Secretary’s Office

Secretary’s Office Staff

Secretary Joseph K. Wood

Joseph K. Wood was appointed the Secretary of the Department of Transformation and Shared Services by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders in 2023. He served two terms as Washington County Judge, which is the third largest county in Arkansas and one of the fastest growing counties in the nation.

Learn more about Secretary Wood here.

Contact Information
Email: Joseph.Wood@arkansas.gov
Phone: 501.319.6565

Alex Johnston, Chief of Staff

Alex Johnston has been the Chief of Staff at the Department of Transformation and Shared Services since December 2021. Before her role as Chief of Staff, Alex was the Chief Administrative Officer. Alex was also part of the Transformation Transition Team during the historic transformation initiative in 2019.

Contact Information
Email: Alex.Johnston@arkansas.gov
Phone: 501.319.6565

Shannon Halijan, Chief Legal Counsel

Shannon Halijan is the Chief Legal Counsel for the Department of Transformation and Shared Services (TSS). Shannon joins TSS from the Office of the Arkansas Attorney General, where she served as Deputy Attorney General for the Public Protection Department. Shannon holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Central Arkansas and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas.

Contact Information
Email:
Shannon.Halijan@arkansas.gov
Phone: 501.319.6565

China Simon, Chief Fiscal Officer

China Daulton is the Chief Fiscal Officer for the Department of Transformation and Shared Services (TSS). Prior to her role as Chief Fiscal Officer for the department, China was the CFO for the TSS Division of Information Systems.

Contact Information:
Email: china.daulton@arkansas.gov
Phone: 501.319.6565

Rhoda Classen, Executive Assistant

Rhoda Classen is the Executive Assistant to the Secretary’s Office and has held this role since late 2021. In addition to these duties, Rhoda has taken on roles in human resources. Before becoming the Executive Assistant, Rhoda worked in Employee Benefits at TSS.

Contact Information:
Email: Rhoda.Classen@arkansas.gov
Phone: 501.319.6551

Scott Carnes, Human Resources Administrator

Scott Carnes is the Human Resources Administrator at the Department of Transformation and Shared Services (TSS). Scott started with TSS in early 2023 and came to us from the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism!

Contact Information:
Email: Scott.Carnes@arkansas.gov
Phone: 501.319.6565

Kristy Henricksen, Secretary’s Office Assistant

Kristy Henricksen is the first smiling face you will see when you come to the Secretary’s Office. Kristy has been with TSS since 2022 and, since then, has taken on additional duties in daily tasks and human resources. Before coming to TSS, Kristy worked at Pettus Office Supplies for 25 years!

Contact Information:
Email: Kristy.Henricksen@arkansas.gov
Phone: 501.319.6565