Position 8 At-Large City Director, City of Little Rock
Dr. Dean Kumpuris has been practicing gastroenterology for 43 years and has served on the Little Rock City Board since 1995.
Dr. Kumpuris serves as Position 8 At-Large City Director. He was appointed to fill a vacancy on the City Board in January 1995. He has been elected to terms in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. From January 2011 until December 2012, Dr. Kumpuris served as Vice Mayor of the City of Little Rock.
In addition to being a vocal supporter of the City’s Prevention, Intervention and Treatment programs, he is founder of Arkansas Commitment and is a longtime supporter of the Boys and Girls Club. Dr. Kumpuris is a member and chairman of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Board of Visitors.
Revitalization of downtown Little Rock has been a major focus of Dr. Kumpuris. He has been involved in the department of the River Market and the expansion of Riverfront Park. He worked with children and parks staff to design the new Peabody Park play area in Riverfront Park. Dr. Kumpuris also championed the La Petite Roche Plaza in the park, which pays tribute to the City’s namesake.
Dr. Kumpuris was the City’s liaison to the site selection and planning for the Clinton Presidential Center and Park. In addition, he worked to establish the Bill Clark Wetlands Park along the bank of the Arkansas River.
Dr. Kumpuris has also been instrumental in the encouragement of public art. In less than 10 years, his efforts have led to over 90 sculptures in those two parks and additional sculptures placed throughout Little Rock. The Sculpture at the River Market show attracts thousands of visitors each year.
A member of St. Mark Episcopal Church, Dr. Kumpuris and his wife Mary have two children. He is a graduate of Little Rock Hall High School, Washington & Lee University and Emory University Medical School.