Judge Floyd “Buddy” Villines

Judge Floyd “Buddy” Villines served 30 years in elective office, retiring in Dec 2014. During Judge Villines career as an elected official, he ran (and won) 14 elections, serving 24 years as Pulaski County Judge, which is the Chief Executive Officer of County Government in Arkansas (Little Rock is part of Pulaski County). Prior to serving as County Judge, Villines served on the Little Rock Board of Directors for six years, holding the offices of City Director, Vice-Mayor, and Mayor.

Upon his retirement, he left the County’s financial situation solid with $8million in reserve for a $65.5million General Fund. In addition to the General Fund, Judge Villines was responsible for overseeing over the $22million Road and Bridge budget which ended the year with $12,238,382 in carryover funds.

The Judge is a proud veteran. He served in the US Army as a 1st Lieutenant in Vietnam and received a Bronze Star. Judge Villines was the Co-founder of the Arkansas Chapter of U.S. Green Buildings, initiated the Pulaski County Multi-Purpose Public Facilities Board (Verizon Arena), began and oversaw the Pulaski County Bridge Public Facility Board (Junction Bridge), started the Big Dam Bridge Foundation, established a Public Art Fund/Endowment with Arkansas Community Foundation, began the Friends of Two Rivers Park, started the Pulaski County Juvenile Crime Prevention Coalition, and formed the sister community agreements with Milan and Bergamo, Italy. He also served on the National Board of Directors of the County Executives of America for more than twenty years, including serving as President.

He has received many awards including, but not limited to, the 2016 Make a Difference Award, Treatment Homes, Inc.; the 2014 Hendrix Odyssey Award in Professional Leadership and Development; the LEED Green Tie, Pioneering Award; Recognized for outstanding support of Abused and Neglected Children (CASA); the 2014 Public Works Professional of the Year-APWA; the 2012 “Top of the Rock” awarded by Downtown Little Rock, Partnership; Three times awarded the “Jack Evans Regional Leadership Award;” the 2008 National Planning/Design Awarded to Judge Buddy Villines by American Trails; the Dr. R.K. Young Humanitarian Award for Dedicated Service on Behalf of the Disadvantaged; the Ethel K. Millar Award in Recognition of Sensitive and Humane Service, the Ryan White “Compassion” Award of Sensitive and Humane Service; the Henry Award “Tourism Special Achievement Award” for the Big Dam Bridge; the The Arkansas Chapter of The American Institute of Architects “Award of Merit” for helping the Arkansas Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council; The American Architectural Foundation Certificate of Recognition; the John Nolen Award for the American Society of Landscape Architects; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Recognition and Commendation for a contribution to the prevention of the HIV infection and AID; the  Turquoise Council of American and Eurasians (TCAE) Public Service Award.

Currently Buddy  works as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and Recycle Bikes for Kids. He is a member of the Arkansas Bar, the Verizon Arena Board, and the Arkansas Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (certified as LEED Green Advocate). Buddy has his B.A. from Hendrix College and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law. He and his wife Beverly have two daughters and three grandchildren.