Editor’s note: The Fort Smith Metro Daily News Executive Summary series is focused on looking under the title, so to speak, of a business, government, and non-profit executive in the Fort Smith metro.
Mayor Joe Hurst was elected to his second term as mayor of Van Buren on Nov. 8, 2022. Prior to serving as mayor, he spent nearly 9 years as the city of Van Buren’s first city planner.
His career in municipal government began as an assistant city planner in Rogers, Ark., and then he was hired as the first city planner in El Dorado, Ark. Hurst earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Ouachita Baptist University and his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.
Mayor Hurst sits on several boards and commissions, including the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees, the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the Western Arkansas Intermodal Authority Board. He was chairman of the Arkansas Municipal League’s Economic Development Advisory Council in 2023.
In 2019, Hurst was selected as a member of the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Forty Under 40, and in 2025, he was selected as one of the top 100 influencers in local government by the Engaging Local Government Leaders organization.
His wife Amanda is a law professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law, and they have two children, Eli and Kate.
• What was your first job and what did it teach you?
I umpired baseball as a teenager. I quickly learned the truth of the proverb, “a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” That was a valuable lesson to learn at a young age, and it continues to guide me. When I encounter someone that is frustrated or angry about something in the city, I seek to have a calm discussion – in person if possible, and, usually, even if the person still doesn’t agree, they leave on a positive note. Umpiring also helped me grow thicker skin which has certainly served me well.
• What is a principle or value on which you never compromise?
My grandfather often quoted Bible verses to me and my brothers, and he stressed the importance of living out James 1: 19, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger,” and Proverbs 10:19, “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” I’ve found that talking less and listening more is a great principle to live by, especially for someone in public service, and I’m constantly reminding myself to do it.
• What’s one belief you held strongly 10+ years ago that you’ve changed your mind about?
I used to believe the old political maxim, “All politics is local.” But my experience leads me to believe it should be, “All politics is national.” As national politicians in Washington become more divided and unwilling to work together to solve problems, citizen distrust grows and filters down to the local level. It’s important to dispel the misperception local politics is like that. I find the citizens, groups, and leaders I work with share a vision and, while we don’t always agree on how to achieve it, we collaborate and work toward a solution rather than digging in our heels.
• If you could change one thing about the Fort Smith metro, what would it be?
The Arkansas River is a big driver for economic development, and I would like to see it utilized more and have it reach its greatest potential. Of course, there are exciting projects in the works. But the river is one of the primary reasons Van Buren is “Perfectly Placed,” and I want to continue to explore ways to be innovative in regard to it.
• What seemingly small thing had a big impact on your life?
The first sentence in Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, says, “IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU.” While this foundational truth was not new to me, the clarity of that short simple sentence, with no beating around the bush, spoke loudly to me when I read it many years ago. Thet perspective shift embodied in that line has stuck with me, and it still reminds me to focus more on God and others and less on myself.
• What about you would surprise most people?
I’m a big-time movie buff. In graduate school I auditioned for a small part in a movie, and I got it. The movie was shot in Eureka Springs. Spending time on a real movie set, interacting with other members of the cast and crew, being directed, and doing multiple takes was a special experience.
• There are many promises and concerns with the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). What societal benefit do you hope AI will produce?
I hope AI can help improve public health. AI could improve research capabilities, help diagnose diseases earlier and more accurately, and someday lead to curing cancer and other diseases.
• If you were able to get one piece of legislation through the U.S. Congress and signed into law, what would it be?
I’d like to do something to cut down on spending money we don’t have. One idea is passing a law that requires any new spending or tax cuts be offset elsewhere in the budget. “Pay-As-You-Go” or “Cut-As-You-Go” rules could help.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SUBJECTS
Following are the links to previous posts in the Executive Summary series.
ArcBest Chair and CEO Judy McReynolds
Fort Smith Mayor George McGill
BHC President and CEO Marty Clark
Maryl Koeth Purvis, director of the Van Buren Advertising and Promotion Commission
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley
Fort Smith Public Library Director Jennifer Goodson
Bill Hanna, president, CEO, board chairman, Hanna Oil & Gas
Rodney Shepard, regional executive for Arvest Bank’s southwest region
