MEET HAROLD COPENHAVER
Harold Copenhaver has strong roots in Jonesboro. Harold’s parents, Dr. Harold and Ladye Copenhaver, raised Harold in Jonesboro after his father retired as a Major with 23 years of service in the United States Air Force. After retiring from the military, his father served 17 years as Dean of Fine Arts for Arkansas State University.
Harold is the current Senior Business Development Officer for Centennial Bank. He is a graduate of Jonesboro High School and majored in Business Administration with a focus on Agriculture Business at Arkansas State University. Harold has an extensive background in agriculture and insurance. He served as Farm Manager for Covington Farms Inc. before starting his insurance career. Harold has been involved in the insurance industry for over 25 years focusing his attention on insuring churches before becoming a business partner at United Insurance Agency.
Dedicated to giving back to Jonesboro, Harold has been involved with many local boards, committees, and organizations and currently serves on the City Youth Ministries and North East Arkansas Food Pantry boards. During his time at ASU, Copenhaver was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity as well as the student government while serving as a Senator. He was a board member of the Rotary Club of Jonesboro. One honor Harold and his wife, Kathleen Covington Copenhaver, are especially proud of is being recognized as the 2009 Red Wolf Family of the Year, awarded to the family who best exemplifies support for Arkansas State University.
Harold and his wife of 38 years, Kathleen, a teacher at St. Marks Day School, are the parents of three children: Lauren Copenhaver Nunnally, Austin, and Myles, and the proud grandparents of 3. Harold, known to his friends as “Cope”, is a lifetime hunter and musician. The Copenhaver’s are members of First Baptist Church where Harold is a part of “The Men’s Trio”, a vocal group that performs across the state.
Legislative Background
During the 89th General Assembly Rep. Copenhaver served on 5 committees and 3 subcommittees while successfully sponsoring numerous pieces of legislation that passed with strong bipartisan support. Representative Copenhaver served as the Chair of the House Revenue and Taxation subcommittee on Sales, Use, Miscellaneous Taxes and Exemptions in addition to serving as Vice-Chair of the Legislative Joint Auditing subcommittee on State Agencies. Rep. Copenhaver was also appointed by House Speaker Davy Carter (R- Cabot) to serve as the Co-Vice Chair Arkansas Blue Ribbon Committee on 911 Systems, the National Conference of State Legislators task force on redistricting and elections, and the Southern Legislative Conference Committee on Fiscal Affairs and Government Operations.
Harold’s track record fighting for issues facing his district earned him statewide recognition. Following the session, Representative Copenhaver was recognized by the Arkansas Municipal League as a “Distinguished Legislator” for his support of issues facing his community. Harold was also recognized by the Arkansas Advocates and Kids Count organizations as being one of two to be honored as a “Legislative Champion” for his voting record on issues facing children and families.
Legislative Committees
*Chair: Revenue & Taxation- House Sales, Use, Misc. Taxes & Exemptions Subcommittee
*Vice Chair: Legislative Joint Auditing-State Agencies
*Vice Chair: Local 911 Systems Blue Ribbon Committee
*Vice Chair: State & Public School Life & Health Insurance Task Force
*Insurance & Commerce- House
*Insurance & Commerce- House Insurance Subcommittee
*Joint Performance Review
*Legislative Joint Auditing
*Revenue & Taxation- House
*Non-Voting: Education Committee- House
