LITTLE ROCK (Friday, Sept. 3, 2021) — An advisory search committee chaired by University of Arkansas System President Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt has announced three finalists who will visit the Arkansas Archeological Survey (AAS) and interview for the position of director.

Longtime AAS Director George Sabo, III, who joined the UA System entity in 1979 and became director in 2013, retired June 30. A search committee was formed and charged with conducting a national search to identify an exceptional pool of candidates. Following the interviews, Bobbitt will recommend a finalist to the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas.

“The Archeological Survey plays a crucial and impactful role within the state providing research, public service, and outreach oriented toward its mission to preserve, catalog and communicate the unique history of this state. It is critically important that we identify the right person to lead the Survey into the future,” Bobbitt said. “I think the three finalists are all extremely capable, experienced and respected within their profession and we are anxious to learn more about their interest in the position.”

Melissa Zabecki, Ph.D., state archeologist at the AAS, was named interim earlier this summer and has been leading the Survey since Sabo retired. More detailed information about finalist visits will be available as itineraries are finalized by visiting the AAS website.

The finalists and their visit dates include: 

Dr. Carl Drexler (Sept. 14-15): Dr. Drexler is a station archeologist and research assistant professor with the AAS. He joined the AAS as a station assistant in 2011.
`
Dr. Alex Barker (Sept. 20-21): Dr. Barker is a former director of both the Museum of Art & Archaeology and the Museum of Anthropology at the University of Missouri.

Dr. Charlie Ewen (Sept. 22-23): Dr. Ewen is currently a professor in the Department of Anthropology and director of the Phelps Archaeology Laboratory at East Carolina University.