Colbie Jones
Director, Keep Arkansas Beautiful
About me: I am a native Arkansan and serve as the Keep Arkansas Beautiful director. Work is my biggest passion: keeping The Natural State natural, which positively impacts the state’s tourism, health, safety and economic development.
In previous positions, I served as a senior marketing account executive and as a crime reporter. Building and managing marketing campaigns at MHP/Team SI, I secured nearly 20 awards for my work for clients.
I’m a member of the Arkansas Environmental Education Association, Keep America Beautiful State Leaders Council, an Arkansas Urban Forestry Council board member and Leadership Arkansas Class XII graduate.
I am an avid hunter, fisherman and horticulturist. I also play the fiddle and have opened for Justin Moore, Cody Johnson, Lonestar and more.
Lives in: Stuttgart • Works in: Little Rock
Lesson Learned the Hard Way: Stay on people’s radar so things get completed. If you only mention something to someone once, there is no guarantee they will remember or take the initiative to proceed with whatever it may be. You must communicate clearly and frequently to ensure the work gets done timely and accurately.
Proudest Moment of Impact: Since Keep Arkansas Beautiful’s creation in 1997, it had an annual goal to recruit all 75 counties to participate in KAB’s cleanup seasons. The fall 2022 Great Arkansas Cleanup season was my first full cleanup season as director and adjusted the goal from annually to every cleanup season. That fall, KAB made history for the first time ever by recruiting all 75 counties. KAB once again hit that goal during its spring 2023 cleanup season.
What Keeps Me Motivated: Watching 18,000 volunteers team up to beautify the state through litter cleanups, recycling drives, beautification events and environmental education is my motivation. We’re seeing a sustainable increase in demand for our resources, and I want to help all Arkansans in their efforts to keep Arkansas beautiful.
TOP 100 WOMEN OF IMPACT IN ARKANSAS 2023
A Women’s Foundation of Arkansas Initiative