Kyle Gaither

Kyle was born and raised in Batesville, Arkansas, and graduated from Batesville High School in 1986. He attended Lyon College and transferred to the University of Arkansas obtaining a bachelor of science degree in Chemical Engineering in 1991. Kyle began his professional career as a project manager with Eastman Kodak Company in Batesville. Kyle managed several key projects for the site including the design and startup of multiple batch and continuous chemical production processes, installation of a distributed control system, and coordinating compliance with OSHA’s PSM regulations and the EPA’s MON regulations. In the late 1990’s, Kyle moved into management roles for various departments including process improvement groups, environmental compliance, batch plant operations, and continuous plant operations. When the facility was sold in 2006 and became FutureFuel Chemical Company, Kyle resumed his role in project management by leading the effort to design and commercialize a large-scale continuous biodiesel operation. Following the successful completion of this project, he moved back into operations management becoming the facilities operations manager. In 2018, Kyle became FutureFuel’s General Manager and in 2023 was appointed to the position of Chief Operations Officer with responsibility for production, engineering, maintenance, construction, health safety environment and security, quality assurance, training, materials handling, warehousing, trucking, and human resources.

Kyle and his wife Christi (a native of Searcy Arkansas and also a Chemical Engineering graduate from the University of Arkansas) have two children. In his free time, Kyle enjoys playing trumpet in the Batesville Brass Society and outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. Kyle is also involved in several community organizations including the First Baptist Church of Batesville, the White River Health Systems Community Advisory Board, and the Community Enrichment Organization. He is a past board member of the United Way of Independence County, the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.