University of Arkansas Foundation

A native of Hope, Arkansas, Clay Davis was named as the foundation’s fifth chief executive officer on January 1, 2007. Clay holds a B.A. in business and economics from Hendrix College, a law degree from the University of Arkansas, a master of laws in taxation from the University of Florida, and a doctorate in higher education from the University of Arkansas. A licensed attorney and former tax partner with the Rose Law Firm in Little Rock, Clay moved into higher education administration at the University of Florida in 2000 and returned to the University of Arkansas in late 2002 serving as a director in the office of planned giving prior to joining the foundation in 2006.

Robert Koster, a Pangburn, Arkansas native, graduated from Pangburn High School in 1986. He received a B.S.B.A. in accounting in 1991 from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and earned his certified public accountant designation by passing the required examination in May 1992. Robert joined the foundation upon his graduation in 1991.

Dianna Lee is a native of Lead Hill, Arkansas and graduated from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in 1981 with a B.S.B.A in accounting. She is a certified public accountant and worked as senior accountant for Transco Energy Co. in Houston, Texas, as an accounting supervisor for Cooper Communities and as an accounting manager for Jones Truck Lines before joining the foundation in 1988.

Vickie Ferguson is a native of Northwest Arkansas and a graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Vickie returned to Arkansas and joined the foundation after a career with CITGO Petroleum Corp. in Tulsa, OK where she worked in corporate finance and managed the company’s retirement plan investments.

Traci Phelan received her B.S.B.A. in finance from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in 1992. Following graduation, she was employed by the University of Arkansas Division of Continuing Education in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and has been at the foundation since 1994.

Amy Bell has lived in Northwest Arkansas for 30 years. Before joining the University of Arkansas Foundation in July 2020, she worked for the University of Arkansas for over 28 years. In those 28 years, she served campus in various roles from a Payroll Specialist in Human Resources to 19 years as Fiscal Director for Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences.

Robyn Winkle is a native of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Before joining the University of Arkansas Foundation in May 2000, she worked for TransMontaigne Inc., a petroleum products corporation, and served as Manager-Cash Management.

Barbara Esch, a native of Fort Smith, Arkansas, graduated from Southside High School in 1990 and earned her BS in Accounting at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith in 2001. Shortly after graduation, she moved to Little Rock where she worked at UAMS for 12 years. She received her Masters in Accounting from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in May 2012. In March of 2014, she transferred to Fayetteville and started working at the University of Arkansas. She has been with the Foundation since February 2016.

Kenley Casey is a native of Northwest Arkansas. Before joining the University of Arkansas Foundation in November of 2007, she worked for the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business.