Let's Say Thanks! Village Employees Benefit Fund. Donate Now!

Born Yankees, Carol Freeland and her husband, Howard, moved to Hot Springs Village in 2004, where they discovered their “quiet” place on Lake Balboa. Carol has an undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology and a graduate degree in Public Administration. Early in her career, while raising their three children, she was Executive Director for Montessori schools. In 1986, she was licensed in the securities industry, and eventually became a partner in a Dallas-based company involved in the credit and debt resolution industry. She also served as an NASD arbitrator. She has been active, and board involved with Ouachita Children & Family Services, CASA, Mid-America Science Museum, AAUW, and Garland County Juvenile Court. Carol also served on the board of directors for the Hot Springs Village Concert Association and was chair for three years. She initiated the formation of non-profit, Sunshine Therapeutic Riding Center, and served as its chair for three years and now as a board member. 

“What better way to say thanks to our great employees than through the offerings of the VEBF.”

Lloyd Sherman has been a resident of HSV since December, 2014. He was born in Canon City, CO and through both his personal and business life he has lived in Oregon, Alaska, California, Maryland, Washington, Mississippi, Texas, Republic of Panama and has now made Arkansas his home. Lloyd and his wife first learned of HSV while living in Panama and upon their decision to leave Panama, HSV was on their radar. Once they drove into HSV, they knew they were home. 

Lloyd has been actively involved in both business and community activities since his arrival. He is a former business owner of his own business consulting firm. Prior to that he left the corporate world after 28 years as an SVP and Division Mgr. for a Fortune 500 company. He continues to work as a Realtor and has remained active in giving back to the community. He has served on the POA board, HSV Realtor board, Evening Lions board and has now turned his attention to being an active participant in the VEBF board to assist in saying thank you to the employees of HSV who provide services day in and day out to the residents and visitors of HSV.

Born and raised in Chicago, Bill Luerssen graduated from Ripon College with a BA in Mathematics. He spent two years in the Army following graduation before pursuing his 35-year professional career in computers. He retired 25 years ago, moving to Scottsdale, Arizona, for nine years. In 2010, he and his family moved to Hot Springs Village and have been here ever since. In addition to serving as Treasurer of the Village Employee Benefit Fund, Bill is a member of Village United Methodist Church and currently chairs the Finance Committee. Bill and his wife, Susan, have been married for 40 years. They have a daughter and son and two grandsons. 

Before moving to Hot Springs Village in 2019, Donna Jared’s professional career included serving the nonprofit sector for 30 years in fundraising, management, and leadership roles for national and international organizations.

Donna and her husband, Donald, enjoyed raising their family in Conway, Arkansas and have extended family spread across the state. 

Volunteering with the VEBF is an important way for Donna to give back to the HSV community and support our many wonderful HSV employees who make the Village a great place to live and work. 

Bill is a Business and Marketing graduate of Louisiana State University.  Joining the US Navy, he was trained as a naval aviator in 1970.  Retiring with the rank of Commander in 1989, he went on to fly for Continental Airlines until 2002.  He and his wife moved to Hot Springs Village in 2006, "living the good life."  He recognizes the hard work that our POA hourly employees perform, and is looking forward to working with VEBF board.

 Ricky Middleton retired as Hot Springs Village Chief of Police in 2022, after serving in the police department and advancing in rank, for 37 years. During that time, he successfully completed a variety of law enforcement training programs from 4 institutions of higher learning. For five years prior to his start in the police department, he worked for the POA as a construction laborer. 

Ricky has been married to his wife, Michelle, since 1980. They have two children and three grandchildren. He is a member of the Hot Springs Village Rotary Club and the Wuzz-A-Fuzz retired police officer group. As to serving as a board member with the VEBF, Ricky says: “As a former HSV POA employee and recipient of VEBF gifts, I know how important it is to support our employees with funds that may truly make a difference in their lives.”

  Sue Luerssen is a college graduate with a BA in Education, who spent most of her professional life in the data processing field working for two major corporations.  She then started a data processing consulting firm with her husband Bill.  

They moved to the Village in 2010, but have been visiting the Village since 1981.  

She is president of the Village's local AAUW chapter, enjoys playing mahjongg, spending time with friends, traveling, and "being able to give back to our community."

Bob has a business degree from Bowling Green State University.  He spent three years in the US Army after graduation, with a final rank of 1st. Lieutenant, and is a Vietnam veteran.

His 43-year business career in manufacturing included initial positions in marketing management, followed by 24 years as President and CEO of 3 different corporations.

Bob and his wife Linda moved from California to Hot Springs Village in 2013 and are very pleased with their decision.

"I look forward to the opportunity to serve on the board and help support and grow the VEBF".

 Jeff is a federally licensed firearms dealer and a resident of Hot Springs Village. He enjoys restoring vintage motorcycles and has been a consultant to leading motorcycle manufacturers. His skills include woodworking and gunsmithing. 

Jeff’s professional experience includes managing employees and working with international shippers and high-tech corporations worldwide. Statistical analysis and quality control are definitely in his wheelhouse! 

Jeff and his wife, Stacey, grew a wine club from 100 to 1300 members. They are both active Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church members and have lived in the Village since 2016. 

 John is a retired Journeyman Lineman certified by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. 

During a career of over 50 years, beginning with his apprenticeship in his home state of Pennsylvania, John has worked in various job positions in 14 different states. In 1985, John began working for the City of Los Angeles in the Department of Water & Power. In that capacity, supervising multiple employees, he worked on Emergency Restoration, tower line rights of way, and pole replacement.

John retired in 2015 and moved with his wife to Hot Springs Village. That year, he began donating to the Village Employees Benefit Fund. 

John and his wife have three children, all residing in Southern California.