Tim Griffin was brought up to believe in people, even when the circumstances of their lives did not allow them to believe in themselves. It is a tenet rooted in his own religious beliefs that fosters a desire to help bring out the best in his fellow humans, especially children and youth.
“From an early age, I understood the importance of investing in young people by giving my time, energy and resources,” Griffin said. “This belief was shaped, in large part, by my upbringing as the son of a minister and a teacher. My father was a minister who prioritized meaningful youth mission work, traveling to Mexico, Canada and across the United States. My mother, an early childhood specialist, devoted her life to education and childhood development.
“They believed in improving the next generation by investing in young people today. Growing up, I watched them teach young people — not just in education but in faith and character, as well. I developed a deep awareness of the need to share faith with young people and ensure they had strong role models in education and values.”
Griffin’s parlaying of those core values into a lifetime of serving others through military service and public office is now being formally recognized by Junior Achievement of Arkansas. The group, which works to prepare young people for the real world by providing knowledge of money, work and business, will honor Griffin at the annual Hall of Fame Business Luncheon slated for 11:30 a.m. May 6 at DoubleTree by Hilton in Little Rock.
The attorney general will receive the Legacy Award, denoting induction into JA of Arkansas’ Hall of Fame, in recognition of his service to the youth of Arkansas.
“Tim Griffin embodies everything that’s good about Arkansas and everything that Junior Achievement stands for,” said Heather Baker, president and publisher of the event’s major sponsor, AY Media Group, who will serve as the luncheon’s emcee, and is a member of JA’s state board of directors. “His commitment to making Arkansas safer — be it through his military service or his role in government — is foundational to the well-being and success of our state’s young people.
Heather Baker
“The most important factor for a young person in reaching his or her potential is the ability to live and grow and develop in safe communities without fear of violence or predators or harmful behaviors. Nothing else even comes close. Tim has devoted his life to protecting children and families from an increasingly dangerous world, and I am very happy to see him honored with this award.”
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Griffin and his family moved to Magnolia when he was in sixth grade. Following graduation from Magnolia High School, he headed for Conway and Hendrix College, where he majored in economics. He spent a year abroad at the University of Oxford in England before returning to the states and law school at Tulane University in New Orleans. There, the whisper to live a life devoted to helping others began to gain volume.
Griffin and his wife, Elizabeth, have been active in helping youth reach their full potential.
“One of my earliest experiences working to help young people was volunteering in a tutoring program at Tulane Law School,” he said. “I worked with an inner-city child who lacked guidance at home, offering him the academic support and encouragement he needed.”
In 1996, duty called, and Griffin put his law training to work for Uncle Sam, serving in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps, an ongoing commitment. In 2005, he was deployed to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division, ultimately achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 2018, he received his master’s degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College.
Griffin served in the George W. Bush presidential administration in Washington, D.C. In addition, Griffin held strategic positions with the Republican National Committee from 2002 to 2005 and was U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas from 2006 to 2007.
Elected office beckoned, and in 2010, the Republican Griffin was elected to Congress, filling the 2nd District seat vacated by Democrat longtimer Vic Snyder for two terms. Griffin’s skill in lawmaking landed him several high-profile committee and party roles, positioning him as a rising conservative star. However, in 2014, he brought the family back home to Arkansas, where he ran for and won the office of lieutenant governor for two terms. In 2022, he was elected the state’s 57th attorney general.
Griffin’s career has taken him to the corridors of power and remote outposts of the world, yet he never forgot his roots or the work to be done in his adoptive home state, first and foremost in service to young people.
“It is well documented that adult problems such as homelessness and incarceration significantly impact young people,” he said. “Many of the struggles that adults face can be traced back to childhood, where they lacked guidance, love and encouragement. My wife and I taught 5-year-olds in Sunday school for two years because we believe in the importance of teaching children at an early age.
“Recognizing this cycle, I became involved with organizations like Our House [in Little Rock], where I served on the board, and, later, Pathway to Freedom, which focuses on rehabilitation and mentorship. I also became a big brother at Brady Elementary [in Little Rock], mentoring a student who did not have a healthy relationship with his father. I helped him with his reading in the library and played basketball during recess. Subsequently, I joined the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters.”
The Legacy Award/Hall of Fame Award was established in 2008 to recognize the visionary leaders who founded Junior Achievement of Arkansas in 1987. Since that time, the honor has been awarded to individuals who have displayed exceptional leadership in supporting academic excellence in Arkansas. A sample of past recipients includes former Clinton White House Chief of Staff Mack McLarty; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones; then-Attorney General Leslie Rutledge; former Gov. Mike Beebe, and former professional athletes Sidney Moncrief and Keith Jackson, to name a few.
Also being awarded at the luncheon will be the Nelson Summit Award, named after Junior Achievement’s founder and Hall of Famer Sheffield Nelson, which goes annually to a company that has shown a deep commitment to educating Arkansas’ youth. This year’s honored company is Relyance Bank, which joins the likes of Walmart, Acxiom, Windstream and Simmons Bank on the roster of recognized companies.
“We are extremely excited to receive this great honor,” said DeAnna Korte, assistant vice president of marketing and communications. “Relyance has a history of partnering with nonprofits in the community, whether it’s through financial support or volunteerism. JA’s mission of preparing students for their futures through financial literacy is so important, and it aligns with our mission of dedicating the time and talent of our staff and our bank into the communities where we live and work. It’s extremely important to us.”
Last year, Relyance and JA entered into a collaboration with Watson Chapel School District aimed at providing comprehensive educational programs to students from kindergarten through young adulthood. The initiative, carried out by Relyance Bank-provided volunteers, will reach approximately 6,000 students and address topics such as financial literacy, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship.
“Junior Achievement of Arkansas is proud to honor Relyance Bank for their community partnership with Junior Achievement and Watson Chapel School District,” said Tonya Villines, JA president and CEO. “These bank volunteers play a pivotal role in advancing our mission by teaching financial literacy and work readiness lessons to elementary students. Their leadership extends to serving on our JA Board of Directors and participating in several event fundraisers.
Tonya Villines
“We couldn’t do it without this amazing team of volunteers from Relyance Bank. By sharing their experiences, they become role models for our future workforce.”
For nearly four decades, Junior Achievement of Arkansas has worked to bring financial and economic concepts into schools, teaching the basics of employment, financial literacy, workforce coaching and entrepreneurship. Volunteers are equipped with classroom materials, which they deliver to students in kindergarten through high school throughout the state.
Griffin said he was humbled to have been recognized by the organization, adding that it has been his ambition to play a role in improving the Natural State for children and youth.
“As Arkansas attorney general, I have been able to put money from the attorney general’s office settlement funds toward causes that have a positive impact on young people,” he said. “Organizations such as Junior Achievement, child advocacy centers and Women & Children First [in Little Rock] are just a few of the many groups that impact children now and for future generations.
“For me, this mission is not just a reflection of past efforts — it remains deeply personal. As the father of a 17-year-old, a 15-year-old and a 7-year-old, I see the real-time impact of investing time, love and education in a child’s life. It’s not just about helping other kids; it’s about shaping a future where all children have the support and encouragement they need to thrive.”
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