We honor the memory of former ARC Federal Co-Chair Dr. Jesse L. White, Jr., who passed away on April 17, 2026 at the age of 81. Dr. White served as Federal Co-Chair from 1993 to 2002—the longest tenure in ARC’s history.

Throughout his nine years of leadership, Dr. White championed regional strategies that laid the groundwork for ARC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen local leadership, expand telecommunications access, and grow entrepreneurship across Appalachia.

As the Commission entered the 21st century, Dr. White played a pivotal role in launching ARC’s telecommunications initiative to address access barriers at a time when technology was rapidly transforming the global economy. The initiative supported long-term investments in infrastructure, education, training, and planning to ensure Appalachia could keep pace with a fast-changing technological landscape. To this day, ARC continues its support of projects that expand broadband access and maximize the use of cutting-edge technology to strengthen Appalachia’s economic opportunities.

Under his direction, ARC also introduced its entrepreneurship initiative in 1997 to build the region’s entrepreneurial infrastructure. Designed to create and grow locally owned, high value-added businesses, the effort focused on five core areas: entrepreneurial education and training; entrepreneurial networks and clusters; technology transfer; access to capital and financial assistance; and technical and managerial support. Its strong outcomes—helping launch new businesses, retain and create jobs, and attract private investment—led ARC to continue and expand these efforts, which remain central to the Commission’s work today.

In 2001, Dr. White created the Appalachian Teaching Project, the precursor to ARC’s Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative. This initiative brings together faculty from colleges and universities throughout the region to create a forum where college students can share their work conducting community-based applied research focused on economic development. Since its creation, over 3,100 students from 34 colleges and universities across Appalachia have participated in the initiative.

We are deeply grateful for Dr. White’s enduring contributions to improving the lives of millions of Appalachians. He will be missed by many.