I’ve told a lot of people that I consider this to be my dream job. Ten years ago when I first started thinking about a move out of the news- paper business, what I really thought would be a dream job would be to


produce a small magazine. That’s exactly what I’m doing. — Randy said in his 2010 County Lines staff profile.


Randy shares his infectious smile and attitude with AAC annual conference-goers in 2010. Background artwork: Photo by Randy Kemp, Governor’s Mansion at dusk in November 2010.


the Association of Arkansas Counties’ first communications director in 2008. However, it wasn’t a quick decision out of the blue for the Kemp family. About 10 years earlier, Randy began to think about and look at doing something dif- ferent, and in 2007 he earned a master’s degree in business administration from Harding University. “He wanted more for his career and more for his family. He wanted to go to school to get a master’s to have the opportunity to get a job like this [AAC communications director],” his wife, Peggy, proudly said. Randy kept his eye out for an opportunity and continued to serve Te Sun-Times reader- ship as editor while he lived in Rose Bud. In 2007 Eddie A. Jones, then AAC execu-


A


tive director, began thinking about creating a communications position at the AAC and had met Randy at the Cleburne County quasqui- centennial celebration. David Morris, former


t 52, Randy Kemp took a step out of the newspaper industry after 31 years and into the field of communications and became


Newsman lands ‘dream job’


Randy finds his ‘magazine’ in the ‘middle of things’


White County Judge and current mayor of Searcy, was also there that evening and was as- sistant to the AAC director at the time. Morris knew Randy from his days at Te Daily Citi- zen in Searcy, where he covered the quorum court and county news. “One thing led to another and the board


created that position,” Randy said in a 2010 County Lines article. “I think David had some nice things to say about me, which I appreciate.” Randy’s family said the timing of the new position and his readiness to move on made the decision a comfortable one that seemed to be destined. “He wanted to be stretched and challenged,”


David Kemp said about this father’s career transition. “He loved the newspaper business, but I think he was ready for something dif- ferent, but he still wanted to be in the middle of things. It would have been easy to just be comfortable.” Randy’s influence on County Lines maga- zine left enduring impressions on the product and the people behind it. His three years at the AAC was dominated


Randy captures this self-portrait in front of the State Capitol in 2010.


by his effort to re-energize and grow the asso- ciation’s quarterly magazine. Randy’s dedica- tion and devotion to County Lines produced a quality magazine that doubled in size and added numerous editorial features and in- depth county coverage in only three years. “He wanted to make County Lines the best it could be,” Peggy said about Randy’s approach to the magazine. “He enjoyed all aspects of the magazine and being creative with it.” David said he was meticulous over County Lines and would tinker with it constantly. “I’ve told a lot people I consider this to be


my dream job,” Randy said in the 2010 Coun- ty Lines staff profile. “Ten years ago, when I first started thinking about a move out of the newspaper business, what I really thought would be a dream job would be to produce a small magazine. … Tat’s exactly what I’m doing. Te fact that it revolves around county government, which I have always had a great appreciation for, is icing on the cake.”


Continued Page 32 >>>


Left: Randy educates county officials on media relations at AAC’s annual conference in 2010. Right: Randy takes a quick break in his AAC office in Little Rock.


COUNTY LINES, WINTER 2012 31


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