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The Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission is a consumer directed commission created by the passage of Act 428 in 1977, aca 20-8-202. The Commission consists of five governor appointed members to exercise the powers of the organization, control its property and conduct its affairs. According to the act, "all members must be either persons with spinal cord disabilities themselves, members of the immediate family of a person with a spinal cord disability, or individuals with special knowledge of and experience with spinal cord injuries and dysfunction who have demonstrated active involvement and interest in the fight against death and disability due to spinal cord dysfunction." Members are appointed on January 14 of years ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. The Commission members serve without pay for 10 year terms. The duties of the members include the following:
  1. Perform any and all duties imposed on them collectively or individually by legislation or the Governor.
  3. Set the mission goals and priorities for the Commission.

  4. Employ and supervise an Executive Director who is responsible for daily management and operation of the agency.

  5. Enter contracts, working agreements, or statements of agreement directly or through its officers with agencies and organizations deemed necessary or useful.

  6. Approve all matters of policy and ensure the agency maintains current policies and procedures and is in compliance with all regulatory agencies.

  7. Adopt and monitor an annual budget, review and implement recommendations of annual financial audit.
  8. Conduct program evaluations as needed.

  9. Retain the services of a Medical Director to serve as consultant and advisor to members and staff.

  10. Work closely with all government agencies and departments, officials, private agencies, and foundations to act as advocates for the Commission.

  11. Seek the advice of appropriate technical authority if in doubt about technical aspects of an issue.
  13. Meet at least once each calendar quarter and at other times as designated by Commission rules or called by Chairperson or written request of four members.
Commission members include:
Jon Wilkerson of Center Ridge (term expires in 2017)

Jon Wilkerson was appointed to the Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission by Governor Beebe on May 3, 2007. Mr. Wilkerson, who has tetraplegia, sustained his injury while mountain biking near Seattle, Washington. After undergoing rehabilitation, Mr. Wilkerson returned to his family home in Center Ridge, Arkansas, where he currently lives.

Mr. Wilkerson has a Masters degree in Physical Therapy and has worked at the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitals in Fayetteville and Sherwood, Arkansas. His knowlede of therapy practice, his own recent rehabilitation experience and a keen interest in assistive technology will serve him well as a Commission member. Mr. Wilkerson plans to continue to work in the health care field in the area of systems change and legislative issues.
 
Sandra Turner of Little Rock (term expires in 2015)

Sandra Turner, who was appointed to the Commission by Governor Tucker in January of 1995, has a long history of community involvement. Before she sustained a T-2 spinal cord injury during a motor vehicle crash in 1994, Ms Turner was an active community advocate and produced and coordinated the "7 On Your Side" TV segment, a consumer protection and advocacy program on the local ABC affiliate.

Since her injury, Ms Turner uses her previous experience to help those with spinal cord disabilities. In addition to being a Commission member, Ms Turner serves on several boards in the community. She currently lives in Little Rock with her daughter, Withers.
 
Joe McNiel of Spring Hill (term expires in 2009)

Joe McNiel was appointed to the Commission by Governor Mike Huckabee in September, 2000 to complete an unfilled term. Joe has lived with a spinal cord injury since June of 1986 when a mobile home he was working on fell on him. He and his wife Lynda and their children live in the Spring Hill community outside Hope, Arkansas where Joe raises cattle. He owns and runs Powers, a health gym, in Hope where he also works as a personal trainer.

A well known wheelchair athlete over the past decade, Joe was a regular participant in wheelchair road races and marathons around the state and the nation until his retirement in 2000. Joe brings a unique experience to the Commission.

 
Jimmy Ashley of Jonesboro (term expires in 2011)

Jimmy Ashley was appointed to the Commission by Governor Huckabee in December 2001. Jimmy, a native Arkansan, sustained his spinal cord injury from a gunshot wound in 1980 while he was on duty as a Mississippi County Deputy Sheriff. He and his wife Chris, a Physical Therapist, live in Jonesboro where Jimmy is very active in his community, serving on the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital Advisory Board, a VIP volunteer with the local police department and a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagle.

He is an active outdoorsman and has acted as a guiding force in the Arkansas Disabled Sportsman Association, organizing over a dozen disabled hunts this season in the state and presently serving as secretary-treasurer of the association. A longtime bowler, Jimmy also serves as Vice Chair of the American Wheelchair Bowling Association.

John Wyrick of Mabelvale (term expires in 2013)

John Wyrick was appointed to the Commission by Governor Huckabee in January, 2006. John was injured in 1996 in a farming accident. He is the owner of Esquire Marble, a family owned company where he has worked for the past 35 years.

John and his wife live in Mabelvale. He has two sons, three stepdaughters and six grandchildren. When he isn't working or spending time with his family, John competes in trap shooting competitions around the state. John brings a strong new business perspective to the Commission as well as an interest in the issues of community accessibility and accessible parking.