George B. McGill, Mayor City of Fort Smith Arkansas

2019 – Present 

George McGill was elected Mayor of Fort Smith in August of 2018. As the first African American to ever be elected as Fort Smith Mayor, McGill is a trailblazer who has used his dedication to public service to advance the common good at the federal, state, and local levels. Prior to serving as Mayor, McGill represented Fort Smith, his hometown, in the Arkansas House of Representatives for three terms.  

As a State Representative for District 78, McGill earned the respect of his legislative peers on both sides of the political aisle. He gave the closing argument for the separation of Robert E. Lee and Martin Luther King, Jr. Holidays in Arkansas.

He served as Deputy Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Arkansas House of Representatives.  

His service in the House of Representatives also included Chair of the Aging, Children, Youth Legislative & Military Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of Policy-Making Subcommittee for the Legislative Governing Board of the Council of State Governments.  These leadership positions allowed McGill the opportunity to focus on issues that he deeply cares for, such as hunger relief, higher education, the protection of the elderly, children and families, and veterans.

Mayor McGill’s leadership experience as a United States Army Veteran, former small business owner, and community leader has been recognized through many awards including The National Guard Association of Arkansas Joseph T. Robinson Award, the Arkansas Municipal League Distinguished Legislator Award in 2013, 2015, and 2017, and the University Of Arkansas School Of Business Trailblazer Award.

Mayor McGill earned his Bachelor of Science in education and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas.  

Commissioned as Second Lieutenant, United States Army Feld Artillery, during the Vietnam War, McGill is the embodiment of Public Service.