LITTLE ROCK, AR - Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that Colonel (Ret) Robert A. Ator II will serve as Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs. Ator is replacing Secretary Kendall Penn, who announced his retirement last month.

“Colonel Ator is a rare breed: he speaks the language of government, the military, and the private sector, which explains his success in a career that’s touched each of those sectors. Ator loves our veterans and I know he will be the perfect fit for a job focused on attracting veterans to our state, getting them great jobs once they’re here, and supporting their health, education, and wellbeing,” said Governor Sanders.

“I am profoundly proud to have a Governor who is so deeply committed to those that have worn our nation’s uniform and beyond humbled to be asked to lead the effort to honor their service. I will work relentlessly to improve the lives that have given so much of themselves to our safety and security and continue to serve in our communities and economy,” said Colonel Ator.

Colonel (Ret) Robert A. Ator II bio:
Robert Ator has served as the Director of Military Affairs for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission of the Arkansas Department of Commerce since 2018.  In this role, Colonel Ator served as the Arkansas representative to the Governor, the Arkansas Legislature, the United States Congressional Delegation from the State of Arkansas, and the US Department of Defense for issues affecting the State’s five military installations and military-related missions hosted in the state.  He has also served as the Department of Commerce’s subject matter expert on defense industry matters.  During Col. Ator’s tenure, there has been more than a 30% increase in the economic impact to Arkansas from defense-related missions, with the most significant growth coming from the new F-35 Foreign Military Sales Pilot Training Center. Col. Ator was instrumental in bringing this new mission to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas by developing wide-ranging partnerships throughout the state and nation.  The Training Center is projected to have an economic impact in excess of $1B per year to the state.

Prior to assuming his role in state government, Colonel Ator served as the Commander of the 189th Airlift Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard, the largest Air National Guard C-130 Wing in the United States.  The 189th AW provides all the C-130H aircrew training for the U.S. Department of Defense and its allied nations, trains and equips forces for deployment in active duty service, and serves the citizens of Arkansas as the Governor’s Quick Reaction Force. As Commander, Col. Ator was responsible for leading the Wing’s 14 subordinate units with over a thousand members, assets valued in excess of $2 billion, and an annual operating budget of $70 million. During his command, the 189th expanded to include the new Cyber Skills Validation School to meet the growing demand for cyber warrior training.  During Col. Ator’s term of leadership, the Wing twice earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. 

Col. Ator is a 1989 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy.  After completing his degree, he attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi.  His first post-UPT assignment was in the 61st Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base which was followed by an assignment to the 62nd Airlift Squadron.  He served for eleven years in the active duty United States Air Force before joining the Arkansas Air National Guard as a full-time air guardsman. His post-graduate training includes Squadron Officers’ School, Air Command and Staff College, Contingencies War Planner Course, and Air War College.  He is an experienced C-130 Hercules instructor, evaluator, and functional check pilot with over 5000 flying hours.                    

Col. Ator is a veteran of several major combat operations including Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait; Operation Provide Comfort in Somalia; Operation Provide Promise in Haiti; Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia; and Operation Noble Eagle in support of homeland defense.  A respected pilot, Col. Ator was honored with the Air Mobility and Air Education and Training Commands’ prestigious McKay Trophy and Jabra Awards. He has been the recipient of multiple military awards and decorations including the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Legion of Merit.

Rob and Michelle, his wife of more than 35 years, live in Little Rock, AR. Michelle is a partner in the law firm Friday, Eldredge and Clark, LLP.  Their daughter, Lauren, practices law at Wright, Lindsey, & Jennings, LLP.  Their son, Capt. Robert Ator who is a C-17 pilot, and his wife, Lt. Sophia Ator, are currently serving the nation as Air Force Officers at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska.