards holds an Arkansas Class 1 Wastewater Operators License. Commissioner Edwards also serves on the Board of Directors of Southern Bancorp, a billion dollar plus bank holding company with banks in Arkansas and Mississippi that has a home mortgage division located in several states.

Commissioner Edwards previously served on the board of Preserve Arkansas, an organization dedicated to the preservation of historic buildings for future generations in Arkansas, and on the Board of Trustees of Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church. Commissioner Edwards is a member of the American Legion, the Reserve Officers Association, and the National Guard Association of Arkansas. 

In his spare time, Commissioner Edwards enjoys spending time with his family and friends, cycling, fishing and preserving historic buildings.

Mike Lowe, of Texarkana, represents the Red River and his term expires in 2029. Commissioner Lowe is a third-generation farmer, farming land adjoining the Red River. Commissioner Lowe serves on several levee and drainage districts in his area, including the Arkansas Levee Task Force, and was a member of the Arkansas Farm Service Agency State Committee. Commissioner Lowe and his wife Diana have one daughter and two grandsons.

Rajesh Chokani

At-Large Economist

Rajesh Chokhani, of Little Rock, serves at-large as an economist and his term expires in 2030. Commissioner Chokhani is President of BOND.AI in Little Rock and the 2023 Chairman of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. Rajesh moved to the United States from Mumbai in 2007 to establish Welspun Tubular’s first factory outside India. During his time as COO, he grew the facility to more than 800 acres land, 1 million square feet of structures and hired 1,000 employees.

Rajesh has a passion for community service and serves on many boards of business and philanthropic endeavors, including Arvest Bank, Harmony Health Clinic, the Hindu Temple of Central Arkansas, and as Co-Chair for IndiaFest. He was appointed to the board of The University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College by Governor Asa Hutchinson and currently serves as Chairman of the Board. Rajesh is also the first Indian-American Chairman of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce in its 157-year history.

Rajesh has an intimate understanding of the day-to-day challenges faced by his dedicated workforce when it comes to their financial needs. His passion for improving the financial well-being of hard-working individuals led him to leave his 28-year career to lead BOND.AI, one of the top 100 fintech companies in the country, and launch The BOND Network, the world’s first network of banks, credit unions, employers, and fintech companies.

The BOND Network offers a financial health product to the workforce that is built on the world’s first Empathy Engine®. This engine provides valuable insights to consumers to enhance their financial knowledge while connecting them with the most beneficial financial products. Rajesh's goal is to make a positive impact by helping people achieve financial stability and success.

Rajesh is passionate about workforce development in Little Rock and sees the city’s potential as a miniature Silicon Valley. He aims to launch an entrepreneurial ecosystem to encourage new entrepreneurs to relocate to the city which will form a catalyst to develop more talent for the technology industry.