Arkansas Money & Politics December 2021 by AY Magazine

DRIVING THE

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D EC E M B E R 2021

DECEMBER CONTENTS

Manufacturers in Arkansas and beyond are looking for an infusion of younger workers as the current workforce is nearing retirement.

22 | A Fire Is Lit

Rajesh Chokhani brought international tube manufacturer Welspun to Arkansas but is taking on a new venture with FIRE.

14 | CYNERGY = ENERGY The opening of the Cynergy Cargo plant in Crossett has reenergized the Ashley County seat and is helping put locals back to work.

29 | Power Women

AMP is proud to once again recognize Power Women, those business and political leaders who are breaking glass ceilings.

91 | Finding Their Way

Nursing homes continue to navigate an environment overwhelmed by issues related to the pandemic.

DRIVING THE

ON THE COV E R 16 | BEEP BOOP BEEP Staley Technologies is turning tech chirping into a sweet sound for many businesses from health care to manufacturing. DEC E M BER 2 02 1

Danyelle Musselman was photographed for the December cover at her Fayetteville home by Jamison Mosley. A member of the 2021 AMP Power Women list, Musselman is the behind-the-scenes “GM of Musselman Enterprises.”

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DECEMBER CONTENTS PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER

Heather Baker | hbaker@armoneyandpolitics.com CHIEF EDITOR Mark Carter | mcarter@armoneyandpolitics.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Dustin Jayroe | djayroe@armoneyandpolitics.com ONLINE EDITOR Lindsey Castrellon | lindsey@armoneyandpolitics.com COPY EDITOR Lisa Fischer | lfischer@armoneyandpolitics.com STAFF WRITERS Emily Beirne | ebeirne@armoneyandpolitics.com Sarah Coleman | scoleman@armoneyandpolitics.com Katie Zakrzewski | katie@armoneyandpolitics.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Mike Bedgood | mbedgood@armoneyandpolitics.com ART DIRECTOR Jamison Mosley | jmosley@armoneyandpolitics.com

88 | RAZORBACKS RECAP It’s safe to say that Sam Pittman is ahead of schedule in his Razorback rebuild. In just his second season, the Hogs are bowling again.

DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Kellie McAnulty | kmcanulty@armoneyandpolitics.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lora Puls | lpuls@armoneyandpolitics.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Greg Churan | gchuran@armoneyandpolitics.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Tonya Higginbotham | thigginbotham@armoneyandpolitics.com Mary Funderburg | mary@armoneyandpolitics.com Tonya Mead | tmead@armoneyandpolitics.com Shasta Ballard | sballard@armoneyandpolitics.com Amanda Moore | amoore@armoneyandpolitics.com ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER Jessica Everson | jeverson@armoneyandpolitics.com ADVERTISING COORDINATORS Jacob Carpenter | ads@armoneyandpolitics.com Virginia Ellison | ads@armoneyandpolitics.com CIRCULATION Ginger Roell | groell@armoneyandpolitics.com ADMINISTRATION Casandra Moore | admin@armoneyandpolitics.com

106 | WHAT COULD BE One man’s vision would see the iconic, old riverport Arkansas City in Desha County emerge as a tourist destination.

INTERN Maitlyn Harrison | mharrison@armoneyandpolitics.com

CEO | Vicki Vowell TO ADVERTISE

call 501-244-9700 email hbaker@armoneyandpolitics.com TO SUBSCRIBE | 501-244-9700 ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Joyce Elliott, Arkansas State Senator; Gretchen Hall, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau; Stacy Hurst, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism; Heather Larkin, Arkansas Community Foundation; Elizabeth Pulley, Children’s Advocacy Centers; Gina Radke, Galley Support Innovations; Steve Straessle, Little Rock Catholic High School; Kathy Webb, Little Rock City Board

CONTRIBUTORS

Angela Forsyth, Becky Gillette, Eric Bolin, Kenneth Heard, Dwain Hebda, Douglas Hutchings, Carl Kozlowski, Patrick Schueck, Alex Trader

116 | SLOW PROGRESS One day, Interstate 69 will cross the Mississippi and run through southeast Arkansas. Progress is there, but slow. ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

AMP magazine is published monthly, Volume IV, Issue 8 AMP magazine (ISSN 2162-7754) is published monthly by AY Media Group, 910 W. Second St., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201. Periodicals postage paid at Little Rock, AR, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to AMP, 910 W. Second St., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201. Subscription Inquiries: Subscription rate is $28 for one year (12 issues). Single issues are available upon request for $5. For subscriptions, inquiries or address changes, call 501-2449700. The contents of AMP are copyrighted, and material contained herein may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. Articles in AMP should not be considered specific advice, as individual circumstances vary. Products and services advertised in the magazine are not necessarily endorsed by AMP. Please recycle this magazine.

D EC E M B E R 2021

PLUGGED IN

Jake Nabholz will ascend to CEO of his family construction business in January. In November, he talked with AMP about his journey from summer laborer to chief executive.

Business professional Ericka Gutierrez has joined Conway entrepreneurial organization the Conductor as the Outreach and Engagement Manager. Gutierrez will serve as a liaison, relationship builder, and catalyst for Conductor events and programs across the 11-county service area and beyond.

FEEDBACK JAKE NABHOLZ READY TO TAKE THE REIGNS OF THE FAMILY BUSINESS “Congratulations, Jake. Nabholz couldn’t be in better hands.” Carter Rickman

INSTAGRAM

SIMMONS TO BE LARGEST ARKANSAS BANK FOLLOWING TEXAS MERGER “I have been in the Arkansas banking community for over 30 years. It is truly amazing to witness what Simmons Bank has accomplished. What a great bank!” Dennis Stricklin SERVICE WITH A SMILEY: LITTLE ROCK SOFTWARE COMPANY SEEKS HIGHER CALLING THROUGH SERVICE TO COMMUNITY BANKS “So glad to see this article. A well-deserved tribute to all you do.” Nan Snow BENTONVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CEO STEPPING DOWN “Wishing you the best, Graham Cobb! You will be making big things happen and thank you.” Kalene Munson Griffith

Electric vehicle manufacturer Canoo has selected Bentonville as its headquarters, company officials announced Monday. The company also plans to establish a Research & Development (R&D) center and an advanced industrialization/low-volume production facility for small package delivery vehicles in the state. These and other investments will bring at least 545 jobs to the Northwest Arkansas area.

THE RETURN OF HAWGBALL: UNDER MUSS, RAZORBACK BASKETBALL PRIMED TO VISIT PAST GLORY “We have a very excellent coaching staff and very highly ranked recruiting classes. Muss has shown he can get it done. We’ll make the tournament and may go deep. I’d bet a dime to a donut Muss will bring it all home at some point. It’s all there, and for the record I said the same thing about both Nolan and Lou Holtz.” Reddit User ididnotdoitever

TOP ONLINE ARTICLES 1. Simmons to be Largest Arkansas Bank Following Texas Merger 2. Chaos Theory: Kevin Kopps’ Unexpected Evolution in the Pros

Startup Junkie Foundation Executive Director, Caleb Talley, has been named to the National Small Business Association (NSBA) Leadership Council.

3. Entergy Arkansas Welcomes its First Female Line Worker 4. Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Stepping Down 5. Arkansas Travelers Announce Promotions, First Female GM in Team History 6. Former Craighead County Clerk Sentenced to 10 Years for Theft, Forgery 7. Crystal Bridges Museum Announces Board Leadership Transition 8. State Parks Appoints Leaders to New Office of Outdoor Recreation 9. Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Appoints New Board Members 10. 4th and 25: From Sam Pittman to Au’Diese Toney, Hog Fans Have Blessings to Count

Little Rock’s Delta Solar has named Katie Laning Niebaum as its new president. In her new role, Niebaum will be overseeing operations of the Arkansas-based, owned, and operated solar energy company, which serves agricultural and commercial clients.

@AMPPOB

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EDITOR’S LETTER

By Mark Carter

A RAZOR’S EDGE ON NEW YEAR’S

ew Year’s Day in Arkansas will have an edge in 2022, a “Razor’s” edge, if you will — the Hogs are bowling on Jan. 1. Never mind that TCU’s opt-out of the Texas Bowl last year — at the last minute — should’ve counted as a forfeit win; the Razorbacks will officially break a five-year bowl drought and face Penn State in the Outback Bowl. It’ll be the program’s firstever meeting with the Nittany Lions and its first trip to the Outback Bowl, which sports a nice $6.4 million payout. The Outback will kick things off at 11, the first of five big games that day culminating in the Sugar Bowl that night. (The Hogs were a two-point conversion away in Oxford from playing Baylor in the Sugar, by the way.) So, merry Christmas, Hog fans and all purveyors of Razorback gear. Hogman’s Hogpen, Alumni Hall, The Stadium Shoppe, the UA’s Hog Heaven locations, Santa’s elves… all should be a little extra busy this holiday season. Counting the two playoff semifinal games (this year, the Cotton and Orange bowls), there will be 42 bowls beginning

with the Bahamas Bowl on Dec. 17, pitting 6-6 Middle Tennessee and 7-5 Toledo. Two of them will be played in Frisco, Texas, of all places, the Frisco Football Classic announced just on Dec. 5. After all, what’s a football postseason without Miami of Ohio and North Texas, right? It’ll all be a giant jambalaya of mostly mediocre football before a bunch of empty seats, until we get close to Jan. 1 anyway, but those of us glued to the TV or streaming device of choice back home will be watching. Or tuned in, anyway. Football as white noise always works, even if the game is a wash. WHAT DEMAND? After a closer-than-expected win in Fayetteville against Little Rock, Eric Musselman noted in the post-game his disappointment in the attendance for the game against the Trojans as well as an earlier matchup with UCA. He thought playing in-state teams would generate more excitement. News flash to Coach and Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek: Very few in Arkansas actually care. Not really. The empty

seats tell the story. When you take away the novelty of Arkansas playing in-state teams, it boils down to two more games against two more mid-majors. And that’s all. I’ve never understood the argument that this is somehow good for the state. What’s good for the state, sports wise, is for the Hogs to be good. And for the Hogs to be good, the whole state needs to be behind them. If these in-state matchups were in such demand, where were the UCA or Trojan fans? At home, I suppose, because they weren’t in Bud Walton. Let’s face it, most UCA and Little Rock fans also are Hog fans if not Hog fans first. I suppose only one thing really matters to those on the Hill counting beans. The UALR and UCA games were sold out, as all of them are this season, even if not well attended. Old man rant complete. Forgive an old Hog curmudgeon (word of the month?) his soapbox. Here’s wishing everyone a merry Christmas and great holiday season. Let me know how we’re doing, good or bad. I’m open 24/7 at MCarter@ ARMoneyandPolitics.com By Heather Baker

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

COUNTING BLESSINGS AND POWER WOMEN

strong, confident woman. Each of the women on this year’s list have shown business acumen and display the grit and determination to succeed that have made our country great. They are CEOs, entrepreneurs, state representatives, health care providers and more, and they represent a wide variety of industry in Arkansas. Also this month, AMP takes a look at manufacturing and how local officials are promoting specialized skills training to try and offset an aging workforce, efforts to turn the Delta into a true tourist destination and much more Thank you for reading. From all of us here Heather Baker at AMP, have a great Christmas and holiday season. Share any comments or story ideas with me at HBaker@ ARMoneyandPolitics.com.

ecember is the most wonderful time of the year, the song goes, and I couldn’t agree more. The Christmas holiday season has always represented one of my favorite times of the year. It means the holidays, of course, a chance to reconnect with family and, most importantly, a chance to count our blessings. This year, I’m doing a lot of that. But December also means that it’s time to recognize our Power Women, nominated by Arkansas Money & Politics readers. These women are breaking glass ceilings and excelling in fields that once represented the domain of men exclusively. And the Power Women recognized inside represent some of the best our state has to offer including Danyelle Musselman, a former network sports broadcaster and a great example of a ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

D EC E M B E R 2021

VIEWPOINT

BUILD THE WORKFORCE,

BUILD AMERICA A

rkansas may be considered a relatively small state by area and population measures. But our impact extends well beyond our borders. Our agricultural products feed and clothe the world. Our logistics industry serves as a vital lifeline for domestic and international businesses alike. And our manufacturers propel the global economy with their innovative services and products. Take Lexicon Inc. as a prime example. For more than 50 years, we have prided ourselves on “Building America” one project at a time. We have constructed bridges, stadiums, industrial plants, convention centers, championship golf courses and much more. We have been able to do this because we have invested in our workforce by providing fair, competitive wages. Now more than ever, this commitment to our people is critical to our survival — and our continued success. Right now, the United States is facing a skilled labor shortage. Unfortunately, this issue is only expected to worsen as the current generation of craftsmen retire and the demand for these types of services grows. Manufacturing output in the U.S. is already increasing due to an uptick in domestic production, including a wave of clean energy projects like wind and solar farms. Add in the recent federal infrastructure bill and subsequent roadway construction projects, and there will soon be a full-on war for talent. Companies like Lexicon that spend the time, money and effort to improve their workforces and become employers of choice will see the ultimate paybacks. Not only will they see the capabilities and bottom lines of their organizations rise, but they will see happier team members

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By Patrick Schueck

who care more and work harder. As I have learned firsthand as president and CEO, understanding and communicating with your talent pool are essential components to building a strong team and business. At Lexicon, we have implemented several initiatives to recruit and retain skilled workers. Our company is developing what we deem the “road map of success” for all employees, whether they serve in our administrative offices, maintenance, new construction, golf or fabrication divisions. The goal: for our team to visualize, understand and take action to advance their careers at our company. We are also implementing “stay interviews,” so our leadership can better delve into our workforce’s needs and address potential areas of improvement. In addition, we have adopted a nonqualified benefit plan to incentivize individuals who stay with us for more than five years. Finally, we have established Lexicon University, which will offer a positive onboarding experience for new employees as well as leadership, skills-based and safety training for existing team members. But we also understand the importance of investing outside the walls of our company. And that includes partnering with local school systems to develop curricula that will support trade industries like ours. Today, 40 percent of Central Arkansas students do not go to college. It is imperative — both for their and Arkansas’ long-term economic success — that they leave high school with valuable, in-demand skills companies like Lexicon need. These students should have plans — and backup plans. As importantly, they should understand that being a tradesman or a craftsman is a noble, rewarding and financially worthwhile career path.

Over the past two years, I have worked side by side with the Little Rock Regional Chamber and local school districts to help create the Academies of Central Patrick Schueck Arkansas. Derived from Ford Next Generation Learning, this initiative is designed to provide all students in the region with projectbased learning opportunities. Each academy will have an occupation-specific school focused on real-world skills and offer a range of in-demand specialties, from banking to construction to aerospace design. But this is just a start. It is widely agreed that human skill development is the key to economic growth. In today’s competitive marketplace, this sentiment rings even more true. In addition to investing in our own employees, it is imperative for the Arkansas business community to look to and support the next generation of leaders. For more than five decades, Lexicon has strived to put people first because we know quality, safety and innovation closely follow. This mindset has allowed us to build America. And it will help us bolster our state’s workforce, now and in the future. We hope other companies will follow suit. Patrick Schueck is president and CEO of Little Rock-based Lexicon Inc., a leading provider of construction management, fabrication, erection, mechanical installation, golf course construction and plant management services with almost 2,000 employees across the U.S.

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DISCOVERY ECONOMICS

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE NATURAL STATE By Douglas Hutchings, ARA Academy Director

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often wonder how Arkansans view the state’s efforts to bolster innovation, support entrepreneurship and advance research activities. Growing up in Mena (technically Board Camp, but Mena is where we went for civilization), I know it wasn’t on my radar, and I don’t remember it being discussed at all. There were usually much more pressing needs that demanded attention. Proximity to a subject breaks down barriers (real or perceived) and helps us frame it in the context of our everyday lives. This series of Discovery Economics articles seeks to highlight your fellow Arkansans, the important work they are doing and why their research matters to you. The Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) Academy of Scholars and Fellows (Academy) is a group of researchers from the major research institutions in Arkansas. This includes five academic campuses plus the U.S. FDA National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR). The university chancellors and executive director at NCTR identified these individuals as strategic hires (recruitment) or as leaders in strategic areas (retention). Note that I used the word “strategic” for both cases, as it is critical to focus on existing and emerging areas of strength. The ARA Academy currently has 32 members, and their personal and professional backgrounds are highly diverse. They range from growing up in a city of fewer than 600 in southern Arkansas, to visiting and never wanting to leave. Their research ranges from theoretical work in understanding quantum physics to helping Arkansas farmers maximize crop production. The common thread is that they live here, they work here, and they all want to have a positive impact on their communities, their state and the disciplines they are passionate about. The recent Arkansas Economic Recovery Strategy report, authored by Heartland Forward and commissioned by the Governor’s Task Force for Economic Recovery,

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highlighted the importance of research to the Arkansas economy. While the order and number of items in the report don’t necessarily indicate a ranking, it is telling that “Innovation and Research” is the second major topic (after Workforce Development), and the word “research” shows up over 130 times. The word “research” shares an equivalent size to the word “business” in a word cloud (trust me, I checked). Those two words complement each other well because the business successes of tomorrow often starts with the leading research of today. This direct connection between research and impact is evident in the stories already shared in this column. The efforts range from Dr. Min Zou’s (University of Arkansas) research that has resulted in a low-friction chain lube for cycling, to Dr. Nitin Agarwal’s (UA Little Rock) efforts to track online misinformation, to Dr. Argelia Lorence’s (Arkansas State) work to improve the performance of rice under changing nighttime conditions, to Dr. Rebecca Lochmann’s (UAPB) progress on developing optimized feed for farmraised fish, to Dr. Mark Smeltzer’s (UAMS) developments in fighting Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) infections. In the coming months we will get to explore efforts underway at NCTR. Each story touches on the globally competitive research being done right here in Arkansas. The success of these individuals touches many lives. There are the beneficiaries of the research discoveries (farmers with a higher yield, patients with better health outcomes or you speeding by your favorite rival on your science-enhanced bike), and there are also all those who get to experience the scientific discovery along the way. This includes students (from high school

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to graduate school) who will become the research leaders of tomorrow. It also includes the businesses and entrepreneurs who end up building products or services to deliver the value of research to the end consumer. Many Arkansans may not realize that a career in scientific research or starting a small business around a breakthrough discovery is a possible career choice for themselves or their children. I certainly didn’t until I heard stories of others who chose that path. If you are anything like me, it takes hearing something several times before it is internalized. I want everyone to know that you can do great things, and you can do them in Arkansas. As director of the ARA Academy, my role is simple (but not easy): Help a diverse set of world-class researchers expand their impact in the directions that are important to them personally. This is accomplished by supporting efforts to secure funding for basic research, promoting industry engagement opportunities, helping expand opportunities for early career researchers in their labs and exploring small business formation around their technologies when the time is right. Universally, each Academy member incorporates an aspect of economic development in their mission, whether they think of it in those terms or not. My life is an example of how the investments we make in innovation, entrepreneurship and research excellence can reach those in even our

Douglas Hutchings

smallest communities if the stories reach people at the right time. Looking ahead, as the investment in advancing research continues to compound in Arkansas, and as the ARA Academy continues to grow, I still wonder what Arkansans think of the efforts. I know that we, on average, would be excited by them if only the stories were made available and communicated effectively. The State Science & Technology Institute (SSTI) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving initiatives that support prosperity through science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. A 2020 poll of Arkansans around investments in these areas found 96 percent of respondents agreeing that they can have a positive impact on the economy, 93 percent agreeing that they expanded opportunities for the next generation and 72 percent agreeing that they can open opportunities for them personally. It is happening, we need more of it, and I am thrilled that the Academy members have a chance to share their stories with you.

D EC E M B E R 2021

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D EC E M B E R 2021

MANUFACTURING

WANTED: AGING WORKFORCE REMAINS A CONCERN FOR ARKANSAS MANUFACTURERS

By Sarah Coleman

he aging workforce makes no exception when it comes to manufacturing in Arkansas, an industry very much in need of an influx of younger workers. Programs like Be Pro Be Proud from the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce; Career Watch, a publication from the Arkansas Department of Commerce (ADC); Ready For

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Life, an initiative of Gov. Asa Hutchinson; and Future Fit from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) are working to tackle this issue. In 2020, there were 158,852 manufacturing jobs in Arkansas with an average annual salary of $61,605, according to the 2021 edition of Career Watch. Be Pro Be Proud tracks

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manufacturing jobs across the state and reports that employees near or at retirement age account for 23 percent of the state’s manufacturing jobs, with 83 percent of Arkansas manufacturers reporting serious shortages in skilled workers. The initiative’s mission is to change how Arkansans think about manufacturing jobs, inspire the state’s youth and lead the “down the path to prosperity.” Lexicon Inc., a privately owned construction and fabrication company with 2,000 employees headquartered in Little Rock, is on board and can attest to the impact of an aging workforce. “It has been very difficult to hire or even get anyone to apply for our craft positions in the fabrication divisions, new construction and maintenance,” Danna Gauntt, Lexicon’s vice president of human resources, said. Despite the aging workforce, Gauntt said Lexicon has seen success in recruiting young workers from technical schools, with referrals being a big part of the process. In order to help fill the age gap, Gauntt said Lexicon is working to create a more positive work environment. “We are trying to determine a better work-life balance, offering better benefits and starting a more comprehensive training program for supervisors and our craft workers,” she said. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Arkansas manufacturing industry in 2020 accounted for:

some even have remote working capabilities,” Gauntt said. The Ready For Life program, launched in January, currently is working with Walmart, Tyson, Sodexo, LaCroix Precision Optics, FedEx Freight and Pace Industries and is committed to supporting educators, businesses and agencies in Arkansas. It also serves as a jobplacement and education resource. Future Fit, spearheaded by AEDC, partnered with the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith for its pilot program. This program was created to accommodate high school graduates who aren’t looking to attend college, military veterans, the unemployed or underemployed and nonviolent offenders who have been released by law enforcement. The Future Fit program’s goal is to place qualified individuals into well-paying jobs with participating companies throughout Arkansas. Participants complete a training program that prepares them for entrylevel employment with these companies. The first course takes around 120 hours of combined hands-on and online training, and two courses are in the works for Future Fit. Manufacturers like Big River Steel are looking for younger workers. (Photo provided)

• 634,500 workers between the ages 25 to 44; • 631,700 workers between the ages 45 to 64; • 94,000 workers between the ages of 20-24. The median age was 44.4 years. Alisha Curtis, chief communications and legislative director for ADC, said this data underscores the need for programs and initiatives like Be Pro Be Proud and Future Fit. “These programs help connect young people with trade-industry training earlier in their careers and work to bring a new generation of professionals to Arkansas’ skilled workforce,” she said. According to Curtis, the most popular courses in the state’s trade and technical schools are, in no particular order: welding, autobody, HVAC, construction, carpentry, transportation (CDL), manufacturing, service, mechanical, maintenance, electrical and plumbing. “Every individual is different and has a different set of skills and talents. Our goal is to provide opportunities, whether that’s traditional college, trade school or direct engagement in the workforce,” Curtis said. “Trade school, in particular, offers students reasonably priced training for high-demand skills, placing students on a path to highwage stable careers.” Trade schools offer students the ability to learn skill sets needed and stack credentials toward a certified degree within a shorter time frame than an traditional degree would require, Curtis added. “There are very good-paying jobs in our industry for all crafts,

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While UAFS serves as the pilot site, AEDC is planning to expand the program to all regions of the state with region-specific training. “Our state is committed to strengthening our workforce through programs like Future Fit and Ready For Life,” Curtis said. “Both Future Fit and Ready For Life partner with high schools, colleges and businesses to close industry gaps and build more seamless pathways from high school to trade school with full-time career opportunities. “Already, we have seen these programs grow, as students in high school and college are becoming more aware of wealth opportunities that are available to them in trade industries.”

D EC E M B E R 2021

MANUFACTURING

THE AMERICAN DREAM REALIZED IN CROSSETT

CYNERGY CARGO’S OPENING HELPED REVIVE ASHLEY COUNTY TOWN By Kenneth Heard

uis Mejia’s tale is a true example of living the American Dream with a hint of a Christmas miracle thrown in. He opened Cynergy Cargo 2, a custom trailer manufacturing business, in Crossett during the onset of the pandemic last year and then made it thrive. It also boosted the economic hopes of the Ashley County town of 4,970, which was reeling after Georgia-Pacific announced in October 2019 that it was shutting down its Crossett facility and laying off more than 550 people. Mejia, 29, is from the republic of Honduras, a Central American country bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. He moved to Douglas, Ga., when he was 14, following his friend, Vigler Mazariegos, who went to the U.S. to harvest fruit in Florida. Mazariegos opened Cynergy Cargo in Doug-

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las in 2012 and asked Mejia to help. Within seven years, they were producing 40,000 trailers a year in the U.S. and Canada. The company makes enclosed trailers varying in sizes from 6- to 42-feet long. He then decided to expand and open a second facility, and said Mejia would run it. Wanting to stay in the South, Mazariegos and Mejia traveled around Arkansas, searching for suitable land around Little Rock, at Monticello and in the state’s Delta area on the advice of the Secretary of State’s office. They found the best spot in Crossett. Crossett’s unemployment level jumped to 8.4 percent in 2000 after Georgia-Pacific closed its production; the U.S. unemployment rate was 6.0 percent then. Ashley County’s unemployment rate was ranked 73rd of Arkansas’ 75 counties. But what better place ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

to find workers, the two thought. “It was a real blow when GeorgiaPacific left,” said Mike Smith, the executive director of the Crossett Economic Development Foundation. “But a lot of people stayed here. They may have had to drive to Monroe, La., or El Dorado to work, but they were still here. “That workforce is still here. No one thought, ‘Let’s roll up the streets. We’re done,’ after Georgia-Pacific. We saw it as a whole new workforce available.” Mazariegos and Mejia traveled to Crossett in December 2019. “We went to work with them,” Smith said. “We wanted to show them how Crossett benefited them.” Smith took the two around town, meeting members of the town’s leadership. “We let them know relationships were important,” Smith said. The land looked right, Mejia said, and the incentives Smith and the economic foundation provided were lucrative. But he and Mazariegos realized they would have to build a large building on the property to house their trailer manufacturing line. The two returned to Crossett for a second look around Christmas. There, at the far end of the prospective property for Cynergy Cargo 2, was a 90,000-square foot building. It had been in the process of being sold, but then the deal fell through at the last minute. “We never saw the building on our first trip,” Mejia said. “Then, at Christmas, we looked, and it’s there.” Rather than having to build a new facility, the two renovated the existing building and retrofitted it for their needs. The plant opened in early 2020. Gov. Asa Hutchinson visited the plant for a ribbon cutting ceremony in the spring and secured the final screw on the first trailer made in Crossett. “Cynergy Cargo 2 was the first company to announce a presence in Arkansas after the pandemic hit,” Hutchinson said at the event. “We are grateful for the company’s commitment and pleased that it is now ready to begin this new phase in its history.” It wasn’t easy, though, Mejia said. The pandemic made it difficult to ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

The Cynergy plant in Crossett manufactures custom-made trailers. (Photo provided)

hire workers at first, he said. It was also hard finding equipment. It would take two months to find axles for his trailers, and locating plywood for the cargo trailer’s walls was nearly impossible. Before the pandemic hit, Mejia would pay $55 for one tire. Now, he said, a tire could cost up to $155. Smith said Cynergy Cargo 2 workers would “hotshot” — travel around the state looking for bundles of plywood. When they found some, they’d send for a truck to pick it up. “They kept pushing,” Smith said of the manufacturing company. “There was the stay-at-home mandate issued early on. Well, we couldn’t do that. We had to recruit. We encouraged people to look at Crossett.” A unique trait of Cynergy Cargo is that rather than finding the right employees for jobs, Mejia finds the right jobs for his employees. If, for example, an employee isn’t doing well as a welder, Mejia may see that employee is more suited for the electrical wiring portion of making a trailer and move him to that production line. “If people say they can’t find a job, then I say, ‘Welcome to Cynergy Car15

go,’” Mejia said. When it opened, Cynergy Cargo 2 employed 45 people. Mejia plans to hire 200 employees eventually. The business has also created new jobs. Ouachita Trailer Sales recently opened in Crossett to sell Cynergy Cargo’s trailers. Workers were also hired to deliver trailers to buyers across the country. “Cynergy has created a ripple through the community,” Smith said. “Houses are coming off the market here now. Apartments are filling up with employees. They’ve been a great deal for our community. “They are a real American Dream success. They are a family business that started from the ground up.” Mejia acknowledges his business is succeeding during tough times. He plans to do better after the pandemic ends, he said, hoping to sell $400,000 worth of trailers at the company’s peak production. “I came to America to go to school and look for something big,” Mejia said. “My advice is to keep dreaming. Work hard every day, and do something good every day.” D EC E M B E R 2021

TECHNOLOGY

Andrew Faulkner

Rise of the

Machines STALEY TECHNOLOGIES TAKING THE LONG VIEW WITH CUSTOMER FOCUS By Dwain Hebda // Photos by Jamison Mosley

t may sound like mere background chatter to most people, but to Andrew Faulkner, “beep-boop-beep” ringing down a supermarket aisle or echoing through a lobby is music to the ears. Faulkner is CEO of Staley Technologies, a mid-sized national purveyor of comprehensive technology solutions whose stock and trade are those chirping, blinking point-of-sale terminals, as well as many other services including cabling and fiber optics, digital signage, wi-fi, VOIP and security. Not to mention the installation, retrofitting and service expertise for all of the above, and for clients in the retail, banking, health care, hospitality and manufacturing spaces. These five industries represent the ma-

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jor areas in which Staley Technologies has competed for market share since 2018 when Faulkner, who’d served as company attorney, bought the company. And they present massive opportunity for the Little Rock-based firm, which also operates offices in Northwest Arkansas, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Idaho, Atlanta and Los Angeles, employing 250. “Staley Technologies has had a footprint in all five [market areas] to some degree,” Faulkner said. “When I took over in April of 2018, [Staley] was mainly a service organization that did a little bit of technology. I wanted it to be a technology provider that also provided outstanding service.” The company’s roots go back 70 years as Staley Electric, an electrical contractor that

D EC E M B E R 2021

TECHNOLOGY

Overnight, every customer segment was looking for technology to reduce faceto-face interactions, especially hospitality, where restaurants with no previous interest in offering takeout had to devise curbside options just to survive.

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would grow a rock-solid national reputation for expertise and customer service. In time, low voltage and some technology would be added to the mix but for the most part, the company hung its hat on connecting the technology, not leading with it. Faulkner, a self-described recovering attorney who spent a decade as Staley’s in-house counsel, left the company in 2012 to buy and grow Advanced POS Solutions, specializing in point-of-sale technology and tools that were beginning to multiply in stores, restaurants and casinos. In 2018, the Staley family divested itself of the technology portion of the company to Faulkner, who merged it with Advanced POS Solutions, rebranded as Staley Technologies. Faulkner said merging the two enterprises happened more quickly than expected overall, due to the companies operating in broadly concentric circles, though he admitted that getting everyone rowing together took some doing. “The hardest part was, from an education standpoint, getting our sales teams and our project management teams educated on actually selling and being able to speak to the technology. Staley Technologies had not been in that position in the past,” he said. “Let’s say a large retailer with 1,600 locations across the U.S. had gone out and bought some type of self-checkout kiosk. In the past, Staley Technologies got a call from that customer saying, ‘We need you guys to come in and run the low voltage for us, install the kiosk and get it up and going and live. Can you do that?’ “We never had to have the capability to speak to the actual kiosk itself, differentiate technologies, talk return on investment, all that stuff. We just had to be able to deploy it. When I came in, I wanted to offer more turnkey solutions. I said, ‘Guys, we’re completing the full circle for our customers.’” Once that education piece was in place, Staley Technologies quickly began to gain traction in all five of its target markets. “After the merger happened, hospitalARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

Faulkner said Staley’s target companies are those with strategies for growth.

ity and retail really started growing the quickest, mainly because Advanced POS Solutions had its expertise in hospitality and retail. It was just natural therefore that those sectors started quickly,” Staley said. “Banking, manufacturing and health care took a little bit longer, but they have come along nicely.” The company’s momentum got a dose of rocket fuel in the form of the COVID pandemic. Overnight, every customer segment was looking for technology to reduce face-to-face interactions, especially hospitality, where restaurants with no previous interest in offering takeout had to devise curbside options just to survive. Point-of-sale systems, ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

beefed-up technology backbones for remote work setups and other tools that managed these operational pivots were in high demand, Staley Technologies’ among them. “It’s been an interesting last couple of years,” said Faulkner, in the mother of all understatements. “I think one of our biggest challenges through all this was picking the right technologies to partner with. We’re not looking for Band-Aids, and I think there were a lot of Band-Aids during COVID in all of these different verticals, things that were very COVIDspecific that ultimately would not be relevant technology once COVID subsided. We really did not want to have that as 19

part of our stack. “We could have easily picked up two or three different pieces of technology that were just COVID-specific and had our customers spend a ton of money with us just to throw it out after things subsided. That was not our goal. Our goal was to future-proof our customers in all these sectors long-term.” Staley Technologies doubled down on its meticulous vetting of potential technology solutions and demanded more of existing partners in the way of improved functionality, reliability of software and stretching the lifespan of hardware. “That’s been really important, because technology is so quick to change; we are inundated with vendors that want us to partner with them,” Faulkner said. “The last thing we want to do is take a flier on a new piece of technology that promises it’s going to be the next ‘best thing’, just to install it in a customer site and it fails. If it harms our customers, it’s not the next best thing as far as we’re concerned.” Faulkner described Staley Technologies as, “a mid-sized player that’s aggressively growing,” and said the company’s target clientele offers the same corporate profile. “Our target is the type of companies that have strategies for growth. They might only have five sites today, but they’ve got a strategy to get to 50 or 100,” he said. “Where we’re most valuable to our customers is getting in and really consulting with them around their technology at an early stage in their growth. That’s really our best situation. “To do that, we’ve got to continue to be proactive for our customers. It’s easy to just sit back and do what you do and kind of pat yourself on the back. The biggest killer in our industry is complacency. We have a duty to our customers to go out and continue to look for that next piece of technology that’s going to be a huge help to our customer base. If we continue to do that, we will continue to grow and succeed. If we fail at that and become complacent, we won’t.” D EC E M B E R 2021

40 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS

in ARKANSAS

COMPANY WITH EMPLOYMENT CODE

* — As of 4Q20 ** — Numerous grain storage facilities located throughout eastern Arkansas are not included in the manufacturing employment total. Employment codes: E. 2,000-2,999 A. 600-1,249 F. 3,000-4,999 B. 1,250-1,499 G. 5,000+ C. 1,500-1,749 D. 1,750-1,999

PRODUCT(S)

LOCATION(S) Bergman, Berryville, Clarksville, Dardanelle, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Grannis, Green Forest, Hope, Nashville, North Little Rock, Paris, Pine Bluff, Rogers, Russellville, Scranton, Springdale, Texarkana, Van Buren, Waldron

Tyson Foods Inc.

Poultry processing, breed stock, feeds and related products, tortillas, corn chips, taco shells, pre-plated frozen entrees, prepared foods, pet foods, Cornish hen processing

George's Inc./Ozark Mountain Poultry Inc.

Fresh and frozen poultry products and grain/feed mill, feed mix

Rogers, Springdale, Warren

Simmons Foods Inc.

Fresh, cooked, ready-to-cook and frozen poultry, poultry by-products, pet food, feed mill and hatchery

Decatur, Siloam Springs, Van Buren

Peco Foods Inc.

Poultry products

Batesville, Pocahontas

Nucor/Nucor-Yamato Corporation/ Nucor Castrip

Wide flange steel beams and H-pilings and large channel; sheet piling, channels, coiled sheet steel

Cooper Tire and Rubber Company

Pneumatic rubber radial tires and molded rubber goods for light vehicles

Texarkana

Georgia-Pacific Corporation (Koch Industries Inc.)

Business paper, pulp, plywood, hardboard, fiberboard, lumber, hardwood and softwood sawdust/chips, consumer products, napkins, and tissue, bond, ledger, tablet, toilet paper, gypsum board

Crossett, Fordyce, Fort Smith, Gurdon, Rogers

Butterball LLC

Poultry processing, deli turkey

Huntsville, Jonesboro, Ozark

ABB

Aluminum die-castings, parts for motors, grinders, drives, gears and electric motors

Clarksville, Ozark, and Fort Smith (formerly Baldor)

OK Foods Inc.

Fresh and frozen processed poultry products, precooked chicken, feeds

Fort Smith

McKee Foods

Snack cakes (Little Debbie)

Gentry

ConAgra Brands

Frozen dinners and other frozen food specialties

Fayetteville

Pilgram’s Pride Corporation (JBS S.A.)

Processed poultry, hatching/ grow-out and feed milling

DeQueen, Nashville

Dassault Aviation

Falcon jet aircraft models F200S, F2000LX, F5X, F7X, F8X, F900LX

Little Rock

General Mills

Breakfast cereals, cereal products

Rogers

Hytrol Conveyor Company Inc.

Conveyors and conveyor parts; power belt, gravity roller, wheel and gravity rack

Jonesboro, Ft. Smith

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Armorel, Blytheville

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Rockline Industries

Moist towelettes, baby wipes, shop towels, hospital washcloths

Booneville, Lowell, Russellville, Springdale

Nestlé S.A.

Baby foods, infant cereal, frozen dinners

Fort Smith (Gerber), Jonesboro (Nestlé USA)

Cargill Inc.

Turkey processing, poultry, dairy feed, hatchery

Fayetteville, Springdale

Baxter Healthcare Corporation

Health care products, dialyzers, disposable blood containers and disposable IV containers

Mountain Home

Driv Automotive

Automotive parts: shocks and struts, steering and suspension, braking, sealing, engine, emissions; maintenance

Paragould

Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A.

Truck axles

Marion

Evergreen Packaging

Bleached coated publication paper and bleached liquid packaging board

Pine Bluff

Lennox Industries

Heating and air conditioning equipment

Stuttgart

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Missiles, air and space craft, navigation system and instruments, communications equipment manufacturing

Camden, Fort Smith, Maumelle

Aerojet Rocketdyne

Solid rocket motors and systems, warheads

Camden

Riceland Foods Inc.

A**

Rice, rice cakes, rice flour, rice byproducts, brown rice, bulk packaged rice, soybean meal, soybean cooking oil

Jonesboro, Stuttgart, Waldenburg**

Anchor Packaging

Plastic food containers

Jonesboro, Marmaduke, Paragould

Frito-Lay Inc.

Snack foods

Jonesboro

Saint Jean Industries

Motor vehicle parts and accessories

Heber Springs

Husqvarna Forestry Products N.A. Inc.

String trimmers, edgers, electric and gas-powered blowers, electric/gas powered chain saws

Nashville, DeQueen

Greenbrier Central

General service and pressure differentiated tank railcars; freight cars (central beam and mill gondolas); class F and K wheel, axle and bearing assemblies

Marmaduke, Paragould (formerly American Railcar)

Pepper Source LTD

Canned fruits and vegetables, prepared sauces manufacturing

Rogers, Van Buren

Bad Boy Inc.

Lawnmowers, lawn and garden tractors, lawn and garden equipment manufacturing

Batesville

Glad Manufacturing Company (The Clorox Group)

Plastic cling wrap and bags

Rogers

Bekaert Corporation

Steel tire cord, steel wire, agricultural fencing, welded mesh, concrete reinforcement materials

Rogers, Van Buren

Vista Outdoor Operations LLC

Small arms ammunition

Lonoke

Kohler Company

Faucets

Sheridan

The Gates Corporation

Rubber and plastic hoses, belting manufacturing

Siloam Springs

Legend Boats

Fishing and leisure boats

Midway

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Sources: Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, AEDC D EC E M B E R 2021

STARTUPS/FINANCE

NEW VENTURE LIGHTS A ‘FIRE’ FOR PERSONAL FINANCE LONGTIME WELSPUN EXEC LEADING BOND.AI SPINOFF By Dwain Hebda // Photos by Ebony Blevins

ajesh Chokhani has been around the block a time or two in his life, if by block you mean the globe. In a 30-plus year career with Welspun, the native of India brought the global manufacturer to Arkansas. Once here, he blended the corporate cultures of the east and west as seamlessly as the pipes still cranking out by the trainload from its massive Port of Little Rock factory. Along the way, he completed his MBA at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, raised an active family and, like everyone else, weathered a once-in-alifetime pandemic. He’s seen some things, done some things, man. Yet, all it took was a simple question by a colleague to make him ponder the arc of his professional life and his family’s future. “Rajesh,” asked his friend Uday Akkaraju, CEO of BOND.AI. “Do you have a FIRE plan?” The question was stunning for its simplicity — basically asking if there was a “Financial Independence Retire Early” endgame to his lucrative business career — yet the answer put Chokhani on his heels. “I was taken a step back and after a minute, I said, ‘Really no, I’ve not thought about it,” he said. “Yes, I want to be financially prepared to retire early, no question about it. But honestly, I’d not thought about it, and I didn’t have a very concrete plan.’ “That kind of shook me up a little bit. I was very happy doing what I’m doing, I’m in a great job, great position, 28 years with the company. I have no regrets, no complaints at all. But still, whatever I’m doing for my retirement was not enough, and that would make me drive myself until 65 or 70 years of age to maintain my standard of living. And forget about retiring early. If I

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work till 70, I am letting my prime years go by.” Looking at his own situation led Chokhani down a logical line of thinking about how many other people were in the same financial boat. “I said, ‘OK, if I don’t have my FIRE plan, I’m sure many people like me who are very well-established may not have a FIRE plan,” he said. “And there are possibilities that many people may not have even thought about it or have thought about it, but not much. And that’s where I jumped on it, and I said, ‘Let’s do something different. Let’s organize this whole financial world.’” Chokhani’s response was to leave Welspun to lead FIRE, a new venture from BOND.AI, an artificial intelligence platform that learns the user’s behaviors, strengths and needs as expressed through financial goals and decisions. Unlike BOND.AI, which is marketed to banks and financial institutions, FIRE targets consumers enabling them to move towards financial independence. One part advisor, one part watchdog, FIRE presents opportunities to retire early by optimizing a consumer’s financial health, and by extension, relieving stress over the future, improving physical and mental health. The app, which is expected to undergo beta testing in December and go live early next year, leverages BOND. AI’s Empathy Engine to build a custom profile of user behaviors that negatively affect their financial posture and future. “Basically, this is like having a GPS for financial independence. It will be so easy to log in to the app; it will go into your financial world, do the data crunching, build your financial personality, show your inefficiencies and try to help you optimize for retirement,” Chokhani said.

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Uday Akkaraju and Rajesh Chokhani “The problem is, today’s retirement platforms are broken. They do not look at your life holistically. Take any of them, they project you to retire around 65 or 70 years of age. We should do much better than that for humanity’s future.” The customization, combined with the immediacy of feedback, fits well into today’s 30-second attention span and emphasis on instant gratification that has driven consumers’ digital interaction with service providers. Where banks, mortgage lenders and financial planners were relatively late to the technological party — in part because of entrenched consumer habits — such is no longer the case. Among respondents to the latest Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s annual National Financial Capability Study, 84 percent used online banking and 65 percent used mobile banking products. Nearly four in 10 used websites or apps to manage their finances, more than a third used a mobile phone for payment at point of sale, and 37 percent used it for transferring money to another person. And that doesn’t even begin to address the pandemic’s impact on consumer behaviors via Zoom, MS Teams and other media. Interestingly, as technological tools have advanced and information is more accessible than ever, financial acumen among the American populace has continued its divergent arc. Accord-

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ing to multiple studies cited by PossibleFinance.com earlier this year, roughly four in seven Americans are financially illiterate, nearly 12 percent of adults wouldn’t be able to pay monthly bills with an unexpected expense of just $400, and almost 20 percent report spending more than their income in the past year. And, the problem appears to be getting worse. Only 24 percent of millennials in one study demonstrated understanding of basic financial concepts, while 63 percent said they feel anxious thinking about their financial situation. All of which appears to carve a favorable niche for FIRE to boil the process down to its essence: Spend on this, save on that and earn more along the way. “It is a very, very right time after this COVID thing happened that we should go for it now,” Chokhani said. “I think everyone realized that they need to focus on quality of life and live in the present. The quality of life is the key behind these things. I feel this is a very, very good time for us to launch this so people start looking at the benefits that this offers. “This is more about change of behavior. Motivate the change in the behavior of a person, how the person is spending, how the person is building the financial stability, and going toward financial independence and the plan to retire early. Somebody needs to guide them toward that now.”

D EC E M B E R 2021

HEALTH CARE

EYE BANK HELPING DELIVER SUCCESSFUL TRANSPLANTS NEED REMAINS GREAT FOR DONORS, DIRECTOR SAYS By Carl Kozlowski

n the United States alone during 2019, nearly 69,000 people donated a total of 85,681 corneas for transplants that completely transformed the lives of people from being blind to having sight. More than 95 percent of those corneal transplants were successful, and the estimated lifetime economic benefit for those receiving the transplants was more than $6 billion. Since the earliest recorded cases of corneal transplants in 1961, the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) has counted 2 million people worldwide who have had their vision restored. But as impressive as these statistics sound, the need is far greater, with estimates that over 12 million people worldwide are still in need of the procedures. One man who knows all about the ever-present need for eye donors is Geoff Brown, the executive director of the Arkansas Lions Eye Bank and Laboratory, located in the headquarters of the Eye Institute at UAMS in Little Rock. While he’s proud of the fact that the Eye Bank has helped handle nearly 200 corneal transplants this year, in keeping with the average he’s seen throughout his 20 years in the post, he frequently travels throughout the state giving speeches exhorting the need for more eye donors. “We could always use more donors, if possible,” he said. “It would be nice if the norm was that everyone wanted to donate. You’re paying it forward, taking care of your fellow man. That’s what I’d like to see it get to.” Brown grew up in Little Rock, a Catholic High graduate and son of prominent podiatrist H.F. “Bunny” Brown III. He originally thought he would follow his father in the practice, but after a year at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, he reassessed his life plans and was

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about to embark on a career in pharmaceutical sales. But things changed again in 2001 when his mother, a registered nurse at what is now CHI St. Vincent Infirmary, met Lindell Howdeshell, then-director of the Eye Bank, as he was delivering corneas. Howdeshell said that he was having trouble filling an open position, but when Brown went in for the interview, he discovered the director was seeking a successor. “He told me right then that he’d be willing to groom me to take over, so I went for it,” Brown said. “Of course, within three months, I had three pharmaceutical sales job offers, but I never looked back.” In his position, Brown oversees the collection and delivery of ocular tissue for transplants with a specific interest in the cornea, the clear tissue that covers the colored part of eyes and provides much of the eye’s refractive power. The sclera, or white part of eyes, is also harvested for procedures such as patch grafts. Founded in 1986, the Eye Bank is a distinct enterprise located within the headquarters of the UAMS Health Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute, which was created in 1994 and houses the UAMS residency program for ophthalmologists. The Institute treats thousands of patients from across the state annually, giving yearly exams to diabetics, prescribing glasses, retinal procedures and ocular plastic surgery, in addition to its work teaming with the Eye Bank on corneal transplants. The Eye Bank finds its donors by working with the Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency (ARORA), sharing a common call center through which doctors and nurses call in deaths throughout each day. In order to get Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) funds, a hospital has to have an agreement with

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an organ procurement organization (OPO), a tissue bank and an eye bank, with ARORA covering organs and tissues and the Eye Bank providing the eyes. The Eye Bank can work with the eyes of people ages 5 to 75, testing the tissues of potential donors for sicknesses, such as sepsis and dangerous chronic conditions, like HIV and hepatitis, and screening out the infected. In Arkansas, anyone listed as an organ donor is considered for their organs, tissues and eyes, though people can pick and choose what they might be willing to donate. When a good donor is discovered, ARORA and the Eye Bank move quickly and carefully to seek consent from the donor’s family to begin recovery, since there is only a 24-hour window from the time of death to successfully complete the process. While Brown isn’t a trained physician, he has been trained in the skills needed to lead the recovery procedures on eyes, personally scrubbing in and using surgical instruments to complete the vital task himself in some cases. “Once we do a recovery, that’s where the hard work starts,” he noted. “They give us 14 days to find a transplant recipient, and generally we know where it’s going within seven days. Our first priority is helping people within the state of Arkansas, but if there are any extra transplants available, we will transport to other states and have even gone as far as Africa to help people.”

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The Eye Bank is accredited and monitored by both the FDA and the Eye Bank Association of America, and follows the FDA’s Good Tissue Practice (GTP) guidelines. That means that corneas are carefully preserved while a specular cell count is taken to ensure that there are 2,000 cells or higher per square millimeter, and the tissue is graded while blood is drawn to test for HIV, Hepatitis B and C and syphilis. Because corneal tissue is avascular, meaning there’s no blood flowing through it, there is no reason for concern about matching blood types between donors and recipients. This also is a key reason why rejections are rare and transplants are 95 percent successful. While the Eye Bank has performed as many as 300 transplants in a year under Brown’s watch, his dream is to provide 1000, transplants annually. “With corneal blindness, we’re truly giving sight back to someone who would lose their eyesight without someone else’s donation. The financial impact of being blind versus sighted is huge,” he said. “It’s awful when it’s a tragic death, and all death can be tragic because somebody loved them or they loved somebody. But on the flip side, I’ve seen enough recipients over the years where recipients are tearing up, give me a big hug and thank me because they couldn’t see anymore and were about to have to quit their job. We need to help everyone we can.”

D EC E M B E R 2021

SMALL BUSINESS

HAIR RESTORATION GOES HIGH-TECH NWA DOCTORS FIND NICHE WITH HELP OF ROBOT TECHNOLOGY By Angela Forsyth

The work performed at MD Hair Labs elevates Arkansas to the forefront of hair restoration technology. (Photos provided)

eet Harry and Sally, the robot stars of MD Hair Labs. Harry and Sally, lovingly named by the owners of MD Hair Labs, are changing the landscape for hair restoration. While in the past, hair transplants involved either fake-looking hair plugs or invasive scalp surgery, today’s technology allows a much gentler and more sophisti-

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cated approach. Harry and Sally — state-of-the-art robotic machines — use artificial intelligence, multicamera vision and a sevenaxis robotic arm to carefully extract “donor” hair. The robots analyze and select tiny grafts from areas of the head where hair is fuller and then precisely extract them to be transplanted later onto thin-

ning areas. The process is called follicular unit incision and extraction (FUE), a procedure that is gaining traction worldwide and growing by 39 percent annually. Harry and Sally may be impressive, but behind every good robot there’s a good doctor. Or so the old saying goes. In this case, the good doctors behind the robotic arms are MD Hair Labs own-

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ers Dr. Missy Clifton and Dr. Lance Manning. Clifton is the founder of Premier Dermatology, a leading practice in Northwest Arkansas with locations in Bentonville, Fayetteville and Bella Vista. After years of treating patients with alopecia and hereditary-pattern baldness, she had often considered branching out into hair restoration. Manning, whom Clifton refers to as a “brilliant and talented” surgeon, is a triple-board-certified fellow for facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, otolaryngology head and neck surgery as well as sleep medicine. Manning also had a passion for hair restoration and wanted to take his expertise a step further. Together, they opened MD Hair Labs, which recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. FIRST OF ITS KIND The work performed at MD Hair Labs elevates Arkansas to the forefront of hair restoration technology. Located in Rogers, it is the only practice in the state — and surrounding regions — to offer robotic hair restoration. As the market for hair loss treatments continues to grow, Manning and Clifton are excited to be the first to bring this technology to the area. Worldwide, more than 1.2 billion men suffer from hereditary baldness. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Americans spent $16.7 billion on cosmetic procedures that included hair transplants and hair removal in 2019. Fortune Business Insights expects the U.S. hair transplant procedure market to surpass 200,000 procedures by 2027 while exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1 percent between 2020 and 2027. Clifton explains that the market growth comes with removing the barriers that have kept men from treating their hair loss. Men in particular are hesitant to undergo major cosmetic procedures, but now that they have more options that are safe, proven to be effective and are more natural-looking, men are finding it easier to cross that bridge.

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The main draw is that the technologically advanced method performed at MD Hair Labs, FUE, looks more natural than other options. Manning and Clifton use their expert eye (trained in cosmetic procedures) to methodically place individual hairs onto the patient’s head by hand. They take each follicle and carefully insert it, following the angle of the surrounding hairs to recreate the soft curves of a natural hairline. Single hair follicles are placed toward the front. Follicles containing larger numbers of hair are placed toward the back for realistic depth. The doctors even recreate the hair swirl at the crown. GROWING PAINS Looking back on the first year in business, Clifton acknowledges that establishing MD Hair Labs has had its challenges, but the results are well worth it. The startup cost, including the high investment in technology, was a major leap. The first year was also difficult in terms of building a reputation. It can take nine months for a patient to see significant results, which meant they didn’t have before and after pictures until months later. “At Premier, if I do a filler or Botox, they come back in three weeks and look fabulous,” Clifton noted. “I have millions of before and after pictures that I can show patients.” Now, MD Hair Labs has more than 50 photos to showcase its work. “I want people to know that I’m not just selling them a bill of goods,” she added. “I want to prove that in my hands, they are going to get the results they want.” Another challenge has been the price of FUE. The procedure can cost between $5,000 and $20,000 depending on how many graphs are needed. To help with this hurdle, MD Hair Labs offers a nointerest payment plan. The practice also parnters with salons and barbershops to offer special pricing for their customers and to hold periodic special events where discounts are offered as well. ADDING VALUE For Clifton, the highs of opening MD Hair Labs highly outweigh the first-year growing pains. As a native Arkansan,

Clifton is proud to elevate her home state in medical technology. “I think part of my drive has been to prove to the world that Arkansas is awesome, and that there are some really brilliant people here doing some brilliant and amazing things,” she said. “I want to be one of those people who is adding value to living in Northwest Arkansas.” Clifton also noted that one of the most important and rewarding aspects of her job is giving confidence back to people. She has seen patients walk in, self-conscious, wearing ball caps and not making eye contact. Months later, the same person walks in “a totally different human being,” engaging, confident, highly social. “It’s super rewarding to see that kind of a change,” she said. It’s too soon to say if there will be a second MD Hair Labs at some point. For now, Manning and Clifton are focusing on the current location, getting all the business processes down and making sure everything is running smoothly. “If it becomes an option later that we can take it somewhere else, then we are definitely open to that,” Clifton said.

Dr. Missy Clifton

Dr. Lance Manning

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Power

WOMEN 2021 AMP closes out another year by focusing a spotlight on women in Arkansas who are setting themselves apart in the worlds of business and politics. These AMP Power Women for 2021 were nominated by readers, and each has blazed a trail, exhibited outstanding leadership or enhanced her company’s performance. We’re proud to recognize these Power Women.

For Danyelle Musselman, “there are a lot of moving parts, at all times.

POWER WOMEN

THE GM

BEFORE BECOMING FIRST LADY OF HOG HOOPS, DANYELLE SARGENT MUSSELMAN WAS HER OWN BRAND BY MARK CARTER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMISON MOSLEY

hese days, if an official title could adequately describe Danyelle Sargent Musselman’s daily routine, it would be General Manager of #teammusselman. That’s how it’s described on her Instagram account, anyway, and in practice seems to hit the nail on the head. Musselman, of course, is the high-profile wife of Razorback basketball coach Eric Musselman and perhaps the real engine behind the Musselman brand that never seems to sleep. But before she joined Team Musselman, Danyelle Sargent was her own brand, having worked for a decade as a national sports broadcaster with on-air positions at Fox Sports, ESPN, the NFL Network and Yahoo Sports between 2004 and 2013 including a stint as a regular on a sports parody show that aired on Comedy Central in 2011. She’s been to almost every major sporting event in the United States including “two or three” Super Bowls, serving as the sideline reporter for British broadcaster ITV at Super Bowl 41 in Miami (in which the Colts beat the Bears). In Arkansas, she’s known as the First Lady of Razorback basketball, no small thing considering its pedigree, placement within the state hierarchy of significant things and especially, its recent resurgence. Almost anywhere one sees signs of Hog hoops, Danyelle Musselman is there. From those first photos and videos of the Musselman family with Arkansas Athletics Director Hunter Yurachek in Reno for Eric’s signing, the family adorned in Hogs gear and big smiles; to courtside behind the bench in Fayetteville or at the Elite Eight in Indianapolis; through her charitable work across the state and active presence and fan engagement on social media, Danyelle’s has become one of the most recognizable faces in Arkansas. Born in St. Louis to a Ford Motor Co. executive father, Musselman grew up in several states before graduating high school in Georgia, a multi-sport and self-described “huge” athlete. She studied broadcast journalism at

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Florida State, where she worked in media production for the school’s student-run TV station. And Musselman didn’t hesitate when an ESPN producer spoke to one of her journalism classes, recruiting for a production assistant. While still a student, she worked games for ESPN and ABC. “It was a different job every week. One week, I’m pulling cables so that people don’t get tripped on the sidelines. It was awesome. If you love sports, you love to get to be on the field during the game,” she said. “It teaches you about what goes into every aspect of it.” One week on a Monday Night Football broadcast, Musselman got to carry around equipment and personal things for iconic sideline reporter Leslie Visser. “It was raining that night, and I’m holding an umbrella over her, but it was so cool,” she said. “Because I saw what the job was, and that’s what I tell everyone. Make sure you know what the job is that you think that you want to do.” After graduating from FSU, Danyelle went to work for WGXA in Macon, Ga., before joining Metro Sports in Kansas City, where she worked as an anchor and reporter including serving as the preseason sideline reporter for the Chiefs in 2004. From Kansas City, it was on to ESPN where she coanchored at ESPNEWS and contributed to shows on ESPN2. For Fox Sports Net, she anchored FSN Final Score and reported; hosted and reported for Yahoo Sports; and worked as an update anchor on the NFL Network. For Musselman, the industry looked much different when she walked away in 2013 to focus on raising daughter Mariah than it did when she launched her broadcast career. Back in the early 2000s, women were a rarity in sports broadcasting. “It was hard,” Musselman said. “I remember at my first job, my news director said, ‘Maybe you should switch to news because I really think you’re good.’ He

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Danyelle (then) Sargent interviewing Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes for Yahoo Sports after the Super Bowl in 2008.

just didn’t think there like they would let women in the door, but then they were opportunities out kind of wanted us to be men. They wanted to let us in So, you just there for women. But I the door, but they didn’t want to let us like embrace knew that’s what I re- have to really be the fact that we were women, even with our clothes. ally wanted to do. I knew passionate about I remember you couldn’t wear a sleeveless dress; they I wanted to do sports. you to wear blazers and all that. it, that’s number wanted There also weren’t a ton “And then toward the end of my career, it comof women to look up to pletely switched where they wanted you to embrace one. Number like there are now, espefact that you were a woman. Literally, I was in the two is, have thick the cially not women of colbusiness long enough to have been on both sides of skin because or. It was just something the spectrum.” that I knew that I wanted Musselman cited Pam Ward and Linda Cohn, it’s a subjective to do, and I wasn’t going former co-workers at ESPN, as industry trailblazers. business. to let any of that deter Ward was one of the first women to call football games me.” over the air and Cohn has been a SportsCenter anchor since 1992. Musselman remembers Robin Roberts “When I met them, I was like, ‘I just bow down to you because of and Pam Oliver as the only two prominent what you’ve done.’ If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be able to do what I Black female sports broadcasters at the do.” time. And though eventually doors were Though her dream was to be a sideline reporter, Musselman quickly opened, they were opened slowly. found out she didn’t like it as much as she thought she would. “It’s night and day in so many ways,” “You do all this work then you’re on TV for 10 seconds.” she said. “Even when I first started, it was Don’t try and do something about which you’re not passionate, Mus-

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POWER WOMEN you’re awesome. And then some people over here will think that you’re boring or something else. You have to go into it knowing that you need to develop that thick skin, especially now with social media adding another layer of things that you’re going to need to ignore.” And then there’s the industry itself, she added, which is never on “pause.” “It’s not your normal 9-to-5 job,” she said. “Sports don’t stop on holidays or weekends or at 5 o’clock. You have to be willing to miss things, whether it’s time with family or something else. That’s why I ultimately decided that I was going to step away, just because the hours and the traveling got to be a little bit too much.” Musselman did so when Mariah was 3 years old. Eric had just launched his college coaching career and was an assistant coach at Arizona State in Tempe.

selman advises, and she gets plenty of opportunities to do just that. She speaks often to college students on campus and has done workshops for aspiring broadcasters. About 70 percent of those students who reach out to her afterwards about a career in sports broadcasting are women, almost all of whom want to be on camera, she noted. “My number one advice is, make sure that you are passionate about it because it’s such a competitive field, and it’s hard to get a job,” she said. “It’s hard to get your foot in the door. You have to work so hard to even get that job. And a lot of times, that job isn’t good. It doesn’t pay and you’re working a million hours... “So, you just have to really be passionate about it, that’s number one. Number two is, have thick skin because it’s a subjective business. Not everyone’s going to love you. Some people are going to think

The Musselmans were all smiles with Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek as Eric signed to become the Hogs’ basketball coach in 2019.

Smith personally managed a huge part of the incoming PPP loan process for Central Arkansas until June 2021.

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Musselman was commuting each week between Los Angeles from Phoenix. Ever since, she’s been “CEO of Musselman Enterprises.” And there’s more that goes into the role than most might realize. “There are a lot of moving parts, at all times,” she said. “Because you have the season that you’re focused on, and then I still like to check in on our players and I like to check in with their parents. And then also you have the kids that you’re recruiting and their parents. So, it’s just a lot of people that you want to try to make sure you get your hands on, even if just to be able to say ‘Hi’ to them at a game. Just checking on everyone because we truly want people to feel like if their kids come here, this is a family.” Between her husband’s status as a celebrity in Arkansas and his 24/7 in-season schedule, coordinating house guests (more family and friends visit now that the family is in Arkansas), her active work with local charities and now her sixth-grade daughter’s activities — which include a competitive dance season that begins in January — Musselman’s plate is full. “It’s a lot to manage,” she said. Musselman is happy she gets to do it in Arkansas. She had a connection to Arkansas through her late father, who was from Magnolia, and Eric’s dream, now realized, was to be a head coach at the Power 5 level. Musselman received scouting reports before the move, one from a friend who was a Fayetteville native and another from an acquaintance who visited often. Both told her she was going to love Northwest Arkansas. “Moving is not scary to me,” she said. “You have to realize my life. I grew up moving and then I moved with my job and then I meet a basketball coach. So, I wasn’t worried. I had heard from two people that it was a great place. I was just like, ‘OK, what’s this next adventure going to be like?’ “We were really happy at Nevada. We were only going to leave if it was the right fit,” she added. “Eric had a formula, and it was working. So, he was only going to leave there if it was really the right thing and the right move. And Arkansas definitely fits that bill.”

“Moving is not scary to me... I grew up moving and then I moved with my job and then I meet a basketball coach. So, I wasn’t worried. I had heard from two people that it was a great place. I was just like, ‘OK, what's this next adventure going to be like?’"

POWER WOMEN

Heather Albright

SVP, Senior Relationship Manager - Middle Market, President of Arkansas Market Bank of America WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Nothing beats hard work and doing your best to be prepared, especially when you experience the unexpected. Another big part of my success as the first female relationship manager in our middle market banking group and first female president in Arkansas is attributed to networking and building my brand not only externally but also internally. In my last position, a senior leader approached me and asked me to take on the president role because he knew I was ready to take on the additional responsibilities. Working with a mentor is also a great way to gain insight from others on how to advance your skills or your career. I still have mentors and meet with them on a regular basis to ask advice and their perspective on how to tackle different issues. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? I was intrigued about banking and finance from a very early age. My parents worked in financial services, so it’s an industry that I naturally became familiar with and gravitated towards. I started in investment banking at Stephens but after a few months in the role, I discovered it wasn’t a long-term fit and decided to pursue graduate school. I continued to explore other options within finance and fell into this position at Bank of America. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I started in investment banking at Stephens and was also enrolled at the University of Central Arkansas to get my MBA. I worked during the day and was taking graduate courses at night. The advisor in the MBA program connected me and two other students to the credit analyst job opening at Bank of America, which was flagged by someone who had been through the same MBA program. When I went in for the interview, I felt an immediate connection to the team and, as it turns out, one member was in my same college sorority. I started the job in January 2005 after graduating in December 2004, already having connections with people who worked there. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? In both my job as Senior Relationship Manager and my role as President Arkansas, it’s all about building relationships. Good relationship managers are able to dive in and understand clients to help them think strategically. I thrive in environments where I can think consultatively, give advice and help customers and clients reach their financial goals. This means being familiar with not only financial products and services but also maintaining a continuous relationship to provide the solutions that adapt as their needs change. But it’s not all about offering a product or service to save them time or money. Sometimes it’s just about getting to know people, listening to their pain points and struggles and empathizing with them. As the president of Bank of America Arkansas, I also view this as an opportunity to help our community thrive in a challenging time. Along with my senior leaders, we’re driving and deploying the bank’s resources to address local social concerns to ensure we create economic opportunity and mobility, as well as build strong communities. DEC E M BER 2 02 1

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? What’s helped me get to where I am today is doing more than what is required in every role that I’ve held. In any role, there are extras that you can do to go above and beyond — things you don’t have to do but choose to do. There were opportunities to work overtime at Stephens, often on the weekend. At times they needed someone in the brokerage accounting team to test code, and I would raise my hand eager to find ways to get the system to break or show coders what went wrong or right. Not only did I love doing this, but it helped me add more value than the minimum that was required of me. It’s also really important to seek out mentors or someone that will be invested in your success. Early in my career, I waited for my manager to tell me what to put in my development plan. I later realized that it was my responsibility to take things on and to raise my hand for more training or opportunities. Ultimately it’s your responsibility to advocate for yourself, build out a plan and do the work it takes to get there. 36

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POWER WOMEN

Katherine Blackmon Carroll

Attorney, Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Hard work, high standards for my practice, and a genuine love for my clients. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? I am a problem-solver and want to help people. Family law seemed to be a career that incorporated both my brain and my heart. This has proven to be true. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I began my law career as a solo practitioner in a one-room office. I asked God to send me clients in the area of law where I was most needed, and my first custody case walked through the door. Almost 25 years later, my office has expanded, and God is still sending me clients. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I have purposefully built a trauma-informed practice with an emphasis on helping clients navigate difficult times. Mental health can be impacted so negatively by the trauma of a divorce, especially if domestic violence, addiction, and/or personality disorders are involved. I love being able to get to know my clients and their situations and offer them the help that is tailored to their specific needs. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Work hard. Maintain a high ethical standard. Advocate for yourself. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you. Write thank you notes. Keep a good pair of heels and a comfy pair of flats under your desk. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? My undergraduate degree in journalism has had a massive impact on my legal skills. I had an incredible writing teacher and I can still hear her voice in my ear, editing as I draft pleadings. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? I know she is not an “accomplishment,” but I am so very proud of my daughter, Lydia Elliott. She is an incredible musician and I like to think that I’ve encouraged and supported her goals.

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HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? For almost 20 years, I was terrible at maintaining a healthy work/life balance. I married my husband, Jamie, in 2015 and he has helped me learn how to enjoy a weekend and take a vacation. I’m still pretty terrible at it, and check my email entirely too much, but Jamie is an amazing support and has helped me to live a much more balanced life. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE I have several. I tend to gravitate toward these two: “A life lived in fear is a life half lived.” – Baz Luhrmann and “… accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.” – Veronica A. Shoffstall

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JENNIFER ADKINS

Executive Broker/Realtor, iRealty Arkansas

HEATHER ALBRIGHT Global Commercial Banking Senior Vice President Senior Relationship Manager – Middle Market President of Arkansas Market

As President of the Arkansas Market, Heather Albright is in charge of connecting Bank of America’s banking and investment resources to clients throughout Arkansas as well as heading up Bank of America’s efforts to tackle social issues, increase economic opportunity and to build strong communities in Arkansas. Albright has 16 years of experience at Bank of America, and also serves as Global Commercial Banking senior vice president and as a senior relationship manager for middle market clients. Based in Little Rock, she joined Bank of America in 2005 as a senior credit products analyst and was promoted to portfolio management officer in 2009, supporting the Arkansas Middle Market clients in both roles. In 2015, she was promoted to vice president and senior relationship manager leading client relationships in Arkansas. Albright was promoted to SVP in 2019, then President of Arkansas Market in 2021. She received her undergraduate degree in economics and finance from Arkansas Tech University and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Arkansas. She also holds FINRA certifications for Series 7 and Series 63 securities licenses.

APRIL AMBROSE

Director of Operations for Sustainability Entegrity

of the company, opening the firm’s Memphis office, participating in the design and implementation of hundreds of building projects and providing more than 500 presentations on sustainability and energy. She has presented to various local and national groups including non-profits, trade organizations, governmental entities, K-12 and higher education schools, media outlets and environmental organizations. Ambrose received a BA in a self-designed environmental education major, which included an Arkansas high school teaching certificate from Hendrix College. She was recognized by the US Green Building Council as the 2020 South Central Shero of the Year and by USGBC Arkansas as Central Arkansas Outstanding Member, was awarded the Outstanding Young Alumna Award from her alma mater and has received numerous other accolades.

JAJUAN ARCHER

President/Founder, Women’s Own Worth

ANASTASIA BLAYLOCK EVP, Chief Strategy Officer Citizens Bank

Anastasia Blaylock has a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry. Blaylock is skilled in treasury management sales, portfolio management, commercial relationship management, customer service and sales team leadership. She is a strong sales professional with a bachelor degrees in finance and business administration with a minor concentration in economics from Centenary College of Louisiana.

TERRY BONEBRIGHT

Executive VP/Provost, Hendrix College

As the first employee of Entegrity, April Ambrose has been integral to the growth DEC E M BER 2 02 1

CHELSEA BOOZER Government Affairs Manager Central Arkansas Water

As Government Affairs Manager at Central Arkansas Water, the state’s largest drinking water utility serving half a million people, Chelsea Boozer works with government, community and wholesale partners and stakeholders on policy, economic development and regionalism efforts. Prior to joining CAW, Boozer worked as a journalist reporting in Memphis; Washington, D.C.; and Little Rock. She serves on a national committee of the American Water Works Association and is on the board of Create Little Rock, the young professionals initiative of the Little Rock Regional Chamber. Boozer is an executive master of public administration candidate at Syracuse University, holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Memphis and a reporting certificate from the Johannes Gutenberg Universitat in Germany. Boozer regularly speaks at national conferences about public engagement and workforce development and previously led the Arkansas Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Boozer serves on the boards of Keep Little Rock Beautiful and MLK Reads.

JOAN BOTTS

Vice President of Marketing Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort

Joan Botts has worked as a senior marketer in various gaming markets, including Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana and now Arkansas. Botts joined Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort as the Vice President of Marketing in August 2021. She oversees all marketing initiatives for the racing, casino, and resort aspects of Oaklawn — advertising, signage, media relations, PR, social media, direct mail, promotions, events, ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

POWER WOMEN

April Broderick Owner, A&A Fire and Safety Company Sherwood City Council

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Extremely hard work and persistence, but also assembling a team of folks who play a pivotal role in our company’s growth. I always look to partner with team members who are more talented than I am in certain areas to help me move the company in the direction I want to go. I would argue that any sustainable success for a business is strongly based on contributions from all employees within the company. A large part of A&A’s success is due to the collaborative efforts of our dedicated and talented people. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? My dad started our company as a side business to his firefighting career in the mid-‘90s. I grew up watching the highs and lows that come from being a small business owner. In 2014, I knew I wanted to build on what he started, so I took over majority ownership of the company. It was his grit and determination that instilled a powerful desire in me to conquer the challenges that we faced in our industry. From my perspective, the bigger the challenge, the more enticed I was to make that conquest a goal. It is certainly true that the harder you work for something, the more success you feel from the achievement. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I began working for A&A Fire and Safety as a college student on my summer breaks. I started at the ground level and did the tasks that nobody wanted to do. As time passed, I began working each aspect of the business including payroll, billing, inspections and customer service. That is when I realized my love for strategically planning for growth and expansion. When I took over majority ownership in 2014, the company had never recovered from the hardships of 2008. I had big plans, but there was a long way to go before they came to fruition. I am still working towards my goals with A&A. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I love working with all kinds of people and I love finding solutions to problems. For me, it is the perfect combination of those two things that has driven me to continue to expand A&A’s customer base and influence across Arkansas. I enjoy the freedom of being able to strategically look for the right building blocks or opportunities for A&A to continue to scale upward. I also love helping the citizens of Sherwood. I grew up in Sherwood. It is a wonderful hometown, and that is where my husband and I decided to stay and raise our five children. In 2018, I decided to run against an incumbent for a seat on Sherwood’s City Council. I won the election, but it was one of the hardest things I have ever attempted. I knocked on every door in my ward. My favorite thing about being an elected official for Sherwood is merging my love of people, my love of my hometown and my business knowledge to try to give back to the community that has given me so much. ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? I am most proud of the fact that I have been able to grow a business, overcome challenges and be elected to the Sherwood City Council, all while raising five children with my husband. I am proud that I can model for my children the value of hard work and perseverance in a complex business market. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? “Well done is better than well said.” — Thomas Jefferson 39

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Cynthia Westcott

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Stephanie Hammons

on being selected AMP 2021 Power Women. ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

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POWER WOMEN

Shayla Copas CEO/Principal Designer, Shayla Copas Lifestyle WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? I am trustworthy to the core, and I have a strong sense of work ethic. You always know what you are getting with me. There are no hidden agendas, and I am extremely transparent. Because of my work ethic and follow through, my clients know that I will jump through hoops for them, and they feel confident hiring our firm to design their most treasured spaces. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? I have loved design since I was a little girl. I would rearrange the house often and I was extremely creative. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? That is an interesting question because my career is varied. I am basically a serial entrepreneur. I started in the floral industry in 1994 and went into interior design in 1997. Now in 2022, Shayla Copas Lifestyle has under its umbrella interior design, books, product design, design-inspired travel and marketing services that cater mostly to contractors, architects, nonprofits and design-driven businesses.. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I love that each day is different. One day, I might be designing an amazing kitchen and the next I might be on set in Peru (seriously) shooting a chapter for my next book and then looking over drawings for one of my licensed product lines. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Write down your goals and go for them. Do not be scared to take a chance and do not ever quit dreaming. Our dreams do become reality if we reach for them. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? Talent cannot be taught. I think that design talent is something you are born with. It is something in your soul, and it is a gift. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? My book Four Seasons of Entertaining and my design work at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? I love my business, so I do not ever feel the need for balance and to get away from work. Even when we are on vacation, I am coming up with new design and business ideas. I think the most important thing is to vary activities each day. Also, working from different locations helps me as well.

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WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? I did not have a strong support system as a child, so as a young adult starting a business, I did not really have anyone to bounce my ideas off of. I started my first business when I was 20 years old and literally was in it for survival. I guess that is what instilled such drive in me. I think that is the silver lining. I look at all obstacles as a way to become stronger and as a path to success. In the end, we go through hard times so that we can be of support to someone else one day. As a result, I am very involved in our community and believe that giving back is a key component to a happy life. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? It is the best advice ever given to me — “Remember that if you want a different outcome, you must take a different approach.” 42

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POWER WOMEN

Emily Ferris

Architect/Partner, Sowell Architects WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Listen first. To be a successful architect, I find it is important to listen to the client’s wants and needs before forming an opinion or coming to the table with preconceived notions. It is also important to listen and learn from the experiences of others in the industry. Sometimes, “what not to do” is just as important as “what to do.” WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? Since I was a young girl, I have always enjoyed drawing and creating things. I loved playing with Legos (and still do) and enjoyed drawing and dreaming of my future home. I love how architecture blends the art of creating with the precision and science of building and construction. It really is the perfect career for me. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I knew from about 8th grade on that I wanted to pursue architecture. After graduating from the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the UA, I immediately began working as an intern architect in Northwest Arkansas and began taking the next steps required to become a licensed architect. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I love the day-to-day variety. Some days, I may be on a jobsite observing the latest project under construction. Other days, I may be in the office sketching and designing a new building. No two projects are the same, and I enjoy the excitement and anticipation of what is coming next. I also really enjoy walking through a building when construction is complete. It is such a gratifying experience to see an idea in your mind come to life in the form of a building. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Really take a look at yourself and your interests and talents. Find something that you are passionate about and that you can see yourself doing for the next 40-plus years. As they say, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? Becoming a licensed architect is a rigorous and lengthy process. It starts with a five-year professional degree at an accredited architecture school. Then, you are required to complete thousands of hours of internship experience while also passing six professional exams, called the ARE (Architect Registration Examination). My education at the Fay Jones School of Architecture really helped me sharpen my creative skills and prepared me for the complex problem solving that is involved in all facets of architecture. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? I am proud to have been the valedictorian of my graduating class at the Fay Jones School of Architecture. I am also proud to now be a partner at Sowell Architects along with my husband, Cody, and the founder, Rik Sowell. ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? This is tricky for me since I work alongside my husband on a daily basis. I find that home life and work life frequently overlap, and I’m OK with that. Our son loves coming up to the office, and he draws his own little building designs. Even in our spare time, Cody and I find ourselves sketching and redesigning different areas and rooms of our home. It is hard to escape your passion. WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? Architecture is traditionally a male-dominated field. The balance is almost now 50/50 men to women in a college undergrad setting, but the number of women in the profession has shown to fall off drastically as they progress in their career. When I was first starting out, being young and female and also being in a role to give direction to mostly male contractors twice my age certainly was an uncomfortable position to be in at times. Thankfully, I had an excellent female mentor who showed me the ropes and helped build my confidence. 43

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VIP, player services, reserved seats (racing), gift shops/retail, entertainment and sponsorships/partnerships/donations. Botts is a public relations graduate of the University of Southern California. She grew up in Wilmington, Del., and Memphis; lived in Los Angeles for eight years; then returned to Memphis and started a career in the casino/gaming industry. Her experience also includes working in the music industry as well as handling marketing projects and events for the NBC-TV affiliate in Shreveport.

AMBER BREWER

Creative Director/ Brand Manager Yellow Rocket Concepts

Amber Brewer is the creative mind behind Yellow Rocket Concepts in Little Rock, the company with restaurants including Big Orange, Local Lime and Heights Taco & Tamale. Brewer attended college at Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. She currently serves on the board of the Arkansas Cinema Society and has been an art director for 15 years. She previously held positions at CJRW and Arkansas Business Publishing Group, joining Yellow Rocket full-time as creative director and brand manager after the Big Orange Midtown location opened in Little Rock.

APRIL BRODERICK

Owner, A&A Fire and Safety Company Sherwood City Council

April Broderick was elected Sherwood City Council Member for Ward 1, Position 1 in 2018 and began her service on January 1, 2019. April serves on the Advertising and Promotions Commission and is also a member of the Sherwood Chamber of Commerce. In 2018, she was appointed by Governor Hutchinson to the Arkansas Fire Protec-

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tion Licensing Board. April is a proud Sherwood native and a graduate of Sylvan Hills High School. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. April became Co-Owner of A&A Fire and Safety Company in 2014, and in 2016, her company was awarded the prestigious honor of becoming one of eleven Arkansas-based companies to have an 8(a) certification. 2017 marked the beginning of A&A’s facility being DOT certified. In 2018, A&A earned the Governor’s Quality Commitment Level Award. April and her husband, Bryan, have been married since 2003 and have five children. The Brodericks are active members of Central Baptist Church and April volunteers her time working with the children’s department.

BROOKE BROLO

Agency Owner Brolo Insurance Group/Allstate

Brooke Brolo is an Allstate insurance agent and agency owner in North Little Rock, where she’s become entrenched in the local community. Her knowledge and understanding of the community help her provide customers with an outstanding level of service. She looks forward to helping families protect the things that are important to them.

TERESSA BROWN PT, DPT, PHD

Dean, School of Physical Therapy Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

Dr. Teressa Brown is Dean of the School of Physical Therapy at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) in Fort Smith. Prior to joining ACHE, Brown served as Program Director at West Coast University in Los Angeles and as a faculty member at Simmons University in Boston. She received

her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees from Simmons University. In January of 2015, she completed her Ph.D. in Health Professions Education at Simmons as well. Her primary areas of research include instructional methods and assessment practices in anatomy education, predictors of success or difficulty in the DPT curriculum.

JESSICA BUBBUS

Co-founder, David’s Burgers

JENNIFER OWENS BUIE

Director of Development & Marketing, Arkansas Repertory Theatre

RACHEL BUNCH

Executive Director Arkansas Health Care Association

Rachel Bunch first started at the Arkansas Health Care Association at the age of 21 and has since worked her way up the ladder to Executive Director, the youngest in the entire country to hold the position at her time of appointment. Bunch lives in Little Rock and has one daughter named Emily.

REBECCA BURKES

COO, Specialized Real Estate Group NWA

SANDRA BYRD

Vice President of Public Affairs & Member Services Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC)

Sandra Byrd has 35 years of legal, regulatory and public policy experience in the electric and natural gas industries at the state and federal levels. Byrd chaired the Arkansas Public Service Commission from 2000-2007, during which time she served on the board of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC); the steering committee

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of the National Council on Electricity Policy; the advisory board of the Electric Power Research Institute; as chair of the NARUC Critical Infrastructure Committee; as chair of the New Mexico State University Center for Public Utilities Advisory Council; and president of the Mid-America Regulatory Conference. She was also a creator and incorporator of the Southwest Power Pool RTO Regional State Committee. Byrd earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas.

EVELYN HEMPHILL CALLAWAY

LRSD School Board

DONNA CAMPBELL

Black Hills Energy Arkansas

KENDRA CAMPBELL

Associate Project Manager Southwest Power Pool

Kendra Campbell is a Senior Business Analyst for Southwest Power Pool. Kendra holds a master of science in Instructional Technology and a bachelor of business administration in Management Information Systems from the University of Central Arkansas. She also obtained her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute. In her community, Kendra is heavily involved in volunteer opportunities with organizations such as Family Promise, Dorcas House, Salvation Army and Our House, to name a few. Kendra is a servant at heart, always seeking opportunities to help serve others.

SHELBY CAREY

Director of Property Management Hathaway Group

Shelby Carey provides staffing and oversight of the property management, administrative and maintenance teams at Hathaway Group. She and her team manage more than 1 million square feet of office, retail, industrial and medical arts properties, and Carey directly manages a substantial portfolio of more than 520,000 square feet of commercial property and capital improvement projects. She has her hands full, but “gets it done.” Carey is the 2022 IREM National Ethics Committee Co-Chair and the 2023-2024 Regional Vice President for Region 5, which covers Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

KATHERINE BLACKMON CARROLL Attorney/Owner Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon

Katherine Blackmon Carroll is the owner and managing attorney of the Law Offices of Katherine E. Blackmon, which is a trauma-informed family law firm with an emphasis on helping clients navigate difficult times with empathy and expertise. Carroll earned her bachelor of arts from Southern Methodist University and her juris doctorate from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and founded the firm in 1997.

CARLA CARSON,

VP/Senior Trust Officer, Centennial Bank

FRANCES CAVENAUGH

Arkansas State Representative

DENISE CHAI

Financial Planner, Aptus Financial

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LINDA CHESTERFIELD

Arkansas State Senator

ADRIENNE COLLINS

Director of Human Resources, Rock Region METRO Owner, AC Productions

Adrienne Collins is Director of Human Resources at Rock Region METRO, the public transit system that serves 3 million passengers per year in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Jacksonville, Conway and Pulaski County. Collins began her human resources career in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. Collins holds three undergraduate degrees from Arkansas State University and two MBAs, in IT management and business administration, from Webster University. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in business management with an emphasis in leadership. Collins serves on several boards and in professional organizations such as CAHRA, ARSHRM, the Arkansas Public Employers Human Resources Association, Little Rock Zoo, Generation Zoo, Ozark Mission Project, Opera In the Rock, the Center for Cultural Community and the Historic Arkansas Museum. She is a graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock, Class XXXV.

SHAYLA COPAS CEO/Principal Designer Shayla Copas Lifestyle

Shayla Copas is the CEO/Principal Designer at Shayla Copas™ Lifestyle, the parent company for Shayla Copas™ Interiors, Shayla Copas™ Collections and The Hive Marketing & Public Relations. Copas is an international awardwinning interior designer, product designer, author, marketing maven and public speaker. She currently has licensed product collections with Chelsea

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POWER WOMEN

Natalie James

U.S. Senate candidate for Arkansas Multi-million dollar producing Realtor WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS?

Understanding the value and importance of cultivating strong relationships with everyone you meet. The goal is to treat people how you want to be treated and to leave everyone you interact or meet with better than how you found them. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER?

What attracted me to people was a deeply instilled value from my family of having a servant spirit and being a public servant. I come from a long line of teachers with over 170 years of teaching and giving. My mother worked as a LRSD teacher for 34 years, nurturing and molding the minds of the upcoming generation. My father was a retired insurance broker, worked at their family store “Uncle T’s” (a community staple) and was also a minister in his later years. My parents raised their four girls teaching them the importance of fellowshipping with others and making lasting relationships with the community and nationwide. The James family grew up African Methodist Episcopal in Little Rock at Bethel A.M.E. We have met and worked with countless others all over the United States. What attracted me to running for one of the highest offices in the United States was to be who I needed, and to be the woman that my daughters need. DEC E M BER 2 02 1

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Goldie Gaines, Commissioner of State Lands candidate; Lauren Mallett-Hayes, Arkansas Congressional District 3 candidate; Natalie James, U.S. Senate Candidate; Regina Hampton-Stewart, PCDW Chair; Diane Osborne, State House District 50 candidate

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD?

My start in politics began early in life. In high school, I ran for our senior class secretary and thoroughly enjoyed the campaign process of meeting and talking with my fellow student constituents. That love of people took me to surrogacy, business consulting, and then into real estate. I entered the real estate field in 2015 and became a top producer agent and have remained that. I decided to move my focus to more community-oriented endeavors after being appointed on the land bank commission in Little Rock and realizing what I could do for the different communities that I drive through every day as a realtor. Having the ability to make a difference by working with everyone drives me and is also one reason why I decided to throw my hat into the ring and run for the United States Senate. I want to go to Washington to make sure all backgrounds, cultures, and people are represented. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER?

The best advice I would give any woman is to give it your all, and embrace the failures. Because they’re truly not failures-- they are life lessons and learning opportunities. They show you the resilience that you are made of and how to overcome that obstacle, if and when, you see it again. “No matter the endeavor, nothing is at its best running at half capacity. That includes politics. The more girls see women running for office, the more they will be inspired to step up and make sure Arkansas and our nation will operate at full power. Nothing else is acceptable.” Senator Joyce Elliott “It’s always so exciting to me to see strong Democratic women running for office, and that’s exactly why I do this work. As the Executive Director of Emerge Arkansas, my number one goal is to recruit and train Democratic women to run and win. Anyone who is interested in learning more can reach out to me at contact@emergear.org.” Stephanie Baker - Emerge Executive Director DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE?

“When the women of the country come in and sit with you, though there may be but very few in the next few years, I pledge you that you will get ability, you will get integrity of purpose, you will get exalted patriotism, and you will get unstinted usefulness.” Rebecca Latimer Felton - American writer, lecturer, reformer and politician who became the first woman to serve in the United States Senate in Address to the Senate, November 21, 1922 46

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POWER WOMEN

Janet Jones

Owner and President The Janet Jones Company WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? My secret to success is my genuine love of people and my love of Little Rock. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? I was attracted to real estate because of the opportunity to be a part of people’s lives at such an important time and with such a big investment. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I started as an agent at the Bueter-Gibson Real Estate Company. I had visited with a friend at a party and she encouraged me to try real estate! WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I love that every day is different and often unexpected. I love meeting many different people and helping them reach their goals. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? My advice to a young woman would be the same as my advice to anyone: Show up, pay attention and stay engaged. Treat everyone as you would want to be treated. Always remember to be kind. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? My college degree is in Education from The University of Arkansas. I had a really good liberal arts education which helps prepare you for life! My early career in teaching helped me to understand the importance of good clear communication. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? I am most proud of raising two daughters and two stepdaughters to be successful productive caring members of society. I am proud that my two daughters, my great niece and a step granddaughter are all in the real estate business. I love that my daughter, Susan Reynolds works with me closely in our business. ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? One of the greatest challenges in real estate is to maintain a balance between work and life. In real estate, you can be working when you are socializing, exercising or participating in a sport or hobby. You almost must leave town occasionally to truly relax because you are always on call. WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? Early on…finding enough time for children, family and life. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE My favorite quote is from Psalms 118:24: “This is the day which the Lord has made. I shall rejoice and be glad in it.” 47

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POWER WOMEN

Laura R. Landreaux President and CEO Entergy Arkansas

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? A strong work ethic and the support of my friends and family. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? Being part of a company that is so integral to the people and communities we serve. Our vision is “We Power Life,” and that’s what we do, day in and day out. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? When I was a lawyer in private practice, I represented a company in the electric utility industry. That was my first introduction into this field, and I became fascinated with everything that is involved in ensuring my lights come on when I flip the switch. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? The same thing that attracted me to the industry. It is rewarding to be a part of a company that fuels society and growth in our communities. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Don’t set your sights on only one path. Be open to new opportunities. It is great to be really good at what you do, but the best way to learn and grow is to step out of your comfort zone. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? My law degree taught me a lot about critical thinking and judgments, and those skills have served me very well. DEC E M BER 2 02 1

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? My favorite quote comes from my late father’s University of Arkansas Law School commencement speech in 1993, which hangs on my wall. When I first took this job, a family friend gave me his framed copy of the quote, which was sitting on his desk. It now sits on my desk, and I read it every morning. “Strive always to set your professional goals and your personal goals out there just barely at the end of your reach. Stretch your talents, grasp beyond the closest branch, take a risk, stick your neck out, speak your mind, challenge the status quo. Don’t just accept responsibility. Chase it down.” — Vincent W. Foster Jr. 48

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POWER WOMEN

Tippi McCullough

Arkansas State Representative, District 33, Little Rock House Minority Leader WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Having had a supportive family and friends. Recognizing the value and uniqueness of all people. Teamwork. Listening to all voices and seeing both sides of issues. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? Which career? Public service and politics are my second career after teaching and coaching for 33 years. I was drawn to teaching because of a love for English, basketball, and learning. After facing adversity and teaching for five more years I started a second career, in a sense, continuing public service as a way to speak for others and to put ideas and vision into action. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I was fired for marrying my longtime partner in 2013 and this motivated me to become more involved in my different communities (neighborhood, union, church, political party, etc.) and to run for office. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? It is really pretty basic. I love building relationships with people and helping to meet the needs of my community and of Arkansans. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? You will face folks that underestimate you. Prove them wrong. Life will not always be fair but develop a positive attitude that will always see you through tough times. Work to prepare and have confidence. Be dependable and consistent. Always strive to continue to learn and be better. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? It opened my mind to different viewpoints and to a love of learning. Being an athlete in high school and college taught me to be disciplined, to always be prepared, take advantage of opportunities, work hard, be poised under pressure, work as a team, and have a strategy for a common goal.

WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? I am proud of all the years I taught English and coached basketball and worked with great educators, administrators, staff, and students. I’m also proud that the constituents in District 33 have trusted me to represent them with their vote. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? By loving to read, watch movies and sports, along with traveling and mountain and road biking. WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? We all have to overcome obstacles of some sort. Growing up gay affected how I navigated life. Getting fired for getting legally married and losing health insurance, retirement, salary, friends and basically my identity was tough. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE I have lots of favorite quotes. This is one because of my love of books and reading: “You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive.” — James Baldwin

(PAID FOR BY THE CAMPAIGN TO ELECT TIPPI MCULLOUGH)

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House and POLYWOOD with additional partnerships to be announced later in 2021. Her work has been featured in print regionally and nationally. In April of 2019, her first book, “Four Seasons of Entertaining,” was a best seller in several categories on Amazon. Her second book will be released sometime in 2023. She can be seen regularly at industry events as well as various markets and conferences making trend forecasts, speaking on panel discussions and as a featured keynote speaker. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards during her career and has been instrumental in raising more than $4 million for a variety of organizations and causes.

University of Mississippi. She is an active member of the Jonesboro University Rotary Club and has been acknowledged as a Paul Harris Fellow, Rotarian of the Year, and recipient of the Service Above Self Award.

ANGELA COURTNEY

President/Owner Turn Key Construction Management

Executive Director, Alex Foundation

BECKY CRANFORD

General Manager, The Bug Man

KELLY CARGILL CROW

Vice President, Arkansas Trucking Association Dosha

DOSHA CUMMINS

Pharm. D. Chair, Department of Basic Sciences NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University

Dr. Dosha Cummins is the Chair of the Department of Basis Sciences at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, a position she’s held since the campus opened in 2016. Cummins was part of the inaugural leadership team for the Arkansas campus and serves as an associate professor in addition to leading the Department of Basic Sciences. Cummins oversees the operation of the anatomy lab and basic science research labs at the Jonesboro campus and serves on several COM committees. Cummins graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a biology degree from Millsaps College. She received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the D EC E M B ER 2 02 1

ADORA CURRY

Director of Advancement, Thaden School

SUSAN DAVENPORT

Managing Partner, BKD

VICTORIA DEFRANCESCO

Dean Designate, UA Clinton School of Public Service

SANDY DIXON

Sandy Dixon has worked in the commercial construction industry for almost 20 years. Her experience includes competitive bid, negotiated, design–build general contracting and construction management delivery methods. Sandy provides support throughout all phases of the design/construction process and strives to maintain collaboration among all project participants. Since founding Turn Key in 2007, Sandy has been President, with her primary responsibilities being customer contact, developing marketing plans and managing on-going projects. She is involved in every aspect of the business including estimating through project completion and delivery. Sandy received her bachelor of science degree from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.

EILEEN DRAKE, President/CEO,

Aerojet Rocketdyne Corporation

TAMIKA S. EDWARDS

Special Advisor to the CEO on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Engagement Central Arkansas Water

Tamika Edwards, a native of Little Rock, works across all departments and in partnership with community organizations to eliminate systemic organizational marginalization and promote inclusive practices for the betterment of the utility, the communities CAW serves and the water industry overall. Edwards has 20 years of experience in public policy and community development. Prior to CAW, Edwards served as the executive director of the Social Justice Institute at Philander Smith College, director of governmental affairs at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, director of public policy at Southern Bancorp Community Partners and community affairs specialist for former US Sen. Blanche Lincoln. In 2021, she was recognized as the “Woman of the Year in Business” by the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas. She is a member of the boards for Delta Dental of Arkansas and the Little Rock Port Authority, and serves as board chair for the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation. Edwards earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a Master of Arts in professional and technical writing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a J.D. from UA Little Rock’s Bowen Law School.

JOYCE ELLIOTT

Arkansas State Senator

JANE ENGLISH

Arkansas State Senator

Senator Jane English represents Senate District 34, which includes parts of North Little Rock and northern Pulaski

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County. She was sworn into the state Senate in 2013. Sen. English co-chairs the Joint Performance Review Committee and the Legislative Council’s Higher Education Subcommittee. She serves on the Senate Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs, the Senate Committee on Transportation, Technology and Legislative Affairs, the Senate Efficiency Committee, the Joint Budget Committee and the Legislative Council. She is vice chair of the Joint Budget Special Language Subcommittee. Sen. English was chair of the Senate Education Committee from 2015 through 2020. In addition to her work to improve education, Sen. English is known for sponsoring legislation to benefit military veterans and to promote economic development. She was in the group of legislators who pushed for a new nursing home for veterans in North Little Rock, after the previous facility in Little Rock was closed.

DENISE JONES ENNETT

Arkansas State Representative

State Rep. Denise Ennett is serving her second term in the Arkansas House of Representatives. She represents District 36, which includes a portion of Little Rock and Pulaski County. For the 93rd General Assembly, Ennett serves on the House Public Transportation Committee; the Joint Committee on Advanced Communications and Information Technology; and the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master of Arts in Higher Education/College Affairs from UA Little Rock. Ennett serves on the board for the Historic Arkansas Museum Foundation and Preserve Arkansas. She also serves on the City of Little Rock Arts and Cultural Commission. She previously

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served on the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center Advisory Board, the Advisory Council for the Education of Children with Disabilities, the Arkansas PTA Board of Managers and as a member of Volunteer in Public Schools (ViPS).

SANDY FERGUSON

KAREN GARRETT

Managing Partner, HCJ CPAs & Advisors

DANNA GAUNTT

Vice President of Human Resources, Lexicon

MEGAN GODFREY

Arkansas State Representative

Chief Financial Officer, Board member Generations Bank

ERIN GRAY

Sandy Ferguson serves as CFO for Generations Bank, where she just celebrated her 40th anniversary. Starting in 1981 as a teller, Ferguson has continued to play a pivotal role working in every department throughout her career. Generations Bank is allowing Ferguson to lend her expertise to all facets of the bank while she also serves on the board of directors.

EMILY FERRIS

Architect/Partner Sowell Architects

Owner Healing Hemp of Arkansas

Erin Gray is the owner of Healing Hemp of Arkansas in Little Rock, which specializes in pain and anxiety products like CBD oils, salves and tinctures and the dried flower of hemp. Gray says her mission is to assist customers and guide them in making better choices, every day, allowing them to become more happy, healthy and safe.

MICHELLE GRAY

Emily Ferris is an architect and partner with Sowell Architects in Conway. Ferris studied at the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she graduated valedictorian and Senior Scholar, receiving the National AIA Henry Adams Medal and the Edward Durrell Stone Medal for excellence in design.

C. ANN FLEMING

CEO, Fleming Companies

KIM FOWLER

Philanthropist, Fowler Foods Inc.

DARLENE GOLDI GAINES

CEO, Arkansas Anti Poverty Group

DENISE GARNER

Arkansas State Representative

NANCY GRIEBEL

Marketing Director, Euronet Software Solutions

CHRISTINE GRONWALD

Director of Development, EAST Initiative

FELICIA HAMILTON

Principal, Clinton Elementary School

STEPHANIE HAMMONS

Director/Associate General Counsel for Southern Gas Operations CenterPoint Energy

Stephanie Hammons received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Central Arkansas and received her law degree

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POWER WOMEN

Alison Melson

Vice President, Corporate Marketing Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic. I’ve been fortunate to have always been surrounded by incredible people who work well together, genuinely like each other and are very good at their jobs. When you are part of a team like that, you share in each other’s successes. Plus, I love what I do. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? I knew I wanted a career where I would spend the majority of my time around upbeat, creative people, and no two days would be alike. Now, more than 30 years after entering this field, I still love that about my job. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? As a journalism major, I went to work at the Arkansas Democrat for High Profile. The late Phyllis Brandon gave me a shot as a fresh, very green writer. I met so many people who had interesting stories to tell. It was a great gig. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I have always loved helping people and companies share their stories, and I feel so fortunate to now do that for Arkansas Blue Cross, a company that is so mission driven. I get to come to the office every day and work alongside people who truly care about the well-being of our members and Arkansans. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Do what you love and surround yourself with strong people who want to see you succeed. Work hard, and do not be afraid to be proactive or to make mistakes. And finally, when you are in a position to help others, do so. We need to build each other up and cheer each other on. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? By making plans with my family and friends, staying active through exercise and exploring our beautiful state. I also always have something new I am trying, which at the moment is yoga. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? “Find joy in everything you choose to do. Every job, relationship, home… it’s your responsibility to love it, or change it.” — Chuck Palahniuk DEC E M BER 2 02 1

WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? When COVID-19 hit, the leadership at Arkansas Blue Cross wanted to do what we could to encourage Arkansans to get vaccinated to bring an end to the pandemic. The Blue team worked with StoneWard to develop a campaign — Vaccinate the Natural State (VTNS) — that was much more than an advertising campaign. It was a movement for Arkansans to learn about the vaccine, get access to vaccinations and overcome vaccine hesitancy. More than 600 of our employees collectively donated over 2,000 hours to this effort. We supported over 190 vaccination events, distributed more than 60,000 materials in support of this campaign and assisted in tens of thousands of Arkansans getting vaccinated against COVID-19. It is extremely rewarding to know that I played a small role in helping this state that I love so much during a global pandemic. 52

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POWER WOMEN

Martha D. McCormickMoore McCormick Works, Inc. Seal-Tite of Arklahoma, LLC

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS?

“You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.” - Zig Ziegler. For the past three decades I have enjoyed navigating the construction industry as it is evolving for Women and minorities. You don’t have to know everything. You do absolutely have to surround yourself with others who are qualified, honest and do the job well and build your team. In order to succeed and thrive, I’ve tried to change with current economic trends. You must be flexible, willing to try new things and different strategies. I’ve been blessed to put together a small staff of motivated, intelligent individuals who help keep the companies running smoothly. If my employees have the training and tools to succeed, my company and I will succeed as well. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER?

I went to work at my family’s construction company to better provide for myself and small daughter. In the late ‘80s, women weren’t really welcomed as part of a road crew— even if it’s a family business. I couldn’t find anything else that paid as well, and when my Dad gave me the opportunity, I found that I was actually good at the job. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD?

As a roller operator with the road crew — truly I learned from the ground up what I know. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

The thing I love most changes all the time. In the BIG picture I love that my career has given me opportunity to provide well for those I love, while actively helping others. The relationships I’ve developed with so many different individuals over the years enrich the phase of life I am in. I have helped lay a path for other women entering my industry. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER?

Take your education seriously; it will pay off in ways you never dreamed possible. Keep your standards high. Set your own value, and never allow others to set it for you. You have to be willing to work hard; shortcuts can sabotage a wonderful plan for success. Always be grateful. Let your legacy be, “honor and goodwill to others.” ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER?

My education has been on the job. I worked beside and learned from my dad, Ed McCormick for years. After I took the reins of the family business, I took advantage of every program and workshop available from SBA, ASBTDC, APAC, etc. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD?

My marriage to my wonderful and supportive husband, Keith. My daughter, Carissa — the smart, beautiful, young career woman she is today. The ability to provide jobs. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE?

I seek guidance daily from God, get proper rest and nutrition. I enjoy outdoor hobbies. Many of my work trips are to secluded, beautiful areas — the locations that make me the happiest. My husband or Mom often travel with me, which is even better! DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE?

“This above all: To thine own self be true.” — William Shakespeare 53

D EC E M B E R 2021

POWER WOMEN

Lucie Pathmann SVP of Corporate Marketing Westrock Coffee

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? I don’t really have a secret. I believe success is about how a person sees themself, not about how others see them. I’ve been fortunate to have great mentors as well as great teammates around me throughout my career. Without those, as well as the support from friends and family, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today. I hope when I’m done, I will look back and think I was somewhat successful. But right now, I feel like I still have a lot I want to do and learn. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? When I participated in the college program at Disney, part of the program included weekly classes on marketing, and it was fascinating to me. When I returned to the U of A, I immediately changed my major to advertising. Luckily, my mom didn’t kill me for losing almost 60 hours and supported my decision!! We now laugh and say it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I absolutely love that I work in a discipline that is constantly changing and that I get to learn something new every day and use it to help tell the story of our brand. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? My first job after college was with CJRW, where I was a media assistant. Over time, I became the main media planner/buyer for our client, Alltel. My client hired me and that’s how I got my start working in marketing. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I love the creativity in what I do. I’m a curious person, and that curiosity is constantly fed in my work. It’s fast paced, and no day is the same. I like having goals and having something to work toward and with my work, there’s always a deadline, timeline and something to plan for, which is what drives me and keeps me focused. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Don’t ever let someone tell you, you can’t do something. Always believe it can be done and that you’re the one that can do it. The person in charge of making things better is you. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? I learned the basics in my schoolwork, but my internships were where the real learning happened. Those prepared me for the “real deal” when I graduated. I also had a great advisor at the U of A. She had been in the real world and taught us about how marketing and advertising worked day-to-day. She took a lot of time with each of her students, giving us real life examples which expanded on what was in the textbooks. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? Seeing younger people I’ve managed become successful leaders in the field. There’s no greater accomplishment than to see someone grow as a professional knowing you had a small part of it. DEC E M BER 2 02 1

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? My friends and family help keep me balanced. I won’t say I maintain work/life balance, but I’m much more aware of it now than when I was younger. I try to make time for my family and friends more than I did when I first started my career, however, I love what I do, so it doesn’t feel like work to me. It’s just a part of who I am and my life. WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? I can’t recall any obstacles. Everyone has challenges; it’s all about how you approach them. I’ve learned that with each challenge you learn and hopefully grow as a person, so obstacles usually turn into opportunities. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? My mom has always told me, “When God closes a door, He always opens a window. Look for the window.” I love this quote because it forces you to look for the good when things aren’t going your way. 54

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POWER WOMEN

Jena Selva Real Estate Advisor, Co-owner CEO Engel & Völkers, Little Rock

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Grit. I also cannot speak highly enough about the leadership development of the Junior League of Little Rock, which has contributed immensely to my personal and professional development. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? I think I have always been attracted to homes, even as a young kid, before I knew there was such a thing as a real estate career. I grew up in a rural area in a very small house with seven people and one bathroom. When we went into town, I would daydream about what life might be like living in the bigger houses in the neighborhoods we drove through. Large homes and interesting architecture have always fascinated me. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? There is absolutely nothing equal to the joy of helping people obtain the place they call home. Sometimes the move is joyous, sometimes it is heartbreaking but necessary. I am continually honored and humbled to be able to assist in that journey. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Tuning out the “noise” of other people’s opinions is essential to determining what is important to you, setting goals and developing a plan. Equally important is identifying the people who are successful in your field and learning everything you can from them. Learning is a lifelong process, so always ask questions and look for ways to improve your approach and outcomes. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? I think work-life balance is an elusive myth, and subscribing to the idea of it sets you up to feel like you are failing. For me, it is more of a co-creation. I live and breathe real estate, so it doesn’t feel like work anymore than my other duties such as household or childcare administration. They all exist together, and any one of them will overrun the schedule if I let it. Carving out time to be fully present for the people I love is a priority and having a support system in place to cover work while I am away is the key. Sometimes work takes priority and has to be the focus. Sometimes family takes priority. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? My formal education was as a registered dietitian. It didn’t take long for me to realize that working in a hospital was not my passion, so after 10 years and 4 kids, I took a giant leap of faith and quit. I worked parttime in real estate the first couple of years, but when you really love something, it pulls you in. So, I leaned into it and haven’t looked back. ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? I am most proud of bringing the first truly global residential real-estate brand to Arkansas and the opening of our second shop, Engel & Völkers West Little Rock. Our newest location in the Pleasant Ridge Town Center is my biggest project to date, and I am giddy about how beautiful it is. My business partner and I opened our Hillcrest location, Engel & Völkers Little Rock, in February 2019. Aligning our real estate brokerage with this brand was the best business decision I have ever made. The support we continue to receive has been key in fueling our success. WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? I think the biggest obstacle I have ever had to overcome was myself, my very own fears and insecurities. I finally decided continuing to do something I didn’t love was more difficult than getting past my fear of what other people thought and figuring out how to be successful at what I love doing. It took me almost 25 years of adulthood to get over my negative childhood and junior high experiences and realize that I can do and be whatever I want regardless of my past circumstances or other people’s opinions. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.” — Henry David Thoreau 55

D EC E M B E R 2021

from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law. Hammons began her career as a staff attorney at Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation in Fort Smith then briefly worked for SourceGas Arkansas (now Black Hills Arkansas). At CenterPoint Energy, she has participated in leadership programs such as Leadership Greater Little Rock and CenterPoint Energy’s award-winning Leadership Academy program. Hammons is a founding member and former board member of Arkansas Women in Power, an organization dedicated to recruiting, maintaining and promoting women in the energy industry, and she currently serves on the Arkansas 811 Board of Directors.

STEPHANIE HARRIS

Founder, Women Lead Arkansas

ANGELA HARRISON

Owner/CEO, Welsco

VICKI HATTER

President, LRSD School Board

MELISSA HENDRICKS

Director, Little Rock Port Authority

LAUREN HENDRIX, MD

Urologist Arkansas Urology

Dr. Lauren Hendrix is a native of Little Rock. She graduated magna cum laude from the Honors College at the University of Central Arkansas prior to obtaining her medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where she graduated with honors. Hendrix completed her residency training in Urologic Surgery at the University of Kentucky in Lexington in 2015 and is board-certified by the American Board of Urology. Hendrix is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honors society, the American Urological Association and the Society of Women in Urology. Her training has D EC E M B ER 2 02 1

included advanced laparoscopy such as Da Vinci robotic surgery, stone disease management, female urology and voiding dysfunction as well as urologic oncology and general urology.

JENNIFER HENINGTON

Project Manager, Supervisor, EDG

JESSICA HESTER

CEO/Principal Architect, Verdant Studio

NATALIA HODGE

Orthodontist, Hodge Orthodontics

LAURIE HOWARD

Owner/Stylist Wicked Salon

Laurie Howard is the owner of Wicked Salon in North Little Rock. She has over 20 years of experience and over 3000 hours of training in styling, and regularly attends seminars and educational sessions to stay informed about the newest and best products available in styling. Laurie is a graduate of Jacksonville High School.

ASHLEY HUDSON

Partner, Kutak Rock LLP Arkansas State Representative

State Rep. Ashley Hudson is serving her first term in the Arkansas House. She represents District 32 which includes a portion of west Little Rock and Pulaski County. For the 93rd General Assembly, Rep. Hudson serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs Committee.

AMY IPSEN

Operations Manager/Paraplanner Ipsen Advisor Group

Amy Ipsen launched her career in the financial services industry in 2002. She has explored several different roles over the years, working with both clients and other financial advisors and their staff. She currently is putting her management, technology and compliance experience to use as the operations manager for the Ipsen team. Her knowledge of the financial planning process and her proficiency with planning tools keeps her involved in supporting the financialplanning relationship with clients.

NATALIE JAMES

Realtor, small business owner, U.S. Senate candidate

Natalie James is a real estate agent at RE/ MAX Elite in Little Rock and a small business owner who is seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. A devoted community advocate, James is motivated by knowing she has the power to listen to others and enact change and hopes to clear a path for future politicians. She hopes her campaign will show people how to stand up for what is right and to “give a voice to the unheard.” Her goal is to break glass ceilings for the next generation so that Gen Z can be future agents of change.

CHARLOTTE JOHN

Principal Broker, Charlotte John Co.

DESSTONI JOHNSON

Owner, Fearless Firearm Instruction

TINA JOHNSON

Principal Broker and Owner, Keller Williams Market Pro Realty

DR. JERRILYN JONES, M.D.

UAMS Health

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JANET JONES

Owner and President The Janet Jones Company

Janet Jones was the first female chair of the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce in the late ‘90s. Jones sold homes in Little Rock for 24 years before branching out on her own in 1980 to form The Janet Jones Co. The company has since established itself as a market leader in the northern neighborhoods of Little Rock, from the Heights/ Hillcrest area to Chenal Valley. Jones has also chaired the Little Rock branch of the Federal Reserve Board, served on the executive board of the Fifty for the Future group of business leaders in Pulaski County and has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Businesswomen in Arkansas. She has contributed support to organizations such as the Junior League of Little Rock and to the board of directors of Youth Home Inc., Big Brothers-Big Sisters and the CARTI Foundation.

STEPHANIE JONES

Associate Merchant of Beauty, Walmart Corporate

LAURA R. LANDREAUX

President and CEO Entergy Arkansas

Laura Landreaux ensures that Entergy Arkansas meets the power needs of more than 722,000 customers every day. She is also responsible for driving the company’s financial and operational business results, customer service, safety, resource planning, economic development, employee development and regulatory and governmental affairs. Landreaux became Entergy Arkansas President and CEO in 2018. Her career with Entergy Arkansas began in 2007 in the legal department. She then became manager of regulatory affairs in 2012. A native of Little Rock, Landreaux earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law, where she was on the Arkansas Law Review, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the UA.

JONI LEE

Vice Chancellor for University Affairs, UA Little Rock

KIM LEVERETT

Founder, A Kick Above

TRACIE KELLEY

President and CEO, Kellco Custom Homes

CRYSTAL KEMP

Chief Marketing Officer, Conway Corp

KRISTEN KENNON

Owner and Broker, iRealty Arkansas

KRISTY LAMB

Controller, Multi-Craft Contractors

JENNIFER MORGANNE LANCASTER

Founder and Director, The Lancaster Animal Project

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MEREDITH K. LOWRY

Patent Attorney Wright Lindsey Jennings

Meredith Lowry is a patent attorney whose practice principally involves various aspects of intellectual property related to the retail industry, including intellectual property acquisition, manufacturing, marketing and distribution. Since 2005, she has assisted a variety of companies in their efforts to obtain patent, trademark and copyright protection, and has also worked with such clients to protect those assets through online and in-store infringement. As a native of Northwest 57

Arkansas, Lowry is an active supporter of the arts and technology communities through her involvement with the City of Fayetteville Board of Health, the City of Fayetteville Economic Development Committee, the Scott Family Amazeum, Arkansas Arts and Fashion Forum, Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA and the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit.

SKYE MARTIN

Office of Chief Counsel, Arkansas Department of Human Services

JULIE MAYBERRY

Arkansas State Representative, District 27

MARTHA MCCORMICKMOORE

Owner McCormick Works Inc./Seal-Tite of Arklahoma, LLC

Martha McCormick-Moore is the owner of McCormick Works, a business that was started in 1990 by Martha’s father, Edward McCormick. He aspired to open a family business with his children. Together they created McCormick Asphalt Paving & Excavating, Inc. with the sole focus of paving driveways and roadways. As the business began to grow, Martha was promoted from roller operator on the asphalt crew to the office manager. As she continued to excel within the company, Martha began looking for new and better opportunities for the small, family business. She became president of the company after her father retired in 1999. By 2003, she became certified in the 8(a) contractor business development program. In 2004, she became the sole owner of the business which allowed her to expand her certifications to include woman-owned, DBE, and MBE. She began winning more contracts as a result of hard work. What was once a small town business now operates to cover the Arklahoma region. D EC E M B E R 2021

POWER WOMEN

Courtney Sick, MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology Conway Regional Renaissance Women’s Center HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I worked as a nurse for about two years before deciding to pursue medical school. My time as a nurse enabled me to gain knowledge and experience that has proven to be invaluable as a physician. I learned the inner workings of a hospital and how to communicate with patients. I know that I am a much better physician because I began my health care career as a nurse. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? As a woman, I know better than anyone how women often care for everyone else before caring for themselves. I love being an advocate for these women and helping them learn the importance of caring for themselves. There is also nothing more rewarding than helping a family grow by bringing a life into the world. Some of the most memorable and significant events of my career have been helping a family navigate life through a tragedy, whether it is a miscarriage, infertility, a stillbirth, an unexpected cancer diagnosis or an unexpected surgery. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? The best advice I can give a female starting her career is to get involved in your community. I received the same advice, and I have been able to grow my practice by developing these relationships. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? The training that is required to become a physician is like nothing else. The length of the training, the time commitment and sacrifices that are required is something I have never encountered when talking to other people about their education. Physicians should be lifelong learners. The field of medicine is constantly changing so it is crucial to stay up to date by continuing to learn and being open to new ideas. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? My biggest professional accomplishment is, of course, graduating residency and growing my clinical practice over the past six years. On a personal note, for the past two years, I have served as a board member for Mamie’s Poppy Plates (a Little Rock-based organization that supports families after perinatal loss). Working with this nonprofit and helping them grow and reach more families is by far my greatest accomplishment. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? This is the million-dollar question for all OB/Gyn physicians. I do not think I have this mastered, nor will I probably ever have it mastered. I have learned the importance of setting boundaries, and that sometimes I do have to say no, and that is OK. I am sure that adjustments will be made in my work life as my children get older and their needs change. DEC E M BER 2 02 1

WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? I went through some serious health issues during my training that had me questioning whether I would be able to finish my residency. Luckily, I also had several other physicians, friends and family who encouraged me to not give up on my career. I eventually decided to take a year off, but I was able to overcome those challenges and finish my residency. While that was one of the most challenging times I have ever experienced, dealing with those issues has made me a better physician. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? “Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.” — Hippocrates 58

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POWER WOMEN

Ashley Sims Chief Financial Officer Rock Dental Brands

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Get a reputation for working hard and being trustworthy. Put in the time and effort to learn your role and your business. Seek out opportunities to add to your skill. I’ve held 12 positions in my career, half of which were outside of the field I studied. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? Know that you can’t do everything. Decide what is important and stick with the plan. I have learned that keeping everything on one calendar works best for me. It keeps me organized and cuts out the guilt of “deleting” less important things from my list. It took me years to learn that sleep isn’t the thing that can be deleted — you do have to let some things go.

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WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? My job is to make sure that our providers and teams have everything they need to serve our patients well. I love being a part of something bigger and seeing the impact being made. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Seek out positions that will push you and grow you — don’t stay in your comfort zone. Remember that you are always interviewing. Be kind to those above, beside and below you. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? “Time off won’t heal you when your problem is how you spend your time on.” — Carey Nieuwhof

D EC E M B E R 2021

POWER WOMEN

Anastasia Blaylock EVP, Chief Strategy Officer Citizens Bank WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? I genuinely love what I do, who I work with, and who I work for. It sounds super simple and not secretive at all, but if you can find that combination, the sky is the limit. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? Banking is really just about building relationships. I think that is what attracted me and what has kept me engaged all these years. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? From the ground up! I started as a bank teller. The rest is history. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I love that my job touches every part of the bank. I also love that strategy is a living breathing thing that changes and must be nurtured. But mostly, I enjoy that I get to take a big thing like strategy and break it down into a lot of little things and then see those things make an impact. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Be coachable. Take criticism well and then use that criticism to get better. Always say yes to the jobs and tasks that nobody else wants to do. Accept early on that there will be failures. Learn from them and don’t be ashamed. Wear them like armor. Learn to be collaborative without seeking validation and most importantly, be optimistic, always. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? I have a degree in finance from Centenary College of Louisiana. Money and Banking was by far my favorite class. It taught me the fundamentals of the financial system and left me fascinated with the industry as a whole. But, my real education started the first day I showed up on the job.

Alison Melson loves people. Values relationships. Embraces variety. Is extraordinarily devoted. You see it instantly in her smile, which radiates her positive energy to everyone she meets. A consummate storyteller, Alison pours her talent and skill – and heart – into elevating others and supporting mission-focused people and programs. And she’s shared her gifts as a communicator, public relations pro and marketing executive in the fields of journalism, energy, healthcare and health insurance with passion and compassion for her fellow Arkansans. Her influence is often behind the scenes … sometimes out front … but always fearless.

Fearless Influence

We are happy to have her at Arkansas Blue Cross and proud that others recognize what we see daily – that Alison Melson is a 2021 Arkansas Power Woman.

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POWER WOMEN

Chelsea Boozer Government Affairs Manager Central Arkansas Water HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? My interest in public service started with journalism. I was a newspaper reporter, primarily covering local government, in Memphis; Washington, D.C.; and Little Rock for eight years before coming to work at Central Arkansas Water. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? Helping facilitate the regional and political collaboration needed to ensure all Arkansans have access to safe, affordable, high-quality drinking water is rewarding to me on a personal level. I’m challenged with building support for a vision of the water industry that will positively transform the quality of life for future generations, and the significance of that is motivating. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Always shoot your shot and seek the opportunity. The worst anyone can say is, “No.” Apply for the fellowship. Send in the nomination. Seek the job promotion. Sign up to give the presentation. Ask for the stretch project or extra responsibility. Having initiative can be the variable that sets you apart. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? I’m not a big subscriber to the “work/life balance” concept. I think the key to “balancing” is being able to be flexible in all areas of your life. A great employer and a great partner at home are both integral to having that flexibility. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? “If not you, then who? If not now, then when?” — Jewish scholar, Hillel the Elder.

APRIL AMBROSE AMP 2021 POWER WOMEN ENTEGRITY IS PROUD TO CELEBRATE YOUR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AND RECOGNITION

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D EC E M B E R 2021

POWER WOMEN

Amber Brewer Creative Director/Brand Manager Yellow Rocket Concepts

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Working with talented, like-minded and committed people. Everything I’ve done which I consider successful has been the result of a big group project and relationship building. Internally, our employees are so engaged with our brands, our growth, our guests and each other; they have taken us to the next level. Externally, the incredible relationships with vendors, businesses, and creative collaborators I have worked with over the years have been a huge part of making successful visions become successful businesses. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? My favorite part of any day is creative problem-solving. Some days, I have the opportunity to reimagine our dine-in restaurants as to-go only, web-based order pickup locations due to a pandemic. Some days are filled with creating the identity for a new restaurant concept or designing custom furniture. If I get to be creative, I love it — whatever it is. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Just start. I find that inspiration usually comes during work rather than before it. By jumping straight into work after graduation, I was able to learn early on what I enjoyed about different roles and duties as well as what was not a good fit. Each experience informed my next move, not hesitating is vital to momentum. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? I’m suspicious of anyone who is handing out prescriptions for achieving balance! I try my best to listen to my body, my family, my friends and my gut to understand what needs attention or space in order to know where I need to focus or what give myself a break on.

POWER WOMEN

Brooke Brolo Agency Owner Brolo Insurance Group WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career from business planning, hiring the wrong employees, marketing plans that didn’t prove ROI and everything in between. But I’ve tried to learn from each mistake along the way and grow from it. Failing forward has been a huge part of my pathway to success. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I love being in a business where I can help people. Some people think insurance is just something they “have to have,” but having the right protection can make or break you when the unexpected happens. My team and I take pride in giving solid advice and making insurance recommendations based on personalized needs when uncovering gaps and risk exposure. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? What’s that? Ha! Just kidding, but it’s definitely a balancing act for sure! The best piece of advice I can provide is to “be where your feet are.” If you’re at work…be at work. If you’re with your family…be with your family. Also, know that you can have it all but maybe just not all in one day. Read Randy Zuckerberg’s book, Pick Three. It changed the way I look at work/life balance. WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? Starting out 13 years ago, I had no customers, no experience, very little capital and within six months I became pregnant with my first child. I had to pivot and evolve over the years to meet the needs of my growing agency and find ways to duplicate myself. The past two years have been the hardest obstacles. In 2019, my husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor about the same time we purchased another agency, so I had to quickly learn how to manage all three agencies alone while doubling my Mom duty while he recovered. Thankfully, my husband is fully recovered and back at the agency.

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POWER WOMEN

Teresa Brown PT, DPT, PHD Dean, School of Physical Therapy Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? First, I don’t really consider myself a success; maybe that’s an important component to it! To be successful, I think it’s important to constantly pursue your next challenge. Doing the same thing over and over doesn’t allow you or anyone around you to progress. It’s also important to surround yourself with people who help fuel your passion and inspire you to keep moving forward. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I discovered physical therapy, quite simply, by breaking myself when I was a 15-yearold basketball player. PT was the perfect combination of an academically challenging, movement-based, people-oriented profession for me. I discovered academia when I realized I loved helping others become physical therapists even more than practicing physical therapy. Once I started my career in education, I knew I had found my passion. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? Easily, I’m most proud of developing the School of Physical Therapy here at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE). It has been such a rewarding experience to build something from the ground up — an opportunity I’ve never had before. On my first day at ACHE, they had just started putting up sheet rock in the College of Health Sciences Building. Now, those same rooms are filled with students learning a curriculum I helped develop. This has truly been a once in a lifetime opportunity. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? I often hear our president and CEO say he doesn’t have a job, he has a calling. I feel the same way. When you love what you do, who you are doing it with, and who you are doing it for, you really never feel like you are working. Your work should always fill you up, not deplete you.

POWER WOMEN

Rachel Bunch Executive Director, Arkansas Health Care Association WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? I truly love what I do and the people that I work for. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I started working at the association office in 2008; worked in various roles over the years and as executive director for the past seven years. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? The variety of things I get to work on, helping the people who work in our facilities who I have developed relationships with over the years, the opportunity to learn different things and advocating to policymakers on behalf of those who provide care for elderly Arkansans. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Take notes. Listen more than you talk. Read about things that you don’t understand. Ask good questions. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? My daughter, Emily. She is smart, kind and an all-around beautiful person. She is my greatest accomplishment. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? I don’t always maintain one, and don’t pretend to. I spend my time on things that are important to me — time with family and friends and my work. Life doesn’t fit in a 9-to-5 box and neither does my work. WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? Starting work very young in my position and field. Being underestimated isn’t the worst thing to happen.

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D EC E M B E R 2021

TIPPI MCCULLOUGH

Arkansas State Representative

State Rep. Tippi McCullough is serving her second term in the Arkansas House. She represents District 33, which includes portions of Pulaski County. For the 93rd General Assembly, she serves as the House Minority Leader. She also serves on the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee; the House Judiciary Committee; and the House City, County & Local Affairs Committee. An educator in Little Rock, McCullough received an associate’s degree in physical education from Garland County Community College, a bachelor’s degree in physical education and English from Ouachita Baptist University and a master’s in English from Henderson State University. McCullough has been involved with the Arkansas Education Association Legislative Committee, the National Education Association Women’s Issues Committee and the First United Methodist Church in Little Rock.

LARA BLUME MCGEE

Visionary, ALS in Wonderland Foundation

KELLY MCQUEEN

Energy & Environmental Law Attorney

Kelly M. McQueen is now in private law practice after serving as Assistant General Counsel (for Environmental Matters) for Entergy. Kelly joined Entergy from the Gill Ragon Owen law firm in Little Rock and has extensive experience in environmental, energy and natural resource law, having practiced in both the public and private

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legal arenas. In addition to her 13 years in private practice, she served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Arkansas in the Utility and Environment Section. Kelly received her Masters of Law in environmental and natural resources law from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark, received her J.D. with honors from the William H. Bowen School of Law, and a B.A. in business and economics from Rhodes College in Memphis. Her practice has had particular emphasis on power plant and industrial facility siting and compliance as well as Clean Air Act planning and permitting.

men Arkansas and Riverfest, Inc. A Pine Bluff native, Melson holds a bachelor’s degree in public information and journalism from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

ALISON MELSON

Philanthropist

MEAGHAN MILLIORN

Interim Co-Director, Communications and Marketing, UA Little Rock

BEVERLY MORROW,

Owner/Operator, McDonald’s Arkansas

MEGAN MUSGROVE

Architectural Designer and Owner, Building 313

DANYELLE MUSSELMAN

Vice President, Corporate Marketing Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Alison Melson oversees advertising, marketing and public relations, communications and content development, digital sales and customer experience for Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Melson joined Arkansas Blue Cross in 2019 as Vice President of Corporate Marketing. She previously served as communications manager at Entergy Arkansas, and as vice president of communications and marketing for CARTI. She has held public relations leadership positions at Acxiom Corporation and Stone Ward, and early in her career, she was a feature writer for the High Profile section of what is now the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Melson is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), past president of the Arkansas Chapter of PRSA and recipient of the 2018 PRSA Crystal Award for lifetime service to her profession of public relations. She is a graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock and has served on the boards of directors for Susan G. Ko-

KARLEA NEWBERRY

Senior Vice President/ Harrison Bank Manager Signature Bank of Arkansas

Karlea Newberry began her banking career in 2009, starting as a teller working through college. While earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas, Newberry was promoted to branch manager for Signature’s bank in Fayetteville. After dedicating eight years to Signature, she made the decision to move back to her hometown of Harrison to raise her family. There she worked for Equity Bank for two and a half years as a bank manager and regional manager. When Signature decided to expand its brand into the Harrison market, Newberry gladly rejoined the team as bank manager, helping develop the bank’s newest branch, team and its goals for the new market.

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MARNIE OLDNER Chief Executive Officer Stone Bank

Margaret “Marnie” Oldner is the CEO, MVP and Director of Stone Bank, based in Mountain View, and EVP and Director of its parent company, Stone Bancshares, Inc. Marnie has served the bank since 2011 as its CEO, CFO, and President. Prior to Stone Bank, Oldner worked with many banks inside and outside of Arkansas while a managing principal at DD&F Consulting Group in Little Rock. She has more than 30 years of executive officer experience in banking. She is a graduate of California State University in Fullerton, where she majored in business and accounting. Marnie currently serves on the board of the Arkansas Bankers Association and is a member of the Federal Reserve’s 8th District Community Depository Institu-

tions Advisory Council where she serves as chair. She also serves on the Federal Reserve’s National Advisory Council representing the 8th District.

LUCIE PATHMANN

Senior Vice President, Communications Westrock Coffee Company

As SVP of Communications for Westrock Coffee in Little Rock, Lucie Pathmann leads the global marketing communications efforts for the company. Her responsibilities include overseeing brand messaging and standards, B2B advertising, internal communications, website, e-commerce, organic social, sponsorships, SEO and public relations. Prior to joining Westrock, Pathmann spent 11 years at Stone Ward, where she was director of brand management and communications. Prior to

Stone Ward, Pathmann’s career started on the client side with Alltel Corporation, where she held multiple leadership roles including director of sponsorship marketing and marketing communications. She then made the transition to Verizon Wireless, where she was over public relations and marketing for the South Central region. Pathmann graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BA in journalism and is an alumnus of both the Greater Little Rock Leadership (Class XXVII) and Arkansas State Leadership (2016) programs.

KEISHA PATTERSON

Chief Community Initiatives Officer, Arkansas Food Bank

CAPI PECK

Little Rock City Board, Trio’s Restaurant

DR. MIA PHILLIPS

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, UA Little Rock

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CONGRATULATIONS

Kelly McQueen

Snyder is proud of your accomplishments and leadership in environmental affairs for Arkansas. Thank you for making a difference in our company and state.

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D EC E M B E R 2021

Joan Botts

POWER WOMEN

Vice President of Marketing, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? There is no silver bullet secret to success. Hard work, dedication, passion, conviction and love are the things that have helped me get to where I am today — both personally and professionally. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? Marketing is a different adventure every day. The dynamic challenges, projects, pace, tasks and constant changes, and the team members I work with, are what I love about my job AND what keeps my job so interesting! HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in public relations. I worked through several internships and marketing-related jobs along the way. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Don’t accept the “glass ceiling.” Push through, work hard, believe in your dreams, study your craft, be passionate and don’t be shy about promoting your accomplishments. Take advantage of everything you can learn in every job along the way, even entry-level positions. I promise there are valuable lessons in every step of your journey! WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? I was diagnosed with breast cancer when my daughter was a year old — one week prior to relocating for a new position. With the support of my family and my new employers at the time, my six months of treatment went smoothly and, ultimately, made me a stronger person. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? “Go forth and set the world on fire.” — St. Ignatius Loyola

CONGRATULATIONS, JOAN BOTTS!

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POWER WOMEN

Sandra Byrd Vice President of Public Affairs & Member Services Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? From my perspective, there’s no secret bullet to succeeding in any industry; it’s all about dedication, long hours and hard work. It also helps to have a mentor such as your boss or a tenured colleague to teach you how to avoid pitfalls while also learning how to propel your career in a positive direction. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? I was always drawn to the law, particularly public policy, beginning in college and continuing through law school. I was particularly focused on helping and protecting our low-income families, since Arkansas — a state that I love — has one of the lowest per-capita household incomes in the nation. That goal led me to a path of advocacy and working to implement fair and honest regulatory policies and legislation. Throughout the 36 years that I have worked in the energy industry — from natural gas, to utility regulation, to the electric industry — my focus has never changed. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? The first thing that any woman should start with is passion. What do you love more than anything? What do you want to fix, change or stop from an advocacy standpoint? How would you want your community or our world to be a better place? The things that drive you or make you happy are the keys to the career that you will love and will be your contribution to make something better. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? Honestly, as a mother of a 24-year-old son, I am most proud of his accomplishments and his career direction. I love my career field, but being a mother is the most wonderful part of my life.

POWER WOMEN

Kendra Campbell, PMP Business Analyst Southwest Power Pool WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? My secret to success is keeping God first by always remembering one of my favorite scriptures: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33 WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? I always loved science and math throughout school, so I decided that I was going to go to college to get a degree in technology. Once entering college, all of the courses that I took continued to keep my interest in technology based on my degree program, so that is the reason I pursed this career upon graduating from college. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I was given an opportunity upon graduating from college to work as a programmer and that started my passion for working in this career path. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I love working with people and being able to ensure that as a team we are successful. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? I have several accomplishments in my career but one of my greatest accomplishments is receiving my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? I maintain a work life balance due to my wonderful husband, Timothy, who always ensures that we share all the responsibilities of our beautiful 7-year-old daughter, Kayley. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. — Philippians 4:13

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D EC E M B E R 2021

POWER WOMEN

Adrienne Collins

Director of Human Resources, Rock Region METRO Owner, AC Productions

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? My secret to success has always been to never give up. No matter how hard the journey may be, there is always a light at the end of a dark tunnel. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? Public transit is so important because it provides opportunities. It stimulates the economy, connects people to otherwise unreachable job opportunities, and offers support for people with disabilities. I definitely wanted to be a part of the impact public transit provides and human resources allowed me to do so in a unique way. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I got started in human resources when I enlisted in the U.S. Army, and then I continued that career when I transferred to the Air Force. I offer consulting services in HR, DEI, and IT through my agency, AC Productions, LLC and I am the Director of Human Resources at Rock Region Metro, so I guess you could say I love HR! WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? People are the most important resources. I love meeting and helping people. Being able to provide that support brings me satisfaction and so much joy. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? My advice: Don’t be afraid to be strong and confident. So many women feel that they should hold themselves back from being assertive and confident. Women have to persevere to elevate themselves and provide growth opportunities for our future female leaders. Be proud, be confident, work with integrity and don’t ever settle for less.

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501.663.5400 | HathawayGroup.com | 2100 Riverdale Road, Suite 100 Little Rock, AR 72202

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Dr. Dosha Cummins

POWER WOMEN

Chair, Department of Basic Sciences NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Being fortunate to be surrounded by a talented team of individuals and having been taught at an early age to avoid procrastination. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? The diversity of responsibilities, the chance to learn new skills and the opportunity to positively impact people at different levels — students, patients and colleagues. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? My undergraduate education in liberal arts and graduate work in pharmacy both prepared me to be adaptable and to respect the importance of contributing to a community. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? Mentors directed me to my first job in Arkansas, which was joining the faculty of UAMS Northeast to help train family medicine residents; relationships established in this field led to my path as part of the founding leadership team of NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? Working with colleagues to achieve goals, whether the goals are that of an institution or personal. In my career, these colleagues have included medical students, medical residents, pharmacy students and fellow faculty members and health care professionals. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Take opportunities as they arise and learn from your peers; if something doesn’t work, change course.

Sandy owns and leads the way for Turn Key Construction Management company. This firm offers services from project planning to close-out, with projects ranging from commercial to educational and healthcare facilities. The Northwest Arkansas state police headquarters with its pathology lab in Lowell, Ark. and the Peak Innovation Center in Fort Smith are recent examples of her and her team’s incredible work product.

POWER WOMEN

SANDY DIXON “Fortune..... Favors the Brave” – Publius Terence The construction management industry CAN be a very rewarding and very profitable career for a lady entrepreneur! The industry more and more is now preoccupied with who is best at their construction management trade vs. what gender is involved. I have not pursed this industry because I am a woman. I simply chose a career that I knew I would enjoy. 3732 Rogers Avenue • Fort Smith, Arkansas • 479-709-0044 ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

D EC E M B E R 2021

AMY PIERCE

President, Bank Strategic Solutions

LAURA POE

COO, B-Unlimited Apparel

JULIA PONDER, APRN

Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Association

PATTY POULTER

Provost/Executive Vice President University of Central Arkansas

Before coming to UCA, Dr. Patty Poulter served as dean of the College of the Arts at Kennesaw State University, one of the largest schools of the arts in Georgia and one of the 50 largest universities in the United States. Poulter is frequently invited to speak on the topics of higher education leadership, arts advocacy, women in leadership and the role of the arts in the community. She has given numerous presentations at national conferences and international conferences on the topics of disruptive leadership, incorporating high-impact practices into curriculum for student success, dealing with controversial issues in the arts on a university campus and making the campus a cultural center. Poulter earned a doctoral degree in education in music from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. In addition to her formal performing and conducting, she is a bluegrass musician and art collector.

CARLA PRICE

Vice President of Human Resources Travel Nurse Across America

As TNAA’s VP of Human Resources, Carla Price supports all of the company’s full-time administrative staff members and active travel nurses nationwide. Price is responsible for facility contract

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maintenance, benefits administration, workers’ compensation, unemployment administration, and compliance with Joint Commission, OSHA and CDC requirements. She also consults with management on quality assurance related issues, staffing and programs, and assists the CEO with operational processes. She holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and is a member of the Human Resource Management Association and the Society for Human Resource Management.

DR. MELANIE PRINCE

Plastic Surgeon, Prince Plastic Surgery

HEATHER REED

Director of Student Retention Services, UA Little Rock

YARA ROBERTSON, M.D.

F.A.C.S., CARTI

MIMI SAN PEDRO

CSO, The Venture Center

KELLI SCHLESINGER, M.D.

Neurologist, Legacy Spine & Neurological Specialists

JAMIE SCOTT

a COGIC 20 under 40 Achievers Award, Citizen of the Year, the Bishop DL Lindsey Spirit of Excellence Community Award, William H. Bowen School of Law GLO Award, Women of Excellence in Education Award and a 2018 Leadership Community Award.

JENA SELVA

Real Estate Advisor/ Co-owner Engel & Volkers

Jena Selva’s passion for real estate is fueled by a genuine desire to help others. She truly enjoys working with clients to create a plan for how to prepare their homes so they will look their very best and get the best possible price. Selva is a graduate of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts and University of Central Arkansas. Her family of four kids enjoys an active lifestyle. Between all the kids’ activities and school involvement, Selva enjoys supporting the Quapaw Quarter Association and numerous community involvement activities through the Junior League of Little Rock.

LOTTIE SHACKELFORD

Executive Director, Arkansas Youth Services Arkansas State Representative

First Woman Mayor of Little Rock

SHELLEY SHORT, IOM

Rep. Jamie Scott is serving her second term in the Arkansas House. She represents District 37 which includes portions of Pulaski County. For the 93rd General Assembly, Scott serves on the Joint Budget Committee, the Joint Performance Review Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and the House City, County & Local Affairs Committee. She graduated from Arkansas State University with a B.A. in criminology and sociology and an M.A. in criminal justice. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Harvard School of Government executive education program. Scott has been recognized by the Democratic Party of Arkansas as a 2017 Emerging Leader,

Vice President of Programs & Partnerships, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/ AIAExecutive Director, Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives

Shelley Short is responsible for the development, management and execution of the chamber’s programs and strategic partnerships. She also serves as the executive director of Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives (AEDCE), the professional association of local chamber executives and economic developers in the state. Short is a native

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Arkansan with 16 years of economic development/chamber experience. Prior to joining the State Chamber in 2015, she spent 10 years in various roles at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, departing as director of marketing. She holds a Master of Arts degree in political management from Regent University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Central Arkansas. Short serves on the MAKO Chamber Conference Board of Directors and is a member of the International Economic Development Council, the Southern Economic Development Council and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management.

COURTNEY SICK, MD

Ashley Sims is responsible for the financial performance of more than 95 multispecialty dental clinics. These clinics, operating under multiple brands including Westrock Orthodontics, Leap Kids Dental, Rock Family Dental and Impact Oral Surgery, provide access to affordable dental care to 400,000 patients each year across Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee. Sims leads the accounting, financial planning and analytics, M&A diligence, business intelligence, information technology and revenue-cycle management teams at Rock Dental. During her time, the company has added more than 60 clinics and more than 450 employees. She began her career in the telecom industry at Windstream Communications, a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Little Rock.

ELIZABETH SMALL

Obstetrics and Gynecology Conway Regional Renaissance Women’s Center

Director of Business Networking, UA Little Rock

Courtney Sick, MD, OB/GYN, joined the Conway Regional Health System medical staff in 2015 and began practicing obstetrics and gynecology at the Renaissance Women’s Center in Conway. Dr. Sick achieved a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Central Arkansas. She returned to UAMS to obtain her medical degree and complete her internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology. Prior to medical school, she worked as a registered nurse in the burn unit at Arkansas Children’s. Dr. Sick’s experience as a nurse inspired her to become a physician.

Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist UAMS

ASHLEY SIMS

Chief Financial Officer Rock Dental Brands

As CFO of Rock Dental Brands, a dental-support organization headquartered in Little Rock, ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

JESSICA R. SNOWDEN, MD

Jessica Snowden, MD, MS, MHPTT, treats children and adolescents at Arkansas Children’s in Little Rock. Dr. Snowden is also the vice chair for research in the Department of Pediatrics and associate director of clinical and translational research at Arkansas Children’s Research Institute. Dr. Snowden has an active, NIH-funded basic science laboratory studying the role of age on the immune responses and neurologic outcomes following infections in the brain. In addition to her basic science and clinical research, she has a long history of active involvement in medical student, resident, and fellow education and multiple teaching awards. She has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP), Fellow of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (FPIDS), and Fellow of the Infectious Disease Society

of America (FIDSA) and is a member of several national committees focused on medical research. Dr. Snowden received her B.S. in medical sciences and attended medical school at Texas A&M University. She completed her pediatric residency at East Carolina University and a pediatric infectious disease fellowship at UAMS.

JESSICA SORG

Director of Underwriting Legacy Capital

Jessica Sorg joined Legacy Capital in 2005 and has been Director of Underwriting since 2013. She has built relationships with the underwriting departments of all the major carriers. Well-versed in their product offerings, Sorg makes recommendations to Legacy advisors and assists with product illustrations. After careful review and analysis of clients’ medical records, she negotiates and advocates for them with various carriers to achieve the most favorable rating and associated pricing. She holds a B.S. in health and applied science from the University of Central Arkansas and successfully completed the rigorous requirements to be a Fellow of the Academy of Life Underwriting (FALU). She is an active board member for Women & Children First.

CINDY SOWELL

EVP, Sowell Management

MELODY SPARKS

CFO, DC Sparks Construction

SHANNON STEED

Owner/Staffing Manager, Apex Staffing

PAMELA STEPHENS

Realtor, RE/MAX ELITE Conway

VICKI STEPHENS

Owner, C.C. Jones Trucking

D EC E M B E R 2021

POWER WOMEN

Tamika S. Edwards, JD Special Advisor to the CEO on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Engagement Central Arkansas Water

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I have always had an interest in justice and how rules condition and dictate behavior. As a child, I always wanted to be a lawyer. However, it wasn’t until high school that I realized that I wanted a career in law and politics. Fortunately, I started my career in the office of former U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln. I served as a community affairs specialist and finally attended law school. The full immersion in systems, public policies and outcomes solidified my desire to pursue a career path focused on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI). WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I love the work. Collaborating with others to ensure a more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace is extremely rewarding. I also love the ability to use my full lived experiences (personal, educational and professional) to address the nuances of leadership and organizational culture through a JEDI lens. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Do what matters. Do not shrink. Celebrate when others win. Do not take credit for someone else’s ideas or work. Mind your business. Be present. Live. Be kind. Perfection is a farce, so don’t try to be perfect; push to be the very best version of you. Allow time to decompress. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? I have two: “Just do what’s right and you won’t have to worry about anything else.” — My mother. “What is meant for me is not going to miss me.” — Patrice Gordon.

POWER WOMEN

Jane English Arkansas State Senator HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? My career has many chapters from being a military wife, mother, student and volunteer to years as a project manager recruiting new industry with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, as president of a national association on military base closures, executive director of the Arkansas Manufacturers Association, to the cabinetlevel Director of the Workforce Investment Board, state chairman for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and finally, to the legislature. If someone had told me 15 years ago that I would be in the Arkansas legislature, I would have said they were crazy. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? Many folks think legislators do nothing but pass laws. The bigger job is to develop public policy that will help move the state of Arkansas and its citizens forward whether it is education, health care, public safety, infrastructure, business and many other areas. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? While I have a degree in economics and finance, that alone would not have gotten me where I am today. Education has to be lifelong with learning new things every day. The world is changing so quickly and in order to be successful, it is imperative that we all learn more about the business we are in but also the issues that affect our families and the state. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? I would tell every young woman starting out to expand your horizons and take advantage of new opportunities that might present themselves. There are so many opportunities that we just don’t know about unless we try them out. Be inquisitive and don’t be afraid to fail. You don’t know what the future holds but be prepared. You might even find yourself in the Arkansas state legislature making policy decisions.

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POWER WOMEN

Denise Jones Ennett Arkansas State Representative, District 36

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? I do not believe there is an “one size fits all” answer. I received my BA in my late twenties, and my MA in my early thirties. I decided to stay at home with my children when they were younger partly because of my son that has autism. I needed the flexibility to take him to his therapies. That decision made it difficult for me to find meaningful employment. I threw myself into advocacy work which helped prepare me for my current position. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? Ironically, I did not need a degree to become a State Representative. However, I do not regret getting my college degrees; it helped with my personal growth, global awareness and networking. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? Aside from being a wife and mother, running for office and becoming an elected official to serve the people of Arkansas. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? So far, I think it is all about being grateful, never taking anything for granted, lots of coffee, an accommodating husband, help from my colleagues and family, and a nice glass of wine. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? This quote has become increasingly important during the pandemic: “Be present in all things and thankful for all things.” — Maya Angelou (PAID FOR BY DENISE ENNETT FOR ARKANSAS)

POWER WOMEN

Sandy Ferguson Chief Financial Officer & Board Member Generations Bank WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? There is no secret to success. You have to know what you consider a success and work hard to achieve it! WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? Growing up in a small rural community, the bank was always a community leader. Becoming a part of that support system for our local communities that focused on donating, volunteering, and supporting the community in whatever ways they could, made it a simple decision to start a career in banking. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I began my banking career in 1981 on the front lines as a teller. During this time, what would later become Generations Bank was still First Bank of South Arkansas. I always took on new responsibilities as they were presented, working in every department throughout my career. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I wear and have worn many hats — wife, mother, banker, friend, grandmother and community leader. What I love about all of these hats is that I am able to serve others. In my professional world, I am able to work towards ensuring that the bank prospers and that it is a welcoming environment for our team. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? I am most proud of my boys. They are amazing, big-hearted, Jesus-loving men. I have enjoyed every season of raising them, but this season of enjoying them in adulthood has been amazing.

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D EC E M B E R 2021

POWER WOMEN

Erin Gray

Owner Healing Hemp of Arkansas WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I love knowing we are helping people at Healing Hemp of Arkansas. Our mission is complete when customers come in with tears in their eyes to tell us we have helped change their lives for the better. I love working with a team that is equally as passionate as I am about helping others. My team is invaluable! WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Do not let fear of failure hold you back. Mistakes will be made; do not let them define you and learn from them. Learning is the key to growth. Push yourself out of your comfort zone — you will be amazed at how empowering it will be. Surround yourself with likeminded women who have a genuine desire for you to succeed. You will need them. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? Raising my three amazing girls is definitely number one on my list. I am proud to show them there are no boundaries to achieving what you want in life; where your journey begins may not be where you find your true calling. It has been an exciting journey to learn and grow with something you are passionate about. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? I’m not sure there is a balance but more of a day to day juggling act. I definitely prioritize my family life — it is my foundation. But, I am very driven in my business life; the satisfaction is unparalleled. Learning to delegate and when to say no is extremely important. Loving what you do on both sides of the equation helps balance the act. You CAN be a classroom mom and business owner, too. FAVORITE QUOTE: “If you have knowledge, let others light their candle in it.” — Margaret Fuller

POWER WOMEN

Lauren Hendrix, MD Urologist Arkansas Urology WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? I never allow myself to feel as though I’ve crossed the finish line. I am always looking for new ways to improve myself or my practice or other aspects of my life. This keeps me motivated to constantly move in a positive direction. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? Dr. Michael Weber was the on-call orthopedic surgeon when I broke my arm during a cartwheel-gone-wrong incident, and I very clearly remember being in awe of him and how he “fixed me.” So, from the age of 8, I knew I also wanted to “fix people.” WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? I won the Standardized Patient Award for best bedside manner my final year in medical school. My goal is to be able to empathize with my patients, so this was quite the honor. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? Some days, I don’t! This is definitely a struggle with the time required to see patients in the office, manage a surgery schedule and take call. I do my best to make efficient use of my time at work so that I can focus on my family when I am at home. I also have an amazing support system comprised of family, friends and colleagues that understands the struggles of a working mom and goes out of its way to help when and where it can. WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? Urology has the lowest percentage of women physicians of ALL the medical specialties, and this has been evident since day one of urology residency. I am often asked, “Are YOU the doctor?,” or “Do YOU do the surgery?,” or “Why would you want to do urology?” This used to bother me because I thought it was a challenge to my competence, but I now feel that it gives me an underdog advantage and a constant opportunity to surprise and impress.

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Laurie Howard

POWER WOMEN

Owner/Stylist Wicked Salon WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Strong family support would be my number one reason for my success. My husband, John; my children Hayden, Skylar and Brookes; and my mother, Susan, have been my biggest cheerleaders. Without their love, patience, support (money) and belief in me, I wouldn’t have succeeded. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? When I was little, my grandmother was sick and bedridden. I would play for hours in the bed brushing and fixing her hair. It made her feel better. Then as I got older, a close friend’s big sister was just amazing with makeup and very artsy. She opened a whole new aspect of things for me. I realized hair and makeup was just a different way to be creative and make people feel good both inside and out. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I’m not sure exactly, except it was the perfect fit for my family and me. Hair, makeup and all things sparkly just call my name. I love the fast turnover of every client so nothing gets stagnate. I get to laugh, cry, joke and have fun every day at the salon. Everything is always new and upbeat and ever-changing. So when my son started Kindergarten, I started beauty school. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? I was always the girl with, “talks too much” written on her report card. So, I would say it prepared me just fine. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? “Keep your chin up,” and “Remember who you are.” And I live by Jeremiah 29:11— because I know He has a plan for me.

STRENGTH

IN NUMBERS

Woman-Run is a statewide initiative of Wright Lindsey Jennings, a law firm that has long served as advisor and advocate to woman- and minority-owned businesses.

Congratulations to WLJ attorney and Woman-Run founder Meredith Lowry on her selection to the AMP 2021 Power Women list!

We created Woman-Run to foster an environment where women and minority business leaders, rising leaders and entrepreneurs can network, find mentorship, learn, collaborate and support one another. wlj.com/woman-run

WOM N

WRIGHT LINDSEY JENNINGS LITTLE ROCK

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ROGERS

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RUN

SINCE 1900

D EC E M B E R 2021

CARYL M. STERN

Executive Director, Walton Family Foundation

MICA STROTHER

Senior Director of Development Razorback Foundation

Mica Strother has been Senior Director of Development for the Razorback Foundation Little Rock office since June 2016. Previously, Strother served as director of appointments to boards and commissions for former Arkansas Gov, Mike Beebe from 2006 to 2014 and finance director for Beebe in 2005 and 2010. She received her B.A. in History from Ouachita Baptist University and her J.D. from the Bowen School of Law in Little Rock.

DONNA TOWNSELL

Director of Investor Relations, Centennial Bank

LULA P. TYLER

Mayor, City of Holly Grove

BROOKE VINES

Owner/President, Vines Media

ZEYNEP VURAL CPA, CFA

Accounting and Finance Manager Southwest Power Pool

Zeynep Vural is the manager of the accounting department at Southwest Power Pool, a nonprofit corporation that oversees the bulk electric grid in a 17-state footprint. Zeynep’s team at SPP is responsible for a wide range of corporate accounting and finance functions. Her prior experiences include Verizon, Alltel and Deloitte. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). She is currently serving on the board of Arkansas Women in Power, a collaborative organization

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of women in the energy sector. Zeynep was born, raised and educated in Ankara, Turkey and has called Little Rock home since 1997. She is married and has two sons.

MILLIE WARD

Co-founder/ President Stone Ward

Millie Ward embodies and inspires Stone Ward’s ethos of intelligent thinking, committed service and creative drive. Always on the go, Ward is the former chair of the Advertising Marketing International Network (AMIN), one of the nation’s largest networks of independent agencies representing 26 agencies with $21 billion in capitalized billings. She has also been named one of AdWeek’s “Women To Watch” and Woman Business Owner of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners. Recently, Wardwas inducted into the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. This distinguished honor is only given to four individuals each year for the significance of their impact made as a business leader, the concern demonstrated for improving the community and the display of ethics in all business dealings.

VALERIE WAYNE

Marketing and Design Director, Central Flying Services

CYNTHIA WESTCOTT

Vice President of Arkansas & Oklahoma Gas Operations CenterPoint Energy

Cynthia Westcott oversees all aspects of the company’s natural gas distribution operations in both states. She has been at CenterPoint Energy for more than 18 years and has held

various leadership roles in engineering, operations and regulatory. Westcott has an engineering degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, a master’s in business administration from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Arkansas. She is active in her community and serves on the Junior Achievement State Board as well as on the board for Arkansas Independent Colleges and Universities.

MEGAN GREENLAND WILLIAMS

VP of Chapter Development Associated Builders & Contractors of Arkansas

Megan Williams was hired as the Director of Events & Communications for the Associated Builders & Contractors of Arkansas (ABC) in 2013 and was promoted to Vice President of Chapter Development in 2019. During her time at ABC, Williams has helped increase the quantity and quality of events ABC offers each year, co-developed the Arkansas Chapter’s Young Professionals Program, implemented new youth programs and in 2017, helped launch ABC’s new apprenticeship program, the Arkansas Construction Trades Academy. She has served on the board of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), Greater Little Rock Chapter, for the past seven years and is currently the membership chair. Williams also has served on the Arkansas STEM Coalition Board since 2019. The Conway native received her bachelor’s degree in public relations with a minor emphasis in graphic design from UCA in 2012 and her master’s in communications from Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina in 2019.

JUDITH WOOTEN President/CEO, Arkansas Hospice

MARY ZUNICK

Cultural Affairs Manager, Visit Hot Springs 76

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POWER WOMEN

Ashley Hudson

Partner, Kutak Rock LLP State Representative, District 32, West Little Rock WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Every successful woman I know has an amazing support network around her. My family, my friends, my colleagues, my community of faith and my mentors and heroes in public service are all of that for me. None of us does this alone — that’s the secret. We listen, we collaborate and we take people with us. We learn from one another. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? I was practically born into the practice of law. My dad and stepdad were both lawyers, so I grew up in law offices and courtrooms. I actually even practiced law with my dad for about five years when I first started out. My family also has a strong tradition of public service, so as the kids started to grow up, I started to turn my attention to how I might be helpful to my community. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? I’m the most proud of my first term in the Arkansas Legislature. Winning my first political campaign was not an easy task, of course, but it was the work of legislating that I’m most proud of. I saw my role as a bridge builder and as someone who could draw on my own experience as an attorney to bring people of differing views to the table. WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? Everybody on this list has faced similar obstacles. We know we’re smart. We know we’re qualified. We know we’ve got what it takes. We know we’re working hard enough. And then it happens: We get second-guessed because we’re women. Or someone defers to a male colleague because he must know better. It’s a challenge, but every woman I know learns to navigate that space with brilliance and care. I’m so proud of us for doing that. (PAID FOR BY ASHLEY FOR ARKANSAS)

IT TAKES BOULDER LEADERSHIP TO BUILD A BETTER BANK We salute our CEO and friend Marnie Oldner on her recognition among Arkansas Money & Politics’ Power Women for 2021. It was Marnie’s bold vision to create the team which led Stone Bank from a small community bank in Mountain View to a statewide powerhouse in government-guaranteed lending for farmers, a USDA Top 4 Lender, and an SBA Top 100 & Preferred Lender. Marnie is not just our CEO; she’s also our MVP.

THINK BOULDER. 900 South Shackleford Rd Little Rock, AR 72211

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D EC E M B E R 2021

POWER WOMEN

Kelly McQueen Energy & Environmental Law Attorney

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? I don’t know that there is a secret; it really comes down to how you define success, for yourself and your family. That has changed for me over time. There is a secret, though, in discovering joy in each day and in reconnecting to yourself and your creator, and letting that guide you towards “success” for that season. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I took a class in environmental law and knew it was my field. The deep dive came with the LL.M. program at Lewis and Clark — and then a job at the Arkansas Attorney General’s office where I did some environmental and utility work. It was good hybrid experience for what came later as counsel to power/utility companies and those with energy and environmental needs. WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? Too many to count, like so many of us. Whatever it’s been, I hope I’ve allowed it to grow me, to make me stronger, more aware and more empathetic; more prepared to meet the challenges of the present day. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? To learn as much as you can about your field and to remember that you are more than your work; your value comes from much more than a career. So, put time into those other areas, too. Enjoy the here and now, all of which means embracing gratitude and — something hard for me — patience.

Congratulations

Kelly McQueen Energy & Environmental Law Attorney

“

The issues environmental law addresses are real world questions that touch on every aspect of how we live, and I liked seeing where the practice of law could improve things. Leave it better than we found it sort of thing.

”

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2021 AMP’s Power Women

318 S. Pulaski St, Little Rock, AR 72201 ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

Karlea Newberry

POWER WOMEN

Senior Vice President/Harrison Bank Manager Signature Bank of Arkansas WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? I wouldn’t call it a secret, but being willing to work hard. I was taught, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed up in overalls and looks like hard work.” I was raised to work and to value the quality of my work, knowing that nothing in life is just given to you. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? I started in banking thinking it was a safe, steady job to get me through college. Then once I got into it, banking just fit. Being able to help people and work in a great team environment is something I truly enjoy. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I took a part-time teller position while in college. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Make it a priority to find balance in your career and your life. There is a way to “have it all,” and having a hobby or something that is just for you helps your mental and physical health. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? To me, the most important part of an education is coming to understand how you learn best. How you learn transcends to every aspect of your life including your career. It also helps you learn to take criticism when you don’t score as well as you would have wanted. And most times, I could relate a lower score with not putting the time or effort into something that I should have. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”

SERVANT LEADERSHIP. POWERFUL. D r. Patricia Poulter is no stranger to leading the way. She’s a first-generation college graduate, as well as UCA’s first female provost. But putting others

first is where Dr. Poulter really shines. Her leadership style focuses on listening, collaborating, building trust and empowering those around her. We are proud

Patricia Poulter, EdD Provost and Executive Vice President

to applaud Dr. Poulter and all of the 2021 Power Women.

Go here. Go anywhere. ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

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POWER WOMEN

Carla Price, PHR Vice President of Human Resources Travel Nurse Across America WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? My first hurdle was to define what success would look like for me and determine what I was willing to do to achieve it. Then it was simply putting one foot in front of the other every day. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? I didn’t want to work behind a desk even though I do, in fact, sit at a desk. What that means to me is to be with people and have the ability to impact them where they are in their life journey. I am a puzzle aficionado and so much of staffing and HR is the ability to recognize where pieces fit. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I was offered the opportunity to join a startup business, and my primary focus was operations. As the business grew, I was able to focus on people and people processes specifically. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? It didn’t — not in a straight line, that is. I learned how to reason, how to ask questions, how to research and to meet timelines. I didn’t have a foundation in psychology or counseling which would have shortened my learning curve over the years. WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? Helping leaders understand that employees have a limit on the number of changes they can successfully process. Change saturation is real! WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? Creating a safe space for employees to know they are valued and respected. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? “Trust but verify.”

POWER WOMEN

Jamie Scott Arkansas State Representative WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? I pray often, serve others and give back, work hard and include God in everything. Also, learning to balance all the demands of your life is crucial to your success. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT DO YOU DO? I’m so blessed to advocate for issues I deeply care about in the Arkansas General Assembly. We can’t sit back and do nothing when we see injustices and inequalities that disproportionately harm our friends and family. We have to move beyond being social justice keyboard warriors. As a policymaker, I have the opportunity to participate, create laws, and utilize my voice for the betterment of all. . WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Never let lack of representation in politics, no one asking you to run for office, or selfdoubt impede you from serving your community. Recognize that you can blaze trails that leave pathways for future generations and other women. Find a mentor! WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? I’m the youngest African American female elected in the history of the Arkansas General Assembly. I currently serve as State Representative for House District 37. I’m proud of ACT 422. This bill amends the law to prohibit solitary confinement in juvenile detention facilities or restrictive housing for women in a correctional or detention facility for individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have given birth within the past 30 days, suffering from postpartum depression or caring for a child. This law was sponsored by me and co-sponsored with Rep. Aaron Pilkington, Rep. Jimmy Gazaway and Sen. Alan Clark. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? “Change moves at the speed of relationships.” — Colorado State Rep. Kerry Tipper

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POWER WOMEN

Shelley Short

Vice President, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA Executive Director, Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? First, it’s acknowledging that any success I have is a direct gift of God. After that, it’s showing up, doing what you said you would do and not being satisfied with average results. I’ve also learned that success is found in celebrating small victories, practicing gratitude and serving others.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? Without a doubt, it’s the amazing relationships I have made with others in the chamber/economic development field. They are all so passionately committed to their community, and I am a better person for knowing them. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? You are a woman of worth because God made you. Use your talents and gifts to give back to him and to serve others. All the rest will fall into place. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? College and grad school helped lay a great foundation but since then, I have learned so much more from just getting in there and doing the work. Success and failure provide opportunities to grow, and there is really nothing like learning from experience. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? I am not sure proud is the right word, but I am so honored that my most important title is “Mom.” Raising my daughter into an exceptional young woman who is kind, driven, compassionate and diligent is my greatest accomplishment and blessing. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? “Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord, rather than for people.” — Ephesians 6:7

POWER WOMEN

Jessica Snowden M.D. Division Chief, Pediatric Infectious Disease Arkansas Children’s UAMS

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? A mentor told me earlier in my career that he knew I’d be successful because I didn’t let failure bother me. The older I get, the more I realize how important that perspective is for resilience and growth. Things that don’t go the way we expected or wanted are always opportunities to learn so that you’re ready to conquer the next challenge. I’ve also been blessed with family, mentors, and sponsors that believe in me and help me find paths to use my gifts. I am most grateful for the powerful women around me who inspire and guide me every day to create more opportunities for others to shine. Building and maintaining a community that lifts each other up allows everyone to bring their “A-game” and truly make the world a better place. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? I went into medicine because I was good at science, but it turns out that what I love about medicine and science are the stories. As doctors and scientists, we get to gather information and solve problems that change the trajectory of people’s lives. Whether it is a patient in the hospital or a research study that finds a new treatment, the things I get to do every day help kids live stories with happier endings. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Don’t be afraid to say yes to things that seem a little outside your comfort zone, but be smart about what those yeses are, so that they fit your goals, not someone else’s. Assemble a “board of directors” to help you along the way with coaching, advice and opportunity. Forgive yourself often – mistakes are part of learning. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? “Don’t treat a blessing like a burden.” ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

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POWER WOMEN

Jessica Sorg, FALU Director of Underwriting, Legacy Capital

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Hard work. From a young age, I knew I had to work harder than those around me to succeed. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? After starting with Legacy, I quickly learned that I loved medical underwriting. Using my degree in science, I was able to easily read and interpret records while applying my knowledge of life insurance. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? Fresh out of college, I applied at Legacy. While trying to decide on my next move, I learned I loved business and the insurance industry. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I love my clients. I have had the pleasure to work with creative and innovative people from all over the U.S. I love helping them to maintain their legacies and businesses that they worked so hard to build. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Walk into a room with purpose and confidence. Never be afraid to say you disagree with someone; trust yourself. Always be the hardest worker in the room. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? I couldn’t see it at the time, but my years of science studies would help me to dive into medical underwriting with total confidence. I was able to immediately understand our clients’ health issues and work to solve the issue with the carrier to make sure we could place the coverage needed for their estate or business planning. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? “This too shall pass.”

POWER WOMEN

Mica Strother Senior Director of Development Razorback Foundation

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Having a strong support system through family and friends. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? I was raised in Arkansas…who wouldn’t want to work for the Razorbacks?! WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG WOMAN STARTING HER CAREER? Find women role models. Be confident in your abilities. Don’t be afraid to have strong opinions, but don’t feel like you have to have an opinion on everything. Know your worth. Don’t ever confuse lack of experience with lack of abilities; abilities are sometimes developed through experience. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? My undergrad experience definitely taught me the “six degrees of separation” rule. Attending a small college — where my parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and sister attended before me — I was connected in some way to most of my professors and many of my classmates (who were similarly situated). It was a stark realization that if you wanted to connect with most anyone, you could probably find a way to do it using your contacts. That’s important in any business development, but especially in fundraising. My law school experience taught me that there are always two sides to a story, and it’s important to be able to “make your case” for whichever side of the story or argument you are advocating. It taught me to be a strong advocate. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

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POWER WOMEN

Zeynep Vural, CPA, CFA Accounting and Finance Manager Southwest Power Pool WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Perseverance and attention to detail.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? I have a business degree and majored in accounting and finance. In high school, I didn’t do well in science but was pretty good in math and social studies therefore I chose to study business; it was more just a pragmatic choice for me than a real attraction. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? After I finished college in my hometown of Ankara, Turkey, I got hired by Deloitte to work on audit clients. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? As a manager, I love the feeling of having contributed to the growth and success of people on my team. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? Within a span of three years, I was able to pass both the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) exams, the two most sought-after professional certifications in accounting and finance. I also got my MBA and had a baby during the same time. I’m glad those days are long gone! HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? Accept that work comes first during work hours, and family and personal life come first during non-work hours. And do my best not to mix the two. Unless there’s an urgency going on at work, I don’t check my emails on the weekends, in the evenings, and while on vacation to keep myself out of the rabbit hole of work. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none. — Shakespeare

POWER WOMEN

Millie Ward Co-founder/President Stone Ward

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? God’s grace, a brilliant creative partner in Larry Stone, the generosity of friends, giving back when given the opportunity, surrounding myself with committed co-workers smarter than I am, incredible client partnerships and hard, rewarding work. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CAREER? I was invited to interview as a copywriter. I loved it from the start. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I learned early that a combination of communications skills and my “promoter” personality, coupled with a sense of optimism, was a perfect fit for advertising/ marketing. WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I love helping good companies succeed. HOW DID YOUR EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER? My degree in journalism from Arkansas State University provided a firm starting foundation. I still use the communications skills I learned there every day. WHICH OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD? My family, the success of my co-workers and the long-time friendships made with clients over the years — these are the legacies that matter. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/LIFE BALANCE? Through the years, I’ve learned that my work is at its best when it is enriched by a full and happy life — outside of work. It’s all about setting priorities and walking in faith. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? Stone Ward principle #19 — Don’t confuse effort with results. ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

D EC E M B E R 2021

SPORTS

ood aselw

H Jadon

By Alex Trader

he Arkansas Razorbacks are looking to capitalize on the misfortune of a blue blood as the landscape of college football finds itself in limbo. Recently, the game’s annual coaching carousel got kicked into high gear when Lincoln Riley left Norman to coach the University of Southern California. Coming less than 24 hours after Oklahoma’s 37-33 loss to No. 5 Oklahoma State, to say Riley’s move came as a disappointment to most Oklahoma fans would be an understatement. After Riley’s exit stage right, the dominoes started falling. A batch of current Sooners have entered the transfer portal along with much of what was once the No. 1 ranked 2023 class in the country. The Razorbacks have already benefitted from Oklahoma’s implosion through the addi-

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tion of former five-star wideout Jadon Haselwood following his visit to Fayetteville this weekend. Haselwood had a breakout 2021 season, leading the Sooners in receptions (39) and touchdowns (six), as well as racking up 399 yards in 12 games. A connection to Arkansas running backs coach Jimmy Smith, who coached Haselwood at Cedar Grove High School, seemed to be a major player in bringing on the likely suitor to step into the Treylon Burks role next season. New rules surrounding the transfer portal have Oklahoma reeling and the Arkansas football program in a position to bring in some new toys along with Haselwood as they look to build upon an eight-win season that has earned the Razorbacks a berth in the Outback Bowl vs. Penn State.

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SPORTS OKLAHOMA SOONERS HIGHTAILING OUT OF NORMAN Oklahoma, which has been among the country’s best in recruiting talent since Riley’s hiring in 2017, had its top-ranked 2022 and 2023 classes nuked almost immediately after USC’s announcement of Riley’s arrival. With a number of recruits reconsidering their decisions and almost as many current Sooners tossing their hats into the transfer portal, let’s see where some of Riley’s former talent could be taking their college careers (as of Dec. 7).

CLASS OF 2022 OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL RECRUITS

SPENCER RATTLER Rattler was benched against Texas in 2020 after a poor firsthalf performance but would win the job back and lead Oklahoma to a Cotton Bowl victory. In 2021, Rattler was benched again, but this time it stuck. With true freshman Caleb Williams penciled in as the starter moving forward and the head coach who recruited him off to California, Rattler quickly followed suit. Unlike others you’ll see below, however, his move out west wasn’t to USC. Rather, the former five-star is currently expected to be meeting another great offensive mind, Chip Kelly, at Southern California’s bitter rival, UCLA.

RALEEK BROWN Raleek Brown, the No. 1 running back in the class, committed to the Oklahoma Sooners in February, but it didn’t take him long to make his way back to Riley at USC. Being from Mater Dei (Calif.), this was one of the easier flips to predict of this group.

GENTRY WILLIAMS Gentry Williams is the only one on this list to remain committed to Oklahoma, but that doesn’t make his connection to Arkansas any less interesting. As it stands, I don’t believe that we’ll see a flip from the fourstar athlete, but a visit this weekend may have the Razorbacks more in the mix than originally anticipated. Williams was also in Fayetteville this summer on an official visit.

DERRICK MOORE St. Frances (Md.) defensive end prospect Derrick Moore was among the highest-rated Sooner recruits on the defensive side of the ball in the 2022 class prior to his decommitment. With his recruitment back open, Moore will have quite the pick of schools to call home as his offer sheet includes the likes of Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and USC.

AUSTIN STOGNER Another 2019 transfer comes in the form of former four-star Austin Stogner. Stogner held 29 offers out of high school and had a decent three-year stretch with the Sooners, racking up 47 catches for 654 yards and eight touchdowns. Though he may not have the name recognition of a Rattler or even a Haselwood, Stogner will be a big pick up for someone, and right now the leaders in the clubhouse look to be Iowa State, Ohio State, South Carolina and Utah.

KOBIE MCKINZIE It didn’t take long after his decommitment for some pretty big offers to roll in for four-star ILB Kobie McKinzie. Texas and Missouri both joined the party recently, adding to Mckinzie’s 12 other FBS offers. Ultimately, the Cooper (Texas) prospect decided to stick around in the Lone Star State with Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns. Though Arkansas offered McKinzie prior to his commitment to Oklahoma, it doesn’t seem like the Razorbacks have much of a chance in this one.

THEO WEASE JR. The 2019 wide receiver class put together by Lincoln Riley was one for the ages, but now none remain, as former five-star Theo Wease Jr. has thrown his name in the portal as well. Wease, unlike Haselwood, didn’t see the field until the Sooners’ final game of the regular season due to a lower-body injury suffered early in the year. Despite that setback, the interest is pouring in for Wease, and some believe he may be looking for a reunion with Rattler. Early potential landing spots include Arizona State, Auburn, Florida State, Texas and Texas A&M.

DEMETRIUS HUNTER Closing out the 2022 class is offensive guard Demetrius Hunter. Hunter decided on Oklahoma back in March but thought enough of the situation with Riley that it’d be best to take a step back and reopen his recruitment. Missouri and Texas A&M are both options within the SEC for Hunter, as well as Houston, Oklahoma State and SMU.

2023 OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL RECRUITS LUKE HASZ I see Bixby (Okla.) tight end Luke Hasz as the best possibility among the former Oklahoma commits to follow Haselwood to Fayetteville. Hasz included the Razorbacks in his top eight back in July, and has ties to the area which he talked about after his visit to the campus in June. Rated as a 5.9 four-star in the Rivals database, Hasz holds more than 30 offers from the likes of Alabama, LSU, Miami, Ole Miss, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas and USC.

BREY WALKER Rounding out the current crop of transfers is redshirt junior offensive tackle Brey Walker. Walker was rated as the 35th-best player in the country in the class of 2018 but has only seen action in 17 games over that span for the Sooners. This is likely one of the few names that would’ve been in the portal regardless of Riley’s departure, but at 6-foot-6, 320-pounds, someone could be gaining a starter with top-level size to set the edge for their offense.

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D EC E M B E R 2021

11-win season at the helm for the Ragin’ Cajuns, it was time to move on for the 42-year-old. Barry Odom is an interesting fit for the role of Napier’s defensive playcaller. After an embarrassing showing from Mullen and Todd Grantham, it’d do the Gators well to reinsert an emphasis on the defensive side of the ball. Despite never having worked with Napier previously, Odom’s 13 years of experience within the SEC could do the young coach well as he looks to prove himself in a new conference. Beyond that, despite a much better season at Arkansas, it is easier to find national attention in Gainesville than Fayetteville. Should Odom be looking to get back on the market as a top-level head coaching candidate then some success at Florida would go a long way in garnering interest.

Though the Trojans weren’t included in Hasz’s initial final schools list, it’ll be interesting to see how invested he is in playing within a Lincoln Riley offense. Another twist to consider is that the Razorbacks added two 2023 TEs shortly after Hasz’s commitment to Oklahoma in three-star Jaden Hamm and fourstar Shamar Easter. While a four-tight end group may seem like overkill, Hasz isn’t one that I’d see Sam Pittman turning down should he come knocking on the door. MALACHI NELSON The Los Alamitos (Calif.) product will now be staying home after a four-month commitment to Oklahoma. Similarly to Brown, this was written in the cards every step of the way. Rated the nation’s fourth-best player overall (second pro-style QB), Nelson and Riley were a match that college football was destined to see one way or another.

LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE The Ragin’ Cajuns have broken out at the national level since Napier’s hiring in 2018. Now with conference championship game appearances in each of his four seasons (the 2020 game was canceled after positive COVID tests), including a win in 2021, it’s safe to say that this is a pretty significant blow for the program. As far as some potential replacements go, Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding seems like the man to beat. Golding has led the Tide defense since 2019, and despite not having time served as a head coach, does hold the experience you’d like to see in a candidate. Some other options for the team include Dallas Cowboys QB coach Doug Nussmeier and current defensive coordinator Patrick Toney.

MAKAI LEMON Joining Nelson will be high four star wideout Makai Lemon. Lemon and Nelson are teammates at Los Alamitos, and it’s hard not to group him in with the other two Cali kids as predetermined deals to join Riley at USC. BRANDON INNISS This is, at least in my eyes, the biggest loss of the group for Oklahoma. Brandon Inniss is the No. 1 wideout in the class, and his decision to commit to Oklahoma over a top five of Alabama, Florida, Miami and Ohio State made quite the statement to the world of college football. Now with a second chance at that decision, I’d be shocked to see Innis anywhere but Columbus or Tuscaloosa.

LSU Less than two years removed from a national championship and arguably the greatest season in the history of the sport, former Razorback assistant Ed Orgeron and the Tigers split. Though Orgeron walked away with one final win, the Tigers lost out on their first choice to replace him. With Lincoln Riley vehemently shutting down rumors that he’d be announced as LSU’s next coach, the Bayou Bengals quickly shifted their attention from Norman to South Bend. While Brian Kelly’s hiring came as a surprise to many, even more surprising was the heavy southern accent he was able to develop in less than 48 hours.

TREYAUN WEBB Lastly, we have four-star RB Treyaun Webb. The Trinity Christian (Fla.) product is listed as the No. 2 all-purpose back in the class, and he included Ohio State and Georgia in his final three prior to committing to Oklahoma. Potential Razorback Ties to the Coaching Carousel The annual coaching firing-and-hiring season has hit full force. The big-time programs have already hired their head coaches, but could any of them end up poaching Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles or defensive coordinator Barry Odom?

NOTRE DAME Notre Dame also made quick work in finding its replaceFLORIDA ment, and it seems as though it’s a universally loved hire. MarDan Mullen’s firing after a 24-23 overtime loss at Missouri cus Freeman, the former Buckeye linebacker and Cincinnati sparked speculation about who could be the next man up for defensive coordinator, became Notre Dame’s defensive coorthe Gators. The choice that came with the strongest reaction was dinator prior to the 2021 season. It took just one year for his Lane Kiffin — a name that was sure to pop up on nearly all of promotion. these jobs before he signed an extension with Ole Miss. Brian Kelly hastily left his team with a spot in the College While Kiffin wasn’t the answer, the Gators grabbed the next Football Playoff very much still a possibility. That’s a not-sobest thing in Louisiana-Lafayette’s Billy Napier. Napier was a great look that Freeman was able to counteract with the interhot name for many schools heading into 2021, but after another net and, more importantly, his players on his side. By Eric Bolin

I DIVE INTO THOSE POSSIBILITIES HERE:

DEC E M BER 2 02 1

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OKLAHOMA Last, but certainly not least, in all of this mess is the place where it all started. Immediately following the announcement of Riley’s departure, the team announced that legendary coach Bob Stoops would be taking over for the Sooners for their matchup with Freeman and the Fighting Irish in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1. While a heck of an interim option, Stoops has already paved his legacy at Oklahoma, and he’s not the long-term option for the team. That title goes to Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables. Having been with the Tigers since 2012, a time when his offensive counterpart Chad Morris was actually considered a functional college coach, Venables has been linked to his fair share of head coaching jobs. The outlier here, however, is that none of those jobs were at top-level programs. As well as that, Venables spent 13 years in Norman from 1999-2011, a span in which he saw two nNational championship appearances (2000, 2008). Venables will need to hire a proven, dynamic and innovative offensive coordinator for the new Oklahoma Sooners to reach their potential (at least before they get humbled in the SEC). Ole Miss OC Jeff Lebby has been named as a priority for Venables to bring over to his staff, but should Kiffin hold on to the man responsible for the nation’s fourth total offense, then Venables may look to Fayetteville to Kendal Briles. Lebby’s brotherin-law worked with Lebby under Briles’ dad, Art, at Baylor. The deep roots that Lebby and Briles share in Texas will also appeal to Venables’ desire (like everybody else) to make even deeper inroads into Texas recruiting. Pittman shouldn’t need to worry about the Sooners poaching Barry Odom, however. Arkansas’ defense has really flashed at points in Odom’s short tenure, and though a big-time position isn’t out of the question, Venables’ decade-plus of experience on that side of the ball probably warrants focus being given elsewhere.

Losing a top-level coach as a blue blood is tough for anybody to bounce back from, but it becomes even more difficult when said coach is actively trying to implode the program he left on his way out. Generally, it’s not a good look on a fanbase that rears its ugly head at a coach/player who decides the grass is greener elsewhere, but this case with Lincoln Riley absolutely deserves an exception. Venables is a great step forward by OU Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione into replacing what Riley had built, but whether or not the bleeding of transfers and decommits has

been stopped remains to be seen. As far as some of the winners go, USC likely brought back their reign of dominance with the hiring of Riley and subsequent announcement that Oregon coach Mario Cristobal will be the next man up at Miami. California is a talent-rich state and being able to keep some of that home will prove a massive advantage for the Trojans in the Pac-12. In a far less clear and obvious sense, the Arkansas Razorbacks should feel a whole heck of a lot better than they did two weeks ago. With Oklahoma and Texas likely forcing the SEC into pods of four, there’s now a strong possibility that 5-7 Texas, the corpse of Oklahoma and a Texas A&M team that Arkansas thoroughly dominated will soon be the immediate obstacles standing in the way of the Razorbacks’ SEC title dreams. Beyond the SEC realignment aspect of things, Venables’ hire likely spares Pittman the headache of replacing one of the marquee coordinator duos in the country. Vacancies filling as soon as they have tends to be a positive sign, and with Arkansas’ rapid rise within the national ranks, who’s to say that any of the available jobs are a step up? Most importantly, however, Haselwood’s decision may herald a trend: When uber-talented prospects leave a pipeline state’s flagship university, they could increasingly decide Arkansas is the place to rejuvenate their careers. Or, in Haselwood’s case, turbo-charge an already impressive career. Landing someone with the talent of Haselwood is a major win for the staff. Arkansas football fans should see that as yet another sign that things are changing in Fayetteville. While nothing else is quite set in stone for the Hogs, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some strong pushes made towards other guys like Hasz or Williams.

WHERE ARKANSAS FOOTBALL STANDS

In this constantly moving Oklahoma news cycle, it appeared for a few days that Sooners were the big losers here.

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D EC E M B E R 2021

SPORTS

How the

2021 SEASON Will Be REMEMBERED in the ANNALS of

ARKANSAS

FOOTBALL HISTORY By Eric Bolin // Photos courtesy of Arkansas Athletics

DEC E M BER 2 02 1

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he year 2021 will not go down as the greatest season in Arkansas football history. But, by golly, it will be remembered as one of the most impressive. Arkansas capped an improbable regular season with a 34-17 win over Missouri the Friday after Thanksgiving, lifting the Razorbacks to their best record since 2011. Under normal circumstances, with lots of other SEC teams, an 8-4 record is good. Fine. Satisfactory. At Arkansas, it’s almost beyond words. The Hogs beat Missouri for the first time in six years. They captured the Boot from LSU for the first time in six years. They won the Southwest Classic for the first time in 10 years. They played Alabama as close as anyone else who didn’t beat the Crimson Tide. They lost by a point against Ole Miss because Arkansas coach Sam Pittman had the cojones to go for a win instead of a tie. When the clock hit zeroes against Missouri, the Razorbacks rushed to the northeast corner of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium toward the heaviest trophy of Arkansas’ three won this year. To them, though, it might as well have been a feather. “I know it’s 8-4, and the world may look at 8-4 as 8-4, but it’s not here at Arkansas,” Pittman said

been a head coach at the collegiate level before. It’s the love and respect his players have for him, yes. But it’s also his pure coaching ability and the faith he has in coordinators. Consider Missouri had made Arkansas look mediocre, if not outright bad, during the first half Friday. The Tigers, whose head coach, Eli Drinkwitz, is from the state of Arkansas himself, had appeared to have the perfect defensive game plan to slow Arkansas’ big-play offense. But the Razorbacks ended the season the same way they began it: a second-half magic show. A BIG KEY FOR ARKANSAS FOOTBALL IN 2021

Arkansas scored on four straight possessions to build a four-point halftime lead to 27 early in the fourth quarter, much the way it turned a threepoint deficit at the break into a 21-point victory over the Rice Owls in the season opener. Such things don’t just happen because of talent. They require that talent to listen and adjust. And they require that talent to have a staff smart enough to coordinate that adjustment. “At some point, you’ve got to go attack that and not sit there and say, ‘We’re afraid,’” Pittman said. “We are a running team. We want to have success running. But if someone is going to take that away

“It just shows that we’ve got good kids that

believe in their coaches. They understand effort, physicality and doing the right things.” afterward. “It’s different. We haven’t been relevant for a while. For us to do that, to those kids in that locker room, that’s a big, big deal.” Arkansas is more than relevant now. It is a power. Sam Pittman and his team could carry the weight of Atlas’ globe at this point. A team picked to finish sixth in the SEC West, coming off two-win, two-win and three-win seasons in the previous three years, somehow became the story of the SEC outside of Georgia. And they did it with a man running the show who had never

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from you, you have to say we’re going to burn you deep. I thought [offensive coordinator Kendal] Briles and the offensive staff did a nice job of opening up the game plan.” Arkansas finished with 425 yards of total offense, with KJ Jefferson getting 262 through the air and 58 more on the ground. His favorite target, wide receiver Treylon Burks, caught seven passes for 129 yards and a touchdown. Rocket Sanders added two scores on the ground, including one off a pitch from Burks, and Trelon Smith put up one

D EC E M B E R 2021

The Hogs went to Baton Rouge and returned with the Golden Boot.

more rushing. Meanwhile, Arkansas’ other coordinator, defensive coordinator Barry Odom, made the Tigers one-dimensional. The former Missouri head coach, whose birthday was game day, had seen his defense give up 27 points in the fourth quarter to Mizzou last year in the 50-48 loss. It wasn’t even close this go-around. Arkansas held Missouri to 316 yards of total offense and just 65 passing. That after giving up 559 through the air against Alabama the week before. Adjustments. “I had the game ball and gave it to Grant Morgan and Joe Foucha and asked them to give it to Barry,” Pittman said. “[They] stood up and talked about what Coach Odom means to them. Certainly gave him the game ball. He deserved it.” He did, indeed. But only because head coaches don’t keep the game balls for themselves. TIME FOR RAZORBACKS TO GO BOWLING

Pittman and the Razorbacks had to wait to see where they will play in their first bowl since 2016. Thirteen weeks ago, such a sojourn would have been a modest victory, a next step in a rebuild most — perhaps even Pittman himself — thought

DEC E M BER 2 02 1

would take longer than it has. At this point, with everything Arkansas has accomplished, a pall of disappointment would linger if it isn’t in January at the Outback or Citrus bowls. Not that Sam Pittman would be the one to show such a feeling. The cool, collected Oklahoma native doesn’t do that. He turned 60 on Nov. 28 and would take an invitation to a Florida-based bowl as a birthday present. “Well, in the three-game losing streak we got beat by Georgia, and everybody else that played them did, too,” Pittman said. “We lost to Ole Miss by one. I get it. Everybody thought the world was coming to an end. “We came back, went on a run, obviously fell short at Alabama through Pine Bluff all the way to now. It just shows that we’ve got good kids that believe in their coaches. They understand effort, physicality and doing the right things.” Things will be different after the bowl game. Arkansas may have exceeded its timetable in its return to relevance, but the expectation now will be for the Razorbacks to keep it. If anyone can do it, Pittman can. “If you really look at it, 8-4, pretty good with our schedule. We don’t want to get used to it.”

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NURSING HOMES

NURSING HOMES GRATEFUL FOR HIGH VACCINE RATES, STAY OF MANDATE By Becky Gillette

hile public health experts advocate widespread vaccinations as the best way to end the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine mandates have been vehemently opposed by workers in a large number of different employment sectors and many politicians. The Arkansas Legislature passed a ban on vaccine mandates as a condition of employment, putting the state at odds with the federal government that had instituted far-ranging mandates including the threat of losing Medicare and Medicaid funding for lack of vaccine compliance at health care facilities including nursing homes and hospitals. Arkansas was one of nine states that challenged the mandates. On Nov. 30, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction to the mandates from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that would have required Medicare and Medicaid healthprovider staff members to receive one COVID-19 vaccine dose by Dec. 6 or face loss of funding. Rachel Bunch, executive director of the Arkansas Health Care Association (AHCA), said the majority of long-term care patients in Arkansas depend on Medicare and Medicaid for funding, and nursing homes could not have withstood a block of Medicaid and Medicare funding. Rachel Bunch “AHCA and its membership welcome the ruling from the federal district court in Missouri placing a hold on the CMS vaccine mandate,” Bunch said. “The decision recognizes the obstacles the mandate would place on providers, especially in rural states like Arkansas. Simply put, while member facilities support vaccination as an established tool to prevent outbreaks, serious illness and hospitalizations, the mandate could have closed the doors of some providers who are already struggling with staffing without the mandate. AHCA also thanks Attorney General Leslie Rutledge for joining the lawsuit.” Some Arkansas nursing homes mandated the vaccines, and some provided incentives to get vaccinated. But Bunch said most nursing homes have been using the strategy of educating and informing employees, along with making vaccines available. And that has been successful in giving Arkansas the highest vaccine rates of residents and staff in all of the Southeastern Conference footprint. The SEC includes the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri,

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South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. “We are proud in Arkansas of our facilities, and our vaccination rate is still the highest in all of the SEC states,” Bunch said. “As of the first week of December, 77.2 percent of staff and 87 percent of residents in Arkansas long-term care facilities are fully vaccinated.” Dr. Joe Thompson, president and CEO of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, said nursing homes are now in a much better position to prevent COVID infections and deaths. “Our Arkansas nursing homes have made significant strides improving vaccination rates of both their residents and personnel,” Thompson said. “That offers more protection for these facilities where COVID-19 has really shown Dr. Joe Thompson the effects it can have on individuals. I would encourage family members placing loved ones in nursing homes to ask about vaccination rates prior to placement.” There have been reports of some nursing home residents testing positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated. Thompson said from the very outset of the pandemic, an estimated 30 to 40 percent of people infected with COVID did not have major symptoms. “Second, in those who have been vaccinated, their immunity may be waning if they have not gotten a booster shot,” Thompson said. “We are seeing that vaccinated people who get breakthrough infections have fewer symptoms. Everyone does now need the booster shot to get immunity back up and be optimally primed.” The stay on the federal mandate is a relief to employers worried about maintaining adequate staffing levels. Some hospitals lost staff after vaccine mandates, an unwelcome development at a time when hospitals are struggling to maintain adequate staff. Bunch said there are some long-term care facilities in Arkansas currently limiting admissions due to limited staffing, but the majority of facilities are not in this situation. Overall, this has been an historically tough and expensive time for nursing homes all over the country. “This has been a very difficult and challenging time as the pandemic has disproportionately affected long-term care facilities,” Bunch said. “However, we are hopeful that as cases are down and visitation is open in all facilities once again, things will continue to improve.”

D EC E M B E R 2021

TOP 10 NURSING FACILITIES IN ARKANSAS Ranked by total revenue for 2020

Facility Wood-Lawn Heights, Batesville

$14,276,928

Randolph County Nursing Home, Pocahontas

$13,603,959

The Green House Cottages of Belle Meade, Paragould

$12,563,836

Heritage Living Center, Conway

$12,205,520

Jamestown Nursing and Rehab, Rogers

$12,145,296

Arkansas State Veterans Home at North Little Rock

$12,137,806

Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Little Rock

$11,904,364

Methodist Health and Rehab, Fort Smith

$11,787,141

Ashton Place Health and Rehab, Barling

$11,748,732

Covington Court Health and Rehabilitation Center, Fort Smith

$11,720,427

Ownership: Wood-Lawn, Inc.

Ownership: Randolph County

Ownership: Paragould GH Operations, LLC Ownership: HLNC, Inc.

Ownership: Jamestown Nursing and Rehab LLC Ownership: Arkansas State Government

Ownership: Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation, Inc.

Ownership: Methodist Nursing Home of Fort Smith, Inc. Ownership: Ashton Place Health and Rehab, LLC Ownership: Northport Health Services of Arkansas, LLC

Source: Arkansas Department of Human Services

Northwest Arkansas’ only all-private room facility State-of-the- art therapy gym 2 beautifully maintained outdoor courtyards for residents and their families to enjoy Daily activity calendar Restaurant-style food plus snacks served daily

Connecting Families with Residents

h t i w

Apple Creek Health & Rehab is located in quiet, Centerton, Arkansas. We are the newest all-private room long term care/ skilled nursing facility in Northwest Arkansas, and we are Medicare and Medicaid certified. Our staff includes Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Licensed Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists, and Certified Nursing Assistants.

Alma Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s residents and staff are ready to roll up their sleeves so they can do away with FaceTime visits and visits through the windows, and get back to life as normal with friends and family. Alma Nursing and Rehabilitation Center 401 Heather Lane • Alma, AR DEC E M BER 2 02 1

479-632-4343

1570 West Centerton Boulevard | Centerton, ar | 479-224-4817 92

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TOP 10 NURSING FACILITIES IN ARKANSAS Ranked by total revenue for 2020

Facility Ozark Health Nursing and Rehab Center, Clinton

$4,256,160

The Waters of Fort Smith, Fort Smith

$1,979,186

DeWitt Nursing Home, DeWitt

$1,757,700

Wood-Lawn Heights, Batesville

$1,655,183

The Waters of Mountain View, Mountain View

$1,649,904

Rich Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Mena

$1,548,263

Heritage Living Center, Conway

$1,539,813

Greenhurst Nursing Center, Charleston

$1,478,247

The Waters of Newport, Newport

$1,382,746

Crawford Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Van Buren

$1,248,025

Ownership: Ozark Health, Inc.

Ownership: The Waters of Fort Smith, LLC

Ownership: DeWitt Hospital and Nursing Home, LLC Ownership: Wood-Lawn, Inc.

Ownership: The Waters of Mountain View, LLC Ownership: Mena SF Operations, LLC Ownership: HLNC, Inc.

Ownership: Greenhurst, Inc.

Ownership: The Waters of Newport, LLC Ownership: LTC of Van Buren, LLC

Source: Arkansas Department of Human Services

You only want the best for your loved ones.

Atkins Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

ASHTON PLACE

HEALTH & REHABILITATION, LLC

Atkins Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is a newly remodeled rehabilitation and long-term care facility offering skilled therapies, a restorative program, as well as multiple amenities.

Now Accepting Reservations for Short Term Rehabilitation and Long Term Care

To schedule a tour before admission, call René at 479-831-6518. 318 Strozier Lane • Barling • 479-452-8181 Visit www.ashtonplacehr.com to take our virtual tour ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

Our mission is to provide our residents with extraordinary healthcare services and ensure families peace of mind by delivering compassionate care in a home-like setting. 605 NW 7th Street • Atkins, AR 72823 479.641.7100 • Fax 479.641.1285 WWW.ATKINSNR.COM

2018

BRONZE

D EC E M B E R 2021

NURSING HOMES BY COUNTY ARKANSAS Crestpark DeWitt, LLC

Crestpark Stuttgart, LLC 100 DeWitt Nursing Home

Hiram Shaddox Geriatric 140 Health and Rehab

Promenade Health and Rehabilitation

Pine Lane Therapy and Living

Rogers Health and Rehabilitation Center

Total 519

Total 230

BENTON

ASHLEY

Nursing homes in Arkansas are listed by county and number of beds (2020 data). Source: Arkansas Department of Human Services

Somerset Senior Living at Crossett

Apple Creek Health and Rehab, LLC

Stonegate Villa Health and Rehabilitation, LLC

Ashley Rehabilitation 100 and Health Care Center

Total 159

BAXTER

114

Bradford House Nursing and Rehab, LLC

98 102

Care Manor Nursing and Rehab

104

Concordia Nursing & Rehab, LLC

Gassville Therapy and Living

105

Highland Healthcare 90 and Rehabilitation Center

Good Samaritan Society - 70 Mountain Home Hiram Shaddox Geriatric Health and Rehab

Innisfree Health and Rehab, LLC

Jamestown Nursing and Rehab, LLC

140

114 140

Shiloh Nursing and Rehab, LLC

Siloam Healthcare LLC

125

The Waters of Rogers, LLC

110 Total 1,293

BOONE Hillcrest Home

103

Somerset Senior Living at Harrison

Somerset Senior Living at Mount Vista

154

Total 347

Hot Springs’ newest, premier skilled nursing and long term care facility.

Bradford House provides skilled professional care in a compassionate and supportive atmosphere. Our licensed nurses, physicians, optometrists, dentists and other specialists believe that building strong relationships with residents and families is essential to the healing process. The entire staff is devoted to providing the quality of care which celebrates the dignity and grace of every single resident.

Our facility features all private rooms for our long term residents, as well as, private short term rehab rooms with 42-inch flat screen televisions and telephones for family and friend convenience. We have a dedicated secure unit with 23 private rooms and an enclosed courtyard.

1202 SE 30th Street | Bentonville, AR 72712 | 479.273.3430 BradfordHouseNR.com

2600 Park Ave | Hot Springs, AR 71901 | 501.321.4276 DEC E M BER 2 02 1

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BRADLEY

CLAY

Chapel Woods Health and Rehabilitation

140

Total 140

CARROLL Autumn Hil

114

Brighton Ridge

Corning Therapy and Living Center

The Green House 135 Cottages of Wentworth Place

Total 345

General Baptist 105 Nursing Home of Piggott Rector Nursing and Rehab

100

CONWAY

70 Total 259

Total 214

CLEBURNE

CHICOT Dermott City Nursing Home

Lake Village Rehabilitation and Care Center

102

Somerset Senior Living at Seven Springs

140

Southridge Village Nursing and Rehab

122

Courtyard Gardens 100 Health and Rehabilitation Center Twin Rivers Health and Rehabilitation

112 Total 212

River Chase Rehabilitation and Care Center

CRAIGHEAD

Craighead Nursing Center 121

CLEVELAND

110

Total 780

CRAWFORD Alma Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center

Crawford Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center

129

Valley Springs Rehabilitation and Health Center

105

Van Buren Healthcare 140 and Rehabilitation Center

Community Compassion 136 Center of Jonesboro

Total 454

CRITTENDEN

Lakeside Health and Rehab

Community Compassion 119 Center of West Memphis

117

West Memphis Health and Rehab

155

COLUMBIA

Lexington Place Healthcare and Rehabilitation LLC

118

Community Compassion 140 Center of Magnolia

Willowbend Healthcare and Rehabilitation

Monette Manor, LLC

Summit Health & Rehab Center

Ridgecrest Health and Rehabilitation

The Green House 75 Cottages of Southern Hills

CLARK

118

Total 206

Total 262

Total 172

Brookridge Cove Rehabilitation and Care Center

St. Elizabeth’s Place

Total 75

BRIARWOOD NURSING & REHABILITATION, INC.

Total 392

135

Cabot Health and Rehab, LLC

Briarwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is a 24-hour skilled nursing and rehab center housed in a spacious facility, conveniently located off I-630 in Little Rock.

Skilled long-term care facility offering short-term rehab, as well as long-term care and hospice. We accept Medicare/HMOs, Private Pay, Long-Term Care Insurance, and Medicaid.

Our Rehabilitation Team offers Speech, Physical, and Occupational Therapies— satisfying goals to return home after short-term rehab!

516 S. Rodney Parham Little Rock, AR 72205 501.224.9000 BriarwoodNursingAndRehab.com

Cabot Health and Rehab, LLC 200 North Port Drive Cabot, Arkansas 72023

(501) 843-6181

nursing and rehabilitation

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D EC E M B E R 2021

FAULKNER

CROSS Crestpark Wynne, LLC

100

River Ridge Rehabilitation and Care Center

100

DALLAS St. Johns Place of Arkansas, LLC

126 Total 126

DESHA Somerset Senior Living at McGehee

Heritage Living Center

84 140

Garland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

112

Greenhurst Nursing Center

Lake Hamilton Health and Rehab

102

Ozark Nursing Home, Inc. 135

FULTON Eaglecrest Nursing and Rehab

Hot Springs Nursing 152 and Rehabilitation A Waters Community, LLC

Total 660

Total 237

The Woods of Monticello 122 Health and Rehabilitation Center

St. Andrews Healthcare

104

Total 1,073

121

Total 121

GREENE Greene Acres Nursing Home

143

The Green House 167 Cottages of Belle Meade Total 310

HEMPSTEAD

Lakewood Healthcare, Inc. 80 Quapaw Care and 126 Rehabilitation Center, LLC

Total 128

The Pines Nursing 125 and Rehabilitation Center

Total 202

Sheridan Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center

Heather Manor Nursing 128 and Rehabilitation Center

Somerset Senior Living at Canyon Springs

100

120

GRANT

GARLAND Abby Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation

Belvedere Nursing and 110 Rehabilitation Center, LLC

Superior Health & Rehab, LLC

Village Springs Health and Rehabilitation

Total 184

FRANKLIN

DREW

Salem Place Nursing and 115 Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

140

Total 140

Belle View Estates Rehabilitation and Care Center

Conway Healthcare 105 and Rehabilitation Center Greenbrier Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Total 200

Southfork River Therapy and Living

HOT SPRING Arbor Oaks Healthcare 104 and Rehabilitation Center Encore Healthcare and Rehabilitation

Feels Like

Home

Colonel Glenn Health and Rehab Colonel Glenn Health and Rehab is Central Arkansas’ newest 120-bed state-of-theart skilled nursing facility. We provide a range of services from long-term care to short-term rehab, including respite care. Our facility is conveniently located off the I-430 South Colonel Glenn exit. We provide 24-hour care for all skill levels. All employees are offered continuing education in addition to ongoing on-site training.

hapel Ridge Health and Rehab is a place residents can feel like home. A place of their own with staff and friends nearby.

We are here to provide a loving supportive home for our residents. One where they are cared for physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally while they are afforded the attention, respect and dignity they deserve. It is our goal to provide the highest quality of healthcare services and the greatest variety of healthcare options to the residents of this community.

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• Outdoor pavilion • On-site beauty shop • Activity program for all skill levels, including trips within the community • 82 private rooms • Luxurious interior design

4623 Rogers Ave. Fort Smith, AR 479.452.1541

Chapel Ridge

Health & Rehab

13700 DAVID O. DODD ROAD || LITTLE ROCK || 501-907- 8200 96

ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

Happy Valley Nursing & Rehabilitation

White River Healthcare

Total 156

Total 282

JACKSON

HOWARD Community Compassion Center of Nashville

St. Michaels Healthcare

130

The Waters of Newport, LLC

120

Dierks Health and Rehab 70 Nashville Nursing and Rehab, Inc.

JEFFERSON

Total 218

INDEPENDENCE Community Compassion 150 Center of Batesville Mountain Meadows 110 Health and Rehabilitation Wood-Lawn Heights

140

Total 400

IZARD Pioneer Therapy and Living

Total 250

Arkansas Convalescent Center

103

Pine Ridge Healthcare, LLC

JOHNSON

The Villages of General 126 Baptist Health Care East The Villages of General 177 Baptist Health Care West The Waters of White Hall, LLC

LAWRENCE

Clarksville Nursing and Rehab, LLC

Lawrence Hall Health & Rehabilitation

Johnson County Health and Rehab, LLC

120

Walnut Ridge Nursing 119 and Rehabilitation Center

Total 202

Total 269

Crestpark Marianna, LLC 80

120

LAFAYETTE

Trinity Village Medical Center

LEE

The Waters of Stamps, LLC

150

Total 80 Total 94

Total 661

The amenities of a luxury hotel The best in clinical care

The Comfort of Home

At the Dardanelle Nursing & Rehabilitation Center we are committed to providing the highest quality patient care, while maintaining a dignified atmosphere. Our qualified staff is here giving their loving support for the tasks of day-to-day living, allowing our guests to enjoy more pleasant and carefree activities.

Dardanelle Resident Room Amenities: • Free Wireless Internet Dardanelle Features: • Flat Screen TV’s • State of the Art Rehabilitation Gym • Individual Climate Controls • Outside covered patio area. • Private Telephone Hookups • Outside garden, wheelchair accessible. • Offers both semi-private and private rooms • Physician Services 24/7 • Residents are provided with social services, daily • Our Activities Room can be reserved for family activities, housekeeping and a superior dining gatherings experience. • Our library filled with books & magazines for • Residents are encouraged to personalize their residents & families rooms • Beauty Salon Services • Wonderful Activity Program • 24-hour Nursing Services by specialized staff • Daily Housekeeping and Laundry Services

2199 Hwy 7 North, Dardanelle, AR (479) 229-4884

ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

We offer long term care and skilled nursing with physical, occupational and speech therapy.

NUrSING NUr NU rSING & rehABILITATION AT

GOOD

• Daily Housekeeping and Laundry Services • Beauty/Barber Shop • Physicians Visits • Spacious Climate-Controlled Rooms 3001 Aldersgate Road •Little Rock, AR 72205 • Cable Television 501.217.9774• Fax: 501.217.9781 • Secured and Therapeutic Courtyard We Accept: Medicaid • Medicare • Private Pay • Transportation

Shepherd

DardanelleNR.com 97

D EC E M B E R 2021

East Point Health and Rehab

Cavalier Healthcare of England

Chambers Nursing Home Center, Inc.

Gardner Nursing and Rehabilitation

Greystone Nursing and Rehab, LLC

Lonoke Health and Rehab Center, LLC

LINCOLN

Total 182

LITTLE RIVER Little River Nursing & Rehab

Pleasant Manor Nursing & Rehab

Spring Creek Health & Rehab

MILLER

LOGAN Oak Manor Nursing and 120 Rehabilitation Center, Inc. Paris Health and Rehabilitation Center

140

Total 260

LONOKE Barnes Healthcare

141

Cabot Health and Rehab, LLC

Bentley Healthcare, LLC

111

Hillcrest Care and Rehab 90

112

NEVADA Southern Pines Health and Rehab

111

Total 201

NEWTON Newton County Nursing Home

70 Total 70

Manila Healthcare Center 70

MARION

Montgomery County Nursing Home

Heritage Square Healthcare Center

Total 105

Total 112

Harris Health and Rehab 115

Meadowview Healthcare 105 and Rehab

Twin Lakes Therapy and Living

115

Gosnell Health and Rehab

MADISON

Bailey Creek Health and Rehab

MISSISSIPPI

109

Community Compassion Center of Yellville

173

Total 399

Total 659 Total 173

MONTGOMERY

Arkansas Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Longmeadow Nursing Center - Camden

116

Ouachita Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

142

Silver Oaks Health and Rehabilitation

104

MONROE Cla-Clif Nursing and Rehab Center, Inc.

OUACHITA

Total 341

Total 116

Total 176

GReySToNe

Nursing & Rehabilitation STARRatings RATINGS 5 5STAR Skilled Nursing Facility Skilled Nursing Facility • 2 Courtyards • Cable System • Modern Furnishings • Private & Semi Private Rooms • State-of-the-Art Rehab Gym • Restaurant Style Dining • Separate Rehab Dining • Hospice & Respite • Physical, Occupational, Speech Rehabs Oﬀered Medicare • Private Pay All Major Private Insurance

At Greenbrier Nursing & Rehab Center, we are committed to being a premier provider and facility of choice throughout Faulkner County and the communities that surround us.

e serve many types of patient and resident needs from short-term to long-term care. Our programs, services, and facility strive to serve and operate with superior quality in order to satisfy the needs of our residents, their families, and our communities. Residents enjoy a range of amenities and activities, including room service, laundry, Wi-Fi, restaurant-style dining, public parks, fishing, shopping, museums, libraries, and community events. Occupational, Speech, and Physical Therapy are also offered, as well as an all-female observation unit. We invite you to visit our website at greenbriernr.com, call us, or come for an appointment-free tour.

Greystone Nursing & Rehab, LLC Greystone Nursing 121 Spring Valley Rd. | Cabot

& Rehab, LLC 501-605-1545

GREENBRIER NURSING & REHAB CENTER 1 6 W I LSON FAR M ROAD

DEC E M BER 2 02 1

G R E E N B R I E R, AR

www.GreystoneNursingAndRehab.com www.greystonenursingandrehab.com 121 Spring Valley Rd. | Cabot | (501) 605-1545

Tours available daily, call to set up yours

Tours available daily—call today to schedule yours!

5 0 1-679-0 8 6 0

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Somerset Senior Living at Pine Hills

106

Total 421

Three Rivers Healthcare and Rehabilitation

110

Woodbriar Nursing Home 80 Total 267

PERRY Perry County Nursing 95 and Rehabilitation Center Total 95

PHILLIPS Cedar Lodge Nursing Center

POLK Mena Manor

Rich Mountain Nursing 115 and Rehabilitation Center

122

Crestpark Helena, LLC

100

Total 222

Total 184

POPE Atkins Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

PRAIRIE 98

122

Des Arc Nursing And Rehabilitation Center

Briarwood Nursing and 120 Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

Colonel Glenn Health and Rehab, LLC

120

Maple Healthcare

Cottage Lane Health and Rehab

143

Encore Healthcare and Rehabilitation of West Little Rock

Hickory Heights Health and Rehab, LLC

120

Lakewood Health and Rehab, LLC

Glenwood Health and Rehabilitation, LLC

Legacy Heights Nursing and Rehab, LLC

Murfreesboro Rehab & Nursing, Inc

Russellville Nursing 100 and Rehabilitation Center

PIKE

Total 146

Stella Manor Nursing 124 and Rehabilitation Center Total 436

POINSETT Quail Run Health and Rehab

Total 168

PULASKI Allay Health and Rehab

Arkansas State Veterans 96 Home at North Little Rock Barrow Creek Health and Rehab

139

offers a state-of-the-art therapy gym and orthopedic center. Personalized physical, occupational and speech therapy programs will center on regaining strength and independence.

Hickory HeigHts

Nursing &Rehab

400 West 23rd street Hope, Ar

Occupational Therapy • Physical Therapy Speech Therapy • Spacious Living Area Secured Unit • Hospice & Respite Care Semi-private or private beds available for long-term care & rehab services

Customized physical, occupational and speech therapy programs are conducted by licensed therapists who focus on improving mobility and motor skills following an injury or illness. The enrichment of daily physical function can significantly improve a resident’s self-reliance and overall happiness. Our staff provides residents with specially tailored treatment plans designed to recapture health, independent living and facilitate a return home. Hickory Heights features a separate Rehab wing for the comfort and convenience of short-term residents and their families who are focused on returning home. A full meal service with snacks is prepared daily.

Heights Drive in Little Rock

To schedule a tour, call us at 501.830.2273 or take a virtual tour at HickoryHeigHtsHr.com

HeAtHermAnornursingAndreHAb.com | 870.777.3448

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» Conveniently located at 3 Chenal

D EC E M B E R 2021

Where

you live matters! Nestled in the center of a quiet neighborhood, Innisfree Health & Rehab is a unique, family-oriented facility offering skilled care in a loving, supportive atmosphere. Our licensed nurses, physician assistants, dentists, podiatrist and other specialists believe that our residents need strong relationships with their families and is key to the healing process. The entire Innisfree staff is devoted to providing the highest quality care possible, in a manner which celebrates the dignity and grace of every resident.

We are here for you! Call today for a quote. (479) 876-1847

Our home is conveniently located just off Walnut in Rogers close to Walmart, under the medical directions of Dr. Kimberly Burner. 301 S. 24th Street | Rogers, AR 72758 | 479-636-5545 | www.InnisfreeHR.com

670 Rogers Road • Bella Vista

Jamestown offers a state-of-the-art therapy gym and orthopedic center. Personalized physical, occupational and speech therapy programs will center on regaining strength and independence. Customized physical, occupational and speech therapy programs are conducted by licensed therapists who focus on improving mobility and motor skills following an injury or illness. The enrichment of daily physical function can significantly improve a resident’s self-reliance and overall happiness. Our staff provides residents with specially tailored treatment plans designed to recapture health, independent living and facilitate a return home. Jamestown features separate rooms and private suites with a private entrance for the comfort and convenience of short-term residents and their families focused on returning home. A full meal service with snacks is prepared daily.

2016

To schedule a tour, call our Referral Line at 479.586.9707 or take a virtual tour at www.JamestownNR.com 2001 Hampton Place | Rogers, AR

• State-of-the-Art Rehabilitation Gym • Private Speech Therapy Room • 24/7 Physician Services • 24-Hour Nursing Services by Specialized Staff • Treatment Nurse • Specialized Occupational Therapy • Return-to-Home Training Area • Beauty Salon Services • Daily Housekeeping and Laundry Services • Outside Covered Patio Area in Courtyard

1451 East Poplar Street Clarksville, AR 72830 479-754-2052 www.johnsoncountyhr.com

Conveniently located at off of New Hope Road near Mercy Medical Center.

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• Semi-Private Rooms with a Dividing Wall, Access to a Window, and Heating & Air Unit • Free Wireless Internet • Private Rooms • Superior Dining Experience • Flat Screen TV’s with Direct TV • Private Telephone Hookups • Short-Term Rehabilitation • Long-Term Care including Respite and Hospice

100

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akewood Health and Rehab offers skilled professional care in a supportive and compassionate atmosphere.

Lake Hamilton

We invite you to experience the difference our facility has to offer from the moment you walk through our door.

HEALTH & REHAB

Call us to today to schedule your tour!

SpEciALizing in: •Short Term Rehab AccEpTing Medicare/Medicaid Private Pay Long Term Care Insurance

Lakewood Health & Rehab

120 Pittman Road Hot Springs, AR 501.767.7530

2323 McCain Blvd, North Little Rock • 501.791.2323

LEGACY HEIGHTS N U R S I N G & R E H A B I L I TAT I O N , L L C

We are a comfortable “home in the country” in the small, historic city of Lonoke.

Legacy Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation offers modern conveniences in a gracious setting. We proudly provide a comfortable, home-like atmosphere to each and every person who enters our facility. • Private and semi-private rooms available • 24-hour nursing services by specialized staff • On-site physical, occupational, and speech therapy services

Our staff of trained professionals help residents to attain optimal health, maintain independence and dignity and when possible, to assist them in returning home.

• State-of-the-art rehabilitation gym • Superior dining experience • Outside & garden courtyard, wheelchair accessible

Lonoke Health & Rehab 1501 Lincoln Street, Lonoke, AR • 501.676.2600

Compassion in Action 900 West 12th St. • Russellville, AR 72801 • 479.968.5858

legacyHeightsnr.com ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

101

D EC E M B E R 2021

Midtown Post Acute 154 and Rehabilitation A Waters Community, LLC Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at Good Shepherd, LLC

120

Parkway Health Center

105

Presbyterian Village, Inc. 78

The Waters of North Little Rock, LLC

140

Good Samaritan Society - 50 Hot Springs Village

Chapel Ridge Health and Rehab

The Waters of West Dixon, LLC

140

Heartland Rehabilitation and Care Center

119

Covington Court Health 140 and Rehabilitation Center

The Waters of Woodland Hills, LLC

140

Southern Trace Rehabilitation and Care Center

116

Woodland Hills 120 Healthcare and Rehabilitation Total 2,745

Robinson Nursing and 110 Rehabilitation Center, LLC Sherwood Nursing & 98 Rehabilitation Center, Inc. Somerset Senior Living at Premier

132

Total 992

RANDOLPH Pocahontas Healthcare 97 and Rehabilitation Center Randolph County Nursing Home

140

The Village at Valley Ranch

110

The Waters of Cumberland, LLC

120

SCOTT Waldron Nursing Center, Inc.

105 Total 105

The Green House 118 Cottages of Poplar Grove The Lakes at Maumelle 70 Health and Rehabilitation

Stoneybrook Health 80 and Rehabilitation Center

Total 237

SALINE Alcoa Pines Health and Rehabilitation

120

Amberwood Health and Rehabilitation

101

Arkansas Health Center 290 Evergreen Living Center at Stagecoach

116

Fianna Hills Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

Methodist Health and Rehab

145

Pink Bud Home for the Golden Years

110

The Waters of Fort Smith, LLC

117 Total 1,008

Total 78

SEBASTIAN

Oak ManOr

102

Legacy Health and 115 Rehabilitation Center

SEARCY Highland Court, A Rehabilitation and Resident Care Facility

Ashton Place Health and Rehab, LLC

157

122

SEVIER Bear Creek Healthcare LLC

131 Total 131

SHARP Ash Flat Healthcare 105 and Rehabilitation Center

Perry County Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

NursiNg & rehabilitatioN CeNter, iNC.

Skilled, long-term care facility and spacious living areas, with rehabilitation services including speech, physical therapy and occupational therapy.

“

We offer a warm, home-like environment, encouraging each resident to achieve the maximum level of activity and independence.

”

Oak Manor is a licensed healthcare facility inspected and federally regulated by the Arkansas Office of Long Term Care. 24 hour skilled nursing care, inpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are available to the residents of Oak Manor. This 120 bed facility provides Medicare/Medicaid certified care with private and semi-private rooms.

PerryCountyNursingAndRehab.com | 501-889-2400

150 Morton Avenue, Booneville, AR 72927 479.675.2689 oakmanornr.com DEC E M BER 2 02 1

102

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Cave City Nursing Home Inc.

Timberlane Health & Rehabilitation

Total 195

ST. FRANCIS

106 Total 617

VAN BUREN

Crestpark Forrest City, LLC

100 Total 100

Springdale Health 140 and Rehabilitation Center

Ozark Health Nursing and Rehab Center

118

The Maples at Har-Ber Meadows

140

Total 173

Westwood Health and Rehab, Inc

Arkansas Veterans Home at Fayetteville

Windcrest Health and Rehab, Inc.

WASHINGTON

UNION

Prairie Grove Health and Rehabilitation, LLC

97 Total 97

Indian Rock Village Health Center

STONE The Waters of Mountain View, LLC

North Hills Life Care and Rehab

Advanced Health and Rehab of Union County

122

Butterfield Trail Village

Courtyard Rehabilitation and Health Center, LLC

101

Edgewood Health and Rehab

Hudson Memorial Nursing Home

108

Fayetteville City Hospital 123 and Geriatric Center

Oak Ridge Health and Rehabilitation

180

Fayetteville Health and Rehabilitation Center Katherine’s Place at Wedington

102

140 119

Total 1,258

WHITE Beebe Retirement Center, Inc.

105

Community Compassion 245 Center of Searcy

WOODRUFF Woodruff County Health Center

Total 120

YELL Dardanelle Nursing and 110 Rehabilitation Center, Inc. Mitchell’s Nursing Home, Inc.

Total 642

105

Pennington Manor, LLC

Total 289

Oakdale Nursing Facility 154 The Crossing at Riverside 138 Health and Rehabilitation

120

Totals: 237 licensed facilities 25,632 beds

Where Your Loved One Becomes Our Loved One

We are a 24-hour skilled nursing and rehab center conveniently located in North Little Rock, AR. Our professional nursing staff provides physical, occupational and speech therapy services. Even when you can no longer live at home, you can still live in a warm, friendly, home-like environment. Come by and visit, and we will show you an experienced, caring staff that is dedicated to your health, happiness and well-being.

Because your loved ones deserve the best care.

QuApAw

Care & Rehab Center

138 Brighton Terrace, Hot Springs, AR 71913 (501) 525-7140 | www.QuapawCR.com ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

519 Donovan Briley Blvd. • North Little Rock, AR 72118 • 501.753.9003 103

D EC E M B E R 2021

2017 People’s Choice Winners for Faulkner Co. in these categories: — by the Consumer’s Research Council of America — Best Nursing Home

Best Elder Care

Best Nurse Director of Nursing

First Runner-up Best Nurse

Best Conway Business

Best Employer 2017

Resident Room Amenities

e specialize in Short-Term Rehabilitation and LongTerm Care services. From the moment you enter our facility, we want you to experience the difference our home has to offer. We want you and your loved one to feel comfortable and safe while here with us. You will also notice the pride we take in our facility by keeping our building sparkling clean from the inside out.

Z Free wireless internet Z Individual climate controls Z Offers semi-private rooms Russellville FeAtuRes

Z State-of-the-art rehabilitation gym Z Outside covered patio area Z Physician services 24/7 Z Beauty salon services Z Wonderful activity program

Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

215 S. Portland Ave. | Russellville, AR 72801 | 479.968.5256 | russellvillenr.com

wood Srshinge& r Rehabilitation Cen

ter

Where your Health and Happiness Matter 245 Indian Bay Dr, Sherwood, AR 72120 (501) 834-9960

We are a 24-hour skilled nursing and rehabilitation center located centrally in Sherwood. Our caring, professional staff strives to provide quality service in a warm and family-like atmosphere. Our facility offers all the amenities, comfort, and relaxation of home.

• Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapies • Private Rehab Rooms • Fully remodeled in 2013 • TVs and Cable Provided • Full -Service Beauty Salon

We are a skilled nursing facility with a state-of-the-art rehab center offering person-centered care in a quiet and serene setting.

Awarded Bronze National Quality Award by the American Health Association.

1092 West Stultz Road, Springdale | 479.750.3800 | ShilohHR.com DEC E M BER 2 02 1

104

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Our ServiceS ɟ ɟ ɟ ɟ

Short Term rehabilitation Long Term care respite care Hospice care

Stella Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation provides skilled professional care in a compassionate, supportive and comfortable atmosphere. Our staff takes pride in their jobs and it shows by their caring nature; by striving to find more innovative ways of caring for our residents as well as providing 24 hour skilled nursing care, inpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to our residents.  

NURSING & REHABILITATION

400 N. vancouver russellville, Ar 72801 479-968-4141 | StellaManorNr.com

Superior Drive, Conway

Contact Vickey Kirkemier to learn more at 501-733-0802

Want to know what’s happening for the weekend? Tune in on 103.7 The Buzz EVERY Friday morning when AY Media Group President & Publisher Heather Baker is their guest!

ABOUT

YOU MEDIA GROUP

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

DELTA DAWN NATIVE SON’S VISION WOULD SEE ARKANSAS CITY RISE AGAIN BY MARK CARTER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMISON MOSLEY

n the mid-1920s, a man whose name appears lost to posterity decided to travel from St. Louis to New Orleans by way of the Mississippi River. By walking the Mississippi, that is, courtesy of custom-made pontoons attached to his feet. A little more than halfway through the 1,278 river-mile excursion, our pontoon paladin strode by the Desha County seat of Arkansas City. In the old jail which now serves as the town museum, there sits a photo of the man, mid-stride, Arkansas City’s then-prominent riverfront standing a tight guard on the old levee. The late, great Bobby Charles probably didn’t have him in mind when he wrote the classic R&B hit, “Walkin’ to New Orleans,” for Fats Domino in 1960. That prominent riverfront no longer exists; the infamous flood of 1927 sent river water as far west as McGehee, 10 miles away, and almost two stories high in Arkansas City proper. Once the flood and its aftermath diverted the main river channel about a mile to the east, it was impossible for Arkansas City to simply dry out and get back to business. A city that had served as one of the primary port-of-calls on the middle Mississippi and one teeming with business — two railroads to service an active steamboat port, three sawmills, banks, churches, 14 saloons and even an opera house — would never be the same. No longer situated on the river, the steamboats had nowhere, and the railroads no reason, to stop.

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The thriving port town, whose population some estimates say peaked at more than 10,000, began to fade into the Delta dirt. By the mid-20th century, of course, mechanization had driven workers into larger towns and cities seeking work, the county’s fertile soil requiring fewer hands to farm. And like much of the rest of the Delta, Arkansas City and Desha County experienced decades of declining population. The county is home now to a little more than 11,000 residents; its seat roughly 400. But it’s not necessarily an influx of permanent new residents that local leaders are counting on to spark an Arkansas City revival. Like the man bearing those podiatric pontoons, visitors are the key to the future, they say. And Arkansas City has something special to offer, they believe, something especially appealing in this pandemic-altered new frontier. Americans post-2020 are getting back outside — in particular, off the beaten path — to discover those “getaways” that offer actual connections, whether to a physical place, landscape or even the past. Given its history and location, Arkansas City can offer those connections in droves, and one native son is determined to see his hometown rise again from that Delta dust. *** The old levee road at Arkansas City delivers the much heralded Delta Heritage Trail to its conclusion. Now designated State Highway 600 to recognize its inclusion in a state park, the

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D EC E M B E R 2021

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

narrow strip of asphalt runs atop the old levee and affords some majestic views of the surrounding Desha County landscape, pockets of trees floating like islands amid a calm, green surface of soybean, rice and cotton. Robert S. Moore Jr., third-generation operator of Moore Farms in Arkansas City, is on his way to visit what soon will be a scenic

Xxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxx xxxx.

Native son Robert Moore has become a champion for Arkansas City and the area’s potential.

overlook and boat launch on the Mississippi River just north of town. It will be dedicated to former Gov. Mike Beebe, a friend and political ally who emphasized conservation when Moore was representing District 12 in the Arkansas House for three terms and serving as Speaker from 2011-13. Since his days in the legislature, Moore has promoted his hometown as a bona fide tourist destination. And his name maintains some political heft — he currently chairs the Arkansas State Highway Commission and is a past chairman of the Arkansas Transportation Commission and former director of the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. For most of his adult life, Moore has been one of the region’s biggest advocates, his efforts to develop and enhance tourism opportunities in the southeast corner of the state earning him induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame in 2019. The overlook is being built right off the trail, a major tourism investment by the state and private interests from which officials anticipate a major economic boon to southeast Arkansas — up to 600 new jobs and $7 million in new money each year. Earlier this year, a $20 million federal grant was matched by the Walton Fam-

DEC E M BER 2 02 1

ily Foundation to fund completion of the final 44 miles of the trail, which by 2025 will connect Lexa northwest of Helena with Kate Adams Landing at Arkansas City, where the riverboats would come in. The finished trail will run for roughly 85 miles and provide a continuous two-lane, paved and crushed-gravel surface for bikers,

Moore believes attractions such as the Delta Heritage Trail and Choctaw Island WMA will draw visitors to the region.

hikers and sightseers. It will hug the Mississippi on the east and skirt the White River National Wildlife Refuge on the west. But most importantly, it’ll open up a veritable primordial wilderness of bottomland forest, straight out of Jurassic Park, that most Arkansans — much less potential out-of-state visitors — likely never even knew existed. Surveying the work being done on the river, Moore contemplates just what a place like Arkansas City has to offer and how it could benefit from the trail. Maybe a half mile down river, the bend from which the planned Great River Bridge will launch itself across the river as part of the future Interstate 69 delivers a setting straight out of Mark Twain. From this vantage point, it’s not hard to imagine a sunny spring day from, say, the 1880s, local kids waving from the riverbank as steamboats churn by on that big muddy interstate of its day, the original “NAFTA superhighway.” Moore is optimistic the iconic old riverport town can become a destination once again. “I’ll tell you what,” he said. “If I have anything to do about it, it will.” ***

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Not much is left of Arkansas City’s historic downtown riverfront. But what remains harkens back to a different era, as if the weathered old buildings refuse to let go — the gambling and carousing of a port-of-call past, the echoes of Civil War cannon fire from the river, the dewy residue of floodwater,

The old city jail, now a museum, sits adjacent to the courthouse.

Xxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxx xxxx.

each imprinted on the town’s soul. And all of which seems as it should be. After all, Moore insists the city’s past is its future. He and his wife, Beverly, bought five historic buildings in town, rehabilitated them and worked to get them listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They even donated the land on which the Delta Heritage Trail State Park trailhead sits and a portion of the land for a downtown park on which will sit a planned memorial to one of the state’s most prominent native African Americans, John Johnson. Born in Arkansas City to parents who were once slaves, Johnson was the founder of Ebony (1945) and Jet (1951) magazines. In 1982, he became the first Black man listed on the Forbes 400. His childhood home in Arkansas City is now a museum. (Johnson ended up in Chicago for high school, and that’s where he launched his media empire and lived out an extraordinary life. Classmates at DuSable High

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Smith personally managed a huge part of the incoming PPP loan process for Central Arkansas until June 2021.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT on the south side included Nathaniel Coles, otherwise known as Nat King Cole, and John Sanford, better known by his stage name, Redd Foxx.) Other attractions in town include the 8,000-acre Choctaw Island Wildlife Management Area, which sits on the other side of the old levee, steps from downtown where the river channel once flowed; eight properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the former law office of Arkansas City lawyer X. O. Pindall, who served as governor from 1907 to 1909; and then there’s the World War II Japanese American Internment Museum at McGehee and nearby, two former internment camps in rural Desha County. The southern Delta in Arkansas may sometimes feel like the state’s forgotten corner, but almost $100 million in state and federal grants has been invested in and around Arkansas City alone in the past decade, counting the recent $40 million commitment from the state and Walton foundation to fund completion of the Delta Heritage Trail. Moore had a hand in securing much of it. There’s $20 million for improvements to Arkansas Highway 4 between McGehee and Arkansas City and another $7.8 million for work on 4 between Arkansas City and Rohwer; more than $5 million for improvements at Choctaw Island (the state’s only major public land mass located inside the levee); $3.5 million for restoration work at the Desha County Courthouse; $3 million for a new municipal water system; $1.2 million for the overlook and boat launch that will be dedicated to Beebe; $1 million for restrooms and an interpretive exhibit at the Delta Heritage Trail’s Arkansas City trailhead; $500,000 for a spur running from the trail to Lake Kate Adams inside the WMA and a new pier; $300,000 for new ramps and parking off the levee; and $150,000 for the John Johnson Museum. “If Arkansas City happens, you can’t get here without coming through Lake Village, McGehee, Dumas and Dermott,” he said. “Everybody is going to benefit.” And then there’s Mayor Rick Hales, a Monticello native who’s adopted Arkansas City as his own. A licensed real estate agent and experienced developer in southeast Arkansas, he runs the historic Furr House bed and breakfast and is working to restore other properties in town including the old Cotham Drug and Red Star Grocery buildings. And he just happens to oversee community outreach for Little Rock-based Aristotle Unified Communications, launched in 1995 and one of the first firms in Arkansas to work with the internet. Part of its mission is serving underserved communities and thanks to Hales, wi-fi flows free throughout the city, just as Tesla intended. Moore calls Hale a visionary. “He’s a smart guy, and we’re lucky to have him. The clock is ticking while we have people in place who can make something happen here.” Hale has his eye on the old opera house in town. On Saturday nights in Arkansas City’s heyday, it was, to borrow a line from Frank Costanza, “the place to be.” It hosted the opera, of course, but also wrestling matches and much carousing. The Methodist church a block away used to face it, and the story goes that God used the great flood to shift its foundation to the north so His house wouldn’t have to gaze upon such a den of iniquity.

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The old Red Star Grocery was a hub of activity when Moore was a child growing up in Arkansas City.

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“WHAT REMAINS HARKENS BACK TO A DIFFERENT ERA, AS IF THE WEATHERED OLD BUILDINGS REFUSE TO LET GO...”

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Hale envisions a restaurant (fried catfish and rib joint) with live blues music as well as a coffee shop, internet café and venue for weddings and special events. Both Hale and Moore hope to develop Arkansas City into a music destination as well. Moore is a singer/songwriter who records as JR Grace. Like Moore, Hale sees Arkansas City as a legitimate potential getaway spot — he calls it “Levee Life.” And it’s not like Arkansas City is starting from scratch. The nonprofit Moore Family Foundation, established in 2002 to honor Moore’s late mother, Dorothy Price Moore (known locally as “MIss Dorothy”), supports local civic, business and educational causes. It has a retail foundation from which to grow. On any given day, locals come and go from Mama Carol’s Family Restaurant; Nu-Bee’s, a convenience store and functional bodega next door; and Cat’s Corner Liquor, which is planning

ing popularity of outdoor recreation, spurred by the quarantining and social distancing of the pandemic, bodes well for Arkansas City. The Outdoor Foundation’s 2021 Outdoor Participation Trends Report revealed a 3 percent annual increase in outdoor rec activities over each of the last three years. The five most popular activities, its survey found, were running, hiking, fishing, biking and backpacking/camping. More than 16.7 million Americans ages 6 and up participated in at least one outdoor activity in 2020, up 7.1 million from 2019. And the outdoor participation rate rose to 52.9 percent in 2020, up from 50.7 percent in 2019 and the largest one-year jump on record, the organization reported. And though the outdoor rec industry has concerns about maintaining this pandemic-fueled momentum, the work being done in and around Arkansas City is designed to attract and promote outdoor rec-based tourism for years to come. State leaders are serious about developing tourism into one of Arkansas’ biggest industries. Moore and Desha County Tourism tax collections in Arkansas were up 14.6 Judge Richard Tindall percent from 2019, and jobs associated with tourforesee Arkansas City as ism and hospitality accounted for 6.6 percent of a hub destination. the state’s private industry jobs pre-pandemic. State lawmakers this past spring passed several measures to enhance tourism including the doubling of historic rehabilitation income-tax credits from the Division of Heritage to $8 million annually. While he was still serving in the state legislature, Moore saw a story in National Geographic that introduced him to the idea of geotourism — capitalizing on an area’s history, culture and natural resources. He went on to sponsor and get passed legislation enacting 25 percent tax credits for geotourism and historic buildings renovation. “I read about geotourism and had never heard to open a specialty sandwich shop soon. of it. And I said, “We’re blessed to have a great restaurant and ‘That’s Arkansas convenience store, and even a liquor store, all open City.’ You’ve got the seven days a week,” Moore said. “Visitors can enjoy culture of the old a great meal from Jennifer and her staff at Mama Delta and natural Wayne Lyson never fails Carol’s, and Wayne Lyson will take care of you like resources and the to greet visitors with a family over at Nu-Bee’s. We just need a broader rehistory.” smile at Nu-Bee’s. tail structure to support a more diverse clientele and Moore is congreater demand.” vinced Arkansas Moore said there are several commercial properCity and the surties in town being offered, essentially launching pads on hold. rounding area have something people will travel to experience. He plans to convert his old family home in town to a bed and He and his wife, Beverly, have made road trips across the conbreakfast, enabling Arkansas City to accommodate more overtinental United States, and they took notes. night visitors. “Beverly and I realized going on vacation through so many “There’s so much to see and do while you reconnect with states that the uniqueness of small towns with interesting asnature in Arkansas City,” Hale said. sets are a bigger attraction to a great segment of the traveling That part about reconnecting with nature is key. The growpublic than just going back to Disneyland,” he said. “People

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Xxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxx xxxx.

“THE BEND... DELIVERS A SETTING STRAIGHT OUT OF MARK TWAIN.” The site of the overlook and boat launch being constructed off the trail is just around the bend from where the planned Great River Bridge will one day take I-69 across the river.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ated just upstream at the confluence of the Arkansas River. want to see what they haven’t seen before. And over the years, meeting with officials from Colorado or California, they came By the 1860s, Napoleon was a budding major river port and here, and they were wowed. If you grew up in the mountains home to one of just a few federal “marine hospitals” operand the only thing you ever saw was mountains, you want to ated by the U.S. government. But its fate was sealed in 1863 experience something new. And they don’t have anything like when a Union expeditionary force diverted the Mississippi we have here with the river and the people.” River channel at a big bend in the river to avoid a Confederate Desha County Judge Richard Tindall thinks the compleambush point. The resulting rerouting turned Beulah Bend tion of the Delta Heritage Trail and the establishment of into an oxbow lake and within a decade, Napoleon was under Arkansas City as a hub destination for all the surrounding water. outdoor activities represent the county’s best shots to develop It’s said that when the river runs unusually low, some of tourism and grow its economy. Napoleon’s old ruins are visible, embedded in the sandbar. “For a county that doesn’t have a huge workforce to attract The current Desha County seat avoided that fate. Two refindustry, you have to have some type erendums have been placed before of different view on how to get peoDesha County voters to move the ple to visit,” he said. “This is the very seat officially to McGehee, much best shot that Desha County has of larger and more centrally located creating new business that will not and where Arkansas City kids now negatively affect our infrastructure, graduate high school. Both times, our woods or our water. There’s no the move was defeated (county votnegative to it.” ers, one could argue, being stubborn Moore believes that realizing his like Razorback fans clinging to Little vision is a matter of making private Rock games.) investors aware of the area’s potenPontoon man eventually made tial. it to New Orleans, again, the story “There’s not a possibility of somegoes, where he was hospitalized and body coming in here and doing ultimately died. Arkansas City resomething if they don’t know about fuses to follow suit. Moore, for one, it,” he said. “But if folks are going to won’t let it. Hale calls him the “PR come and visit, you gotta have your guy” for southeast Arkansas, Desha restaurants and bars and your places County and specifically, Arkansas to spend money, or it’s all for naught. City. And that is going to take an entre“And the PR is not just PR — it’s Xxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx preneurial, a visionary, venture. his passion; he’s passionate and rexxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx “We certainly have plenty to offer lentless,” he said. xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxx xxxx. to the outdoor enthusiasts, the bike Moore noted a passage from Prov(Photo provided) riders, hikers, bird watchers, river erbs, one his mother would often explorers, history buffs. But we’ve cite: “Where there is no vision, the also got to have the amenities you’d people perish.” Jennifer Tice and her crew need, the types of retail businesses “That admonition in the Bible is at Mama Carol’s dish out for them to come and stay and spend true, but it needs an additional comhome-cooked meals seven money.” ponent,” he said. “And that is persedays a week. The planned I-69 which one day verance. You can’t just have a vision, may pass just north of town certainly and it happens; you’ve got to want could help make more people aware it to happen, and you have to perof Arkansas City, but Moore sees the severe. There is no throwing in the town’s future as totally independent of it. towel. You just have to keep coming.” “If Arkansas City reaches the potential that I hope it will, Moore has been pitching Arkansas City for more than 25 hopefully in my lifetime, we’ve got to have some entrepreyears. People always asked him why he did it. “A big, long neurs with vision come down and began to put the basic restretch limousine is gonna pull up to the four-way stop one tail infrastructure that people not only expect but demand.” day. Somebody will roll down the window, look around, and say, ‘I think I want to buy this town,’” was always his whimsy*** soaked reply. Arkansas City refuses to slip away into the Mississippi Riv“And I’m still looking for that limo,” he said. “I believe, in er mud, much like Napoleon, the county’s original seat situsome fashion, it’s gonna happen.”

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SERVANT’S HEART:

HALES DEDICATED TO ARKANSAS CITY BY LINDSEY CASTRELLON

ayor Rick Hales’ dedication to Arkansas City is richer than the Delta soil on which it stands. Hailed as a local hero of sorts, Hales is Arkansas City’s resident jack of all trades, regularly juggling his duties as mayor with local historic preservation and resurrection efforts, inn-keeping and serving as Director of Community Partnerships for Aristotle Communications. Born and raised in Monticello, Hales has strong ties to the Delta region and considers himself a “life-long member of the southeast Visitors to Arkansas City will not Arkansas community.” want for wi-fi connections, thanks His passion for preservto Hale and Aristotle. ing the rich history and landscape of the region is what brought Hales to Arkansas City in the first place. But history wasn’t Hales’ first love. As a child, Hales was fascinated with electronics — CB radios, antennas — and communications in general. That, combined with the fact that he served in the U.S. military, confirms that he has a true appreciation for details. He began working with satellite dishes back in 1979, when they were “big dishes.” Then, in an effort to join together his passions for a greater purpose, while working as a technology consultant, Hales assisted in the deployment of a fixed wireless network to provide internet service to unserved businesses and homes in south Arkansas. From there, he began working to develop a broadband network design that would cover the footprint of the Delta Regional Authority. In 2018, Hales embarked on a historic preservation effort focused on owning and preserving several once-prominent establishments located in the heart of the town, known as the Arkansas City Commercial District. The district, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, includes two of the oldest surviving commercial buildings in Arkansas City, Cotham Drug Store and Red Star Grocery. Both charming, two-story brick buildings were built in the early 1900s, and face the levee to the southeast which is an important part of the town’s history. It wasn’t long after Hales began devoting much of his time and effort to Arkansas City that his dedication to the advancement of the area hit a milestone. In November of 2018, Hales was elected mayor. Although humbled by the accolade, he did not rest on his laurels. Instead, Hales used the gifted authority to his advantage. His position helped him lead the way to bring cell phone coverage (via AT&T) and broadband to Arkansas City, the Desha County seat. ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

Hales joined Aristotle Unified Communications in April 2020. The Little Rock-based broadband internet service provider is committed to bringing broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities. Hales was in good company. Aristotle is one of Arkansas’ largest privately-owned broadband network, which currently spans more than 6,100 square miles of Arkansas, with a major emphasis in the Arkansas Delta. Hales and Aristotle have joined forces and get closer every day to bridging the Hales is happy Delta’s digital living the divide. And “levee life.” Hales’ commitment to Arkansas City and the Delta region won’t stop there. He has big dreams, not only to build up the region to a prosperous state, but to go beyond and turn the area into a statewide leader in the technology, entertainment and hospitality industries as well. One thing is for certain, however — through it all, Hales is sure to remain humble and grateful. He is a man whose actions speak for him. And he comes by it honestly. “When I look at all of this on paper, it looks pretty hard to believe,” he said. “I consider myself as nothing more than a servant to the needs of my fellow man in honor of Jesus Christ. I was raised by a great Christian mother and father, who were a perfect example of hard-working, blue-collar Americans. “They raised me to love my neighbor, be faithful to my word and above all, never have an enemy. I love my mother’s words, ‘If you have time to talk about someone, you have time to pray for them.’ Then she’d take my hand, and we’d pray for them. It was not optional. Her actions spoke way more than her words. I believe that in the end, the relationships that we build are all that we truly own on this earth.” 115

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TRANSPORTATION/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

IS OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING FOR FUTURE

I-69 IN ARKANSAS? By Mark Carter

ast month’s passage of the $1 trillion federal infrastructure package could help advance the planned Interstate 69 corridor, which includes 184 miles through south Arkansas, a little closer to fruition and maybe even fund a proposed crossing of the Mississippi River in Desha County. The I-69 corridor entails 2,700 miles of NAFTA superhighway from Laredo, Texas, to Port Huron, Mich. Roughly 900 miles of it (interstate grade two- and four-lane passages) are open, including 42 miles in Arkansas. Yet it will likely be a while before anyone drives I-69 from the Mexican border to Canada. The current total cost for the completed corridor is estimated to be between $35 billion and $40 billion. According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), cost estimates related to I-69 in Arkansas come in at $3.9 billion. That includes the state’s share of the planned $1.9 billion Great River Bridge over the Mississippi just north of Arkansas City in Desha County. Although the feds now have a specified till with which to work, the wheels of bureaucracy move slowly, and there are thousands of potential landing plates across the country for pieces of that $1 trillion pie. However, two factors could expedite funding for the Arkansas portions of I-69 and the river crossing: the New Madrid Fault and specific components of the federal infrastructure bill

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that specify funds for bridges. Arkansas State Highway Commission Chairman Robert Moore believes the Great River Bridge could help alleviate a potential national security issue. Currently, there are just two interstate crossings of the Mississippi between Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Vicksburg, Miss., both at Memphis. Moore said the nation’s transportation network needs alternate interstate

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crossings, the closing of the I-40 bridge at Memphis earlier this year an example of the havoc native to a major bridge closing. In a June letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, he cited the I-40 closing and stressed the prudence of an interstate crossing outside the New Madrid Fault Line, which has become one of the country’s most active seismic zones. The New Madrid Seismic Zone ex-

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tends roughly from the mid-Arkansas Delta, northward through east Tennessee and the Missouri bootheel into western Kentucky and southern Illinois. Little Rock, Memphis, Louisville and St. Louis are cities expected to be greatly impacted by a major quake along the New Madrid line. And chances are, a big one is coming. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates a 25 percent to 40 percent chance of an earthquake registering a magnitude of 6.0 or greater on the Richter scale along

the New Madrid fault within the next 50 years. Furthermore, it estimates a 7 percent to 10 percent “probability” within that same time frame of a repeat of the earthquakes that rocked the upper Mississippi Delta in the winter of 1811-12 and gave the fault line its name. That series of quakes, lasting from December 1811 to February 1812, peaked with a magnitude of 8.6 on Feb. 12, felt

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portation system.” Moore said the infrastructure package includes several discretionary grant programs through which Arkansas and Mississippi could jointly seek I-69 bridge funding. These include a $9 million bridge grant providing up to $700 million per year, and a $5 billion megaproject grant for projects that equal or exceed $500 million. Responding to Moore on behalf of Buttigieg, Federal Highway Administration Acting Administrator Stephanie Pollack cited the two grant programs as possibilities for I-69 bridge funding. Moore sees a future I-69 bridge as an essential component to the integrity of the nation’s supply chain. “For our national security, having a major interstate crossing across the Mississippi River outside the New Madrid Fault Zone should be a high priority, in my personal opinion,” he told Arkansas Money & Politics. “And that’s not pie in the sky; that’s factual. It’s factual information that needs to be considered. I-69 has unique importance to our No bridge, no I-69: A rendering of national security.” the proposed Great River Bridge which would connect Arkansas Other than actually and Mississippi with the Arkansas cashing the check, all approach just north of Arkansas City. that’s left for Arkansas to (ARDOT) do is begin work on the roughly 16-mile bridge approach from Highway 65 at McGehee in southeastern mobility and economy,” Moore wrote to Arkansas. Unlike its counterpart in MisButtigieg. “While these circumstances sissippi, the Arkansas approach is shovelmake clear the need for a third crossing ready, Moore said. The current estimated in the Memphis metropolitan area, a retotal cost of the bridge is $1.9 billion, but dundant crossing of the Mississippi River the assessed cost for Arkansas’ much lonoutside of the New Madrid seismic zone ger portion is $1.3 billion. would seem prudent for the future. Approaches on both sides of the “The proposed Interstate 69 crossing bridge will connect Highway 65 at Mcbetween Arkansas and Mississippi would Gehee with Highway 1 in Benoit, Miss. provide this redundancy which would This stretch represents “SIU 12” in the enhance the safety of our nation’s transas far away as Connecticut. The first two quakes on Dec. 16 topped out at 8.2, each with epicenters in northeast Arkansas. Fortunately, the region was sparsely populated at the time; similar events today would almost certainly cause catastrophic damage. “While the unfortunate situation on Interstate 40 across the Mississippi River brings to light the importance of our transportation system, it also points out the need for more interstate crossings of major waterways to protect our nation’s

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specifically McGehee, Monticello and the “Golden Triangle” of El Dorado, Camden and Magnolia. Desha County Judge Richard Tindall is optimistic that an I-69 corridor through southeast Arkansas will help shine a light on a region that’s been overlooked as industrial growth took root in other parts of the state. Rough estimates anticipate 24,000 vehicles a day through south Arkansas via I-69. Tindall thinks this exposure could help more people discover regional treasures such as Delta Heritage Trail State Park. Its 84-mile trail from Lexa in Phillips County to Arkansas City in Desha County is now scheduled for completion by 2025 thanks to a $20 million matching grant from the Walton Family Foundation. In addition to opening up A map of the entire I-69 footprint. Sections in red are the area for tourism, complete interstate-quality stretches, sections in blue are planned extensions and sections in pink remain in the the trail is expected planning stages or need more work. (ARDOT) to create roughly 600 new jobs. “For a county that’s losing population, you could always use something that brings I-69 master plan. Like pieces of a puzzle, new construction on the first two lanes of more people to the area,” he said. “I don’t “SIUs” are sections of independent utili- what ultimately will be a 17-mile stretch see a negative. It’ll create new businesses ty, designed to function independently of of interstate from State Highway 278 in Monticello to U.S. Highway 65 in McGeand bring more people who otherwise other sections, and the entire I-69 project hee. This will tie into a previously comwouldn’t have come.” includes 32 of them. Dan Flowers, former director of what Elsewhere across the I-69 footprint in pleted two-lane stretch from Highway is now ARDOT and considered one of Arkansas, previously allocated federal 425 to 278. The new construction through south the state’s go-to authorities on all things funds will cover the cost of planned new highway-related, heads the nonprofit Arconstruction. The state is scheduled to Arkansas is expected to deliver economic kansas I-69 Coalition, which advocates begin accepting bids in the summer for development opportunities to the region,

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for corridor funding in the state. He believes I-69 through southern Arkansas would represent a potential economic boon. “It would be a tremendous benefit to our state,” he said. “There are so many industries that need that interstate access. An interstate like this would attract a lot of economic development.” In Arkansas, SIU 13 in the I-69 plan entails the portion of the future interstate running west from McGehee to U.S. Highway 167 at El Dorado — of which some work has been completed — and SIU 14 takes the project

Two sections of the I-69 corridor — Indianapolis to Memphis and Laredo to Texarkana — have been deemed “corridors of national significance,” and state officials hope the Great River Bridge

I-40 and Highway 22 are $787 million, with the planned bridge just south of Alma accounting for nearly half of it. As for I-69, the bridge over the Mississippi and another over the Ohio River towards the northern end of the corridor — for which construction has begun — are essential. Without them, there’s no corridor. The bridge has been designed and

One section of interstate highway south of Memphis has already been designated I-69. Dan Flowers

For our national security, having a major interstate crossing across the Mississippi River outside the New Madrid Fault Zone should be a high priority. across the Louisiana border to Interstate 20 at Haughton. SIU 28, meanwhile, will extend Interstate 530 at Pine Bluff south to connect with the future 69 at Wilmar, just west of Monticello. Technically, it’s currently open to traffic via Arkansas Highway 28. The infrastructure bill covers funding for the federal fiscal years 2022-26. It allocates $3.6 billion for highway-related projects and $278 million for bridges in Arkansas with $296 million in federal earmarks already designated. Plus, Amendment 101 passed by voters last year will provide $150 million in discretionary funding for new construction related to 69. State officials expect to receive about $3.9 billion in all.

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will be as well. Of course, I-69 is competing with projects from across the country including others in Arkansas for federal infrastructure funding, and Moore is a pitch man for all those Arkansas projects. A planned extension of I-49 at Alma would take the interstate south across the Arkansas River into southern Sebastian County at Highway 22. Also on the drawing board is I-57 from Little Rock north to Missouri. Eventually, I-49 will run the length of the state’s western flank, connecting Kansas City to I-10 in south Louisiana. And the only way to complete the I-49 corridor in Arkansas is through a new interstate crossing of the Arkansas River. Cost estimates for the 13.6 miles between

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right-of-way secured for the Arkansas approach for some time, Flowers said. “It all would require just a little bit of updating if we had the money today.” Meanwhile, the waiting game continues. Without federal funding, the I-69 bridge will remain in the planning stage. “The bridge is the key to the corridor,” Moore said. Infrastructure funds will have to be distributed to outstretched hands across the country at some point, and state officials think there’s at least a chance some could find their way to the Delta. But Moore noted that the I-69 project in Arkansas now has one thing it hasn’t seen much of before — opportunity.

D EC E M B E R 2021

Giving theGift of the Outdoors

he popularity of stocking stuffers has necessitated the small gifts as borderline requirements during the holiday season. Sure, the large presents will always win the day — a diamond pendant for her, a new pitching wedge for him, or the latest gaming console for the kiddos. But the mantel ought also be dangling boot-looking gift holsters, filled to the brim with lagniappes of all varieties. And everyone has a supposed guide to stuffing your loved one’s stockings, from Country Living to the New York Times. A virtual trip to Amazon will even feature a seasonal

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subcategory on its homepage centered around the fireplace hangers, “Best Stocking Stuffers 2021.” But there’s something missing from nearly all of these idea lists, something that will reward you with much more appreciation from your recipient than tabletop bowling or a coffee mug warmer: the gift of the outdoors. Fortunately for us Arkansas folk, we live in a Natural State that is rife with opportunities for outside entertainment, and we have the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) from which to give and get our gifts from — both literally and figuratively.

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HUNTING LICENSES We’ve gone without a lot of our usual traditions this year, but hunting was not one of those things. It roared back into scope last month while both deer and duck hunters breathed a collective sigh of relief. While the hunter in your life is perched silently in a blind or waist-deep in a frigid pond, there’s no better time to ensure a next season for them than by getting a jump start on a 2022 hunting license. For enthusiasts under the age of 16, the fee is free; you need only obtain an officially licensed ID for them on AGFC.com (which is also free). For everyone else, there is a wide range of options to stocking stuff. There’s the Resident Sportsman’s License ($25), which allows the holder to hunt with modern gun, muzzleloader or bow, and also includes two turkey tags and six deer tags; a waterfowl stamp ($7), which entitles all holders of hunting licenses to skyward prey; or even a Nonexpiring Lifetime Resident Hunting and Fishing Sportsman’s Permit ($1,000), providing both hunting and fishing licenses for life. Visit agfc.com/ en/resources/licensing/huntinglicenses/ for more information.

FISHING LICENSES The art of angling has played out similarly to that of hunting this year; as most of the events inside four walls became causes for health concerns, activities spent with Mother Nature were given the green light. The AGFC offers a plethora of fishing license options, such as the general, Resident Fisheries Conservation License ($10.50), entitling Arkansans to fish with sport fishing tackle; a Resident Trout Permit can be tacked on ($10) to fish and retain those species; or a Combination Sportsman’s License ($35.50), providing the privileges of both the generic hunting and fishing licenses. Visit agfc.com/en/resources/licensing/fishinglicenses/ for more information.

COMMERCIAL LICENSES Outside of the standard-issue fare, the Commission also offers various Commercial Licenses, such as a Resident Fur Dealer ($50); Resident Trapper’s Permit (free); Wildlife Breeder/Dealer’s Permit ($75); Commercial Wildlife Hunting Resort Permit ($600); and the Game Bird Shooting Resort Permit ($250). Visit agfc.com/en/resources/licensing/ commercial-licenses/ for more information.

THE GIFT OF GIVING

The best part about giving the gift of the outdoors is that you are essentially buying two presents — one for the recipient, the other for the AGFC. Only a small segment of the Commission’s annual budget comes from the Conservation Sales Tax implemented in 1996. For the remaining sums, the AGFC has to pool resources from a variety of mediums, including a sizable share from licenses. But recently, those monies have fallen into a consistent decline. Over the past five years, fishing license sales have decreased significantly, from 519,816 to 432,505. Hunting licenses tell a similar tale. With each license sold, the Commission can fulfill its vital mission — to protect, conserve and renew the many resources that make up our Natural State, ensuring that outdoor enthusiasts of all types have bountiful opportunities available to them, from this generation to the next. So, step outside the box this holiday season and give the gift of the outdoors. Like cousin Eddie says in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, “That’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.” A ARM O ON NE E YA YA ND ND P PO OL L II T T II C CS S .COM .COM ARM

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THE DIGS OF THE DEAL By Katie Zakrzewski

PEEL MANSION MUSEUM and HERITAGE GARDENS B

entonville has become a booming business town in an economically rich corner of the state. But the richness of Bentonville’s history and influence goes back as far as 1875 with the construction of the Peel Mansion Museum and Heritage Gardens. And it’s the stories etched into the walls of the mansion that continue to shape the legal, political and business sectors across Bentonville today. Samuel West Peel had an unusual youth. From the original Carroll County seat of Carrollton, Peel lived with his grandparents after his mother died when he was young, though he went on to work in his father’s store and as a deputy court clerk. Peel married Mary Emaline Berry in 1853, and the couple had nine children. Not much is known about Peel’s early life, but when he entered the Confederate Army in 1861, Private Peel finally found his niche, climbing the ranks of the South’s military.

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As the war ended, Colonel Peel returned to his home in Carrollton to find the family home burned down, a war casualty. Peel had no home, and the career he had launched before the war that had brought him joy had come to an end. More importantly, Peel still had a large family to care for. Following his family’s urging, Peel decided to study law under his brother-in-law, Judge James Middleton Pittman. In 1865, Peel passed the bar and began practicing law in Carrollton before moving his family in 1867 to Bentonville, where he continued to practice law. In 1873, after successful legal work, Peel was appointed by then Gov. Elisha Baxter to be the prosecuting attorney of the Fourth Judicial District of Arkansas, a position he held until 1876. In 1875, the construction of the Peel Mansion was complete. The Peel Mansion, an extravagant display of architecture, was built for

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the large and growing family. Peel promised his wife that the mansion would be incredible and remind her of her childhood home in Alabama. He made good on his promise. The 14-room-home has many interesting design features, including a central, hipped-roof tower, offset corner quoins, large arched windows and eight fireplaces. The house is adorned with a rare Anglo-Japanese mantel in the library, as well as a peculiar Greek Revival molded trim in the parlor. With high ceilings and dazzling chandeliers, the Peel Mansion boasts design and decor that are rich with Victorian Era extravagance. Lucie Patton, the senior marketing manager at the Peel Compton Foundation, said records indicate that there was also a large apple orchard on the property. “We still have apple trees on the property today,” Patton said. In 1883, Peel was elected to the U.S.

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The home (inset, circa 1900) is believed to have served as the meeting place for many prominent politicians and lawmakers. (Photos provided)

House of Representatives, the first native Arkansan to be elected to the position. He would serve for the next decade. While in Congress, Peel chaired the “Committee on Indian Affairs.” His home is believed to have served as the meeting place for many prominent politicians and lawmakers. Tribal councils frequently met on the front lawn of his mansion. When his wife died in 1902, Peel moved out shortly after. For the next eight decades, the home struggled to find a steady owner, changing hands frequently. Several of the owners who acquired the mansion worked on restoring it. One was Mike Murphy. Murphy and his mother ran Peel Mansion Interiors, a local business, out of the house and spent much of their profit margin on restoration. In 1991, Walmart bought the Peel Mansion, donating it to the Peel House Foundation in February 1992. The Peel House Foundation, now the Peel

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Compton Foundation, began to repair and restore the mansion. Since 1992, an outdoor museum of historic roses, perennials and native plants has been added. These native gardens, beautiful pathways and large shade trees recreate the 19th-century appearance of the property. Now, the Peel Mansion serves as a location for parties, weddings, club meetings and fundraising events. The property displays a host of artifacts and historical touchstones from the Victorian Era. Patton said the foundation’s mission is to connect the community through nature, preservation and communication. To reach this goal, the Peel Museum hosts a large fundraiser every year in early December, called “Christmas at the Peel Museum.” “This fundraiser is a really immersive opportunity with a choir and different stations throughout the mansion. Dinner is provided; there are

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special cocktails, and it’s a great time of the year to see this space,” she said. Patton said the fundraiser represents an excellent way to connect locally with Arkansans, grow the nonprofit and allow people to see the beauty of the Peel Mansion at Christmas time. The museum also is home to a store where locally made goods are sold. The Peel Mansion’s history and beauty continue to attract Arkansans and diverse groups seeking to immerse themselves in Arkansas’ past while meeting with friends and coworkers and holding celebrations. Samuel Peel, and the Peel Mansion Museum and Heritage Gardens that came after him, have seen a plethora of legal and political Arkansas history. From the front yard to the parlor, the Peel Museum and its inhabitants have shaped the faces of Northwest Arkansas as well as local and national politics, for more than a century.

D EC E M B E R 2021

POLITICS

GET TO KNOW THE CANDIDATES JESSE GIBSON, TIM GRIFFIN, LEON JONES, JOSH PRICE By AMP Staff

Each month through the primary elections in May, AMP will visit with the candidates for Arkansas’ constitutional and federal offices in 2022. This month, we are featuring Democratic Secretary of State candidate Josh Price as well as the three candidates seeking to replace Leslie Rutledge as the state’s Attorney General: Republicans Tim Griffin and Leon Jones and Democrat Jesse Gibson. Each month through May, a different group of candidates will be featured.

ATTORNEY GENERAL Tim Griffin (R) is the current Arkansas Lieutenant Governor. He was elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. The Magnolia native represented Arkansas’ Second District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011-15 and served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas from 2006-07. He is a graduate of Hendrix College and Tulane Law School. AMP: Why are you running? Griffin: I’m running for attorney general because Arkansas needs effective, conservative leadership during these unpredictable times. With all that is happening in Washington, D.C., we need an attorney general who will push back against federal overreach, particularly from the Biden-Harris administration. Washington will continue to encroach more and more on the affairs of the states unless attorneys general push back and stand up for Arkansans. We also have a crisis with police in this country, and I intend to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with and support the brave men and women in law enforcement who serve our state. The far left has done our nation a tremendous disservice by eroding public support for our police and in some cases even trying to defund them. Police morale is at an all-time low at the same time that violent crime is spiking. I’ll make sure our police are properly supported, both in word and deed. Third, we need to keep violent criminals off our streets. Violent crime is rising all across the country, and Arkansas is no exception. We are at a 30-year high for violent crime statewide, and Little Rock is experiencing its deadliest year in a decade. Part of the problem is our parole system is broken and needs fixing. The number of crimes committed in Arkansas by criminals out on parole is a scandal and must be addressed immediately. DEC E M BER 2 02 1

We should never let dangerous criminals out of prison simply because we don’t have enough bed space. I’ll work with partners in the nonprofit space to reduce recidivism and work with our legislature to make sure our laws better reflect truth in sentencing. AMP: What do you bring to the field? Griffin: First, I’m the only conservative in this race. My conservative views reflect the views and values of Arkansas voters, and I have a voting record and a track record of bold conservative leadership to back that up. On issues ranging from the right to life and Second Amendment to tax relief and cutting wasteful spending, my record is solidly conservative. For example, I made the case for getting rid of our state income tax when no one else was, and now it is Republican orthodoxy in Arkansas. Secondly, I believe my experience sets me apart from the other candidates. I’m prepared to step into this job on day one, and I won’t need any training wheels. I’ve been a U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. I also served in Congress on the House Ways and Means Committee and as Deputy Whip. As lieutenant governor for the past eight years, I’ve reduced my staff by over 50 percent and reduced my own budget. I currently serve as a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve; I’ve commanded troops and have served as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer for over 25 years. I’ll draw on all those experiences and leverage them to benefit our state as attorney general. AMP: What’s the biggest issue right now pertaining to the AG’s office? Griffin: It’s a combination of pushing back on federal overreach in Washington and keeping our communities safe here in Arkansas. Washington tends to try and take more and more power away from the states regardless of which president is in office, but it’s especially pressing with Joe Biden in the White House because so many issues are potentially affected including the Second Amendment, religious freedom and overly burdensome regulation in areas like energy and agriculture. 1 24

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Public safety is also at the forefront of people’s minds because of the rise in violent crime we’re seeing across the nation. We need to strengthen and support the law enforcement profession, and we need to keep violent criminals off our streets. We need more truth in sentencing, and we need to reform our broken parole system. AMP: Where is your favorite travel location in Arkansas? Griffin: I love taking a weekend trip to Hot Springs. My wife and I were married there, and we have roots in that area. I enjoy Leon Jones Jr. (R) is a seventh-generation Arkansan, born and raised in Pine Bluff. In 2015, Leon was appointed as Director of the Arkansas Department of Labor. Four years later, he was appointed as Executive Director of the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission. He is the owner of Eden Salt Studio in Little Rock, an attorney and the former Director of the Arkansas Department of Labor. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, where he received both his undergraduate and law degrees. Leon’s brother is 2022 gubernatorial candidate Chris Jones.

AMP: Why are you running? Jones: For three main reasons. I’m a public servant at heart and have served on state and local boards for over 20 years. I’m a proven leader and introduced innovative technology at the Department of Labor to cut down on time and increase efficiency. I’ve partnered with businesses throughout the state. I’m a fiscal conservative and believe that the Republican Party has the best answers for today’s problems.

spending time there on the lake, and Hot Springs is home to some of my favorite restaurants in the state. AMP: What is your favorite Arkansas restaurant? Griffin: It’s really hard to pick just one. Our state is blessed with some great Southern food. Some of my all-time favorites include Jones BBQ in Marianna, ZaZa’s in the Heights, 1217 Cafe in Hot Springs, Hugo’s in Fayetteville and Chick-A-Dilly in Magnolia. One of the best parts about running for office statewide is you get to try new restaurants in every county. forcement. The issue I’ve seen people express concern over is how to work with law enforcement on a county level. I want to work on the ground in each county because each county has different issues. We need a localized approach to different problems, and we need to efficiently work with law enforcement on all levels. AMP: Where is your favorite travel location in Arkansas? Jones: Mount Magazine. My wife and I have been up there almost every year since we got married. We’ll rent a cabin and cook right there overlooking the mountains, enjoying the fresh air and jumping in the hot tubs. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to in Arkansas, and I grew up in the South and in the delta. Mount Magazine offers something for everybody. AMP: What is your favorite Arkansas restaurant? Jones: My favorite is Lindsey’s Hospitality BBQ in North Little Rock. They make the best barbeque and fried chicken, other than in my own house.

AMP: What do you bring to the field? Jones: I’ve run two state agencies, so I understand budgeting, personnel manning and the difficulties of running these offices and divisions. You have to manage personalities as well as budgets and juggle different budgets and revenues. I can bring that knowledge to the Attorney General’s office. I also have the leadership experience needed for this position, after leading multiple organizations.

AMP: What’s the biggest issue right now pertaining to the AG’s office? Jones: I have visited and campaigned in every county in the state, and I’ve spoken to around 50 Republican committees since January. I’ve talked to local leaders and business leaders. People want to be able to get in touch with staff at the Attorney General’s office. The attorney general is the chief legal officer of the state and can pool resources and tools to help law en-

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D EC E M B E R 2021

POLITICS Jesse Gibson (D) was born and raised in Lead Hill and is a private practice attorney at Gibson Law Firm in Little Rock. A University of Arkansas graduate, he received his law degree from the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law. He chairs the Little Rock Parks and Recreation Commission and serves on the board of the University of Arkansas Bar Association. AMP: Why are you running? Gibson: I am running to be our next attorney general because I have seen the suffering of Arkansans up close, and I believe we can do better. I have sat across the table from the nicest people who have had their worst days. People who have suffered loss. People who have suffered despair. People who need help. And I’ve seen how an experienced and dedicated attorney can help alleviate that suffering, even if just a little bit. Therein lies the great untapped potential of the Attorney General’s office. Most people’s interaction with the law isn’t in the halls of state government. Most people experience the law in courtrooms around the state or when it impacts their daily lives. The Arkansas Attorney General can impact and improve the lives of Arkansans every day by focusing less on politics and personal advancement and more on working for the taxpayers of this state. I grew tired of waiting on the politicians to finally figure out what matters and decided to run for attorney general. This work gives me purpose. My mom taught us that faith means grace, forgiveness and understanding. Every one of us deserves safety, dignity and a way to make amends. AMP: What needs to be done differently in the AG’s office? Gibson: First and foremost, the attorney general should never utilize taxpayer funds to run television or radio ads to further his or her political career under the guise of “public service announcements.” The rule of law should govern all decisions made by the attorney general. Not political calculation or personal opportunity. Every candidate for attorney general this year and in the future should sign a written pledge not to abuse taxpayer dollars for their own political ambitions in that way. I will be the first in line to do so.

regardless of political party, we aren’t very different. We want the same thing in the Attorney General’s office: an advocate for the people. I’m a Democrat because I believe we have to put people before politicians, before corrupt corporations and big tech. If you disagree with those values, and you believe that politicians, corporations and big tech should have more power and influence in our state and country, then I’m not for you. People are going to have to make a choice about the future of our state — career politicians or someone who will keep watch on the politicians and uphold our values. There will be a clear contrast next November about the direction of the Attorney General’s office. More of the same, or a different and bolder vision. AMP: What distinguishes your candidacy? Gibson: There are certain things that I am, and certain things that I’m not. I am not a career politician. I am not someone who is interested in business as usual or finding a temporary landing spot in state government. I am an experienced attorney, having practiced law for almost a quarter century in courtrooms all across Arkansas. I am an advocate for equal access to justice for all, having fought to protect Arkansans from draconian constitutional amendments that would impair their ability to seek justice and put an arbitrary price on the value of life. I am active and engaged in the ongoing process of improving our legal system for the benefit of Arkansans through my leadership in multiple legal organizations. I am the only candidate for attorney general who can make these claims. Everything about the Attorney General’s Office is in lockstep with how I have dedicated my professional life to serving our state as an attorney. I believe every kid from every corner of Arkansas, from rural Lead Hill to downtown Little Rock, should know they can grow up to be an attorney or even the attorney general if they value the laws of our state and our nation.

ARKANSAS ELECTION DATES 2022

AMP: These days, it seems especially tough for Democrats to win statewide office. How do you overcome that hurdle? Gibson: As I travel across the state, I don’t find many people who are excited or feel positive about the direction of our state. Whether they are Republicans, Democrats or Independents, they know Arkansas will do better if our politics more closely resembled our kitchen-table Arkansas values than it does the dysfunction in Washington. And as people learn more about me, where I come from and what I believe, I think they will see that DEC E M BER 2 02 1

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Early voting begins for general election

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General election

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General runoff elections

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SECRETARY OF STATE Josh Price (D) of Maumelle is a former Pulaski County Election Commissioner, current small business consultant and advocate for voting rights. A seventh-generation Arkansan, Price was born in southwest Arkansas. He previously served as the sole Democrat Election Commissioner for Pulaski County, helping oversee Arkansas’ largest county’s elections. In 2016, he founded the Asian American Pacific Islander Democratic Caucus of Arkansas. He is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas. AMP: Why are you running? Price: I’m running for secretary of state to protect the voting rights of all Arkansans. Voting is not a Democrat or Republican issue – it’s a sacred American right. Every eligible Arkansan, no matter their race, background or location in the state, deserves to be able to vote conveniently, and their votes should have fair consideration. Republican politicians are making it harder for people to vote and are manipulating election systems to protect their power. We need a secretary of state who will fight their efforts. I will use my experience of running elections to ensure all elections are run fairly and smoothly, and that Arkansas finally has standard statewide election procedures. While on the Pulaski County Election Commission, I saw 1,500 mail-in ballots get rejected for simple human errors like a missing apartment number or ZIP code, or the voter signed their signature with their first initial and last name instead of using their full name even though you could tell their handwriting was the same. There was an 85-year old woman whose ballot was rejected for a mismatched signature even though she had notarized letters from her doctor and her husband explaining that she recently had a severe stroke. No one wants there to be voter fraud but any way you look at it, this isn’t right and not in the spirit of the law. A lot of our rural counties have had their polling places “consolidated” to just a few locations to save costs. I was just in Yell County, and found that their 25 locations have been reduced down to only 11. I’m originally from Delight in Pike County, which is down to four polling locations for the whole county. In both these counties, some folks have to drive upwards of 30 miles just to be able to exercise their American right to vote. Some of my goals and plans as secretary of state include: Keeping local and rural polling locations open to make voting more convenient; increased voter registration; voter education: where, when and how to vote (in-person or mail-in ballot); voter information; voter vans; partnership with library system bookmobiles to register voters, update voter addresses, last names ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

and signatures and provide free photo IDs; advocate for online voter registration; advocate for the formation of an independent nonpartisan redistricting committee to create fair legislative maps that properly represent all our Arkansas communities. AMP: What are some ways that your prior political experience gives you an advantage? Price: The primary role of the secretary of state is to oversee elections, and I am the only candidate in this race with experience running elections and fighting Republican politicians’ attempts to make it harder to vote. When I served as a Pulaski County Election Commissioner, I expanded voter access by opening additional early voting locations, replaced 20-year-old voting machines, helped write our county’s COVID-19 safety protocols and personally recruited and trained hundreds of poll workers during the pandemic. I also served on the Biden-Harris Democracy Reform Committee and specifically on the Election Administration Subcommittee. I know how to run large elections smoothly and fairly. AMP: What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment? Price: My greatest accomplishment is one that created a large impact for the people of Arkansas — helping defeat a bill that would have eliminated early voting the Monday before Election Day and shortened early voting hours overall. Earlier this year, Republicans in the state legislature repeatedly tried to pass SB485 which was designed to curtail early voting and each time, I fought hard against it in committee. The press dubbed it the “Zombie Voter Suppression Bill” because every time I and other voting rights advocates defeated it in committee, Republicans brought it back to life. I spoke against this bill five separate times. Finally, we successfully killed this horrible bill. Knowing that we protected the rights of the 58,000 Arkansas voters who cast their ballot on that Monday for the last 25 years was one of the greatest achievements of my life, and also proved to me that when a small group of passionate citizens show up and speak out against injustice, they can accomplish anything, even if the odds are against them. The 2021 Arkansas Mental Health Guide magazine is out now. Visit armentalhealthguide.com. Arkansas

Mental Health Guide

AY Media Group’s Arkansas Mental Health Guide includes valuable information, a resource directory, stories featuring individuals who’ve overcome mental health challenges and more.

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D EC E M B E R 2021

THE LAST WORD

GARTH BROOKS AND COMING FULL CIRCLE IN FAYETTEVILLE By Mark Carter

he idiom, “full circle,” the internet says, probably originated with Skakespeare, which might help explain why I had to wonder about its origin. (In high school, I tended to zone out when we got around to Shakespeare, relying on my good buddy, Cliff Notes, to fill me in on little things like plot details.) But it’s speculated that Shakespeare coined the phrase in King Lear — “The wheel is come full circle” — referencing the Roman goddess of fortune, Fortuna, who turned a great…all together now…wheel of fortune. And the phrase came to mind recently, the Friday after Thanksgiving in Fayetteville specifically. So many of my best early memories are of the family trekking up the Pig Trail, the Arkansas Griswolds en route to their own Wally World, Razorback Stadium. Oftentimes, there was Tontitown for supper afterwards; back in those days, Razorback Stadium hosted afternoon games only. And every time we were up big early in the fourth quarter against a Tulsa or Rice, Dad had us sprinting out of the stadium to the car so we could beat the traffic. I think the fastest I ever saw him move was one of these games. I’m more grateful for those memories than Dad probably realizes. Of course, there were more important lessons in the big picture he handed down to his boys — John 3:16; we’re all God’s children, so treat everyone with kindness and respect; be honest and loyal and dependable. Work hard. Lord knows, I’ve fallen short of his example an infinite number of times. I suspect, however, that I exceeded his expectations when it came to Calling the Hogs. Dad, who turned 80 this year, finally gave up his season tickets a few years ago, grandkids spread across the South taking priority, as they should. And though I often had access to his tickets as I grew into a young adult, there were just four tickets and usually way more than four sets of hands outreached for them. So, I became a season ticket holder in my early 30s and remain one today (let’s just say 20-some-odd years later). Couldn’t afford them then and still can’t really, frugality being one of Dad’s lost lessons. But I carried on the tradition. For my boys, the “Razorback tunnel” on what is now I-49 became their Pig Trail. And whenever we crested that last hill past Greenland — Fayetteville and the campus opening up before us like some sacred vista, Old Main standing guard — the Marching Razorbacks took over, CD cued up to the fight song. DEC E M BER 2 02 1

The Friday after Thanksgiving this year was a little different, though: I drove my dad to a Razorback game in Fayetteville. And it was glorious. The outcome of the game, of course, helped. But I’m not sure even a loss — as crushing as it would’ve been — could have dampened the actual experience. I had reminded Dad that I’m a 00:00 guy — meaning I don’t leave ‘til zeroes don the scoreboard at the end of the game. He was totally fine with that. I had warned him about the volume of the piped-in music played pre-game, in between plays… incessantly. Turns out, he enjoyed it. My nephew, who tagged along with us, even took a video of Dad (aka Papa) “gettin’ jiggy” to a hip-hop song I couldn’t identify if my life depended on it. Watching my dad, the Baptist deacon, singing the National Anthem, eyes closed, like he was back in the choir loft and then singing along to “I’ve Got Friends in Low Places” has taken its place atop my Mount Rushmore of memories. (The fact that he knew the words to the latter hasn’t completely sunk in.) We didn’t make it to Tontitown, but we did hit the Catfish Hole in Alma on the way back down. Us, and every other daytripping Arkie, that is. Back in the day, when we didn’t do Tontitown, there was a good chance we’d stop to eat at the old Alamo restaurant in Alma. It was a fitting end to a good day, indeed, a full circle day — the game, stopping to eat in Alma afterwards — and I’m so very grateful for it. The next lesson I hope to take from my dad — stop complaining about the volume and just enjoy the moment, the best way you can. Sure helps when the Hogs win big. 128

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In our January issue, we will recognize our

INFLUENCERS OF THE YEAR FOR 2022. Heather Albright Susan Altrui David Bazzel

This honor is awarded only to the most reputable and distinguished influencers of Arkansas industries. These leaders were nominated by our readers, then voted on and vetted by AMP’s exclusive advisory board, made up of former AMP Influencers.

CONGRATULATIONS to the third annual class of AMP Influencers of the Year:

Sandy Bradley Amber Brewer Will Brewer Marvin Childers William Clark Scott Copas Adora Curry Jessica Flake Dearnley Anne Marie Doramus George Dunklin Bob East Michael Fothergill Jeston George Natalie Ghidotti Sarah Catherine Gutierrez Scott Hamilton Shannon Hendrix Travis Hester Howard Hurst Myron Jackson Joe Jacobs Bill Jones

Tommy Keet Hank Kelley Chris Ladner Steve Landers Laura Landreaux Bobby Martin Larry Middleton Adam Mitchell Matt Mosler Jake Nabholz Shannon Newton Capi Peck Eric Pianalto Greg Ramon Bo Ryall Austin Samuelson Sarah Sanders Wayne Smith Lance Taylor Kirkley Thomas Matt Troup Kathryn Tucker Scott Varady Ryan Watley Darrin Williams

Chris Jones

For more information contact Heather Baker at hbaker@aymag.com

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