“Chess, like love, like music, has the power to make [people] happy.”
Our Mission
Every child deserves the opportunity to discover the game of chess, and to unlock the many lessons that it’s able to teach them - both academically and personally. Our mission is to grow and support the chess community of Northwest Arkansas - and to spread the lessons that it provides to as many children in our community as possible.
By supporting our local partners in the schools and towns of Northwest Arkansas, we ultimately want every child to have access to the resources they need to learn and grow through chess. Teachers, teammates, books, chess sets, clocks, and even the means to travel to tournaments and put their newfound knowledge to a well-deserved test - we strive to make this a reality for all in our community.
Meet the Board
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Ryan Billingsley
DIRECTOR
Ryan coached the Lincoln Middle School chess team in Lincoln, AR to 3 straight national championships in their division. And he’s passionate about spreading the benefits of chess to kids throughout NWA.
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Jon Johnson
PRESIDENT
Jon is the Walton College Professor of Sustainability in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas - where he has been on the faculty since 1996.
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David Jolliffe
SECRETARY
David is Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Arkansas, where he was the initial occupant of the Brown Chair in English Literacy. He retired in 2018 after a 42-year career teaching at the secondary and post-secondary level.
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Casey Jones
VICE-PRESIDENT
Casey is a District Judge in Washington County. He is also the former Fayetteville City Prosecutor.
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Mark Burdette
TREASURER
Mark has been in the investment advising business in Northwest Arkansas for more than 36 years.
