LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (June 23, 2025) – Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Secretary Jim Hudson today announced changes to DFA’s leadership team. Christy Bjornson, Director of DFA’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABC) and Tobacco Control Division (ATC), has been named Administrator of DFA’s Regulatory Division. Paul Gehring, DFA’s Assistant Commissioner of Revenue, has accepted the Department’s Chief Legal Counsel role. Rusty Meeks, who recently served as President and CEO of the Arkansas Travelers, will join DFA as Director of Strategic Initiatives. All three will report directly to Secretary Hudson.
“DFA’s leadership team will be strengthened by these changes,” said Secretary Hudson. “These three understand the Department’s commitment to excellence in service. Whether it’s a Revenue Office transaction or renewing a permit through our Regulatory Division, our customers will see that commitment. Christy and Paul are already trusted leaders within DFA, and I’m thankful to expand their roles. Anyone who has attended a game at Dickey-Stephens Park has experienced Rusty’s innovation in providing a great customer experience. I’m looking forward to him bringing that same approach to DFA.”
As Regulatory Administrator, Bjornson will oversee ATC, ABC, the Medical Marijuana Commission and the Racing Commission. Bjornson will maintain her roles as Director of ATC and ABC. The Regulatory Division has day to day oversight of 5,200 tobacco permits, 6,500 alcohol permits, more than 50 medical marijuana permits, the state’s three casinos, and live thoroughbred racing. Bjornson replaces Trent Minner, who departed DFA for the private sector at the end of 2024.
Paul Gehring, who has led the Department’s Revenue Legal Division for several years, will serve as Chief Legal Counsel, a new role within DFA that will provide oversight to all attorneys across the Department. Gehring will also continue to review legislation and related revenue impact reporting. Secretary Hudson has also tasked Gehring with reviewing DFA’s income and sales tax rules to find opportunities to provide clarity for taxpayers and to ease their compliance burdens.
Rusty Meeks joined the Arkansas Travelers organization at 23 years old, eventually leading the team as President and CEO. He is credited with creating a one-of-a-kind fan experience at Travelers games. As Director of Strategic Initiatives, Meeks will thoroughly review a wide variety of services provided by DFA, looking for opportunities to reduce paperwork, increase the opportunity for digitizing business processes, and to make visits to DFA offices pleasant and quick. The Strategic Initiatives Division will be within the Office of the Secretary.
Bjornson earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Central Arkansas and a Juris Doctor Degree from the William H. Bowen School of Law. Gehring earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Arkansas. Meeks earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Arkansas.
For more information on DFA, visit dfa.arkansas.gov.
