Arkansas Money & Politics September 2022

(L Nick Merriweather, Breaux, Loren Marshall Ipsen, Ipsen, Johnson,

Since 1994, Real Estate professional, Tracie J. Kelley, continues to dominate the industry in Central Arkansas from every angle, and her business acumen only prove that point, further!

With a professional team of over 35 members, KellCo Real Estate is driven to deliver exceptional results and unwavering customer service. As President and Chief Executive Officer of KellCo Custom Homes Inc., Energy Air Inc., and KellCo Real Estate Inc., Kelley certainly has the upper hand when providing powerful insights for her clients on any spectrum. “I hold myself, along with my clients, to higher standards and expect to

receive exceptional results.”

If you’re in the market to BUY. SELL. BUILD. DESIGN. RENOVATE. -Tracie J. Kelley and her team has got you covered! An integral part of KellCo Real Estate is Principal Broker, Mary Freeman, who infuses a wealth of knowledge and wisdom into the firm. Mary has served Arkansas since 1984 and delivers outstanding customerTogether,support.theexperts at team KellCo work hard for its clients and delivers only the best at every turn. “Let’s work together and find the right solution for your Real Estate needs,” says Kelley.

SELL. BUILD. DESIGN. RENOVATE.

A HANDSHAKE

As a rm built on relationships, our handshake matters. It means a warm greeting, the privilege of doing business together and knowing you can count on us. A handshake between two brothers, Witt and Jack Stephens, provided the foundation for a family-owned legacy that Jack’s son Warren upholds today. Under Warren’s leadership, Stephens continues to grow as one of America’s largest privately held independent nancial services rms, with of ces throughout the United States and in Europe. Our performance builds relationships with our clients, many of whom have become old friends. It’s why shaking hands with us means just a little bit more.

111 Center Street Little Rock, AR 72201 (800) 643-9691

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CONTRIBUTORS

Jim Cargill, Mark Carter, DeWaine Duncan, Angela Forsyth, Becky Gillette, Dwain Hebda, Mariya Khodakovskaya, Sarah Lane, Ryan Parker

AMP magazine is published monthly, Volume V, Issue 5 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 501-244- 9700. 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 by

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City President Bill Yee was photographed by Ryan Parker at Citizens Bank in Little Rock. Page 40.

FEEDBACK Rubix, public affairs social, cultural announced promotion of Nia McConnell to director of Business Development and Operations.

Kristina Johnson, a University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate student, grant prevention

By Lindsey Castrellon

MY 33-YEAR PLAN

Irecently observed my 33rd birthday.

I say “observed” as opposed to “celebrated” because well, not to be dramatic, but a 33rd birthday just sort of happens. It’s kind of like throwing out that bag of mini sweet peppers sitting in the back of the refrigerator: You know the time is coming. You know it’s not going to be pleasant. You feel slightly ashamed and disappointed about all of the wasted opportunities. Still, on that fateful day, you get the courage to rifle through the bag and salvage what you can before dumping the rest in the trash and moving on with your life.

What was I talking about, again? Oh, right.

So, I had a birthday. And this was the year I realized that all of the best things that have happened to me throughout my life were unplanned.

I can vividly recall sitting down at my dining room table one evening to write out my “five-year plan.” I was 21 years old and had just finished my first four years

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

of college. I was debating on whether to continue on to graduate school and thought mapping it all out could help me in making my final decision.

1. Find a job that pays 100k a year; 2. Get married; 3. Buy a house; 4. Get a Corgi; 5. Be happy.

Fast forward 12 years, and while I’m not making 100k a year, I am getting paid to do what I love. I did get married, just not to the person I was dating at the time.

COUNT ME IN

Change was the theme of our August issue of AMP, but this month, we’d like to focus on the things we count on to always stay the same. From hometown banking to the State Fair to, of course, football — some things are perfect just the way they are.

We’ll take a look at how Arkansas banks such as Signature and Citizens are managing to maintain all the charm of a local bank while growing and expanding at a corporate rate. And we’ve got a new batch of AMP’s Best Financial Advisors, from which we handpicked five of the best to give us a look inside the industry trends and offer a few helpful tips along the way.

We’re also applauding our 2022 class of Women in Banking, all of whom prove on a daily basis that women have what it takes to not only make it in the financial world, but to make it thrive.

Speaking of thriving, this issue ushers in our first-ever list of “40 in Their Forties,” a group of

Buy a house – in this economy? And as a now mother of two, I can proudly say that kids were nowhere on the list. I did get that Corgi, though.

So, from here on out, I’m planning on not planning at all. Sure, I’ll continue to work hard and hope for the best, but I find I do my best work through improvisation. Gloria Steinem once said, “Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” And who am I to argue with that?

By Heather Baker

tried-and-true business professionals who are in the prime of their careers. We’re all about giving credit where it’s due. So often, we see the young bucks being celebrated for all they’re slated to achieve, and rightfully so, but this one is for the leaders who are at the age where they can say they’ve made it. From young to old, from the novice to the veteran, we’re all about giving credit where it’s Ondue.that

note, The Little Rock Touchdown Club turned 18 this year, and we’re admiring how the program has grown to be one of the most successful Touchdown Clubs in the country. And as always, Katie Zakrzewski takes us through the “digs of the deal” with the Bank of Fayetteville.

Arkansas is home to some incredible creations and innovations, and you can count on AMP to highlight the deserving individuals and businesses who help make it that way. We appreciate you reading, and when it comes to our readers, we wouldn’t change a thing.

Hit me up with your comments or suggestions, and share your story ideas with me, at HBaker@ ARMoneyandPolitics.com.

Heather Baker

TAKE the TIME

By Jim Cargill, President and CEO of Central and Southwest Arkansas markets, Arvest Bank

This year will mark the end of my 37-year career at Arvest. I’m spending my last days thinking about the work life I’m leaving, the home life that lies ahead of me — and how I’ve bal anced the two over the years. With four and a half weeks of paid time off to spend before my retirement, I’m wondering if I missed an oppor tunity to use it sooner, and to better benefit to me and my family.

Before I make the full-time tran sition from President to Pop, I’d like to leave you with this little tip: Take the time.

In most cases, a company expects a full-time employee to work 2,080 hours a year. For many of us, as we work to excel, impress and earn more responsibility and pay, giving only 2,080 hours is unfathomable. The downside is that we may not be aware of the mental and physical toll even a great job can take. When you have a job that you love, spending 80% of your time on work, 10% on your family and 10% on yourself may not al ways feel like a sacrifice. After all, many of us have close relation ships at work, and our salaries do enrich our households.

As I look at the great benefits I have earned over the years, I am grateful, but I’m now mindful that I may have cut my fam ily short. I could’ve been there more for them, for more games, more dinners, more field trips, more talks. I could’ve relied more on my incredible teammates to handle issues that for whatev er reason, I felt were best handled by me. That practice alone would’ve eased my workload and freed time on my calendar that I could’ve used for something as simple as dinner or game night at home or just a stroll around the neighborhood with my wife.

I’ve been doing better with this and the growing trend of “qui et quitting.”Itdoesn’t mean you quit doing your best work. It means you’re quitting the idea of needing to be available to your job 24/7 and the notion that to succeed, work must be your life. If we’re going to be successful balancing work and home life, we have to intentionally reclaim time of our own, and quiet quitting helps with that.

For example, I’ve decided that outside of an emergency situ

ation, I’m not taking work calls or responding to emails after 6 p.m. If I have a thought about something that I want to accom plish the next day, I make a note, but I’m no longer texting my assistant at 1 a.m. I wait until our workday starts. And I’m taking my vacation time. In fact, I took a week off just before writing this article.

I know some of you may be thinking “Sure you can do that. You’re a CEO.”

If you’re feeling stressed or on the verge of burnout, have a conversation with your manager or mentor. Just recently, I’ve rehired several people who went to other organizations and dis covered that the culture at the new company wasn’t what they’d hoped and their departure from Arvest could’ve been avoided by working with their managers to achieve the work/life they wanted.These conversations are especially important since the pan demic tethered many of us more closely to our jobs as worked from home. A silver lining is that companies have been forced to be flexible – as much as each industry allows – if they want to re main competitive in the job market. Pre-pandemic, many manag ers scoffed at the idea of letting folks work from home, expecting productivity to tank, but research has shown the opposite.

The final point I want to make is about self-care, another top ic that’s been front and center since the pandemic started. Many companies offer counseling services. For many years, I shied away and when I did finally use the service provided by Arvest, I kept it secret for a long time. But I can say from personal experi ence, it makes a difference.

By sharing this, I hope to inspire long-lasting change within our organization, which is already a great place to work. It’s nev er too late to make a change, and even though I’m at the end of my career, I hope my colleagues, family and friends have noticed the change in me.

Jim Cargill is President and CEO of Arvest Bank in Central and Southwest Arkansas, overseeing Arvest’s retail, consumer and com mercial banking operations. Arvest was included in Forbes magazine’s 2022 Best-in-State Employers list. Cargill and his wife, Kathleen, re side in Little Rock and enjoy spending time with family. They have two adult children, Kelly and Ben, and two grandsons, Thomas and Charlie.

THE STATE OF COMMUNITY BANKING IN ARKANSAS

The biggest lesson in com munity banking from 2022 is how fast things are changing. Two years into the pan demic, so many ideas the industry took for granted have changed, from long-held assumptions about customer demographics to the perceived value of brick-and-mor tar locations in relation to overall growth. It’s a new world out there for banking, and many of the old rules just don’t apply.

Even in confusing times, the re ality remains that banking customers have to be confident that their money is safe, their bank is stable and well-run and that bank leadership is keeping up with evolving industry standards without chasing every shiny object. That’s particularly impor tant for customers who choose community or regional financial

institutions.Betweenrecord inflation, a looming recession and the ongoing threat of COVID, America’s economic future might seem rather murky right now. But there are a few trends for community bank ing in Arkansas that my team at Citizens Bank sees as notable for the industry, both locally and nationally.

THE SHIFT TO DIGITAL BANKING IS HERE TO STAY

Our customers were already moving steadily toward digital banking before COVID hit, but closed lobbies and social dis tancing put that shift into overdrive. An Ipsos-Forbes Advisor poll released in March found that a whopping 78% of Ameri cans with bank accounts now prefer digital banking, with slight ly more preferring to bank through apps than websites. This means community banks must continue to invest in their digital offerings, going beyond the traditional online banking model of balance reporting, transaction listing and transfers. Digital adoption across all demographics has opened the door for in novation and a stack of services to meet all customers’ banking needs digitally.

BUT THE BRANCH EXPERIENCE IS STILL IMPORTANT Americans love digital banking, but they are still visiting branch es. Arkansans tend to adapt slowly to national trends. In many more rural communities, the in-person visit is still very much how people bank, so brick-and-mortar does have a place. PostCOVID, inflation and the economy are on nearly every custom er’s mind. Many of those who still come to the bank might wel come a little financial guidance in nervous economic times. In Arkansas, the community bank can still be that trusted source.

OLDER CUSTOMERS TRIED DIGITAL BANKING, AND LOVED IT

While older Americans have historically resisted banking on line or through an app, COVID restrictions forced many in the senior demographic to overcome their technology jitters. Once they did, they took to digital banking in a big way, demolishing the idea of tech-phobic Baby Boomers. A Harris poll released last year found that 72% of U.S. banking customers aged 70+ say they use digital banking.

SMART GROWTH – “IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME.”

Because of the likely permanent shift to digital, banks that enter a market with a furious branch-building flex might be dump ing capital into spaces few people will use. Branches are needed to serve the still-significant percentage of customers who prefer a more personal touch. But at Citizens Bank, we believe smart growth and sound stewardship in today’s world means building brick-and-mortar locations in step with growth milestones and our local customers’ needs. Finding the right balance between digital and brick and mortar is the new table stakes for commu nity banks nationwide. By leveraging the best technology, pro viding excellent customer service and making strategic moves in brick-and-mortar, community banks can create long-lasting success to reach their business goals and meet the needs of their customers.

A native of Little Rock, Sarah Lane serves as EVP and Chief Retail Officer for Citizens Bank, headquartered in Batesville. A 24-year vet eran of the banking industry, Lane has been with Citizens Bank for four years.

By Sarah Lane, EVP and Chief Retail Officer, Citizens Bank

WHAT EARTHLY NANOMATERIALSCARBON-BASEDCANDOFORINTERGALACTICFARMING

By Mariya Khodakovskaya

For the next 50 years, the world’s farmers will have to feed more peo ple than ever. Global population has risen to approximately 7 billion, leav ing only 1.7 acres of agricultural land per person. With the population expanding and farmland shrinking, growers are com pelled to become more productive. Few feel the weight of this responsibility more acutely than Arkansas farmers.

According to the Arkansas Farm Bu reau, agriculture yields $16 billion in annual revenue for Arkansas – one of the few states where the average per capita farm income exceeds nonfarm per capita income. Every square inch of the state’s 14.5 million acres of farmland is essential to our nation’s, and the plan et’s, food security.

As a professor of plant biology at UA Little Rock, Dr. Mariya Khodakovskaya leads a team of researchers focused on improving plant productivity and stress tolerance. Her approach leverages the unique properties of nanomaterials and applies them to plants.

“The discovery of carbon-based and biodegradable nanomaterials offers con siderable potential for the enhancement of agricultural production,” said Dr. Kho dakovskaya, who also serves as director of the Applied Science Graduate Program at Donaghey College of Science, Technol ogy, Engineering and Mathematics.

Khodakovskaya’s breakthroughs in leveraging nanomaterials began in 2008, when she realized how specific prop erties of carbon-based nanomaterials (their small size, absorption ability, pen etration ability and chemical stability) could affect plants. In particular, the amount of nanomaterial is linked to spe

cific plant responses.

“I considered what might happen when tomato seeds were placed on a growth me dium infused with carbon nanotubes,” ex plained Khodakovskaya. “Would exposed seeds even germinate in a ‘nanoenviron ment?’ Surprisingly, we found that toma to seeds exposed to low doses of carbon nanotubes germinated more quickly and at a higher rate. Carbon nanotubes also accelerated tomato growth and flower production. This discovery permanently altered the path of my research and raised many more intriguing questions.”

Khodakovskaya was especially inter ested in seeing if the same positive effects would occur in other plant species. Ulti mately, she needed to know the exact bio logical mechanisms driving the positive effects of nanomaterials on plant systems. The answers could have profound im pacts: The creation of a new type of plant growth regulator that would boost plant productivity and enable us to address the increasingly critical global food demand.

To unearth the answers, Khodakovs kaya’s team is working to enhance the tolerance of agricultural plants to envi ronmental (abiotic) stresses using biotech nology and nanotechnology. Environmen tal stresses, like high or low temperature, water deficit, flood, salinity and heavy metals limit crop productivity and qual ity. “These stresses drastically affect the growth, development and productivity of crops, and may reduce the performance of the crops and reduce yield by 50% to 70%,” Khodakovskaya said.

Since discovering the unique ability of carbon-based nanomaterials to boost seed germination and plant growth, UA Little Rock has become the leading institution

in the establish ment of new applications of carbon nanoma terials in plant agriculture. The research not only stands to improve crop production on Earth, but one day may improve stress tolerance in plants developed for the exploration of Mars, where “environmental stress” takes on a whole new meaning.

“Our recent research with the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium and NASA holds the potential to solve the problem of how to feed astronauts during long-term space exploration missions,” Khodakovskaya revealed, demonstrating yet another oth erworldly benefit provided by Arkansas’ extraordinary research community.

Dr. Mariya V. Khodakovskaya is a mem ber of the Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA) Academy of Scholars and Fellows. She is known for her pioneering work in crop im provement by the application of a wide range of carbon-based nanomaterials. In 2014, she formed a startup company, Advanced Plant Technologies, LLC. Since 2008, she has been a principal investigator or co-principal in vestigator on grants totaling more than $10 million. Her research has been supported by grants from the USDA-NIFA, NSF-EPSCoR, NASA-EPSCoR, Arkansas Science and Tech nology Authority (ASTA), Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, biotechnological industry, the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium and ARA. To learn more about Arkansas research, please contact visit www.ARAlliance.org.

Signature Bank is Making a Name for Itself Across Arkansas INSERT SIGNATURE

By Angela Forsyth

It all started with a bornand-bred Arkansas na tive, a dream and a notso-humble beginning. Gary Head, founder, president and CEO of Signature Bank of Arkansas, began his career at a bank owned by the Walton fam ily, where he was promoted to president right out of college. Although happy in his position, Head had an entrepreneurial itch. So, he left the job to start a loan production office for a bank in Harrison. Still, his eyes were focused on a bigger plan – his own bank. In 2005, Head and a team of local bankers opened Signature Bank of Arkansas, with the largest raise of capital in the history of the state. And in true Arkansas fashion, the $45 million was raised at a Fayetteville bar on Dickson Street.

In its first three years, Signature Bank of Arkansas grew quickly from zero to $700 million in total assets. But the road from 2005 to today wasn’t always as easy as those early days. The great recession of 2007 to 2009 hit Signature

Signature Bank President and CEO Gary Head. (AY Media Group)

as it did most other banks across the country. It was rough. “We got beat up and had to fight our way through,” Head re called. “We had to go raise more capital to recapitalize after that beating, and we successfully did.” Signature not only survived; it came back better.

Today, the bank’s assets are greater than $900 million, and Signature has grown from its original location in Fayetteville to nine locations across the state. These include well-estab lished branches in Rogers, Bentonville and Springdale, as well as more recent additions eastward in Jonesboro, Har

rison and Brinkley. Additionally, Signature has ventured into completely new territory in American banking with a niche idea. The bank’s newest division, Banco Sí!, will cater to the growing Spanish-speaking population of Northwest Arkansas.

According to Head, what he learned through the crisis of 2009 was the value of patience. So many banks did not survive the financial downturn. The FDIC closed more than 400 failed institutions in the few years that followed the crash. “Some people who were in big trouble in 2009

Photos courtesy of Signature Bank of Arkansas

are some of my wealthiest clients today because they didn’t quit,” he noted. “They just kept on going, and we kept on with them.”

While 2009 may have been the year for learning patience, 2020 became the year for learning the importance of online banking. When COVID-19 shut down bank lobbies, the Signature team was glad it had already established a strong internet banking system long before. Customers learned to depend on their phones for mobile transactions, and now that the lobbies have reopened, inside traffic is still low because customers prefer the flexibility and convenience mobile banking offers.

“What changed particularly with COVID is the way [in which] people want to be communicated to,” said Signature COO Brant Ward. “Customers prefer to make transfers and deposit checks digi tally. I think that’s the demand now,” he added. Amazon and Walmart have changed the landscape with customer expectation.” Signature does not plan to develop its own in-house technology, as such, but the idea is to stay in line with reasonable expectations.

As much as Signature pushes ahead in digital offerings and on

line accessibility, it continues to focus on “meeting people where they are.” Some customers still prefer the option to come inside and do business face to face. Signature’s brick-and-mortar locations encourage that. “At the end of the day, this is a community bank built on people in the community,” Ward said.

FUTURE GROWTH

For Signature, meeting people where they are doesn’t mean continuing to open innumerable branches. “We are not a branch-rich strategy,” Chief Strategy Officer Scott Sandlin explained. “We are focused on serving markets. You won’t find us having a branch location on every corner. You will find us having a really nice representation in the market with a great website and a great mobile experience.”

The plan is to keep investing in online banking technolo gy while continuing to find holes where Arkansas residents are underserved. It’s a fill-in-the-gaps strategy vs. expansion strategy, and seems to be working. In the last six years, Sig nature has seen tremendous growth. “If you go back and look at 2016 — where we were as far as asset size and where we are today — we’re getting close to doubling that num ber,” Sandlin said.

Ward explained that Signature’s business model favors having decentralized markets with autonomy. Each market gets to flex its own personality based on the community it serves — whether that’s getting involved with the biking scene in Bentonville or the Children’s Safety Center in Fay etteville. This also means patiently and strategically open ing branches only when they’re needed, and only when the time is right. In the instances of the Harrison and Jonesboro locations, bankers in those areas identified the need for a community bank and reached out to Signature.

The Harrison location had its grand opening on June 23 and Jonesboro is currently working out of a temporary location. Signature hopes to grow and expand that mar

ket into a more permanent space in the next 18 months. Banco Sí will hold its grand opening Sept. 23 at its location in downtown Rogers.

“Around 2015 we started growing again,” Ward explained. “We were looking around for complementary communities when Rogers was started in 2018. As we were looking, bank ers came to us from markets we felt were complementary to what we do, which is why all three [that is, Harrison, Jones boro and Rogers] are coming online at the same time. Tradi tionally you would try to stag ger these launches. But, when the right people come, you have to go with them.”

The Signature family also includes two locations in Brin kley. There, Signature pur chased a 100-year-old bank and left it with the Brinkley signage to honor its long-standing his tory and its already established community. How do Signature leaders know when it’s the right time and the right place to invest? Ward said some re search on population growth and estimates enter into the process. But ultimately, it in volves “sitting down with a person face to face.” When a banker approaches Signature with an idea for a new location, they spend time having con versations and “getting a good feel for the person” who will be

Brant Ward

Scott Sandlin

leading that market.

For now, the state of Arkansas is pro viding Signature with as much growth as the bank could possibly desire, with no immediate plans to expand beyond state borders. There are still gaps to fill within the state, about which Ward said, “K Banco Sí!/ former Bank of Rogers building eeping an eye on the ball with the non-markets is top priority.” Sandlin explained that the creation of Signature’s newest endeavor, Banco Sí!, came from the realization of a hugely underserved community in North west Arkansas.

BANCO SÍ!

As a division of Signature, Banco Sí! is devoted to the Spanish-speaking commu nity that up to this point, has been over looked. The bank plans to create econom ic growth and provide access to banking services, capital and funds, especially for small and midsize businesses, for a group that traditionally has not had equal access to these opportunities in the state. In an earlier interview, Vice President of Mar keting Tori Bogner noted that the name Banco Sí! (meaning “Yes Bank” in Span ish) was chosen to send a positive mes sage to the Latino community who “has historically been told ‘no’ where finances areBancoconcerned.”Sí!will officially open its doors in downtown Rogers in a historic build ing. Erected in 1906, the edifice originally housed Rogers’ first financial institution, The Bank of Rogers. The interior of the space will honor the building’s original mahogany features, marble baseboards and mosaic tile floor. Banco Sí! will be fully staffed by bilingual team members equipped to serve new customers, as well as existing Signature customers wishing to conduct busi ness in Downtown Rogers.

President of Multicultural Banking Francisco Herrero, who has been leading the formation of this division, ex plained they have been focusing on attracting and bringing in the right bilingual talent to serve customers in Rogers. That means not just hiring bilingual employees but, more importantly, fielding a team willing to serve by spending

quality time with individuals.

Although Banco Sí! has not yet officially launched, the di vision has been operating on a smaller scale from its Pinna cle location on the other side of Rogers, to which the initial response has been overwhelmingly positive. Word of mouth has spread, and business has grown through referrals to the point that Banco Sí! will already boast a promising number of members when it opens at its new location.

“First and foremost, our customers in the community are

Banco Sí!/ former Bank of Rogers building

telling us that they want to have service without the lan guage barrier, whether it’s in English or Spanish,” Herrero said. “This means being very intentional and spending time with each person who really understands their needs.” An other need Herrero has heard from customers is the desire for more financial education: How to build financial secu rity, credit-building tools, support with housing, how to ac cess capital and funds for business startups and how to sup port existing small business growth.

With Banco Sí!, Herrero plans to provide local residents with information about the diversity of options available for fulfilling those funding needs, whether via one-on-one con versations or through community events open to the public. “What we ended up finding,” he explained “was that un derserved customers — those in our community who didn’t have good access or equal access to banking services and capital funds — were those who have a language barrier to overcome.”Signature

hopes to continue growing the Banco Sí! di vision with more locations, but for now, focus remains on getting the Rogers location just right and ironing out kinks with this original location. This might be a first in the Unit ed States to have a bank solely dedicated to bilingual bank ing. The marketing VP joked that she had to make sure she had the proper dimensions when she went to a trophy shop to have the FDIC signs printed in Spanish and English, be cause the FDIC couldn’t provide them with existing signage in Spanish.

“First and foremost, our customers in the community are telling us that they want to have service without the language barrier, whether it’s in English or Spanish.”

Tori Bogner

Francisco Herrero

Photos courtesy of Signature Bank of Arkansas

CHARTERED BANKS IN ARKANSAS

BANK NAME

CITY ASSETS

Arvest Bank Fayetteville 26,606,972

Bank OZK Little Rock 26,562,353

Simmons Bank Pine Bluff 24,431,679

Centennial Bank Conway 18,591,797

First Security Bank Searcy 8,333,173

Farmers Bank & Trust Company Magnolia 2,376,803

First National Bank Paragould 2,307,212

Southern Bancorp Bank Arkadelphia 2,068,294

First Community Bank Batesville 2,056,045

First National Bank of Fort Smith Fort Smith 1,875,559

Encore Bank Little Rock 1,815,558

Farmers & Merchants Bank Stuttgart 1,746,580

First Financial Bank El Dorado 1,544,123

Citizens Bank Batesville 1,236,233

Chambers Bank Danville 1,230,710

Relyance Bank, National Association White Hall 1,148,074

Anstaff Bank Green Forest 986,343

First Arkansas Bank and Trust Jacksonville 962,767

Legacy National Bank Springdale 955,561

Signature Bank of Arkansas Fayetteville 895,327

Evolve Bank & Trust West Memphis 777,087

Diamond Bank Murfreesboro 749,306

Generations Bank Rogers 743,472

FNBC Bank Ash Flat 692,865

Malvern National Bank Malvern 646,073

Stone Bank Mountain View 590,941

First Western Bank Booneville 585,291

First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas Forrest City 561,149

Citizens Bank & Trust Co. Van Buren 555,156

Bank of England England 551,436

Fidelity Bank West Memphis 546,054

First State Bank Russellville 516,150

CS Bank Eureka Springs 490,797

First Service Bank Greenbrier 482,713

Eagle Bank and Trust Company Little Rock 478,193

Central Bank Little Rock 405,166

Cross County Bank Wynne 377,675

Merchants & Planters' Bank Newport 363,346

Partners Bank Helena 361,175

Armor Bank Forrest City 353,554

BANK NAME

CITY ASSETS

The Union Bank of Mena Mena 348,430

Farmers Bank and Trust Company Blytheville 332,074

First State Bank of DeQueen De Queen 311,726

Today's Bank Huntsville 298,271

Bank of Little Rock Little Rock 294,814

First State Bank Lonoke 294,187 Bank of 1889 Berryville 286,830

First National Bank of Lawrence County at Walnut Ridge Walnut Ridge 273,960

Farmers Bank Greenwood 273,633

Union Bank & Trust Company Monticello 271,256

United Bank Springdale 259,270

Commercial Bank & Trust Company Monticello 255,952

Horatio State Bank Horatio 249,545

First National Bank at Paris Paris 239,443

Peoples Bank Magnolia 232,445

Petit Jean State Bank Morrilton 229,645

Smackover State Bank Smackover 214,071

FBT Bank & Mortgage Fordyce 206,752

Premier Bank of Arkansas Jonesboro 206,695

First National Bank of Izard County Calico Rock 204,248

Peoples Bank Sheridan 202,815

Merchants and Farmers Bank Dumas 197,647

Bodcaw Bank Stamps 187,344

Bank of Salem Salem 177,643

Bank of Delight Delight 163,693

Bank of Cave City Cave City 161,092

Warren Bank and Trust Company Warren 156,608 McGehee Bank Mcgehee 145,774

Riverwind Bank Augusta 129,921

Piggott State Bank Piggott 121,995

First State Bank of Warren Warren 116,569

Gateway Bank Rison 110,708

Connect Bank Star City 110,313

Logan County Bank Scranton 95,054

RiverBank Pocahontas 94,083

First Naturalstate Bank Mcgehee 92,940

Priority Bank Fayetteville 92,858

Bank of Bearden Bearden 86,231

Bank of Lake Village Lake Village 75,955

Home Bank of Arkansas Portland 71,053

Security Bank Stephens 64,933

Riverside Bank Sparkman 63,106

Merchants & Planters Bank Clarendon 44,475

Community State Bank Bradley 29,896

LARGEST CREDIT UNIONS IN ARKANSAS

CREDIT UNION NAME

HEADQUARTERS ASSETS

Arkansas Federal Credit Union Little Rock $1.73 Billion

Telcoe Federal Credit Union Little Rock $450.83 Million

Success Credit Union Blytheville $172.42 Million

Mil-Way Federal Credit Union Texarkana $168.9 Million

Arkansas Best Federal Credit Union Fort Smith $143.22 Million

Fairfield Federal Credit Union Pine Bluff $103.21 Million

Arkansas Superior Federal Credit Union Warren $86.82 Million

Timberline Federal Credit Union Crossett $86.21 Million

Diamond Lakes Federal Credit Union Malvern $82.65 Million

UARK Federal Credit Union Fayetteville $79.39 Million

Pine Bluff Cotton Belt Federal Credit Union Pine Bluff $67.65 Million

Alcoa Community Federal Credit Union Benton $61.06 Million

Pine Federal Credit Union Pine Bluff $58.45 Million

River Valley Community Federal Credit Union Camden $55.01 Million

TruService Community Federal Credit Union Little Rock $47.28 Million

Hurricane Creek Federal Credit Union Benton $42.55 Million

Baptist Health Federal Credit Union Little Rock $38.85 Million

UP Arkansas Federal Credit Union North Little Rock $31.06 Million

Subiaco Federal Credit Union Subiaco $30.99 Million

United Arkansas Federal Credit Union Little Rock $29.41 Million

Patterson Federal Credit Union Arkadelphia $29.03 Million

Dillard’s Federal Credit Union Little Rock $27.73 Million

Two Rivers Federal Credit Union Arkadelphia $17.94 Million

Lion Federal Credit Union El Dorado $17.83 Million

River Town Federal Credit Union Fort Smith $16.9 Million

Source: Credit Unions Online

theLeadingway.

Simmons Bank congratulates Claire McClellan, Lisa Chrzanowski and Stacey Martin on being named to the prestigious Arkansas Money & Politics’ 2022 Women in Banking list. Their leadership and teamwork help move your business and our community forward.

For more than 100 years, we’ve worked hard to meet each of our customers’ unique needs. Everything from buying a home, starting a business or simply having the ability to manage your money safely and securely, anywhere you happen to be.

All accounts

Claire McClellan

Lisa Chrzanowski

Stacey Martin

WOMEN IN BANKING2022 WOMEN

The executives named to Arkansas Money & Politics’ list of 2022 Women in Banking were nominated by readers. In a male-dominated industry, their perseverance, hard work and expertise have propelled them to influential positions in Arkansas banking and finance. We’re proud to recognize them in this month’s issue.

JANICE ACOSTA

SVP, Wealth Management Division Manager Relyance Bank

HEATHER ALBRIGHT President of Arkansas Market Bank of America

Heather Albright serves as President of Bank of Amer ica Arkansas. As the senior executive for the State of Arkansas, she is respon sible for connecting clients, teammates and communi ties to the full power of the franchise. In ad dition to being president of BoA Arkansas, Albright is a senior vice president and se nior relationship manager in middle mar ket at BoA. Albright joined BoA in 2005 as a senior credit products analyst. Prior to that move, she was a portfolio account adminis trator in the brokerage accounting group at Stephens Inc. in Little Rock.

Having earned her undergraduate degree in Economics and Finance from Arkansas Tech University, she later pursued her Mas ter of Business Administration (MBA) from University of Central Arkansas. She also holds FINRA certifications for Series 7 and Series 63 securities licenses.

In 2018, Albright was named the market integration executive for the Arkansas market, supporting the company’s busi ness integration referral efforts. An active member of the Arkansas Leadership Team and of the Bank of America Leadership, Education, Advocacy & Development for Women, she also co-leads the Little Rock Power of 10 group. She also volunteers with several local organizations, including Junior Achievement, Arkansas Foodbank, Economics Arkansas and Our House.

NATALIE BARTHOLOMEW

Community President, Northwest Arkansas First Community Bank

Natalie Bartholomew is the community president in Northwest Arkansas for First Community Bank. She is a career banker with 21 years of experience in a variety of areas of banking –including lending, deposit operations, cul

ture building and marketing. Bartholomew has a passion for philanthropy and sits on various boards and committees that serve the Northwest Arkansas region. She was recognized as the 2015 Young Woman of the Year by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce for the NWA Business Women’s Conference, and was a member of the 2020 ICBA Forty Under 40 Class. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Ar kansas and is an alumna of the Graduate School of Banking in Boulder, Colorado.

Bartholomew launched the Girl Banker blog in November 2017, to create a voice for women in banking and working moms. In addition to advocacy for women in bank ing, she has a passion for educating young women about the banking industry and highlighting those who started their ca reers at a young age. The Girl Banker has since been featured in American Banker, the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal, the ABA Bank Marketing newsletter and a variety of financial industry newsletters. Subsequently, she has also visited 12 states to speak about the Girl Banker platform and has participated in a variety of webi nars and podcasts. In 2019, Batholomew launched the Girl Banker podcast.

MICHELE BEASLEY

Consumer Loans

Telcoe

MATUSCHKA LINDO-BRIGGS

VP, Regional Executive Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis – Little Rock Branch

JULIE BRISTOW

Mortgage Lender, Jonesboro Market

First Security Bank

LATRICIA HILL-CHANDLER

Chief DEI Officer

Southern Bancorp

LaTricia Hill-Chandler is the latest addition to the executive team of South ern Bancorp, an Arkan sas-based Community Development Financial In stitution (CDFI). In July, she was named its chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officer, selected to lead the com

pany’s commitment to representation, fair ness and belonging among its employees, customers and communities. Hill-Chan dler has three decades of experience in the DEI field; prior to joining Southern, she led similar efforts at Walmart and Arvest Bank.

LISA CHRZANOWSKI Senior VP/Specialty Credit Officer

Simmons Bank

Lisa Chrzanowski currently serves as senior vice presi dent and specialty credit officer for commercial and industrial lending for Sim mons Bank. For 18 years prior to being with Sim mons, Chrzanowski served as senior vice president and senior credit products officer for a large national financial institution. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign and a Master of Business Ad ministration from Purdue University. She currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army of Central Arkansas.

ALLISON COX Chief People Officer Encore Bank

TABITHA EDDINGTON Community President, Harrison Market

First Community Bank

Tabitha Eddington is the community president for First Community Bank in Harrison. In her role, Ed dington oversees and man ages all operations of the Harrison area market for the financial institution. She opened that bank’s location in 2019.

With 21 years of experience in the banking industry, Eddington earned her bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Central Arkansas. An active member in her community, she currently serves as presi dent of the Harrison School District PTA council; chairperson for the City of Harri son Homeless Committee; board member with the Harrison Public Schools Founda tion; member of the Harrison Rotary Club; and chairperson of the fundraising com mittee for Camp Jack, a local veteran’s re source center. BANKING

Valerie Erkman SVP/Chief Information Officer

Nicole Matsoukas SVP/Chief Officer

STEPHANIE EDWARDS

Senior VP of Operations Bank of England Mortgage

Stephanie Edwards joined the Bank of England Mort gage family in 2014. Shortly after joining, she became the director of operations and now serves as the se nior vice president of op erations. Edwards has brought more than 29 years of extensive mortgage expertise to the Bank of England Mortgage team. It is her commitment to excellence, caring and passion to assist its customers in achieving their homeownership dream that makes her excel in what she does. Her mortgage journey started in St. Louis with several industry leaders, including CitiMortgage, Wells Fargo and Washington Mutual; roles included risk, channel chief underwriter and operations. Edwards had accepted an opportunity in Houston, Texas, as service delivery director and eventually returned home to Little Rock to work for Bank of England Mortgage.

VALERIE ERKMAN

SVP & Chief Marketing Officer Arkansas Federal Credit Union

Valerie Erkman, senior vice president and chief mar keting officer for Arkansas Federal Credit Union, is an experienced marketing and communications profes sional. With a career that started in marketing at Alltel, Erkman has spent over 25 years working in the finan cial and telecommunications industries. She is skilled in ecommerce, lead genera tion and conversion, brand management, direct marketing, multi-channel market ing, corporate communications, change management and coaching for excellence. Erkman has a bachelor’s degree in Jour nalism from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She lives in Little Rock with her husband, Nez, and son, Nico.

ALANA GIRARD VP/Deposit Application Project Manager Generations Bank

According to her col leagues, Alana Girard has been raised in banking. As a small child, she tagged along as her mother, Char lene, who worked at the branch in Junction City. De cades later, she now serves as the deposit application project manager, is known as the guru of all things deposits and plays a vital role in back-end operations of the bank. Her colleagues say that if ever comes a question or an issue, she is one of the first people to call, due to her vast knowl edge and kind disposition. Girard is always happy to let others take the spotlight and is adept at working with Generations’ cus tomers to find the best solution or support our team as they do so. Girard represents what all women in banking strive to be –kind. When you’re having an issue and call Alana Girard, you know you’re never going to be bothering her, and you will walk away more knowledgeable than before.

JANETTE HAYES VP/Director of Retail Operations Generations Bank

Janette Hayes’ colleagues believe she is a wonderful addition to the 2022 Wom en in Banking list because she represents the best of community banking. Hayes was recently awarded with her 40-year Milestones in Banking award from Arkansas Bankers Association. Dur ing those 40 years, she has worked for a handful of institutions and brought along compassion for her customers everywhere she goes. According to her colleagues, Hayes is known in the Siloam Springs community to be a competent banker who customers trust to lead them along the right path. She currently serves as the director of Retail Operations for the bank, overseeing all of Generations’ 11 branches, treasury management and Hispanic com munity outreach.

SHARON INGRAM Assistant Vice President U.S. Bank

CARA LANK SVP, Chief Credit Officer Stone Bank MEGAN LEE Chief Product Officer Smiley Technologies

Megan Lee, chief product officer, is responsible for working collaboratively with clients and internal stakeholders to lead prod uct development, design and implementation ef forts. She is also responsible for managing conversion teams as needed. Lee joined Smiley Technologies in 2012 as a member of the customer support team, after gradu ating from the University of Arkansas Lit tle Rock with a Management Information Systems degree in 2011. Over her tenure at Smiley Technologies, she has also per formed the roles of business analyst and conversion manager while developing ex pertise in conversions, loans, general led ger and debit cards.

STACEY MARLAR

SVP & Director of Retail Deposits, West Region Southern Bancorp

Stacey Marlar joined Southern Bancorp after graduating from Hender son State University in 1999, later attending the Barret School of Banking.

She has held many roles during her time with the CDFI, working up the ladder from teller and deposit op erations manager, to branch manager and finally her current position, director of re tail deposits. In this role, Marlar leads the region’s deposit staff, programs and op erations. The Clark County native is also very active in her community, including as a member of the Economic Development Corporation of Clark County.

STACEY MARTIN

SVP & Director of Brand Partner ships and Community Marketing Simmons Bank

Stacey Martin is senior vice president and direc tor of brand partnerships and community Marketing at Simmons Bank. Martin and her team have spear headed local marketing ef forts. Under her direction, they have also activated Simmons Bank’s growing spon sorship portfolio, including Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock and Team Simmons Bank golfers – most notably PGA TOUR 2021 Rookie of the Year and 2022 FedEx St. Jude champion, Will Zala toris. Martin leads the bank’s efforts at the Korn Ferry Tour’s Simmons Bank Open in Nashville, Tennessee, and the inaugural Simmons Bank Cup held in Memphis in 2021. She and her team are also proud to support activation and marketing for Sim mons Bank’s presenting sponsorship of women’s athletics at ten universities in the bank’s footprint, a first-of-its-kind partner ship in the space.

NICOLE MATSOUKAS

Chief Information Officer Arkansas Federal Credit Union

Nicole Matsoukas, a 34year veteran of Arkansas Federal Credit Union, has held key management po sitions in the credit union’s account research, call cen ter, strategic Initiatives and information technology departments. As chief information officer, she holds responsibility for organizational project management, strategic initiatives and in formation technology to include all data centers, help desks, voice and data com munication networks, host systems, imag ing systems, computer networks, comput er program development and computer system operations. Matsoukas has a bach elor’s degree in Business Management from Park University.

CLAIRE MCCLELLAN SVP, Director of Marketing Simmons Bank

Claire McClellan is the senior vice president and director of Marketing lead ing all product marketing, customer communication, marketing technologies and brand insights at Simmons Bank, connecting both internal and exter nal customers through strategic initiatives, such as a recent partnership with Disney Institute. McClellan’s efforts have been re cently recognized by the American Bank ers Association, with a campaign winning the 2022 Brand Slam Out-of-the-Box Idea award. Her team has fostered new market ing capabilities, ranging from customer engagement channels through the launch of Simmons’ marketing automation sys tem, text marketing and a customer feed back channel to other behind-the-scenes technologies that enable Simmons Bank to build upon customer relationships and develop brand insights.

TAMMIE NEAL

Chief HR Officer Signature Bank of Arkansas

Tammie Neal’s first taste of banking came from work as a part-time teller for a small community bank during her senior year of high school. In 2004, she became one of the first 20 team members of the then-fledgling Signa ture Bank of Arkansas. Neal’s skills quickly landed her appointment as director of hu man resources. Over the last 17 years, she has worked closely with the C-Suite, Board of Directors and Shareholders of White River Bancshares. In those 17 years, she has also shepherded the growing number of team members, from 20 to almost 200 – of which a significant number started in the first half of 2022. She has led the hiring and onboarding of 48 new bankers over the last eight months alone, including moving into two new market areas and building an entirely new, bilingual team for Banco Sí! Such accomplishments have resulted in Neal’s recent promotion to chief human re sources officer.

MARNIE OLDNER

Chief Executive Officer Stone Bank

CATHY HASTINGS OWEN Chairman Eagle Bank & Trust KATHRYN PANNELL

SVP, Director of Treasury Management Citizens Bank MICHELLE REESOR

Executive VP, Director of Risk Management

First Community Bank

A seasoned banker with 35 years of experience in the industry, Michelle Reesor is the executive vice presi dent, director of risk man agement for First Commu nity Bank. As one of the bank’s original 14 employees, she took a leap of faith, along with 153 shareholders, to establish a locally owned and managed community bank that would put the needs of its customers and community first. In her position, Reesor’s responsibilities in clude, but are not limited to, overseeing the bank’s risk management function; strategic planning; project management, including entrance into new markets, branch construction and opening; bank acquisitions; and policy formulation. She is a member of the bank’s executive com mittee and product development team; she also serves on numerous other bank

Reesorcommittees.isa

graduate of Lyon College in Batesville and the School of Banking at Louisiana State University. Invested in community service, she serves on the board of directors for the University of Arkansas Community College at Bates ville’s board of visitors and is a past board member for United Way of Independence County.

SARAH SALSBURY

Private Banking Officer, Bank of Fayetteville Farmers and Merchants

JANTEL STAMPS

Vice President, Small Business Banker

Bank of America Arkansas

Jantel Stamps serves as the local small business banker for the state of Arkansas. In this role, she provides finan cial solutions to small busi nesses in the community to help them grow, manage and protect their businesses. Through lis tening, planning and insight, Stamps is a strategic partner for businesses and helps them focus on their priorities. She provides credit financing and all other banking solu tions. She stands by her clients daily, giving them the power to realize their personal and business financial goals, and help im prove their financial lives.

Stamps is on the leadership team and has held several roles with the bank as a Finan cial Center assistant manager, relationship manager, personal banker and teller. She currently resides in Little Rock with her twin daughters, Mariah and McKenzie, and has been part of the Bank of America fam ily for over 15 years.

SANDY STRAESSLE SVP Retail Banking, DEI Officer Stone Bank

ALI KING SUGG Board of Directors

First Arkansas Bank & Trust

DONNA TOWNSELL SVP, Director of Investor Rela tions

Home Bancshares/Centennial Bank

LORRIE TROGDEN

President & CEO Arkansas Bankers Association

Lorrie Trogden serves as the President and CEO of the Arkansas Bankers As sociation. She has a Bach elor of Arts in Political Sci ence from the University of Central Arkansas, a Master of Science in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas, and is an ASAE-certified Association Executive.

Trogden serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Graduate School of Bank ing at Madison, Wisconsin; a trustee for the Graduate School of Banking at Louisi ana State University; Economics Arkansas Executive Committee; Arkansas Capital Corporation Executive Committee; State Alliance of Banking Associations Execu tive Committee; American BankPAC Board of Directors; and the American Society of Association Executives Government Rela tions Committee.

CHRISTIE TURNER SVP/ Commercial Loan Officer First State Bank

Christie Turner is a senior vice president and commer cial loan officer with First State Bank. As a relation ship-driven banking profes sional with over 15 years of experience in positions of increasing responsibility, Turner delivers exceptional results through leadership, portfolio management, business devel opment, relationship management and market growth strategies. Prior to joining First State, Turner served as SVP and pri vate bank manager for Signature Bank of Arkansas. Her passion for helping others, along with her diverse banking back ground, makes Turner a strong resource for her clients.

TARA WALKER Loan Officer Bank of Little Rock Mortgage

JENNIFER WILLIAMS

SVP & Regional Deposit Opera tions Director, Central Region Southern Bancorp

A long-time and dedicated member of the Southern Bancorp mission, Jenni fer Williams brings more than 30 years of experience to her new role of deposit operations director of the community development bank’s Central Region. She was promoted to that position in June after previously serving as regional deposit operations manager for its markets in Arkansas, Sevier and Mississippi coun ties. In the director role, Williams oversees all deposit operations in the region.

LINDSAY WILMOTT Chief Operations Officer Generations Bank

Lindsay Wilmott first joined what would later become Generations Bank in 2006 as a part-time teller while finishing up her bach elors degree. According to her colleagues, at the time, Wilmott had dreams to become a math teacher, but when graduation came around, she found herself reluctant to leave banking. After conversations with Jon Harrell, CEO/Chairman of Genera tions Bank, it was decided Wilmott would join the bank full time. Over the next few years, Wilmott would move into a head teller role, until her branch was acquired in 2010. She worked alongside Sandy Fergu son, previous AMP Power Women in Bank ing recipient, to move into the loan depart ment. Together, they established the bank’s first loan operations department, which Wilmott led while simultaneously work ing as the bank’s compliance officer. In 2017, Wilmott was appointed to the role of chief operations officer, making her the youngest executive of the bank. Now, she is still the youngest executive of the bank and one of three women serving within its C-suite.

ASHLEY WISER

Chief Operating Officer Chambers Bank, Danville

Ashley Wiser is the chief op erating officer at Chambers Bank in Danville, Arkansas. In this role, she oversees the bank’s retail, deposit and branch operations, as well as quality assurance, busi ness development, treasury management and operations support services depart ments. Wiser also collaborates with mem bers of the executive management team to plan deposit goals and work toward estab lishing and attaining the overall goals of the bank.

CONGRATULATIONS!

2022 We are proud of you, Natalie, Michelle and Tabitha. Thank you for your leadership, determination, and the examples you’re setting. Here’s to the women who make us who we are, and their impact that reaches beyond banking.

Tabitha Eddington CommunityHarrisonPresident, Natalie Bartholomew Community President, Northwest Arkansas Michelle Reesor EVP | Director of Risk Management

STATE

From News to Acting to Politics to Banking LindoMatuschkaBriggs

To Shares Her Career Journey

By Katie Zakrzewski | Photos by DeWaine Duncan

say that Matuschka Lindo Briggs is successful would be an understatement.

As Vice President and Regional Executive of the Little Rock Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Briggs has accomplished a phenomenal amount in her career.Born in Panama City in Central America, Briggs shared that her first language is Spanish. She learned English in second grade and became a naturalized U.S. citizen during high“Myschool.dad was in the Air Force, and I was raised a mili tary brat,” Briggs explained. “Although we were military, we did not travel much.”

Briggs’ family lived in Panama, then Sacramento, then returned to Panama.

“We came back to the United States for good and landed in Enid, Oklahoma. I graduated from high school there be fore going to college at William Woods University in Ful ton, Missouri. Back then, it was an all-girls school,” Briggs recalled. “I received a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communications and minored in Political Science. I re ceived my MBA at Washington University in St. Louis.”

Briggs has been married to her husband, Malcolm Briggs, for nearly 30 years. The two met working for NBC in St. Louis. They have two adult children, a son in Chi cago and a daughter in Fort Worth, Texas.

Briggs’ began her career as a television reporter for NBC affiliate WHO13 in Des Moines, Iowa. From there, she went to St. Louis to work for KSDK-TV. When she chose to marry the sportscaster at the NBC station, the station’s

owner, Gannett, had a nepotism clause at the time — mean ing that one of them had to leave. Matuschka left the station and started freelancing.

“I did radio for local stations, including ESPN. I freelanced as a reporter for a few cable television stations, then took a few years off after my second child was born,” she shared.

When she jumped back into the workforce, Briggs con tinued to freelance as a reporter as well as dabble in acting, appearing in a few movies and many commercials. “Nothing that would win me an Emmy,” she said.

“I usually ended up on the cutting room floor when it came to acting. But, I met great people and had so much fun. Getting makeup done in the trailers and hearing behind-thescenes scoops about the cast was my favorite part.

“Then, I dabbled in politics as a press secretary for a gu bernatorial candidate. Though I loved the position, the 24hour news cycle helped me decide that politics was not for me. I have a ringtone from those days that still makes me

That feeling of empowering others led Briggs to un derstand the importance of financial access for all. As she continued through various roles at the Fed, Briggs noticed they all revolved around relationship building, community development and helping in sharing in the transparency of all that the Federal Reserve Bank does.

This work caused Briggs to have a eureka moment.

“I realized how many people did not have access to save money and build assets — that they were not pro vided with safe and affordable banking options,” she said. “The chance to connect consumers with traditional banking and financial access for all grew to be an im portant mission for me. In my community development role, I began to work closely with Bank On.”

The Bank On movement is designed to improve the financial stability of America’s unbanked and under banked by making safe, low-cost transaction accounts accessible to all. The St. Louis Fed and Cities for Finan cial Empowerment (CFE) Fund established the Bank On National Data Hub (BOND Hub) to show metrics from financial institutions related to Bank On account open ings, account usage and consistency, and online access.

The 24-hour news cycle helped me decide that politics was not for me.

It’s important to collect data to find out how the Bank On movement is doing, Briggs explained.

“We work closely with financial institutions to un derstand how these accounts bring customers into the financial mainstream through accounts that have few or no fees, desirable services like direct deposit, debit cards and online banking,” she said. “With these metrics, we can gauge how customers access their money in ways that help them avoid fees from check cashing and other alternative services. We will be releasing our 2021 BOND Hub report at the end of this year, with almost double the financial institutions we had last year.”

of working with politicians in Wash ington, D.C., and doing a host of political reporting, as well as having a strong communications background, brought a great opportunity for Briggs at the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis in 2015.

The U.S. Treasury then had a product called myRA, or My Retirement Account. Working through the St. Louis Fed, Briggs’ role was to help organizations provide a free way to save for their employees with myRA. The impact of provid ing a product that could help low-to-moderate income indi viduals and part-time employees who were not provided a 401(k) was inspiring to Briggs.

“I was making a difference in people’s lives, and not only could I see it, but they were also telling me how much they appreciated it. People who had never saved before were learning to ‘Set it and forget it.’ Some were saving as little as one dollar a week, but it was a start and very empowering for them,” she said.

Briggs explained that the Federal Reserve relies on data and research, which reflects what has happened in the“Mypast.role is to connect with leaders in the community, businesses, banks, government and nonprofits to gain real-time information on what is happening in Arkan sas,” she said. “I then share what I learn with our presi dent, Jim Bullard, so that he can inform monetary policy. He shares his views during meetings of the Federal Open Market Committee, which sets the federal funds rate.”

Briggs also works on projects geared towards help ing the community.

“I also convene the people to promote what the Fed is here to do – promote stable prices and maximum employment,” she said. “I look forward to building rela tionships throughout the state to advance the economic well-being of the region, coupled with my own passion of focusing on workforce development in Arkansas.

“I am looking to work with other leaders to help high school students with options for post-secondary educa tion. There are vocational occupation opportunities for those who do not want to go to a four-year college, but they don’t know what’s out there and what they might be

good at if we don’t show them the various trades. We need to start earlier and provide events with hands-on learning, training and cer tification opportunities before students graduate from high school.”

Briggs shared that she loves her role because every day brings a new opportunity, as well as the hope and promise that comes with it.

“I am still very much like an investigative reporter trying to find out what is going on throughout the state,” she said. “Depending on where in the state I am working that day, I try to do some or all the following: Visit a Bank to review what bankers are seeing in their institution with lending and stakeholders as well as with their employees; stop and visit the mayor and the chamber to see what new economic developments they are working on or pain points happening in their town; make a presentation about what I do, the free resources available at the Fed, and exchange economic information.”WhenBriggs has spare time in between helping the Fed and her community, her hobbies include reading, watching movies and go ing to the theatre. She loves to travel and learn about different cul tures and countries as well as all the various attractions the United States has to offer.

“I also enjoy tennis and pickleball, but the pandemic slowed that down and forced me to go outdoors more and fish with my husband. Fishing is my new hobby, and I love it!”

But at the end of every day, Briggs likes to reflect on the progress

the Fed has made and where she sees the Little Rock branch in the future.

“We need to grow and strengthen engagement so that leaders in Arkansas will trust me to help share their story. I hope that by working with the Fed and the Little Rock branch, we can help to maximize the quality of participation in our economy across the state and throughout our entire footprint of the Eighth District,” she said. “In five years, I look for ward to many more people using the abundance of free economic resources, such as our free teaching materials at economiclowdown.org and our abun dance of economic research at stlouisfed.org.”

Briggs shared that she is honored to be in Little Rock serving the majority of Arkansas.

“Right now, my focus is meeting people where they are across the state and listening and learn ing,” she said. “There is a lot of good stuff happening but some challenges as well. I enjoy touring various businesses, schools, hospitals, industries and manu facturing plants to learn about The Natural State. If you invite me, I will come, or you may just get a call from me inviting myself. I look forward to meeting everyone as my journey begins.”

CLICK-AND-MORTAR:

How Citizens Bank is Balancing Digital and In-Person Banking

By John Callahan

As technology and industries have made doing business over digital mediums more and more possible, fewer and fewer reasons appear for one to ever need to leave home. You can have food and groceries delivered to your door and download all of the entertain ment – movies, shows, games – that you could ever need to fill your time. You can now pay for it all by working remotely as well. All of this change has been driven as much by necessity as by convenience, thanks largely to the past two years of lockdowns andAllquarantining.socialcommentary aside, digital methods of working, buying and selling have be come firmly entrenched, but not at the expense of actual in-person transactions and meeting places. While the pandemic expanded digital options, its end revealed just how eager people were to get back to in-person interaction again. All people, businesses and industries will have to reckon with this versatile new reality and learn to balance the digital and the physical. Along those lines, Batesville-based Citizens Bank has developed its own approach to striking virtual with actual, by focusing not on digital or in-person banking, per se, but on using whatever techniques are best for the bank’s overall mission – serving its community.

Citizens Bank is a community bank founded in 1953 with the goal of helping people. All of Citizens’ current locations are still found within the state of Arkansas. The mission statement of Citizens Bank is simple: “People First,” and the bank’s business practices, as well as the people who work there, reflect that emphasis. AMP recently spoke with three leading figures at the institution about how Citizens is managing the new status quo:

Little Rock City President Bill Yee; Regional Presi dent Vernon Scott; and Chief Retail Officer Sarah Lane. Though from different backgrounds, all three shared that the major draw to Citizens Bank was theLanepeople.was born and raised in Little Rock and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She came to banking simply because she was looking for a job that wasn’t at a restaurant or mall, and found a part-time job as a teller at Metropolitan bank, which no longer exists. Lane worked her way up, and through mergers and acquisitions, ended up at other banks, where she undertook work with the FDIC and learned a great deal about how bank ing is done in other states.

“But I really missed community banking,” she said, “and I really like the smaller, family feel, the ability to make decisions quickly and easily, and [feeling] a little bit closer to the customer, and where we all really know each other.” Citizens Bank provided the perfect fit for Lane.

Scott, a native of Batesville with a background in agriculture, learned a great deal about business from his grandfather. He attended Mississippi State for agribusiness, but after some hands-on experi ence with farming, he realized he enjoyed the busi ness side more than the farming side. He subse quently transferred to the University of Arkansas, finished his degree and like Lane, found a job as a teller at One Bank, which also no longer exists. Scott had not anticipated the field would become his life-long career. He spent much of his career as an individual contributor, but Citizens gave him a further opportunity to enter management and build his own team.

“For me, hands down, it was the people who were also going to be part of that,” Scott explained. “The team that Adam [that is, Citizens’ president and CEO, Adam Mitchell] had put together that we were going to be working are with directly, they were some of the most talented bankers and best people in general that I had ever had the privilege to work with.”

Yee is from Lake Village, Arkansas, where his family owned a grocery store. He worked there from age six, checking out and bagging groceries and making daily deposits for the business. Since his was a small, rural community, Yee’s family would extend credit to their customers, who often would not be able to afford their groceries until getting paid from their jobs. In that way, banking has become a natural extension of what he has been doing since early childhood. Yee eventually obtained a job as a bank examiner, which gave him an opportune chance to learn more about the banking world. He recently tran sitioned to Citizens from a long career at Simmons Bank.

“We acknowledge that there is a need for physical presence for our customers.”

Sarah Lane

“What brought me to Citizens Bank? That’s an easy answer. It’s really the people,” Yee said. “I truly believe in our G.R.E.A.T. customer service stan dards: ‘Greet everyone with a smile, Respond with Urgency, Empower our associates, Always go the extra mile, and Thank everyone for their business.”

Digital services do come with a variety of benefits for both business and customer. As Scott explained, going digital greatly reduces the entry cost for bank ing, allowing those who would not otherwise be able to afford the initial investment of building a brick-and-mortar location to enter the competition. A somewhat lower level of regulation for some on line services and “fintechs,” or financial technolo gies, also allows the fintechs to punch above their weight in comparison with larger traditional banks. But despite those many advantages, online banking simply isn’t a great fit for everyone.

“The younger demographic feels they could do everything from their phone; that would be great, and I think a lot of banks are responding to that,” Scott explained. “The older demographic has been hesitant to make that move, but they were forced to during COVID, and they’re not coming back. They enjoy it now.” Nevertheless, there is still a need for brick-and-mortar locations.

“We acknowledge that there is a need for physi cal presence for our customers,” Lane said. “We have customers who still want to come in; we have customers who still deal in cash and need that and want that, and their industries require that.

“So, we need to have physical locations to sup port our customer base. What we don’t need is a physical location on every corner. [For example,] we won’t have ten locations in Little Rock, where we believe that two will sup port our customer base, and lean heavily into the digital as well because that is what our customers are asking for.”

Digital options lie at the forefront of the bank’s growth, allowing them to expand into new areas without that substantial up-front investment. Citizens does not follow the philosophy of “Build it and they will come.” If the company builds a brick-and-mortar location, that means it has already seen growth in the area and is working to support it, rather than building a location and hoping that growth follows after.

“You will see us continue to expand on brick and mortar – primarily in growth mar kets where we intend to expand,” Scott said. “But we would go in with, maybe, a loan production office, as opposed to a full-service branch, then develop the market and then expand the services once we have that market developed.”

“The younger demographic feels they could do everything from their phone; that would be great, and I think a lot of banks are responding to that.”

Vernon Scott

Whether customers do business with Citi zens online or in person, both are tailored to fit the customer’s needs in said formats. The bank’s brick-and-mortar locations are built to look and feel different from the average bank, going for a modern aesthetic and a structure that moves away from the traditional teller line – which has been built around a physical barrier that creates a sepa ration between the customer and the bank. Citi zens’ new model is based on a pod system, made up of smaller individual stations with no barriers, allowing customers and staff to move more freely throughout the space. Lane explained that cus tomers are looking less for a place where they can just deposit and withdraw money, and more for a partnership with someone who can guide and advise them. This pod system provides a greater level of privacy and makes it easier to connect than when standing in a line.

“A lot of our locations have community rooms as well,” Lane said, “especially in our markets in Arkadelphia, Monticello and Batesville. These are places that we open to nonprofits and the community to utilize, so it truly is a room for our communities. A lot of smaller towns don’t have meeting places that they can come to and have their local meetings.”

During the pandemic, Citizens actually part nered with a local pharmacy to repurpose some of these community rooms to be used as vaccination clinics. That ability to make its locations into more than just bank branches is a major part of the overall strategy.

On the digital side of things, Citizens Bank has invested heavily into creating userfriendly tools for both businesses and individual customers, including a new website, online banking, a mobile app and a digital chat. Lane noted that the chat feature was particularly successful, allowing customers to interact with Citizens in a way that ac commodates their schedules. If a customer doesn’t have time to ask a question until midnight, they can ask it via the chat and receive an answer the next morning. Almost anything that does not strictly require in-person banking can be done online: The bank even has virtual vaults that can be used to immediately receive credit for cash, which Citizens will later pick up.

“Where we differ from other banks,” Yee said, “is that we are really, truly focused on the state of Arkansas. We want to make sure that we do what we do well, and we focus on giving back and taking care of the communities that we’re in. We’re not in other states right now, and our true focus is just taking care of Arkansas.”

“Where we differ from other banks, is that we are really, truly focused on the state of Arkansas.”

Bill Yee

Financial advisors help put their clients in a position to make money work for them instead of chasing it their entire lives. Arkansas Money & Politics asked readers to reveal their favorite financial advisors, and they delivered. The professionals listed in this special section are committed to guiding their clients through the sometimes intimidating world of investments and transforming “finances” from a potential source of stress to a golden opportunity.

RICK ADKINS, MBA, CFP®

The Arkansas Financial Group, Inc.

Rick Adkins has served as President and CEO of The Arkansas Finan cial Group, Inc., a feeonly investment advisory firm, which has provided comprehensive financial planning services since 1985. Adkins also served as an adjunct pro fessor of Finance at the UALR College of Business from 1990 to 1996. He served on CFP Board’s Board of Governors from 2000 to 2004, serving as Chair in 2003. He also chaired the CFP Board’s Board of Practice Standards. Adkins received a Bachelor of Science from Harding University in Searcy in 1975, and an MBA from the University of Mississippi in 1976.

He was included in Medical Economics Magazine’s list of “120 Best Financial Ad visers for Doctors” and Worth Magazine’s list of “The Best 250 Financial Advisers in America.” Adkins serves on the Board and Executive Committee of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and on the Advisory Board of the Jones Eye Institute at UAMS.

JAMES ERIC ASHBURN, CFP®, APMA®

Larry Root & Associates

James Eric Ashburn knows that clients have to be courageous when making the big money decisions that impact the rest of their lives.

That’s why he says it’s his purpose is to help them feel confident, connected and in con trol of their financial life. He knows that the right financial advice can help prepare someone for whatever life brings — both the expected and the unexpected. When clients work with Ashburn, they can expect one-on-one financial advice specialized to meet their goals and needs. With over seven years of experience and expertise in the fields of retirement planning strategies, insurance and saving for education, he is determined to help clients meet their goals, both in their finances and in their lives. Ashburn received his bachelor’s degree from Ouachita Baptist University in Arka delphia.

DENNIS BERRY Bow Tie Wealth Management

Dennis Berry is a pri vate wealth advisor at Bow Tie Wealth Man agement, LLC. Berry has experience with the challenges, styles and strategies that distin guish wealthy investors. As a result, he is committed to working with his clients and their trusted advisors to help preserve and grow their wealth, relying on the insights of seasoned invest ment professionals, a premier trading and execution platform and a full spectrum of investment and lending solutions. Estab lished in 2020, Bow Tie is headquartered in Hot Springs, but serves clients all over the U.S., from coast to coast and right here at home. Berry is committed to meeting clients where they are. By surviving these tough past few years, Bow Tie has shown its exceptional ability to navigate financial uncertainty as well.

RUSS BERRYHILL, CLCS Berryhill Insurance Group

Russ Berryhill is origi nally from Hot Springs and currently lives in Little Rock. He received his BA from North Cen tral College in Min neapolis. Berryhill is a second-generation in surance agent and grew up in the insurance business. His father started his insurance career in Fort Smith in 1982 and Berryhill started in 2003, when he opened a satel lite office in Little Rock. He is licensed and educated in all personal lines, commercial lines, life, health and long-term care. His current designations include, CLSC Cover age Lines Coverage Specialist. Berryhill’s passion is working with clients to custom ize insurance solutions that meet their needs. He likes asking good questions, then listening intently to their answers. At the end of the process, he hopes that every cli ent feels like they have exactly what they need and have a peace of mind. His goal is to build relationships with clients that liter ally last a lifetime.

KRISTINA BOLHOUSE, CPA/PFS, CFP®

The Arkansas Financial Group, Inc. Kristina Bolhouse is a principal/owner of The Arkansas Financial Group, Inc. She gradu ated cum laude from Western Michigan Uni versity in 1989, where she received her BBA in Business Adminis tration. Bolhouse began her career as a licensed Certified Public Accountant at Ernst & Young, L.P. in Michigan. She joined AFG in 1999 and became a Certified Finan cial Planner® in 2000. The Arkansas Finan cial Group is a fee-only investment advi sory firm. Bolhouse continues to combine her experience as a CPA with her role as a financial planner and investment advisor.

She recently completed a year as presi dent of the Rotary Club of Little Rock, which is one of the largest clubs in the world. She voluteers as the Arkansas Re gional Representative for WeighDown Ministries and is an active member of the Arkansas Women’s Leadership forum. She enjoys speaking and writing on financial planning and investment topics.

PHILLIP BUTTERFIELD, CFP® Stephens, Inc.

Phillip Butterfield serves as vice president in the Private Wealth Man agement division at Stephens Inc. in Little Rock. Butterfield works with high-net-worth clients in the areas of investment management and complex re tirement planning. He advocates the im portance of building relationships on trust, through judgment and integrity. He says that by being fully engaged with clients, his team gives careful consideration to their financial goals and risk tolerances, allow ing them to identify strategies that are de signed to meet their objectives.

Prior to joining Stephens, Butterfield earned his degree in Finance with a minor in Accounting in 2012 from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM license. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree two years later. He was also a quarterback and selected as team captain with the Arkansas State Red Wolves football program. Additionally,

Butterfield volunteers with several public service organizations, including Big Broth ers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas. He and his wife, Brittany, reside in Little Rock.

BRIAN CANALES

Edward Jones

Brian Canales became a financial advisor to help people. He longed for a career that would give him a purpose and he truly believes it is his call ing to do what he does.

Canales joined Edward Jones in 2017, but has had a love of investing his entire life. Growing up on a small farm, Canales says he learned at an early age hav ing a strategy, protecting that strategy, and hard work produced nice returns. With over two decades of experience in finance, insur ance and business management, Canales and his team have been very successful in helping clients focus, plan and stay on track for what’s truly important to them. They serve clients throughout Arkansas as well as 15 other states.

Canales partners with senior office ad ministrator JoAnne Trinkle, who has been with Edward Jones since 2010. As a team, they work closely with your tax advisors, legal counsel or family.

PHIL CARLISLE

Carlisle & Guthrie Wealth Management

Phil Carlisle has served as a financial advisor at Carlisle & Guthrie Wealth Management, a financial advisory prac tice of Ameriprise Finan cial Services in Jackson ville, since 2018. Before that, he served as a financial consultant for Investment Professionals, Inc. for over 23 years. Carlisle earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

JASON CHACKO, CFP®, CRPS Morgan Stanley

Since joining the Chacko Group at Mor gan Stanley as a Finan cial Advisor in 2009, Jason Chacko has con centrated on helping provide effective and efficient financial solu

tions for the individual goals of his clients. Chacko graduated from Catholic High School for Boys in Little Rock, where he was an active member of the Marine Corps Junior ROTC program, for which he served as battalion commander. He was active with the Boy Scouts of America, through which he received the rank of Eagle Scout, and was president of the Church Youth Group at the Annunciation Greek Ortho dox Church. Chacko is also a graduate of the Rotary Youth Leadership Association, and has received the Governor’s Award for Volunteerism twice in Arkansas. He gradu ated from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, with a Bachelor of Arts in Biol ogy, as well as a number of other focuses, including Business Marketing, Finance, Chemistry and Physics. Chacko is married to Kristin, and they have two boys, Jude and Lee. He is an active member of his commu nity, and currently sits on the Catholic High School Foundation Board of Directors, the Camp Aldersgate Board of Directors, the Rotary Club of Little Rock Board of Direc tors and the CARTI Foundation Board of Directors.

DALE E. COLCLASURE JR., CFP® RetirePath

Dale Colclasure Jr. has been in the insurance and financial services industry since 1998. He oversees the wealth management division of RetirePath, which he co-founded with Mark Smalling in 2017. Colcla sure focuses on working with clients who are seeking lifetime income and protecting their individual and business assets dur ing all phases of the economic cycle. In addition to having his Arkansas insurance license, Colclasure has passed the Series 7, 24, 53, 63 and 65 securities exams and is registered as an Investment Adviser Rep resentative. He also holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional designation. Colclasure has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Fi nance with an emphasis in Insurance and Real Estate from the University of Arkan sas. He lives in Alexander, with his wife and their four children. Colclasure is active in the local schools, coaches youth soccer and teaches Sunday school.

BRIAN COLE, JD Raymond James

Brian Cole is a native Arkansan. He graduated from Searcy High School with honors in 1986. Upon graduation, he at tended both Arkansas State University and the University of Arkansas, and was a member of the golf team at both schools. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Admin istration (Marketing) from the University of Arkansas in 1990. After college, he attended UA at Little Rock School of Law, receiving a Juris Doctor in 1994. Cole practiced law for six years, focusing primarily on banking and probate law, and remains a member of the Arkansas Bar Association. After leaving private law practice, he managed the Arvest Asset Management office in Fayetteville for several years. He then joined Raymond James in May 2006. Cole assists clients with all aspects of the management of their in vestment portfolios, from the accumula tion phase and planning for retirement to income planning during retirement. He holds several securities licenses including the Series 7, 63, 65, 31, 53 and 24, as well as the Arkansas life and health insurance licenses.

CYNTHIA L. CONGER, CPA/PFS, CFP® Conger Wealth Management

Denver native Cindy Conger’s path to lead ership in the financial planning industry took her from mom to col lege student to business owner. With two young children at home, Con ger went back to college and earned her bachelor’s degree in Ac counting in 1981 and her MBA at the Uni versity of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1983. Conger then joined a local insurance agency to start a financial planning section. In 1985, she was a founding partner in The Arkansas Financial Group, Inc. in Little Rock, where she gained experience, expertise and na tional acclaim. Worth Magazine recognized Conger for a decade as one of the top prac titioners in the nation, and she was named to Wealth Management Magazine’s 50 Dis tinguished Women in Wealth Management. In 1999, with three other financial planners, Conger founded Financial Decisions, Inc., a fee-only financial planning firm working with middle-income clients. She formed her own firm, now known as Conger Wealth

Management, in 2005. Conger Wealth Man agement focused its services for women in transition, while also helping couples with their financial planning needs. In 2018, she sold Conger Wealth Management to Advi sory Alpha. She continues to work part-time in Conger Wealth Management.

BARRY M. CORKERN, CFP®, AIFA® Barry M. Corkern and Company, Inc.

For 40 years, Barry M. Corkern has guided individuals, multiple generations of families, business owners, endow ments, foundations and retirement plans to have a profound impact on their financial decisions and planning. As the first fee-only wealth management firm in Arkansas, Barry M. Corkern and Company Inc. provides expert, timely and strategic information to clients with complex financial needs. Their analyt ical processes are based on well-established procedures and fiduciary standards which require them to be objective and thorough.

Corkern is a graduate of the private wealth management profession tract at the esteemed Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania), has provided litigation sup port and expert witness testimony in more than 75 cases, and is the founding president of the Arkansas Chapter of the Financial Planning Association. The firm was named the 2022 Small Business of the Year by the Little Rock Regional Chamber.

SHELLY CROSSKNO

Farmers Bank & Trust

Shelly Crosskno is a cer tified public accountant and the chief financial officer at Farmers Bank & Trust in Blytheville. Farmers Bank & Trust is a banking firm that offers banking, trust, mortgage and loan services.

BRIAN CURRY, CFP®

Larry Root & Associates

Brian Curry is a CERTI

FIED FINANCIAL PLAN

NERTM professional and chief operating officer at Larry Root & Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Fi nancial Services, in Little Rock. His areas of focus

include retirement planning strategies, small business, insurance, retirement income strat egies, estate planning strategies, executive compensation and benefit strategies, invest ments, retirement plan distribution and tax planning strategies. Curry received his Bach elor of Arts in Finance from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1979.

KEVIN D. DANIEL, CRPC®

Daniel Financial Group

Kevin D. Daniel graduat ed from the University of Central Arkansas in 1997 with a degree in Business Management with an em phasis in Finance. In 1998, Daniel began his mission to provide the best insur ance services to his community by providing life insurance to seniors. From the very first day, he realized that client service was the key to running a successful business. Soon after starting his own business, Daniel realized helping retirees was his life’s passion. Since those first years, he has added new products including health insurance, Medicare op tions, long-term care insurance, disability and annuities. He has also obtained his Se ries 65 securities license and opened his own Registered Investment Advisory firm in 2011. Daniel’s original specialty in working with retirees is particularly important in today’s uncertain economic times. His Retirement Workshops offer some of the most up-todate information on social security planning, Medicare, long-term care options, estate planning, income planning and Nobel Prizewinning concepts on investments.

KELLEY CURTIS DUNLAP, CRPC®

Stifel | The Curtis Team

Kelley Dunlap followed in her father’s footsteps to become a financial ad visor in 2002. Today, she is a partner, along with her brother, of The Curtis Team, who joined Stifel in 2011 upon the opening of the Little Rock branch. Dunlap leverages her 20 years of experience to provide insight and perspective in constantly changing market environments. Drawing on the knowledge gained from obtaining the Chartered Retire ment Planning Counselor™ designation, Dunlap assists business owners in develop ing a retirement plan tailored to their needs. Dunlap was named to Forbes’ 2022 America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors list and Forbes’ 2022 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list. She

is also a member of the Stifel Chairman’s Council, which consisted of 378 of the firm’s top-producing financial advisors for 2021, who were recognized from among approxi mately 2,300 Stifel financial advisors nation wide. After graduating from the University of Arkansas, Dunlap made Little Rock home and is now active in discipling youth at Fel lowship Bible Church, volunteering with the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Auxiliary and is a Junior League of Little Rock Sus tainer board member.

GILBERTO GARCIA, MBA, RICP®, CLTC®

Garcia Wealth ManagementNorthwestern Mutual Gilberto Garcia is the Co-Founder of Garcia Wealth ManagementNorthwestern Mutual, where he and the entire GWM team serve clients in Arkansas and nation ally through their core values of accountability, transparency and integrity. Garcia is a Morrilton native and graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with Finance, Risk Management and MBA degrees. Prior to helping estab lish their firm, Garcia was exposed to en trepreneurship through his upbringing in family businesses and today is a national speaker on the topic of financial planning. He and his wife, Alli, enjoy time with fam ily, friends, anything football related and giving back to their community. Garcia serves on the UCA Purple Circle Board of Directors (Go Bears!), was the 2021 recipi ent of the Conway Chamber Area of Com merce’s Young in Professional of the Year award, and is a Million Dollar Round Table — Top of the Table member.

The GWM team consists of Osmar Gar cia, Kyle Fitzgerald, Osiris Jauregui, Annie Beth Wheeler, Brett Caples, Briana King gard, Jonathan Chance, Jacob Mitchell and Miranda Daily.

SYDNEY O’QUIN GILBERT, CFP®, ADPA®

The O’Quin Group

Sydney O’Quin Gilbert is a third-generation Fi nancial Advisor, joining her father, Roger Louis O’Quin, in his practice in 2005 to work with women decision mak ers and the next gen

eration of investors. She finds that many women don’t feel they know enough about their financial situation. Therefore, it is very rewarding to provide educational and supportive advice to other women, espe cially in times of transition. She also en joys volunteering her time in the commu nity through her son’s school, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and through Rotary Club. Gilbert is currently a CERTIFIED FI NANCIAL PLANNERTM professional and managing partner at The O’Quin Group of Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network in Little Rock.

CORY GRUMMER, CFP®

Stephens, Inc.

Cory Grummer, CFP® is a vice president and leader of the Wealth Planning team. She has over 10 years of experi ence, serving in financial roles in both the private and public sector. Prior to joining Stephens in 2013, Grummer was a budget analyst for the State of Colorado and worked for many years as an analyst for a private equity firm. Her background in accounting and passion for finance led her to obtain her CERTI FIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM designa tion and then to her current financial plan ning role, where she works with Stephens’ Financial Consultants and their clients to create comprehensive financial plans for various stages of life. This includes re tirement, education, insurance and estate planning. Grummer particularly enjoys estate planning and helping clients create strategies to achieve their legacy and chari table goals. She and her husband have two young children. In her free time, Grummer enjoys DIY projects and giving back to her community as an active member in the Ju nior League of Little Rock.

SARAH CATHERINE GUTIERREZ, CFP®, CRPS

Aptus Financial

Sarah Catherine (SC) Gutierrez is the CEO of Aptus Financial and holds an MPP from Har vard University and the CERTIFIED FINAN CIAL PLANNERTM and Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist designa tions. Her firm serves as advisor to work

place retirement plans and provides flat fee financial planning services and guided DIY investing support for individual clients. She was named Investment News 2020 40 under 40 class of investment advisors and is author of “But First, Save10: The One Simple Money Move That Will Change Your Life.” SC writes a monthly financial column called “Save Yourself” for the Ar kansas Democrat Gazette.

CHRIS HARKINS

Raymond James

Chris Harkins has been helping families and in dividuals for more than 30 years. As a financial advocate, Harkins takes a deep dive into address ing clients’ interests and concerns, helping them better understand their options and solutions. His planning-based approach is designed to help clients meet current financial needs while working to wards future goals; mitigate tax liabilities and successfully address estate issues; get better control of discretionary expenses; and reach long-term financial goals. Originally from Chicago, Harkins attended Loyola University in Chicago. After moving to the San Fran cisco Bay area, he joined Shearson Lehman Brothers. Prior to joining Raymond James in the fall of 2015, Harkins helped build Little Rock-based Delta Trust and Bank beginning in 2000. Harkins lives in Little Rock and has been married to his wife, Jo, for 30 years, and they have one daughter, Abby.

JOHN HOEFL, CRPC®

Aspire Wealth Builders

As a financial professional and an active member of his commu nity, John Hoefl is dedi cated to helping indi viduals and businesses build their financial fu tures. To stay on top of his field as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and develop his professional skills, he regularly attends industry training, certification pro grams and is a featured speaker in Little Rock, Hot Springs and Southwest Arkan sas. Maintaining a strong sense of commu nity and a solid professional foundation are very important to him. Hoefl is also in volved in Hot Springs Civitans, Hot Springs Rotary and various advisory boards.

TREVOR HOLBERT, CFP®, CRPC® Merrill Lynch

Trevor Holbert joined Merrill Lynch in 2008. Prior to Merrill Lynch, he spent two years in public accounting with JPMS, Cox PLLC, an accounting firm in Little Rock. Hol bert attended Harding University where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration in economics and played baseball for the Bisons. He was recently named to the Forbes “Best-in-State Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list in 2022. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, and is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designee. Holbert is a former member of the Arkansas Children’s Foundation Board and a gradu ate of Leadership Greater Little Rock, Class XXVI. He currently serves on the boards of Junior Deputy Baseball Park and Explore Ministries — and is also an identical twin.

LOREN “MARSHALL” IPSEN, CFP® Ipsen Advisor Group

Loren “Marshall” Ipsen is a CERTIFIED FINAN CIAL PLANNER™ pro fessional and a founder of Ipsen Advisor Group along with his wife, Amy. Marshall has been fo cused on comprehensive financial planning since he started working in financial services in 2001. Once introduced to financial planning, he quickly realized the value of seeing a complete picture of a client’s circumstances when planning with them as they achieve their goals. Investments are just one piece of the plan and will be most effective when tai lored to the individual’s goals and situation. Marshall specializes in working with small business owners and families looking for multigenerational planning. Outside of the office, Marshall enjoys spending time with his family, experiencing some of the many outdoor activities available in Arkansas.

MATT JONES, JD, CFP®

Legacy Capital Wealth Advisors

Matt Jones began work ing in the wealth man agement industry in 1994 after receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas and his law degree from UA Little

Rock. Having completed the requirements to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM, Jones worked locally for both Morgan Keegan and Stephens Inc. In 1997, he joined the late Frank McGehee to form what is now Legacy Capital. Jones serves as president and directional leader for Legacy. He and the firm’s other advisors focus on providing holistic and customized wealth management services to affluent and ultraaffluent clientele. Legacy’s client base is na tionwide and includes some of Arkansas’ most prominent families.

LESTER MATLOCK, APMA®, CFP® AND CRPC®

Natural State Private Wealth Group - Ameriprise

Lester Matlock is CEO of Natural State Private Wealth Group/Ameri prise in Little Rock and has more than 26 years of experience in the in dustry. His retirement income strategies in clude wealth preservation strategies, in vestments, retirement plan distribution, tax planning strategies, estate planning strategies and charitable giving. Matlock holds the APMA®, CFP® and CRPC® desig nations.

SCOTT MCLEOD, CFP®

Morgan Stanley

Scott McLeod is a wealth advisor and senior vice president with Morgan Stanley in Little Rock. For McLeod, retirement planning means more than providing his cli ents with investment advice. It means helping them maintain the financial independence they’ve worked their whole lives to achieve. His consulta tive process begins with an in-depth discus sion of the client’s current finances and fu ture objectives. He will address issues they might have overlooked and determine how his team can help adjust the client’s invest ment strategy to accommodate changing conditions and meet any unforeseen ex penses and income demands that may arise during retirement.

NICK MERRIWEATHER Ipsen Advisor Group

Nick Merriweather, a native Arkansan, has worked with Ipsen Advi sor Group in Little Rock since graduating from Henderson State Uni versity in 2016. His areas of focus include sus

tainable and responsible investing, saving for education and cash flow management strategies. Merriweather enjoys watching Razorback athletics including football, baseball and basketball.

CHAD MITCHELL Edward Jones

After getting his bach elor’s degree from Ar kansas Tech University, Chad Mitchell decided to help people in one of the most important ar eas of their life – financ es. As an Edward Jones financial advisor, Mitchell believes it’s im portant to invest his time in understanding what his clients are working toward be fore investing their money. It’s also impor tant to understand the level of risk they’re comfortable accepting when investing, so he can balance it with the steps necessary to reach their long-term goals. Whether they’re planning for retirement, saving for college for children or grandchildren, or just trying to protect the financial future of the ones they care for the most, Mitchell wants to work with his clients to develop specific strategies to help them achieve their goals. He can also monitor their prog ress to help make sure they stay on track or determine if any adjustments need to be made. Through it all, Chad Mitchell and Edward Jones are dedicated to providing top-notch client service.

GEOFFREY H. NIEBAUM

Mendel Capital Management

Geoffrey H. Niebaum brings 15 years of invest ment advisory experi ence to his role leading Mendel Capital Man agement. As President, he focuses on invest ment management and overall strategic growth of Mendel Capi tal. Niebaum works diligently to maintain the firm’s client-first focus. Prior to joining

Mendel Capital, he was a partner and port folio manager for Integra Capital Advisors. His investment management career began with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Nie baum earned a MBA from the University of South Florida and a BA in Marketing from St. Leo University. He and his wife, Katie (a native Arkansan), live in Little Rock with their three children.

ANNIE NORRIS

Red Dog Investment Group

As a Financial Advisor since 1987, Annie Cur tis Norris is now owner of Red Dog Investment Group. Prior to found ing Red Dog Investment Group, Norris spent 31 years at Merrill Lynch in Little Rock, working with individuals, families and small business owners. Her in vestment management style is dictated by the goals and needs of her clients, believing that asset allocation and diversification are the bedrock to an investor’s portfolio.

She enjoys spending time at the lake with family and friends. Her hobbies are boating, tailgating at Arkansas Razor back games and junking. She loves to find something old and turn it into something cool. Norris also loves to volunteer and is a board member for Cystic Fibrosis Foun dation and a lifetime member of Arkansas Children’s Auxiliary. She graduated from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Business. She and her husband, Alan, are longtime residents of Benton. Together they have two sons, Andrew and Aaron Norris.

PATRICIA NUOVO, CFP® Signature Bank, Private Wealth Management

Patty Nuovo has a re markable story: She was the first female stock broker at her firm in Philadelphia, and she excelled in the financial world in the Northeast. Her seminars on the concepts of money and abundance were an integral part of her message about educat ing and empowering the individual regard ing their personal finances.

Today, Patty is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM, Financial Advisor and Invest ment Advisor Representative working at Sig nature Bank, Private Wealth Management for Raymond James in the Bentonville branch.

APRIL N. POLLARD, CFP®,

April Pollard and her team are passionate about helping their cli ents achieve more than portfolio returns. Build ing lifelong strategic partnerships with their clients as if they are their own family, they work diligently to understand what is most important in all areas of their lives. Pol lard works closely with her clients’ CPAs, attorneys and other professionals in strict confidence to determine specific strategies that may benefit their individual situation. This teamwork between all areas of their clients’ life helps to ensure that nothing is overlooked and all things are considered. “Our clients know that they are more than an account in our practice. We build real relationships with those we serve. Under standing their dreams, family dynamics, career goals and even hobbies helps us de velop individual strategies that are more effective and more easily executed. Our passion is helping them reach their suc cess in life and in their finances.”

CARRIE RUSSOM QURAISHI, JD, CAPP

Quraishi Law Firm & Wealth Man agement

Carrie Russom Quraishi, JD, CAPP is the prin cipal of Quraishi Law Firm & Wealth Manage ment located in Jones boro and serving clients nationwide. Her practice is focused on guiding clients through the complicated and often confusing maze of balancing family pro tection, wealth building and preservation of cherished family values in the planning process. Quraishi is dedicated to using her wealth of experience, mastery of the law and commitment to a client-first approach to help successful families and small busi ness owners create an integrated financial, legal and life plan to protect what matters most. Quraishi’s areas of practice include proactive tax planning, financial/invest ment planning, estate planning, elder law, probate and trust administration, estate and trust taxation, charitable and notfor-profit planning, business succession, wealth preservation planning and special needs planning.

DAVID RICHEY Bankers Life

With 25 years of finan cial experience, David Richey is well equipped to help clients navigate life’s waters. Richey’s goal is to offer solutions that meet clients’ needs today and for the life of their retirement. He believes in building a personal relationship with his clients, so he can better understand their retirement goals and help them get there with confi dence and peace of mind. Since joining Bankers Life in 1999, Richey has earned several company designations and dis tinctions, such as President’s Honor Circle ELITE, Agent of the Year, Million Dollar Round Table, Certified Long Term Care, and Certified Senior Advisor. His commu nity is always the center of his focus; that’s why, in his spare time, Richey volunteers with the Alzheimer’s Association.

TIM RAFFERTY, CRPC®

Raymond James

Tim Rafferty is a vice president with Raymond James, in the firm’s Little Rock branch office. He believes the cornerstone of a successful client/ advisor relationship is the mutual trust and re spect that develops over time, and is deeply committed to helping his clients realize their long-term finan cial goals. Rafferty provides a comprehen sive approach to wealth management, risk management and estate planning to Indi viduals, families and businesses. He works diligently to meet his clients’ expectations with exceptional customer service and the intention of being their trusted wealth advisor for life. Prior to beginning his ca reer in financial services in 2004, Rafferty received his undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University. Originally from New Orleans, he is active in the community as a volunteer for organizations such as Lit tle Rock Montessori School and Christ the King Catholic Church. He is also a member of Chenal Country Club. He and his wife, Shay, have two children, Jack and Clay.

KYMBERLIE REED

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

Kymberlie Reed began working at Ameriprise Financial in 2006, hav ing served many clients as their trusted financial advisor for over eight years. As a financial advisor, it’s Reed’s job to get to know your financial world, your goals and concerns, as well as she knows the financial markets. Reed is proud to be a financial advisor and has made it her life’s work to help people not only envision their future but help build it. Through financial advice, investments and solution recom mendations, as well as progress meetings and smart technologies, Reed can help you achieve your financial goals and adjust to whatever obstacles life brings. When she’s not working, Reed likes to spend time with her family, watch football and basketball, and go fishing. She is passionate in volun teering her time for charitable causes such as the Foodbank and Ronald McDonald House. She is a veteran of the United States Navy.

LARRY ROOT, CFP®, CFS®, APMA®

Larry Root & Associates

Larry Root’s practice has changed over the years with its clients. Many clients have worked with the firm for 25 years or longer. He understands the impact the firm can have in clients’ lives through a fulfilling retirement, education of children and grandchildren as well as facing the difficult events of life. The firm works to make a difference in the lives of its clients. Root was named to Forbes’ Best-inState Financial Advisors in 2022.

ROCKLIN SENAVININ, CFP® Fiduciary Wealth Management

Rocklin Senavinin is president and co-found er of Fiduciary Wealth Management, a fee-only registered investment advisory firm in Little Rock. As a FINANCIALCERTIFIEDPLAN NER™ professional, he has advanced

Edward Jones

WealthFiduciaryManagement

Founded in 2016, Fiduciary Wealth Management (FWM) is a fee-only registered investment advisory firm based in Little Rock. Founders Rocklin Senavinin, CFP®, and Edward P. Mahaffy, MBA, CFP®, ChFC®, who have a combined 50 years of industry experience, started the firm with a shared vision and goal of always putting the client’s needs first.

FWM provides comprehensive investment management and financial planning services, as well as hourly consulting services for those who want to stay with existing providers. Its streamlined results are easy to interpret and give careful consideration to tax-related and estate planning concerns.

At FWM, there are no sales quotas to meet, which eliminates many conflicts of interest. The firm works with the client’s needs in mind and seeks investments that are appropriate for them and their families. Clients’ goals are at the forefront of FWM’s practice, and they do not take their fiduciary responsibility lightly.

ROCKLIN SENAVININ, CFP ® 1501 N. University Ave., Ste. 714, Little Rock, AR 72207 501-673-3092 / FIDWM.com

Main Office: 3500 East Johnson Ave. Suite 300 Jonesboro, AR 72405 870-275-4304, TX www.quraishilaw.com972-292-7675

Helping families and small business owners protect their wealth and loved ones, minimize taxes, and create a lasting legacy.

Carrie Russom Quraishi, JD, CAPP

Carrie Russom Quraishi on being named one of Arkansas’ Best Financial Advisors

Rocklin Senavinin, CFP®

training in the holistic process of creating a personal financial plan that addresses a person’s comprehensive needs for both the short and long term.

JIM SHENEP, CFP®

Simmons Bank, Private Wealth

Jim Shenep is senior vice president trust man ager III for Simmons Bank Private Wealth in Little Rock. He is a na tive of Pine Bluff and graduated from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville with a BS in business admin istration. Shenep is also a graduate of the American Bankers Association Graduate Trust School, Cannon Trust School and the College of Certified Financial Planning. He managed the trust department of Delta Trust & Bank from 2000 - 2014, until it was acquired by Simmons Bank.

TOMEK SIWIEC

New Wave Wealth Advisors

Originally from Poland, Tomek Siwiec moved to Rogers in 1999, where he launched his career at Arvest in com mercial lending and wealth management. With an MA in finance and nearly 20 years of experience, he joined New Wave Wealth Advisors in 2019 and is solely focused on helping his clients by leveraging independent solutions for investments management and financial planning.

JOEY SMALL, APMA®, CRPC®

Small & Associates Financial

Joey Small is a private wealth advisor and CEO of Small & Associates Financial, where he provides personalized financial advice to help clients achieve their goals, today and tomor row. Small takes the time to understand what’s truly important to his clients and adjust to whatever life brings – both the ex pected and unexpected. As a result, clients can feel more confident, connected and in control of their financial life. Small has 23 years of experience with Ameriprise Finan

cial, during which time he has been named to Barron’s Top Financial Advisors, the Ameriprise Chairman’s Advisory Council and Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors.

DAVID TRENT

Legacy Capital Wealth Partners

With more than three decades of wealth man agement experience and after seven years as an investment represen tative with two major firms, Trent became in spired to start his own company focused on unbiased, objective money management service. In early 1996, he founded Trent Capital Management Inc., a Registered Investment Advisory firm. He merged his firm with Legacy Capi tal on Jan. 1, 2021.

RAY VEACH, CPA/PFS

The Veach Team of Applied Capital

After starting his career as a CPA over 40 years ago, Ray Veach estab lished his own fee-only registered investment advisor firm in 1995. Solely through personal relationships and refer rals, the firm grew to approximately $60 million in assets under management by 2018. In late 2018, Veach merged his firm into Applied Capital and became The Veach Team of Applied Capital. At that time, his son, Reid, joined Applied Capital to work with his father on The Veach Team. Reid’s wife, Eryn, also joined the firm as of fice manager in early 2021 to assist with the growth. As of early 2022, there are about 170 clients with approximately $110 million of assets being managed by Ray and Reid.

LARA WILKERSON

Aspire Wealth Builders

As a financial profes sional and an active member of the commu nity, Lara Candice Wilk erson is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses build their financial futures. To stay on top of her field and develop her profes sional skills, she regularly attends industry training and certification programs. Wilk

erson’s experience and professional affilia tions have fostered her practical approach to offering financial services and advice to her clients. Maintaining a strong sense of community and a solid professional foun dation are very important to her. She is involved in Child Abuse Prevention with Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center and No Child Hungry, among other organizations.

DAVID L. WINBERRY Edward Jones

David L. Winberry is an Edward Jones finan cial advisor serving the Batesville area. As an Edward Jones financial advisor, he believes it’s important to invest his time to understand what his clients are working toward be fore they invest their money. Working to gether, his team can help clients develop a complete, tailored strategy to help them achieve their financial goals. Winberry is also a member of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce.

G. STEPHEN WHITE, CFP®

G. Stephen White and Associates

Knowledgeable, com passionate and “client first” are just a few words often used to describe G. Stephen White. As a CERTIFIED FINAN CIAL PLANNERTM with over 35 years of experi ence in the fast-paced and ever-changing financial industry, White has established himself as a leader and qualified advi sor. His knowledge and compassion have earned him many awards with Ameriprise Financial through the years, including Ameriprise Circle of Success 1998-present and Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors 2022.

White is a devoted family man with strong community involvement in North Little Rock, believing that client referral and long-term relationships are the best method of building a strong financial practice. His team, G Stephen White and Associates, includes his son, GS Jeremy White – Private Wealth Advisor, and is proud to provide experience, specialized financial knowledge and hands-on service to all clients.

THOUGHTS FOR YOUR PENNY Executive Q&A

By Mak Millard

Asthe old saying goes: Time is money, and mon ey is time. So, when it comes to getting advice on how to manage your money, why waste time with anyone but the best of the best?

Arkansas Money & Politics tapped five experts from this year’s group of the state’s Best Financial Advisors to give their thoughts on some of our most pressing financial planning questions.

With a wealth of knowledge and specialties covering everything from retirement to small busi ness planning, advice from these professionals might well be worth more than just their “two cents.”

Carrie Russom Quraishi, JD, CAPP

QuraishiPrincipal,Law Firm and Wealth Management

After graduating cum laude with a degree in Finance from Arkansas State University, Carrie Russom Qurai shi earned her Juris Doctorate from Southern Method ist University’s Dedman School of Law. She has written several books and is frequently invited to speak about financial and legal topics. Her firm serves clients nationwide, with a focus on helping families and business owners create an integrated financial, legal and life plan to protect what matters most.

AMP: How has your experience practicing law influenced the advice you give to clients?

Quraishi: My background in law has helped me provide more comprehensive advice to my cli ents. Wealth management encompasses so much more than just investment advice. As both a lawyer and financial advisor, I’m able to help clients with tax planning, estate planning, longterm care, investing and so much more.

AMP: What advice would you give to younger clients to set them up for long-term success?

Quraishi: I would recommend younger clients to start saving right away. Don’t wait until you get that promotion, after you get married or whatever other milestone you may be working towards. I also recommend investing in your own financial knowledge! Don’t get your financial advice from social media, friends and/or relatives. Read books from successful financial professionals and put a game plan in action now.

AMP: What do you and your firm do to help clients feel confident about their financial situa

Quraishi:tions?

All our new clients go through our TotalWealth™ Financial Planning process. We’re going to look at all aspects of their financial well-being and develop a comprehensive plan for their future. Having a plan takes out so much of the fear and worry most clients have about re tirement, leaving more time to focus on things they enjoy.

AMP: What is the biggest mistake you see people make in regards to their finances, and how do you help your clients avoid it?

Quraishi: I think the biggest mistake people make is letting their emotions get in the way of a disciplined approach to investing. Fear, greed and herd bias can sabotage the best-laid plans. That’s why it’s so important to have a solid financial plan, but to also have a trusted advisor in your corner that you can talk to before making any final decisions.

Trent Managing Principal, Legacy Capital Wealth Partners

DavidTrent graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, with a BS in Mathematical Science and has over three decades of wealth management experience. At the end of 2020, he merged his firm, Trent Capital Management, with Legacy Capital. Trent takes a holistic approach to his clients’ needs, working with their attorneys, tax advisors and other professionals to put togeth er the best solutions. His areas of expertise include asset management, estate tax and wealth transfer planning and retirement planning.

AMP: One of your areas of expertise is retirement planning. How have current economic trends affected the way your clients are planning for Trent:retirement?

In some cases, clients nearing retirement have delayed the decision, and those farther away from retirement are rethinking their projected work-life expectancy altogether. We have had many conversa tions with clients over the past year, helping them evaluate their individual situations in light of eco nomic trends, and helping them determine whether delaying retirement is required to still achieve their objectives.

AMP: How do you see inflation affecting your clients, both in the short and long term?

Trent: Inflation is a major factor in the retirement planning process and can have a significant impact on real growth rates and future income needs during retirement. In the short term, inflation will continue to be challenging in many areas. However, current inflation levels are not the norm. Eventually, the in flationary pressure we see today will subside.

AMP: What advice would you give to younger clients to set them up for long-term success?

Trent: From a financial standpoint, I would advise them to save aggressively and make saving a habit early in adult life. Overall, long-term success in any business is largely dependent on the relationships you nurture and what you do with opportunities you have been given. Work hard in both areas, and success is almost guaranteed to follow.

AMP: What do you and your firm do to help clients feel confident about their financial situations?

Trent: We pride ourselves on educating and providing perspective to our clients regarding the financial world around them. As the world becomes more complex, the amount of information – specifically about investing – can be overwhelming. Our firm’s motto is “Making the complex simple.” We strive to do this with each family we work with so that they can be comfortable with their financial plan, know ing that it was created to meet their unique goals and objectives.

David2022

Kelley Curtis Dunlap, CRPC®

Senior Vice President/Investments, The Curtis Team - Stifel

Agraduate

of the University of Arkansas, Kelley Curtis Dunlap has developed personalized strategies to address the complex needs of affluent families since 2002. A large majority of her clients are business owners, so she understands the impact that a wellthought-out retirement plan can have on a client’s operations. She is a member of the Stifel Chairman’s Council, which consists of the firm’s top-producing financial advisors nationwide.

AMP: Do you encourage people to take risks in their financial planning, or play it safe?

Dunlap: It depends on their risk tolerance, time horizon, needs and goals. When it comes to the financial planning process, we are more conservative in what we use as future projections. The Curtis Team at Stifel believes that the sleep factor plays a huge role. We are aware of the need for flexibility, which is why we review a client’s plan at least annually or when large events/changes in their life take place.

AMP: What guidance would you give to younger clients to set them up for long-term success?

Dunlap: We work with the children of our clients to help them avoid financial mistakes early in their financial life that could haunt them for years. We start with educating them on basics – how to start a budget and remain on track, how to build your credit responsibly and how much to save for an emer gency fund as well as for retirement. The earlier in life a client can start saving, the more impact it will have on their future.

AMP: What extra considerations do business owners need to take into account when it comes to retirement

Dunlap:planning?

Establishing a retirement plan for your company has several benefits. When employees are distracted by their personal finances, it can severely impact their work performance and the company’s bottom line. Adding a retirement plan that offers readiness, guidance and financial wellness tools for your employees allows them to have more control over their financial future, and gives them more time to concentrate on the job at hand.

When it comes to business owners’ personal exit strategy, we assist clients with a blueprint to the ques tions a well-thought-out plan should address. The Curtis Team works alongside the client, their tax at torney and their CPA to work on viable exit pathways, preplanning and deal structures that meet those goals.

AMP: What is the biggest mistake you see people make in regards to their finances, and how do you help your clients avoid it?

Dunlap: One of the biggest financial mistakes an individual can make is carrying out uninformed, shortterm decisions and changing planning strategies due to the recency bias from a large market downturn. We try to assist with taking the emotion out of making financial decisions when it comes to investing for the future. We remind clients that we are investing for the long term.

Chacko, CFP®, CRPS®

Vice President, The Chacko Group at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

JasonChacko joined Morgan Stanley in 2009 and has over 11 years of experience in wealth management. Chacko prioritizes clear communication, using periodic reviews and up-to-date market information to provide the best information (and advice) possible. He holds the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP), Chartered Retire ment Plans Specialist® (CRPS) and Portfolio Manager Designations. His goal with every client is to see the look of relief that comes when they see a roadmap for their financial future.

AMP: How do you see inflation affecting your clients, both in the short and long term?

Chacko: Inflation has been a bit of a silent drag on client accounts for a while, so if nothing else, it’s good to see clients pay more attention to how far their dollar goes. When we build financial plans, pur chasing power plays a big part in determining how long the plan will be funded. While we can hope that the current high levels are transitory, we find it is more pertinent to prepare for the worst, rather than just hope for the best.

AMP: What advice would you give to younger clients to set them up for long-term success?

Chacko: Time is your most valuable asset. Throughout the history of investing, the strength of com pounding returns has consistently shown to be one of the most important factors in building wealth. As you work towards financial wellness, there will be a point that you can afford to let your money work for you, and the earlier you recognize that, the better it can be.

AMP: What is one investment trend you dislike?

Chacko: Access to information is not the same as research. There are many websites that publish in vestments that are mentioned most often in social media, but just because people are talking about it, doesn’t mean it is the right investment for you. Understanding the goal behind any investment – and matching that to your risk tolerance and timeline – is not something you can do based on how many likes it has. Recognize the difference between trading and investing, and pick the one that fits your personal goals the best.

AMP: What is the biggest mistake you see people make in regards to their finances, and how do you help your clients avoid it?

Chacko: You are not your neighbor. Your financial needs are as unique as your fingerprint, so you should not compare your investments to anything but your established goals. An index doesn’t have the same time horizon, meaning it doesn’t need the money at the same time your plan may dictate. So instead of going for some imaginary number, or trying to beat an index that never has to take money out, trust your decision making from your financial plan, and aim to stay in line.

Loren Marshall Ipsen, CFP® Certified Financial Planner Practitioner, Ipsen Advisor Group

SouthArkansas native Marshall Ipsen has almost 20 years of experience in the financial planning industry. After complet ing his Finance degree at Texas A&M Texarkana, he owned an Ameriprise financial advisory firm. In early 2021, he launched his own firm, Ipsen Advisor Group. Ipsen and his team provide services ranging from wealth management to sustainable investing with a broad spectrum of financial technology and tools.

AMP: One of your areas of focus is Social Security Retirement Benefits. What’s one thing everyone should know about Social Security in regards to retirement planning?

Ipsen: First, the program was never designed to be someone’s only source of retirement income; it’s usually about 30-35% of a retired person’s income. Second, there are many ways to file for Social Se curity, and the benefit grows by 8% every year it is delayed. Third, Social Security is taxable income. The Social Security Administration does not withhold state tax, because some states – including Arkansas – don’t tax the benefit. Talk to a professional before you file.

AMP: What advice would you give to younger clients to set them up for long-term success?

Ipsen: Establish an emergency fund first. It does not matter if it earns interest; it’s insurance against life’s surprises. Plan for bigger expenses on a monthly or weekly amount. Surprise, Christmas is in December this year! Start saving in January.

AMP: What is one investment trend you dislike?

Ipsen: Crypto, meme stocks, profitless companies. Currency is the medium of exchange for per ceived value, not an investment. Just because everybody is jumping off a bridge doesn’t mean you have to as well. Reading about a public company on social media is not research.

AMP: What is the biggest mistake you see people make in regards to their finances, and how do you help your clients avoid it?

Ipsen: Overspending and debt. We prefer to educate clients on how to tell their money where to go instead of their money telling them where it went.

GilletteBeckyBy

Arkansas small business owner helps spread native plants across the country WILD LIFELINE:

MaryAnn

King started Pine Ridge Gardens near Lon don, Arkansas, in 1992, because she was fed up with her job in town. There in London – located about halfway between Little Rock and Fort Smith, five miles off In terstate 40 – King started out growing standard vegetable and flower plants. Soon, she became intrigued with the important role native plants play in supporting pollinator plants, insects including bees, butterflies and moths, and insects that are criti cal food sources for songbirds. Today, King’s business has bur geoned: She grows about 400 species of native plants and has sold them to customers all over the country. She has even pro vided plants to the U.S. Botanical Gardens and U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.

Pine Ridge Gardens is not just a business, but a mission for King, who is also known as the “Butterfly Gal.” Originally, she grew native plants after customers started asking for them.

“So, I set about looking for seed,” King said. “I joined the Ar kansas Native Plant Society, went on every trip that I could manage and listened to people who knew a lot more about na tive plants than I had ever thought about knowing. I asked a million questions. It just kind of snowballed from there.”

One example of her research revealed how many types of but terflies need a specific plant or range of plants for laying their eggs. Without those plants, the butterflies wouldn’t exist.

Photos courtesy of Arkansas Native Plant Society/Eric

“I know everyone has heard of monarchs requiring milkweeds to lay their eggs on because their caterpillars need that to survive,” King said. “Milkweeds are not palatable to most other creatures. This is what makes the monarch butterfly poi sonous to birds. Once birds eat the mon arch or caterpillars, it makes them sick. It registers that this is not good to eat. It is also interesting if you are driving along and see some milkweeds out in the field, you will find they are ignored by cows or horses who have eaten down the rest of the Otherfield.”butterflies that rely on just a few plants to survive include pipevine swal lowtail butterflies, whose caterpillars can only feed on pipevine. There are but three native species on which pipevine butterflies can feed.

“If someone out there isn’t growing them, or they get wiped out because a subdivi sion is being built, what is the caterpillar going to feed on?” King asked. “I started to grow these plants that are essential for butterflies. We have so many beautiful butterflies.

“The giant swallowtails can feed on wa fer ash, prickly ash and toothache tree. If you listen to the bird, butterfly and insect [experts], a lot of what we have taken for granted over the years is disappearing. The entire system with insects, native plants and wildlife is a circle. Without one or the other, the whole system begins to break down. So, after several years, the nursery got to the point where we sold al most exclusively native plants.”

While it is becoming more common knowledge that native plants are a criti cal part of the ecosystem, King described some of them as “real thugs.” She recom mends people learn to differentiate be

tween the good and the less desirable by attending Arkansas Native Plant Society hikes. Don’t be discouraged thinking you

King started Pine Ridge Gardens near London, Arkansas, in 1992.

will have to tromp for hours and hours. It may take an hour to go a half mile be cause the group is always stopping, look ing at plants and discussing their roles in the ecosystem. Usually, a couple bota nists on the trip are present to resolve any Monarchquestions.Watch groups are another place to learn. King has attended numerous meetings and found them very informa tive. And she highly recommends anyone interested in native plants read books by Doug Tallamy.

“I have seen him in person about five times,” she said. “He is such an inspiring

teacher. I would advise anyone interested in the environment to pick up a couple of his books and read them cover to cover.” In environmental circles, King is known as “the Queen of Native Plants.” “[King] has a wealth of knowledge, and if you have an area where you want to plant natives, she will tell you what plant is the right fit for the soil, light conditions and moisture,” said Uta Meyer, center man ager at the Little Rock Audubon Center for Audubon Delta. “At the Little Rock Audubon Center, the vast majority of our native plants come from MaryAnn. She has also played a significant part in helping provide native plants at nature centers for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Arkansas State Parks. She has been noted as being a significant part of making those gardens successful. She is sort of an institution, really.”

In fact, in 2019, King was inducted into the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame, one of a

Today, King’s business has burgeoned: She grows about 400 species of native plants and has sold them to customers all over the country.

small number of women so honored. In conservation, everything is connected. Meyer said when considering plants pro viding food for birds, many people think of fruits and nuts. In reality, songbirds need insects, lots of them, as food when they are young.

“Native insects require native plants to feed on,” Meyer explained. “If we don’t have those plants, we will not see [the corresponding] insects to feed our song Audubonbirds.”

has been holding native plant sales since 2016. With COVID, they moved to putting the available plants online for ordering and then providing curbside pickup at the Audubon Center. In addition to the plants from Pine Ridge Gardens, plants are propagated by volun teers and several other native plant ven dors in the state. They are sticking with the online order format because people have preferred being able to order plants from multiple vendors for pickup at one Thelocation.upcoming fall native plant sale opens Sept. 15 and runs to Sept. 22 with pickup available Sept. 29 through Oct.1. Orders can be placed on the Audubon website.

King has long been a popular speaker to groups interested in native plants. She provides tips about avoiding pesticides and being a responsible gardener.

“To me, being a responsible gardener means you don’t plant Bradford pears, bamboo and other non-natives that are going to escape,” King said. “Many peo ple don’t stop and think about the conse quences of their actions. Not all nurseries carry native plants, and some that do use systemic pesticides.

“You buy a plant you think will be good for butterflies, and the caterpillars die from eating it. You have to ask questions. Has this been treated with systemic pes

Photos courtesy of Arkansas Native Plant Society/Eric Hunt.

“At the Little Rock Audubon Center, the vast majority of our native plants come from MaryAnn. She has also played a significant part in helping provide native plants at nature centers for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Arkansas State Parks.”

ticides? I have seen advertisements with someone saying, ‘There is a bug on my plant! Get something and kill it!’ Before killing something, you need to learn what it is doing. Before the nursery, I al ways grew vegetables in my garden. I was told to use malathion or Sevin dust to kill the bugs. Not on my plants! Not on things I want to eat!

“I crawl around on my hands and knees, and I observe a bug. A lot of the time, the bug is eating another bug, which is a good thing. If a bug was eating a plant, I would pick it off and drop it in a jar of soapy water, which left no residue on the plants.”

And with some plants like milkweed, you don’t want to pick off the bugs, she said, as those caterpillars eating the leaves will turn into a chrysalis and then a beautiful monarch butterfly.

“Rarely does the caterpillar kill the plant,” King said. “Even if it eats the plant down to a bare stem, most times the plant will return the next year.”

Many non-native plants aren’t bothered much by insects. King said this news

appeals to many people. “But if you really think about it, not only birds need insects to feed them selves and their off spring, but all kinds of critters eat insects,” she said.

She used to ship plants by mail order but stopped when COVID hit. People travel a long distance to purchase King’s plants, pri marily coming from surrounding states like Missouri, Texas, Louisiana and particularly Oklahoma. She has been a long-time ven dor at garden tours put on by the Audubon Society of Tulsa to promote native plants. Sometimes people even rent trucks to haul plants back.

Pine Ridge Gardens also sells a lot of nectar plants that are also important to butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. The nursery is an Official Monarch Waystation and received “Bird Friendly Yard Certification in Gold.” King achieves all this work with the help primarily of family members, including her daughter and grandchildren.

“Native insects require native plants to feed on. If we don’t have those plants, we will not see songbirds.”insectscorresponding][thetofeedour

Newly Gillette)(Photofrommonarchshatchedemergingthechrysalis.byBecky

Careers often hit a sweet spot a decade or two down a certain path. You’re settled in, comfortable, feel as though you’ve mastered your craft... But you’ve got more, maybe even much more, to contribute.

For the first time ever, Arkansas Money & Politics is recognizing those business leaders in Arkansas who’ve hit that sweet spot, who fill that gap between young bucks and a gold watch. Our list of “40 in Their Forties” shines a light on those professionals at a midpoint in their careers — who have achieved a certain amount of success — and are positioned for more.

Heather Albright

President of Arkansas Market, Bank of America

Heather Albright serves as President of Bank of Amer ica Arkansas. As the senior executive for the State of Arkansas, she is responsible for connecting clients, teammates and communities to the full power of the franchise. In addition to being President of Arkansas, Albright is a senior vice president and senior relationship manager in mid dle market at BoA. Albright joined BoA in 2005 as a Senior Credit Products Analyst. Prior to that move, she was a portfolio account administrator in the Brokerage Accounting group at Stephens, Inc in Little Rock.

Having earned her undergraduate degree in Economics and Finance from Arkansas Tech University, she later pursued her Master of Business Admin istration (MBA) from University of Central Arkansas. She also holds FINRA certifications for Series 7 and Series 63 securities licenses.

In 2018, Albright was named the market integration executive for the Ar kansas market, supporting the company’s Business Integration referral ef forts. An active member of the Arkansas Leadership Team and of the Bank of America Leadership, Education, Advocacy & Development for Women, she also co-leads the Little Rock Power of 10 group. She also volunteers with several local organizations, including Junior Achievement, Arkansas Food bank and Economics Arkansas and Our House.

Jean Block Chief Legal Officer, Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority

Jean Block is chief legal officer at the Little Rock Wa ter Reclamation Authority (LRWRA), where she is responsible for all legal issues including contracts, personnel matters and legislation. Block also oversees the Human Resources and Environmental Affairs departments of LRWRA and is a member of its senior management team, which handles policy-making and strategic planning for the utility.

Block obtained her undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and her law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law. She serves on many boards including CHI St. Vincent Hospital and is an Advisory Coun cil member for the UA Little Rock College of Business.

Aaron Buckley Partner & Creative Director, SixtyOne Celsius

Beginning as a graphic designer and web developer in Los Angeles, Aaron Buckley quickly worked his way into a position in the creative department at D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles. There, he worked on cam paigns for Australia Tourism, Dockers and Coca-Co la. After 16 years of honing his ability to craft versatile marketing campaigns and websites in L.A., Buckley longed to return to his roots in Hot Springs. He quickly found work as a creative director at a digital marketing agency in Little Rock, where he developed branding and websites for businesses like Hounds Lounge and Flake & Kelley Commercial Real Estate.

In 2018, Buckley was named partner and creative director at SixtyOne Celsius, a full-service marketing and advertising agency located in Hot Springs. Over the last four years, Buckley has spearheaded creative projects and website design for clients like Stone Bank, Mid-America Science Mu seum, Visit Hot Springs and the ALICE Project.

William Burgess Vice President of Operations, Power Technology, Inc.

William Burgess is Co-CEO of Power Technology, Inc., and a SPIE Senior Member. Power Technology manu factures laser light engines for the Department of Defense, life sciences and semiconductor inspection applications. Burgess holds a Master in Business Ad ministration and has responsibilities that include financing and operations. He formerly served as the Geschäftsführer (CEO) of the company’s German division and has over 25 years of experience in the Photonics industry. Burgess was appointed to the Arkansas District Export Council by the Secretary of Commerce and has previously served two terms as Chairman of the Arkansas District Export Council. In 2016, he was honored by the US Small Business Administration as Exporter of the Year for the state of Arkansas. He went on to win the SBA Region VI Exporter of the Year which includes Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.

Summer Campbell Hair BloomStylist,Salon

Summer Campbell is an organizer, activist and hair stylist. She has worked as a hairstylist since 2003 and is currently at Bloom Salon in the Hillcrest neighbor hood of Little Rock. In 2017, she became a full member of Pulaski County Democrats, then became Member ship Chair, served on the State Committee and was subsequently elected First Vice Chair. Campbell is an alumni of The LGBTQ Victory Institute Candi date & Campaign training. She later served as Pulaski County Clerk Terri Hollingsworth’s campaign manager in Hollingsworth’s successful election bids in 2018 and 2022. Campbell also ran for Justice of the Peace, District 2, in the 2022 May primary. Heavily involved in her community, Campbell has served on Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.’s advisory subcommittee and is a recent graduate of Class XXXVII of Leadership, Greater Little Rock, with the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. She is a weekly volunteer at Jericho Way, which is her top priority: to help citizens that are living unsheltered. She cur rently collaborates with other nonprofits such as Seis Puentes in North Little Rock. Campbell recently passed the state exam to receive her life insurance license and is working on her securities license to serve the community better still. “I am honored to be in this list of 40. My passion for our city, communi ties and neighborhoods will always be my motivation.”

Amanda Castillo Marketing Coordinator & Group Exercise Coordinator, Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center

Amanda Castillo is a health and fitness professional with more than 26 years of industry experience. She has coached dozens of women in their 40s and 50s, helping them become stronger, leaner and more con fident. For Castillo, age is not a barrier for living your best life and looking amazing. She is an advocate for women pushing themselves, lifting heavy weights and celebrating incredible accomplishments. Her passion is to ignite a fire in others by motivating, educating and inspiring them to move more and live

Alongbetter.with her role as marketing coordinator and group exercise coor dinator for the medical-fitness-based Conway Regional Health & Fitness

Bank of America recognizes Heather Albright, President of Bank of America Arkansas and Global Commercial Banking Senior Relationship Manager, for being honored by Arkansas Money & Politics among the 2022 40 in their Forties. Your leadership and dedication is improving financial lives and helping strengthen our community. We celebrate your achievements and those to come. Visit us at bankofamerica.com/about. Little Rock Suite 100

Ferstl Valuation Services is an appraisal company with offices located in Arkansas founded by Tom and J.T. Ferstl. The father-son began their business with a simple goal – to offer their clients reliable, trustworthy, certified real estate appraisals.

Center, Castillo also instructs group exercise classes and offers personal training services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a minor in Marketing and Public Relations from Arkansas Tech University. She is also an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Certified Group Exercise In structor, Yogafit® Instructor, Schwinn® Certified Indoor Cycling Instructor, RRCA Certified Running Coach and Barre Above® Certified Instructor.

Adrienne Collins

Director of Human Resources and DEI, Rock Region METRO

Adrienne Collins serves as director of Human Re sources and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at Rock Region METRO, the Central Arkansas public transit system that serves three million passengers per year. Collins began her human resources career in the US Army and the US Air Force. She led the military HR department overseeing recruitment, training, DEI, performance management, employ ee relations and benefits. As a disabled and decorated veteran, Collins has since worked in manufacturing, nonprofits and telecommunications. She also owns AC Productions LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in HR, DEIBA and IT.

Collins holds five degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Arkansas State University; and a Master of Business Administration in Information Technol ogy Management and in Business Administration from Webster University. She also holds certifications in Diversity and Inclusion from Essec School of Business and Inclusive Leadership from edX. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Business Management with an emphasis in Leadership.

Collins enjoys spending her limited free time performing charity work and community service including memberships on several boards and professional organizations such as CAHRA, ARSHRM, National Diversity Council and AR Public Employers Human Resources Association. She is also a member of the Little Rock Junior League, Argenta Downtown Coun cil, and serves on the Board for the Little Rock Zoo, Real Images, NLR Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, the Center for Cultural Com munity and the Historic Arkansas Museum.

J.T. Ferstl

FerstlOwner/Operator,ValuationServices

J.T. Ferstl grew up in Little Rock and, aside from relo cating during undergraduate studies, has lived here all his life. Ferstl is a licensed attorney, real estate broker and real estate appraiser. He owns and oper ates Ferstl Valuation Services, a real estate consult ing and appraisal business in Little Rock. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Appraisal Institute as well as the Real Estate Industry Council of the Federal Reserve in St. Louis. Ferstl has a variety of experi ence serving in the community, including serving on the Little Rock Plan ning Commission for six years, where he was Chairman for two of those years. He is a past chair of the LGLR Advisory Board, member of Class 24, vice chair of Class 29 and Chair of Class 30. He is also a past president of the Rotary Club of Little Rock and has been involved with several nonprofits over the years. Ferstl currently serves on the Little Rock Parks and Recre ation Commission.

Casey Finch TheOwner/Operator,FullMoon

Casey Finch has been the owner and operator of The Full Moon gift shop for nine years. The Full Moon, located in the Historic Hillcrest District of Little Rock, has been serving the shopping needs of Cen tral Arkansas for almost 40 years. Finch was raised in Little Rock and graduated from Central High School, and received her undergraduate degree from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. Prior to owning The Full Moon, Finch was in retail management for both Nei man Marcus and Harold’s department stores.

The Full Moon has been perennially recognized by various publications as Little Rock’s best gift shop. In service to the community, The Full Moon is a regular auction donor to various causes and events. Finch has also served on the Methodist Family Health board of Southern Silks where she served as Co-Chairman, and is active in supporting Centers for Youth and Families as well as her local chapter of PEO International.

Matthew Finch President, Shareholder & Director Gill Ragon Owen PA

Matthew Finch is a shareholder and director with Gill Ragon Owen, P.A., a law firm where he has served as President since 2013. Finch joined the Ar kansas Bar in 2001, with his practice focusing on gen eral commercial litigation and specialization in con struction, title claim defense, construction litigation, creditor’s rights and corporate contract disputes. He has been recognized as a “Mid-South Rising Star” by Super Lawyers, as one of Arkansas’ “Most Influential Lawyers” and “Best Lawyers” by multiple statewide publishing groups. Finch serves on the Alumni Board of the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law and on the Centers for Youth and Families Board of Directors.

Ryan Flynn NetworkPresident,Services Group, Inc.

Ryan Flynn was named President of Network Ser vices Group in late 2013. Network Services Group provides IT support and voice-over IP telephone so lutions for many businesses across Arkansas. Under Flynn’s leadership, NSG has grown from 11 employ ees and a single location in North Little Rock to more than 65 employees and three locations in Arkansas. Flynn also has served as president of the Cabot Rotary Club, two terms on the city council of Cabot, on the Cabot Parks and Recreation Commission and on the Lonoke County Election Commission.

Dan Fowler CromwellPresident, Architects Engineers

Dan Fowler joined Cromwell Architects Engineers as an intern at 19 years old, and now holds the posi tion of President, managing financial and business operations for the company. He is an accomplished design architect and master planner with a personal interest in urban and campus projects. Fowler has been actively involved

in the development of Little Rock’s East Village, several projects on the University of Arkansas Fayetteville campus and Lyon College’s forthcom ing veterinary and dental schools. Cromwell has experienced tremendous growth during Fowler’s tenure, including expanding the Northwest Arkan sas and Europe offices, expansion of service lines and the recruitment and retention of top design talent.

Elizabeth Glasbrenner President & CEO, Smiley Technologies

Elizabeth Glasbrenner is the co-founder of Smiley Technologies Inc., where she has served as Presi dent and CEO since 2015. Glasbrenner founded the company in 2002 with her brother, Vance Smiley, after seeing a need for better software and superior customer service. Her father, Walter Smiley, founded Systematics in 1968, which eventually merged with Alltel Information Systems, and today forms part of FIS. Smiley Technologies is a core systems provider for community banks and financial institutions with clients across eight states, including Arkansas, California, Oregon, Washington, South Carolina, Mississippi, Texas and Missouri.

Her experience prior to Smiley Technologies includes both develop ment and special events roles at Carolinas Healthcare Foundation, Chil dren’s Miracle Network and National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, Colorado. Glasbrenner earned a Bachelor of Science in Busi ness Administration with a double major in Marketing and Management from Washington University in St. Louis.

Clayton “Clay” M. Gordon Vice KincoPresident,Constructors

Clay Gordon is vice president of Kinco Constructors, a general contracting and construction management firm, with offices in Little Rock and Springdale. Gor don serves as a member of the company’s manage ment team, developing and implementing the com pany’s strategic plan, business development and project executive roles.

Gordon graduated with honors from University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a BS in Construction Management in 2000. He is the current Chair of the UALR Construction Management Advisory Program, a mem ber of the UALR Engineering Information Technology College Leader ship Council and an active member of the Arkansas Chapter of Associated General Contractors. He also is a past board member and member of the legislative committee. He further serves on the Arkansas State Chamber, Associated Industries Board of Directors, the Methodist Family Health Foundation Board and as a Trustee of First United Methodist of Conway.

Matt Irving Senior VP of Operations, Today’s Power, Inc.

Matt Irving, vice president of operations for Today’s Power Inc. has over 20 years of experience in the util ity industry. Before joining TPI, Irving served as fa cilities manager for the Electric Cooperatives of Ar kansas. Since Irving joined the ranks of leadership at TPI, he has overseen the successful development of over 50 utility-scale so lar arrays. Today’s Power was created by Arkansas Electric Cooperatives in 2014 to serve its members who had a desire to offer community solar to their customers. As an integral part of the electric cooperatives, TPI has access to

a wide range of expertise and resources and is an essential part of helping the electric cooperative and public power sector serve members interested in solar and emerging technologies.

Paul James AdvancedPresident, Electrical Supply & Distribution, LLC

At eight years old, Paul James was “helping” his elec trician father rewire an outlet when he closed the circuit between two wires and was knocked flat. He got up, wiped away the tears and promised himself he’d learn everything he could so it would never happen again. Over the next 35 years, James worked in the family electrical business while earning degrees in History and Construction Management, led the Energy Services division at Curtis Stout, and helped Seyller Electric Supply open and run the central Arkansas office – which he eventually purchased and renamed Advanced Electrical Supply. The growth was substantial, and James was of fered the opportunity to sell the company to Wholesale Electric Supply, one of the region’s leading electrical supply companies. As area sales manager for Wholesale Electric, you could say that James did what he set out to do ––make the right connections. He is now assisting in the growth of Wholesale, serving customers in Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi.

Kim Koch

Founder & Principal, Insight Engineering, PLLC

Kim Koch is the founding principal of Insight Engi neering, a female owned and operated engineering firm in Arkansas. Established in 2018, Insight offers mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering design, with the purpose of providing a high level of service to architects and building owners with a specific focus on Arkansas communities. Koch is a graduate of the University of Arkansas Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and has over 20 years of experience providing engineering solutions to facilities across Arkansas.

Koch’s personal passion is to support the communities of Arkansas through helping to grow the future leaders of the STEM community. She is ac tively involved in the Arkansas STEM Coalition, studioMAIN, Arkansas ASHRAE, Leadership Greater Little Rock and multiple other communityfocused programs.

Brian Kutsch

Marketing Operations, Apptegy

Brian Kutsch’s passion for helping others has been the driving force throughout his career. That passion led him to his marketing operations position at Ap ptegy, a company based in Little Rock that empow ers school leaders to solve some of their biggest chal lenges. Outside of work, Kutsch serves as a member of the Finest program with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, on the Soup Sunday event committee for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, as the Informal Science Division director for the National Science Teaching Association and as the education advisor for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA), Orangutan Species Survival Plan, and the Saving Animals From Extinction program for orangutans. Some of Kutsch’s previous efforts include serving as Chair of Create Little Rock, on the board of the Arkansas STEM Coali tion, as co-chair for Soup Sunday and as a business mentor for SCORE.

Ben Kutylo Executive Director, ForwARd Arkansas

Ben Kutylo joined ForwARd Arkansas in July 2020, leading the organization’s work to support innova tive solutions to improve learning, career and life outcomes for every Arkansas student.

Prior to joining Forward, Kutylo served as cofounder and executive director of Fremont Street, a national nonprofit phi lanthropy focused on catalyzing locally led innovation in schools and com munities across the country.

Previously, Kutylo served as vice president of Strategic Partnerships at eSpark Learning, a digital learning software company, and spent more than five years as director of Program Investments at The Chicago Public Educa tion Fund, a nonprofit philanthropy dedicated to improving Chicago’s pub lic schools. Before transitioning into education, he spent almost 10 years in customer-focused roles at various technology companies. Kutylo earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s in Edu cation Policy from Harvard University.

Stephen Lane

VP & Senior Project Manager, Clark Contractors

Stephen Lane has been with Clark Contractors since 2011, starting as the firm’s project administration manager and working his way up to vice president at age 39. He has been involved in almost $800 mil lion worth of construction projects throughout his 18-year career, with a strong emphasis on health care projects.

As vice president, Lane serves as project executive on building projects and is involved with training and developing Clark’s future leaders. One of his greatest accomplishments has been his impact in cultivating the next gen eration of young professionals at Clark, including superintendents and proj ect managers. Lane is highly regarded for his ability to engage individuals at all levels of the business, share best practices and promote company strategic development. Committed to community involvement, Lane has volunteered his time and talents for numerous local causes, including the Arkansas Asso ciation for Health Care Engineering and the UAMS Consortium Board.

Jordan Ligon Director of Business Development, C.R. Crawford Construction

Jordan Ligon brings more than 20 years of experience and a deep understanding of the commercial real estate industry to C.R. Crawford Construction. He joined the company in 2016 and serves as the compa ny’s director of business development. With addition al experience in commercial real estate development, brokerage and property management, Ligon has the knowledge and expertise to help clients navigate the construction process and achieve their goals. An innovative thinker, Li gon’s ability to absorb, analyze and clearly communicate the data and details of a project and give insightful guidance results in positive outcomes and last ing relationships with C.R. Crawford clients.

Ligon earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Real Estate from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He is a licensed real estate agent and graduate of Leadership Fayetteville and Leadership Arkansas. His time outside of work is spent vol unteer coaching, participating in church-related activities, golfing, hunting or at Razorback sporting events.

Carter Malloy Founder & AcreTrader,CEO,Inc.

Carter Malloy, founder and CEO of AcreTrader, has led the company to exponential growth throughout the past year. AcreTrader has successfully raised over $60 million in Series B funding, grown from 20 em ployees to 130 employees, and launched two sister companies, AcrePro and Acres, to realize the company’s vision of making buying and selling land common, transparent and easy. AcreTrader has been featured in The New York Times, Fortune and Barron’s, and named as one of 13 Financial Fintechs to Watch by Business Insider.

Chris Marsh Chief Marketing Officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, LLC

As the Chief Marketing Officer and Realtor® at Capi tal Sotheby’s International Realty, Chris Marsh is responsible for developing and strengthening the brokerage’s strategic mission for elevated real estate marketing and com munication, as well as implementing the marketing services and brand technology platforms that are only available through Sotheby’s Interna tional Realty. Marsh strives to ensure that every property evokes a story and is artfully syndicated across global publications. When representing buyers and sellers, he places his client’s interests at the forefront while bringing creative solutions to the table to ensure that their real estate goals are met. As a native Arkansan, Marsh leverages his strong working relationships and network across the state and region to share the unique stories of each prop erty and uncover buyers.

He has served in numerous volunteer positions with many notable com munity organizations that serve Central Arkansas. In 2022, Marsh will be gin his second term as commissioner of the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority.

Andrea Nelson Chief Operating Officer, Arkansas Heart Hospital

Andrea Nelson’s career at Arkansas Heart Hospital began 22 years ago as a nursing care partner while in nursing school. She went on to graduate from AHH’s new graduate residency program before joining the clinical nursing team. Nelson transitioned to the ad ministration side, becoming the vice president of clinical operations, chief clinical officer and ultimately COO. As chief operating officer, she leads the statewide cardiac care providers’ daily operations and initiatives in pa tient experience, employee relations and culture. Throughout her career at AHH, Nelson has been instrumental in developing the state’s first free standing cardiac categorization laboratory.

She is a member of HealthTech Arkansas’s Strategic Advisory Board and UA Little Rock School of Nursing’s Advisory Board. She received a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.

Storm Nolan Founding Partner, CSK Hotels

Storm Nolan is a founding partner at CSK Hotels, a diversified real estate investment company located in Fort Smith, with assets including hotels, a vari ety of commercial and industrial real estate and a powersports dealership. Nolan also holds one of the eight Arkansas medical cannabis cultivation licenses and, along with his brother, Kane Whitt, founded River Valley Relief Cultivation based in Fort Smith. Nolan obtained his Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Finance from Cornell University in only five semesters and graduated fifth in his class. During his time at Cornell, he started and sold his first ecommerce com pany and was assistant to the Dean. Nolan obtained his Master of Business Administration in Real Estate Development from Columbia University.

His passions include aviation, as a licensed multi-engine pilot, and scu ba diving, as a certified rescue diver. He currently resides in Fort Smith with his partner of 18 years, Brandon Weeks.

Paul Nony, PhD, CIH, CSP

Senior VP & Principal Toxicologist, CTEH

Dr. Paul Nony is senior vice president and princi pal toxicologist at CTEH. Nony has over 20 years training and professional experience in the fields of chemical emergency response, human and environ mental toxicology and risk assessment, cell biology, physiology and cancer research. He received his Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Toxicology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and spent two years in a postdoc¬toral fellowship at the National Institute of Environ mental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in Research Triangle Park, North Caro lina. Upon completion of his fellowship in 2003, Nony accepted a position as a toxicologist at CTEH in Little Rock. Nony is a Board-Certified Indus trial Hygienist (CIH) through the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, a Board-Certified Safety Professional (CSP) through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and a member of the American Industrial Hygiene As sociation, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists and the Society of Toxicology.

Nony is also a guest lecturer in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health at UAMS, where he lectures on the subjects of toxicology and environmental health. He has written nu merous peer-reviewed journal articles and reviews, serves as a reviewer for book chapters and peer-reviewed journals and is a US patent holder.

Jeremy S. Owoh, EdD

JacksonvilleSuperintendent,North Pulaski School District

Dr. Jeremy S. Owoh has served as an English teacher, dean of students, assistant principal, middle school principal and high school principal before becom ing the assistant superintendent of curriculum/in struction and desegregation at Jacksonville North Pulaski School District. In 2017, he was named assistant commissioner of Educator Effectiveness and Licensure. He has served as an adjunct instruc tor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and UA Pine Bluff. Currently, Owoh serves as the Superintendent of Schools for the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District.

Owoh holds a Bachelor of Science in English Education with a concen

tration in Secondary Education from the University of Central Arkansas; a Master of Science in Secondary Education with concentrations in Reading and Writing – an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership; and a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision from UA Little Rock. He also completed the Urban Superintendents Acad emy from the University of Southern California and the Bob Thompson’s Superintendent Academy.

Owoh is a member of the Arkansas Association of Educational Admin istrators, ASCD Board of Directors, Children’s Protection Center Board of Directors, UALR’s CHASSE Leadership Council, UCA’s College of Educa tion Dean’s Council and UCA’s Alumni Association Board of Directors. He is also a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. for which he cur rently serves as Southwestern Regional executive director.

Nathan Oliver Regional Director, IWG, PLC.

Nathan Oliver is a regional director for Inter national Workplace Group (IWG), a work space solutions company. Oliver, an experi enced sales professional, earned a Bachelor of Business Administration focused in Econom ics from Arkansas Tech University. He is also on the Board of Direc tors for All the Lost Girls, a nonprofit organization dedicated to find ing justice for female strangulation cold cases in the United States.

Jeremie Pielemeier Executive VP, Eldercare Insurance Services, Inc.

Jeremie Pielemeier, based in Hot Springs, serves as the executive vice president of Eldercare Insurance Services Inc., a national insurance marketing orga nization. Since joining Eldercare, he has personally recruited over 4,000 agents. Pielemeier has over 20 years of experience in his industry and started his business in August of 2001. He has always had a passion for sales, taking his first sales job at the age of 13. Pielemeier is a graduate of Lake Hamilton High School in Hot Springs.

Brandon Pinkerton Chief Executive Officer, HP Engineering

Brandon Pinkerton is a proud member of the Chero kee Nation and the CEO of HP Engineering. He grew up asking the question, “why?” He sought answers to everyday problems and was fascinated by the stories those answers provided. A love of technology and being naturally curious pushed him towards engineering. By eighth grade, Pinkerton knew he would be an electrical engineer, even though he did not know precisely what that meant.

He graduated from the University of Arkansas and became a licensed Professional Engineer (PE), with licensure in 49 states and Puerto Rico. In 2007, Pinkerton and his business partner opened HP Engineering with two employees. Fifteen years later, HP Engineering has grown to be one of the largest engineering design firms in the region, with almost 100 employees and five different offices in Rogers, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Phoe nix. In addition to his role as CEO, Pinkerton leads strategic planning and business development efforts for HP Engineering. He has served as man

aging principal for HP Engineer’s tribal work, electrical design teams and alternative energy source designs. He loves knowing that the projects he undertakes add value to the world. With a passion for helping others, he has focused his energy working on facilities that make a difference for un derserved communities. These contributions immediately benefit people’s lives and provide opportunities for future generations. In the spring of 2022, Mr. Pinkerton was inducted into the Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engi neering for his achievements in the engineering industry.

Julia Ponder, APRN Nurse ArkansasPractitioner,HeartHospital

Being a nurse practitioner in the emergency depart ment at Arkansas Heart Hospital has allowed Julia Ponder to live each day doing what she loves. Her career has also taught her to live by her motto and “turn lemons into lemonade.” In her free time, Pon der enjoys immersing herself in the great outdoors or spending time with family. Her nursing experience spans over 25 years, including five years of Critical Care and 20 years of Emergency Medicine. Today, Ponder works in the Emergency Room at Arkansas Heart Hospital as a Nurse Practitioner. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the Uni versity of Tennessee Health Science Center, with a double major in Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

Nicole Hurst-Puckett SuperiorAdministrator,Senior Care

Nicole Hurst-Puckett has served as the administrator for Superior Senior Care in Conway since 2014. She is a graduate of Conway High School and has been in the health care management field since 1998. Su perior Senior Care is a statewide caregiver registry specializing in non-medical home care services since 1985, with 26 offices throughout the state of Arkansas.

She attributes her success to many different factors, with honesty being the main one. She believes being honest with her employees and clients is top priority, as it sets the tone for business, provides consistency at the workplace and builds loyalty and trust with clients. The Conway office just celebrated being open for 10 years, and Hurst-Puckett says she is excited to see what the future holds, as the industry is always changing.

Elizabeth Pulley Executive Director, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas

Elizabeth Pulley is the executive director of the Chil dren’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas. Under Pulley’s leadership, the Children’s Advocacy Centers has increased services to provide free direct assistances to more than 11,000 child abuse victims. In 2021, she worked on a transformational legislation that brought Arkansas laws up to date with other states, created best practices and developed a collaborative response to child abuse. Pulley is committed to working with and training others. Her involvement includes: Adjunct professor for Northwest Arkan sas Community College; Board President for Brookhill Children’s Fund;

Brookhill Ranch Camp Advisory Board member; Arkansas Building Effec tive Services for Trauma with UAMS Advisory Board member; Department of Human Services; and Division of Children and Family Services.

Pulley is a native of Arkansas and grew up in Benton. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and a Master of Arts from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She spent over 14 years working in higher education, but made a career change in 2017 as she entered the nonprofit field.

Molly Collier Rawn Chief Executive Officer, Experience Fayetteville

Molly Collier Rawn is the CEO of Experience Fay etteville, the city’s destination marketing organiza tion. She is responsible for the organization’s $4.8 million budget and 18 full-time employees. During her tenure, the city has seen unprecedented tourism growth, including its highest HMR tax collection month on record. Rawn led the team responsible for planning and executing the 2022 Walmart UCI Cyclo-cross World Championship – the second time in 72 years the event is to be held on U.S. soil. She has been a member of the leadership staff that opened the Scott Family Amazeum, an interactive museum in Bentonville, where she served as director of Development and Communications, over seeing the completion of the museum’s $28.5 million capital campaign. Af ter growing up in Paragould and Little Rock, Rawn relocated to Fayetteville to attend the University of Arkansas. She and her husband decided to make it their permanent home, where they now live with their three children. She is passionate about civic engagement, expanding opportunities for women in leadership and promoting Fayetteville.

Sheridan Richards Senior Director of Organizational Development, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)

Sheridan Richards is the senior director of Organiza tional Development at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Richards is responsible for lead ing the design and implementation of high-impact talent and organizational development programs. She oversees the assess ment of the learning and change management needs of the organization, the development of strong collaborative partnerships across the UAMS sys tem and identifies opportunities for enhancing organizational effectiveness. Richards has extensive leadership experience in the private, corporate and government sectors in leadership development, change management, em ployee engagement, performance management and organizational design. Her leadership has led to measurable improvements in culture, finances and accountability within those organizations.

Richards graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a Mas ter of Divinity, a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Public Administration, and completed certifications as a change practitioner and human resources professional. This month, she will complete her certification as a physician development coach.

Patrick Schueck

President & CEO, Lexicon, Inc.

Since becoming President and CEO in 2020, Pat rick Schueck has led Lexicon Inc. through a period of intentional growth, acquiring Steel Fabricators of Monroe, Louisiana, and Universal Limited Inc. of Trussville, Alabama, as well as working with some of the leading brands in electric vehicles and ecommerce. Schueck has been instrumental in many of Lexicon’s largest steel fabrication and erection contracts and transformed it into a global leader in automated robotic fabrication.

He is a board member of Arkansas Children’s Hospital, American In stitute of Steel Construction, Boys & Girls Club of Central Arkansas, Fifty for the Future and U.S. Bank. He serves on the American Contractors In surance Group Executive Committee; National Steel Bridge Alliance Ex ecutive Committee; University of Arkansas College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council, where he received his bachelor’s degree; and Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineering.

John Selva

Principal Broker & Co-Owner, Engel & Völkers

John Selva is the principal broker and co-owner of Engel & Völkers Real Estate in Little Rock. Since founding his own real estate brokerage in 2007, Selva has been dedicated to delivering a professional, un matched portfolio of service to all his clients and the Realtors® who partner with him. While serving all of Central Arkansas, Selva has become the number one selling real estate agent in Little Rock’s Hillcrest neighborhood – through his passionate involvement in protect ing and advancing the historic district’s spirit of community and his exten sive knowledge of the local real estate market. He has received numerous awards, including the Little Rock Realtors® Association Diamond Level Award of Distinction and Certified Residential Specialist. He is a found ing board member of West Little Rock Kiwanis, Little Rock Realtors® As sociation Board member, active in supporting the Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council and Honorary Commander program, the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and Holy Souls Church. Selva is a gradu ate of the Arkansas School for Mathematics and Science, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a veteran of the United States Navy.

Douglas Shackelford, APR Director of PR and Communications, Central Arkansas Water

Doug Shackelford loves to talk about water. He has that opportunity daily in his role as director of pub lic affairs and communications at Central Arkansas Water. Shackelford serves as the spokesperson for the utility and oversees all media relations, brand management, education and community outreach programs. An awardwinning journalist, he has spent more than 20 years in the communications and public affairs industry.

Shackelford is a native of Hot Springs. He attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he graduated in 1998 with a degree in Journal ism/Mass Communications. He holds Accreditation in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), is a 2005 graduate of Leadership Hot Springs, a 2008 graduate of the inaugural Jeff Faris Rotary Leadership Academy and a 2017 graduate of Leadership Arkansas. Shackel ford is a member of the Museum of Discovery Board of Directors, Arkansas Chapter of PRSA, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 10167, past president of the West Little Rock Rotary Club, Cub and Boy Scout lead er and Eagle Scout.

Jared Thompson President & Founder, DJT Business Brokers and Diamond Team Utah Real Estate

Jared Thompson is the owner and founder of DJT Business Brokers and the more recent addition, Diamond Team Utah Real Estate. DJT helps busi ness owners sell their businesses, helps buyers find a good business to buy and consults with business owners regarding po tential opportunities for improvement and exit strategy planning. Diamond Team Utah is an emerging real estate sales company servicing the state of Utah. Prior to founding DJT, Thompson served as an area developer for one of the nation’s largest window cleaning franchises. There, he was in charge of recruiting franchisees to run their own territories in his markets of re sponsibility, as well as providing them with startup training and ongoing operational support. Thompson has also been a multi-unit franchisee with two other national franchises. He entered the entrepreneurial world in 2012 from his corporate career as director of Sales with Nestlé Nutrition.

Kenneth Usery VP of Supply Chain and Contracting, CARTI

Kenneth Usery serves as vice president of Supply Chain and Contracting at CARTI, a network of 18 cancer centers across the state of Arkansas. A key component of his job is to negotiate the best prices from vendors and contractors so that savings on equipment and infrastructure can be put back into the fight against can cer. Usery has been with CARTI for more than a decade and received one of the highest peer ratings during a recent blind Gallup Poll conducted by CARTI’s Human Resources Department. A native of Searcy, Usery received his bachelor’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He currently lives in Beebe with his high school sweetheart of 23 years, Brandy, and has two children, Morgan and Blake. When not at the office, he will most likely be enjoying the beauty of The Natural State in the great outdoors.

Arkansas Money & Politics’ Best of 2022 Awards celebrate and recognize the best businesses our state has to offer. We invite you to vote for your favorites in dozens of Votecategories.forthe top three businesses in each category September 16 through September 25, 2022. These will be featured in November’s issue of AMP.

More than a midway, Arkansas State Fair is big business

By Dwain Hebda

Photos courtesy of Dan Sawyer/GWL Advertising

The Arkansas State Fair is one of the most be loved annual events on the state’s calendar. Fair fans flock to the mid way and exhibits while competitors show livestock, dance, sing, cook, bake and strut their stuff on the pageant runway. They return home stuffed with fair food, the more fortu nate also toting a stuffed teddy bear or a coveted purple ribbon.

But while the State Fair is, in fact, all of these things, it is one thing above all else – big business – which is why it is run behind the scenes with a mentality to match. Dan Sawyer, senior director of accounts and business development for GWL Advertising, the fair’s marketing firm, has been involved with the event for 20 years. He said running the fair employs many of the same business principles of a successful Fortune 500 company, from

product and pricing to marketing and customer service.

“Over the past couple years, [State Fair leadership] has really made a point to make the product better,” he said. “Everybody is always trying to improve their product, whether it’s a restaurant, Six Flags amusement park, Disney World, whatever. They’ve really taken it from your typical parking lot carnival type atmosphere. They make sure they have quality rides and quality workers.

“The Arkansas State Fair is a nonprofit organization, so all the money they get from sponsorships and ticket sales the year before, they put it into the following year’s bud get. They’ve done a good job of planning; for example, given the fact they’re landlocked and cannot expand. They’ve done a good job buying up some of the neighboring va cant, dilapidated houses and turned that into additional parking lots, which generates a little more revenue and gives more secure parking spots for the visitors.

“It’s all part of their image. They’re really trying to protect that image.”

Evaluating the success of these efforts is a little tricky, given market conditions of the last few years. A glance at 2021 numbers would suggest the State Fair’s efforts in man agement and marketing is spot-on, as last year’s attendance of 539,358 was the highest in the event’s 82-year history. However, that number is tempered somewhat by the fact it followed a 2020 fair that canceled all but the livestock competition and a dramatically altered pageant and talent competition, most of which was done online.

Sawyer admitted pent-up appetite for public events and festivals likely inflated last year’s attendance numbers a bit, but also pointed to new marketing efforts, which reached potential fairgoers on many different social media platforms as well as tradi tional print and broadcast. Those efforts, he said, are already changing the profile of to the midway and

Last year’s attendance of 539,358 was the highest in the event’s 82-year history.

who is coming through the turnstiles.

“I’ve seen the evolution of how we target people,” he said. “There are the people who are always going to come to the fair. The challenge is trying to evolve and remind people who haven’t been in a while or have never been that there is something there for everybody. Research shows a majority percentage of fair patrons come from probably a 60-mile radius. Our goal is to target that and then expand where we see larger popula tion segments, and disperse the marketing dollars accordingly.

“With the rise of social media and digital media, that’s really allowed us to take the fair’s budget, which really hasn’t changed in about 20 years, to market to whole new groups through the use of social and digital advertising platforms, streaming, OTT, digital radio, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, things like that. It’s really helped the fair get 10 times the bang for their marketing dollar.”

Pandemic effect or not, the State Fair’s overall economic impact is more than a lot of people realize, Sawyer said. Each day the fair is open it generates purchase of 400 ho

tel rooms, 3,000 gallons of fuel and burns enough electricity to power the city of Bryant. It also employs 5,000, generates 325 cubic yards of trash and feeds 45,000.

But unlike a company that can adjust its widget output to meet growing de mand accordingly, the fair cannot accom modate unlimited growth. Given its finite capacities – space, parking, security per sonnel – there’s a ceiling for attendance on any given night.

Sawyer said those days are a ways off, but that doesn’t stop organizers from placing a high priority on logistics plan

ning to safely manage the crowds that are showing up.

“It’s really easy after you have a ter rible year to increase the numbers,” he said. “But when you have a great year – and if you take away the COVID year, we’ve had two back-to-back fantastic at tendance years – when do you reach that max capacity

“Obviously,limit?onany given day where the numbers come in at 70- or 80,000 people, they’re not all there at once. It’s all about the turnover rate, creating pro motions for folks from the time the fair opens to the time it closes. We created the Lunch at the Fair promotion several

years ago, which gave free parking and admission from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. That boosts your lunchtime crowd, and if people come for lunch, then maybe they’ll go home, get their families and come back for a second trip on the same day.

“Trying to get people to come to the fair in shifts is definitely something where you can increase daily numbers.”

Within those record numbers come additional potential issues. Safety issues have been quiet in recent years, but more people means more potential issues, something fair management takes seriously.

“The fair must continue to provide a safe and fun environment for all Arkansans,” said Tiffany Wilkerson, interim general manager. “We will have a new PA system that can alert our fairgoers to many things, from what to expect as they are entering the gates to unexpected weather alerts.”

Wilkerson said even with all the effort to attract new attendees, the Arkansas State Fair continues to cater to returning families, those that attend year after year because of the event’s familiarity, sometimes for the third or fourth generation in families.

“The Arkansas State Fair matters to Arkansans because it’s an annual event many

families look forward to attending because of the tradition,” Wilkerson said. “Over the years, the carnival has grown, and there’s always new and exciting options, but we continue to focus on the traditions with our livestock exhibits, creative arts contests and fair queen competitions.

“We strongly support the youth of Arkansas through exhibition of livestock and poultry and ad vocate for youth to develop programs that can potentially turn into a career within the agriculture industry. It is vital that we promote the growth and continued participation of youth at all levels.”

Sawyer agreed, saying as much as the event must continue to operate as a business, there will always be a higher purpose to the Arkansas State Fair than mere numbers on a spreadsheet.

“I think it’s the State Fair’s job to help create a good path for all of the contestants who come to the fair, whether it’s with a cow, sheep, goat or in the talent show or pageant,” he said. “They come from county fairs, like getting through the playoffs and getting to the Super Bowl. I think it’s our job to make it the most beneficial and fun experience that we can once they get here.”

The Arkansas State Fair runs Oct. 14 to 23 in Little Rock. For ticket information and the latest news on events, please visit arkansasstatefair.com.

There will always be a purposehigherto the Arkansas State Fair than mere numbers on spreadsheet.a

TOUCHDOWN IN LITTLE ROCK

David Bazzel oversees LR Touchdown Club growth, success

By Mark Carter

David Bazzel’s “baby” turned 18 last month, and Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Razorback Football Coach Sam Pittman and several hundred more Arkansans joined the proud papa in downtown Little Rock to celebrate.

The celebration actually was for the opening of the Little Rock Touchdown Club, now in its 18th season. In his role as head Hog, Pittman kicked off the 2022 speaker series. Now a tradition, the Arkansas head coach leads off the season’s lineup; another packed house filled the Doubletree Hotel’s banquet room to hear him.

Bazzel’s brainchild, born in 2004 — about a week before Rex Nelson reached out with the same idea — was launched with 17 founding members. It’s grown from “around 40” at those firstyear meetings, where members simply gathered and talked shop, to a membership of more than 500 today. Its speaker series regularly attracts nationally prominent former players, coaches and broadcasters.

Now considered one of the nation’s best and fastest-growing touchdown clubs, LRTDC pulls in an average crowd of about 250 to 300 for its weekly luncheon meetings. The Monday meetings begin each year in mid-August and run through the remainder of the calendar year, culminating in an awards banquet. Both the 15 weekly meetings and the awards banquet distinguish LRTDC from other clubs of its kind.

The local support the club receives also sets the LRTDC apart from oth ers. For big name speakers, and especially when the Razorback coach is in town, the club will draw upwards of 750 attendees. This year’s lineup fea

The Monday meetings begin each year in mid-August and run through the remainder of the calendar year

tures several national A-listers sure to draw packed rooms: Kirk Herbstreit, Jon Gruden, Ed Orgeron and Paul Finebaum are among the first speakers for 2022.

The club historically has been able to draw nationally prominent figures. But Bazzel considers this year’s roster per haps the club’s best overall.

Nelson, senior editor and columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, is a noted authority on Arkansas sports, poli tics and culture, and a driving force be hind the club. He thinks LRTDC’s lineup

of speakers makes it one of the best in the nation.“The club has far exceeded the ex pectations that any of us had for it in the early years,” Nelson said. “Our speaker lineup really distinguishes us with big names, week after week.”

Bazzel thinks Jon Gruden’s stop in Little Rock may represent his first public speaking appearance since his contro versial firing last fall as coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Known for his candor and humor, Gruden was expected to com mand a sell-out, and his appearance may garner even some national media atten tion. Headed into the ‘22 meeting season, Bazzel was expecting a “very intriguing” event with Gruden.

“The first five this year are about as unique and national personalities as we’ve ever had,” Bazzel said.

Last year’s lineup included the likes of legendary broadcaster Verne Lundquist and NFL Hall-of-Famer Terry Bradshaw. All these names — Herbstreit, Gruden, Bradshaw among them — represent bigmarket gets for a mid-size city like Little Rock.Thanks to a healthy roster of corporate sponsors – including presenting sponsor Simmons Bank – the club can afford a na tional set. Bazzel said the club pays any where from $1,500 to $25,000 for speak ers, though not all speakers charge a fee. This year, LRTDC has spent $100,000 to nail down its full lineup.

In addition, the club pays for all hotel and travel costs, sometimes relying on sponsors’ private jets to ferry speakers to Little Rock and back, and is known for rolling out the red carpet, thanks to its large contingent of volunteers. Nei ther Bazzel nor the club makes a profit. All proceeds return into securing future speakers and paying overhead-related expenses like audio/visual and security.

“It can be difficult to get national folks,” Bazzel admitted. “Little Rock’s not the easiest place to get to when you have to make connections. My thought going in is, who can I get here and afford? Sim

Photo by Ryan Parker

Razorback Head Coach Sam Pittman speaks at '22 LRTDC event.

mons has really helped us raise the bar.” Arkansas connections can help. Gruden’s friendship with Arkansas golf ing legend, John Daly, was crucial to landing the coach, Bazzel said. But ulti mately, it comes down to money.

George Makris Jr., Simmons president and CEO, said partnering with the club is a priority for the bank.

“It’s an honor to hear from so many coaches, athletes, administrators and commentators each year,” he said. “Their stories resonate with Simmons Bank’s values of high performance and passion. To curate a star-studded list of speakers year after year requires financial support. Partnering with the Little Rock Touch down Club is one way we connect with our community and customers, and we are proud to be the presenting sponsor.”

LRTDC’s meetings, as the annual

lineup reveals, have grown into markyour-calendar events. Little Rock’s The Buzz 103.7, for which Bazzel co-hosts the morning drive show, broadcasts live from LRTDC each Monday in the fall, and meetings are livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. No other club can match such coverage. Bazzel said that while livestreaming meetings can be a detri ment to attendance, “We don’t care.”

LRTDC is unique as well in making speakers available for photos with mem bers. Doors open each week at 11 a.m., and Bazzel said he may find 100 people lined up as early as 9:30 some weeks to hear big-name speakers.

The luncheons are open to everyone — $35 per luncheon for members and $45 for non-members. Annual member ship packages are available on five levels, four of which entail voting rights in the

Headed into the ’22 meeting season, Bazzel was expecting a “very intriguing” event with Jon Gruden.

Photo by Ryan Parker

George Makris Jr.

Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and College Foot ball Hall of Fame.

Another LRTDC perk is its awards lineup – an inevitability with Bazzel at the helm.

Bazzel created the Golden Boot and Battle Line trophies awarded to the winner of the ArkansasLSU and Arkansas-Missouri football games, re spectively, as well as the national Broyles and Burlsworth awards, presented to the top college football assistant coach and the nation’s top col lege football player who started out as a walk-on. The club itself presents several trophy awards at its annual year-end banquet, recognizing Arkansas high school and college players as well as some of the top small college players in the country.

Club membership reflects a true Arkansas crowd, Bazzel said –– a melting pot of lawyers, judges, minimum-wage workers, rich, poor, male, female, Black, white. A typical meeting can feel like the famed annual Coon Supper in Gillett, candidates working the room in election years and strangers swapping stories – a preseason tailgate.

Nelson, who has spent most of his adult life traveling Arkansas and chronicling what makes it unique, believes LRTDC’s rise to “event” sta tus helps distinguish it from other clubs.

“It has, quite simply, become one of those places where well-con nected Arkansans go to see, and be seen,” he said. “I can honestly say that in the fall, there is no bigger weekly lunch gathering in the state than the Little Rock Touchdown Club. That’s not the case with football clubs in other states.”

For Bazzel, LRTDC represents a labor of love for his adopted home state. Growing up in the Florida panhandle before starring as line backer for the Hogs in the mid-‘80s, he was exposed to the influence of touchdown and quarterback clubs in nearby markets like Atlanta, Mobile, Birmingham and even Gainesville.

“I just felt like Little Rock needed one,” he said. “And then Rex reached out with the same idea. There was a group of folks who thought it had potential. When I started this, I thought it had a chance; and if I’m gonna do something, I want it to be the best.”

Makris said Simmons shares Arkansans’ passion for sports and be lieves the club plays an important role in the community.

“Simmons Bank wants to provide football fans an opportunity to participate in what they love,” he said. “The Little Rock Touchdown Club has worked hard to create one of, if not the best, touchdown clubs in the country, while bringing an amazing lineup of speakers year-in and year-out.”

Bazzel is quick to disperse credit elsewhere for the club’s success — to Nelson, to those early believers, to the sponsors, members, volunteers and even the Doubletree, where the club seems to have found a home.

Memories that stand out for him include Bradshaw’s appearance last year; former Razorback interim coach John L. Smith referring to Arkan

The club itself presents several trophy awards at its annual yearend banquet, recognizing Arkansas high school and college players as well as some of the top small college players in the country.

Key guests from LRTDC over the years: Michael Irvin (bottom left) in 2015; Larry Csonka (top right) in 2018; and Terry Bradshaw (bottom right) in 2021.

sas as “the state of Alabama”; Finebaum playfully asking Lunsford Bridges, presi dent of the former Metropolitan National Bank, if he had a job; the return of Bobby Petrino after the infamous motorcycle wreck and his standing ovation; the Tennessee tiff of Johnny Majors taking a shot at Phil Fulmer and the great Earl Campbell staying long after the luncheon ended to sign every autograph.

When Bazzel hears talk of LRTDC being one of the best clubs of its kind in the country, he’s ready to believe, even channeling a certain hall-of-fame for mer Arkansas basketball coach.

“I look at it as a source of pride, what the club is doing, especially in a small market,” Bazzel said. “I honestly thought this could be successful. But if you’d shown me this year’s speakers list 17 years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it.

“But like Nolan [Richardson] said, when you create a monster, you gotta feed the monster.”

niversity of Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban, who already has seven national titles and is favored by many to win another this year, is widely considered the greatest college coach in history. So, when the successful if prickly coach gets some thing off his chest, people listen.

In May, Saban took a direct jab at rival Texas A&M – one of the only teams to beat the Crimson Tide in 2021 – decrying the school’s strategy of luring players through name, image and likeness (NIL) deals.

“I know the consequence is going to be difficult for the people who are spending tons of money to get players,” he said. “You read about it; you know who they are. We were second in recruit ing last year. A&M was first. A&M bought every player on their team. Made a deal for name, image and likeness. We didn’t buy one player. A’ight? But I don’t know if we’re going to be able to

Far Left: Razorback star basket ball player J.D. Notae signed with a newly formed NIL group backed by the J.B. Hunt family in January 2022.

Right: Nick Saban and Jimbo Fish er meet before the 2020 AlabamaTexas A&M game. Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics

sustain that in the future, because more and more people are doing it. It’s tough.”

The comment came off like crocodile tears for Saban, given his team’s dominance and his sug gestion that ‘Bama suffers a disad vantage, the same cash-strapped institution with which he inked a new 8-year deal recently at a cool $11.7 million per. But it was good off-season theater, especially after an unsurprisingly pointed response from A&M coach Jimbo Fisher, after which Saban did some spin control.

“Believe me, I’m all for players making as much as they can make,” Saban said two weeks later. “But I also think we’ve got to have some uniform, transparent way to do that.”

Saban’s attempted walk-back did little to dilute his point: As much as facilities, recruiting and, yes, even coaching, NIL is the new secret weapon throughout college sports. NIL, the guidelines that relaxed almost all of the NCAA’s long-held rules against college athletes seeking commercial deals, has so revolutionized how college sports operate, it’s easy to for get it has only been in place for one year.

According to estimates by opendorse.com, college ath letes earned about $917 million last year, and 2022 will allbut-assuredly see these collective earnings pushed over the $1 billion mark. Football accounted for half of the total dol

lars, but the marketplace is surprisingly diverse, with almost 8 out of 10 athletes receiving at least one deal.

That rate of growth has resulted in all sorts of mechanisms for connecting athletes to brands, things that would have been unthinkable just a couple of years ago. Sports Illustrated reported in June 2022, that scheduled alongside of the College Football Hall of Fame cere monies was the inaugural NIL Summit, recognizing current athletes for their marketability.

And NIL has also enabled the formation of collectives, which are stand-alone orga nizations that exist solely to raise funds from business and booster alike, to be distributed directly to a particular school’s athletes, as well as advise players on how to monetize themselves, maximizing their exposure, sharpen their so cial media game and generally professionalize the process.

Critics claim collectives – which support, but are in dependent of a given school – give more leverage than ever to name-brand schools in at tracting prized talent, even within conferences, as the Sa ban-Fisher hissy fit illustrates.

It’s also created situations that border on the comical. The University of Tennessee benefits from the Volunteer Club, which distributed about $4 million to 130 UT athletes last year, per Sports Illustrated. Marketing agency Spyre Sports Group, which also manages the Volunteer Club, jetted starting quarterback Hendon Hooker and wideout Cedric Tillman to New York for meetings and wine-anddines with national brands on a fullblown media and marketing tour. That Madison Avenue junket took place just days after the NCAA formally accused

the Vols of recruiting violations that al lege former coaches doled out meals, transportation and cash.

Many sports fans agree with the NIL in principle, rightfully pointing to de cades of universities getting fat on tele vision contracts, licensed gear and even the likeness of players who did the work. But the amount of money circulating, and the perceived land-grab loopholes that exist, are also leaving a bad taste in certain segments of the fan base. Per

ing-around money for most athletes, es pecially outside of headliner sports. Busi nessofcollegesports.com reported the average value of NIL transactions across all athletes in all classifications was a little more than $1,800 while the average value of deals in Power 5 schools was just overThis$2,100.low entry point has opened up opportunities for local and regional business entities to leverage local ath letes to promote their organizations.

Last July, the Conway Con vention & Visitors Bureau became the first public entity in the nation to sign an NIL deal, enlisting 30 University of Central Arkansas athletes across men’s and women’s sports to promote the city.

haps the most infamous: $1.4 million to University of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers to skip his senior season of high school and enroll early at Ohio State, where he redshirted before transfer ring to the Longhorns this season. (In a tidy bit of karma, Ewers was named the Longhorns’ starter, which in Week 2, bought him a dance with none other than Saban’s Crimson Tide.)

Examples such as these aside, most NIL deals provide little more than walk

“Our philosophy was al ways that NCAA athletes have valuable stories,” said Jamie Gates, executive vice presi dent for the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and Conway Development Corpo ration. “What we know, being a college town, is that their stories are often really in credible, and they are attrac tive spokespeople because of who they are and what they do and what they’ve done. We thought, we don’t have big-budget athletics and big names, but that doesn’t mean that our athletes are any less compelling than anyone else’s.”

Athletes who were selected for the deal were used in marketing and ad vertising efforts by the CVB, and re ceived between $500 and $2,000 com pensation. The athletes also received invaluable training through Conway entrepreneur incubator The Conduc tor, educating them on how to approach themselves as a business.

“We wanted to help athletes re

Many sports fans agree with the NIL in principle, rightfully pointing to decades of universities getting fat on television contracts, licensed gear and even the likeness of players who did the work.

ally look beyond their athletic careers only,” said Jeff Amerine, Conductor managing director. “We called it the 4+40. We said, ‘You’ve got four years to make a difference in your chosen sport. You’ve got 40 years to make a difference in the world.’ That’s kind of the way we approached it.”

Amerine assembled a team of profes sionals for the training, which included matters of finance, marketing, agent rep resentation and assigning a mentorship. The athletes also attended a pitch night by which they promoted themselves to localGatesbusinesses.saidthe UCA students weren’t the only ones who learned a lot in Year One of the deal, which has been reupped for 2022-2023.

“We do not have everything figured out, and this year probably won’t look like last year for us because we are still learning how to take advantage of this program,” he said. “When you have college students, you’re going to have high turnover because you won’t have a 10-year relationship with someone in a spokesperson role. We have to figure out what that looks like, repeat ing year after year.”

Another unique program with Arkan sas roots is the 4th and 25 Fund, a new 501(c)(3) organization supporting local families and communities in Arkansas. Launched by Little Rock native Keith Grayson, the fund links athletes a fund raising mechanism to support the causes closest to them and a platform to pro mote those causes and the fund itself.

“We want to help a collection of people in Arkansas, and we want to raise money for different charitable organizations and different ways to give back,” said Grayson, who now lives in Arizona. “We use student athletes at University of Arkansas to help promote that on social media.”

Thus far, Razorback wide receiver Trey Knox and linebacker Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr. have signed with 4th and 25 Fund: Knox to promote animal adoption and

TreyGraysonKnox

Razorback wide receiver Trey Knox and line backer Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr. have signed with 4th and 25 Fund.

Paul to champion Lyft ride credits for people without transportation to get to work or get medical attention.

“I could not make a dime, but I would be rich in my heart just knowing that I help others,” Paul told Hogville.net.

Grayson wants to see both the fund (425fund.org) and its roster of athletes grow in order to help more people, but said he is content to do it incrementally as part of a wider movement.

“There are 400 scholarship athletes at tending the University of Arkansas right now,” he said. “I think that we need to have something in some capacity that

introduces them to community engage ment. They’re getting that, but I think we can help with that.

“There are other programs like ours that are popping up and everything helps. There’s a private fund that helps more from the mentoring aspect, where they’re working one-on-one with somebody, and then there’s everything the University of Arkansas is doing in this area. We’re not in competition with one another. I think given that society is so monetarily driven these days, bringing everyone to work to gether toward a charitable cause is noth ing but positive.”

Keith

Chris Paul Jr.

DIGS OF THE DEAL: IF WALLS COULD TALK

THE OLD AND NEW BANK OF FAYETTEVILLE

By Katie Zakrzewski

Anchored

in Fayetteville’s Historic Square stand two buildings over a century old, edifices which have seen millions of dollars funnel through their walls. The Bank of Fayetteville is lo cated in a building in the city’s square, across the street from the Old Bank of Fay etteville, which is located in a building that is just as historic.

In this special banking edition of Digs of the Deal, we’ll be taking a closer look at the history of both banks.

But this story has an unlikely beginning: It starts with a tornado.

The city of Fayetteville was founded in 1828, incorporated into Arkansas with the state’s founding in 1836 and recharted in 1867.

A gem in the northwest corner of the state, Fayetteville sprang up as a testa ment to the growth in the area and the abundance of business dealings with other

states not far across the border.

The federal census records from 1880 show that Fayetteville’s population had increased a whopping 87% since the last census ten years prior. Fayetteville had ev erything that a modern city at that time could want, from a university to banks to churches and hotels. The city was growing and thriving, as were its amenities.

Then, in 1881, tragedy struck.

What the Fayetteville historical record describes as a “cyclone” touched down in Fayetteville’s square, the heart of the city. The square and all of its metropolitan buildings, in addition to six decades of work, were destroyed overnight.

The city of Fayetteville had reached a fork in the road. The residents could re locate, or merge with another town. They could all go their separate ways entirely, fleeing to another city, or even to Okla homa or Missouri.

But the citizens of Fayetteville dug their heels in and decided to rebuild the town square and the surrounding property and business sector.

As reconstruction in the area was finally finished in 1888, the Old Bank of Fayetteville was established with Judge Lafayette Gregg as President. However, the bank would not be associated with the Eason Building un til one year later, when construction on it commenced. Unfortunately, neither the ar chitect nor the builder is known.

Gregg is one of the more enigmatic fig ures in Arkansas’s history. A member of one of Northwest Arkansas’s pioneering families, he seemed to be involved in nearly every major Arkansas event that occurred during his lifetime. He was an instrumental figure in the location of Arkansas Industri al University – which would later become the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Additionally, he held many impressive

Courtesy of The Bank of Fayetteville

titles, such as banker, lawyer, state representative, Civil War veteran and Arkansas Supreme Court justice. When he died, Gregg was still serving The Natural State, helping prepare the state’s exhibition for the 1893 World’s Fair.

Gregg further served as an associate justice in the state’s Su preme Court until 1874. In 1889, Gregg ran as the Republican candidate for governor, but lost to incumbent Simon P. Hughes Jr. Gregg returned to a private life when he became the presi dent of the Bank of Fayetteville. On Oct. 21, 1891, he was named chair of the state banking association.

Sometimes called the Eason Building, the Old Bank of Fayetteville is found in the northwest corner of the city’s Historic Square. The building serves as a textbook example of both the Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival styles of architecture that characterized many late 19th century bank and commercial buildings.

In 1905, the Old Bank of Fayetteville received a national charter. Just three years later, it merged with First National Bank, which had been established the previous year in Fay etteville on Aug. 4. An individual named Samuel Pickney Pitt man was the bank’s President.

After fighting for the Confederate Army in the Civil War, Pittman had returned to farming and animal husbandry, also serving as a deputy sheriff in Washington County. Pittman gave up farming life in 1882 and decided to become a business man in Fayetteville, where he quickly became one of Washing ton County’s leading citizens. Additionally, he was a staunch advocate of civic expansion, prosperity and educational prog ress for the state’s northwestern communities. It was during his tenure as a businessman that Pittman served as one of the first directors of the Washington County Bank and assumed its

In 1905, the Old Bank of Fayetteville received a national charter. Just three years later, it merged with First National Bank, which had been established the previous year in Fayetteville on Aug. 4.

Courtesy of The Bank of Fayetteville

DIGS OF THE

role of president in 1888 – before becoming president during the Old Bank of Fayette ville/First National Bank merger. Additionally, Pittman was an outspoken advocate for educational expansion in Northwest Arkansas. He was appointed to the board of trustees for the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville by the Arkansas General As sembly in 1876, a role he sustained until 1882.

Banking throughout Fayetteville proceeded as usual for several decades until the Great Depression. This devastating chapter in history led to unprecedented financial reorganization, as the Old Bank of Fayetteville merged with Citizens Bank, which was located on Block Avenue.

During the 1950s, the Eason Building that housed the Old Bank of Fayetteville be came home to many businesses that rented office space and would remain that way for decades to come. The building had reached a state of disrepair by the second half of the 20th century, and it was nearly demolished in the 1980s when the City of Fayetteville condemned the property. Fortunately, the Eason Building was saved thanks to the ef forts of preservationists and developers.

In 1993, architect Bob H. Kelly purchased the dilapidated building and began a three-year rehabilitation project. The building was placed onto the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, 101 years after its original construction. Kelly, who went on to be the founding principal of Core Architects, completed the project prior to the formation of the architectural firm. The project would eventually receive the Excel lence in Restoration Award from the Washington County Historical Foundation. To day, Core Architects operates its office on the second floor of the building.

The current Bank of Fayetteville (not affiliated with the Old Bank of Fayetteville) is located across the street and was founded in 1980, where it was housed in the Lewis Brothers Building.

The Lewis Brothers Building has a similarly historic legacy. Located directly south of the Old Bank Of Fayetteville Building, it was constructed in 1908. Built in the Queen Anne and Classic revival styles, the building housed the W.T. Farrar Hardware Store, which started working out of the building in 1912 and operated for 75 years.

The building was sold to the five Lewis brothers and became Lewis Brothers Hard ware. In 1986 the hardware store closed, and the following year, John Lewis established

Sometimes called the Eason Building, the Old Bank of Fayetteville is found in the northwest corner of the city’s Historic Square.

Photo by Brandon Rush

the Bank of Fayetteville in its place. In 1987, the Lewis Broth ers Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.Inthe

early 1900s, Farrar was one of the leading mer chants in Fayetteville. Coincidentally, one of the other part ners of the W.T. Farrar Hardware Store was Bert S. Lewis, a stockholder in the First National Bank.

The Lewis Brothers Building is well-known today for its iconic turret (or small tower) atop its roof, emblematic of the Queen Anne architecture, making it recognizable in the square.Indeed, the Bank of Fayetteville founders have a knack for restoring old property. They would eventually take on the challenge of restoring a train car and caboose into the widely recognized and unique Train Bank on Dickson Street. Today, the Bank of Fayetteville has five branches in the city and other branches in nearby West Fork, Farming ton and Prairie Grove.

The Bank of Fayetteville joined Farmers and Merchants Bank in a merger in December of 2015.

Farmers and Merchants Bank (F&M) was founded in 1945 in Stuttgart, Arkansas. By the early 1990s, F&M began expanding into the nearby communities of Des Arc, Hazen,

DeWitt, Perryville, Morrilton and Marianna. F&M found a like-minded in novative companion in the Bank of Fayetteville, allowing them to break into the Northwest Arkansas market. In May of 2019, the F&M family grew with the addition of Integrity First Bank, which took F&M’s name and is head quartered in Mountain Home.

Today, Fayetteville has boomed far past the numbers mentioned in the 1880 census. A town of 1,788 has grown into a bustling, modern city of 86,622, as of 2020’s census count. What was once a small town creeping into the blos soming northwest corner of the state has become an anchor in the middle of a regional metropolitan boom. As Fayetteville evolved, so did its banking needs.

And as the years trickle by, both the Eason Building with the Old Bank of Fayetteville and the Lewis Brothers Building with its Bank of Fayetteville, stand on watch in the historic square. The two buildings remain a testament to the resilience and growth of the Fayetteville of the past, as well as the Fayetteville of the future.

Photos by Brandon Rush

ALL ABOUT THE JOURNEY

By Mark Carter

Recently, I took the oppor tunity to drive a box truck from Little Rock to New Orleans. I choose to use “took the op portunity” here, instead of the more accurate “had to,” be cause, well, we need more opti mism in today’s lost world.

Every little bit helps and all.

That said, the AC went out at White Hall. For perspective, that represents roughly mile 34 of a 430-mile trip. In August. And it rained through much of the Mississippi leg.

But, on the bright side, I didn’t get another ticket in Lake***Providence.

Making the New Orleans drive a few times a year now, and having made it maybe 100 times in my life, I’ve come to appreci ate the subtle and underappreciated beauty of the Delta. Lush fields of cotton, soybean and corn; crop dusters skirting tree lines and highways to deliver their necessary payloads; white pillows of happy clouds filling an immense blue canvas.

It’s hard, on these drives, not to imagine an angelic Bob Ross floating above the oxbow lakes, a pallet of titanium white on his arm, making tiny little circles with the corner of his brush…

Montana can market it ‘til the cows come home, but the Delta landscape across eastern Arkansas and northwestern Mississip pi is Big Sky Country. I don’t care what they say.

Taking U.S. 65 into Lake Village, we cross the Big Muddy (and avoid the aforementioned speed trap) to ride Highway 1, running roughly parallel to the river, through Onward – of Teddy Roos evelt fame – and ultimately to Vicksburg.

The stretch of Highway 27 between Vicksburg and Crystal Springs, which bypasses about 75 miles of interstate and more importantly, Jackson, is another good drive. The stretch of roll ing hills that extends southeast from Vicksburg reminds me a little of Arkansas.

The good thing about driving a rolling box through a rain storm with no air conditioning and a leaky cabin is that it forces you to focus on your destination.

Sometimes it’s all about the journey. The final third of this particular trip wasn’t one of those times.

***

Our ultimate destination was Uptown, a Drew Brees post from the Tulane campus. And the thing about New Orleans is, it’s old. Which is part of the charm. Unfortunately, that applies

to most of its streets, which are narrow to begin with and beaten up after sitting under so much water the last halfcentury, it seems.

Many of the Crescent City’s streets, especially those off the beaten path and Uptown in particular, resemble a pock marked teenager.

Having finally delivered the payload, our grad-school son moved in to his new place, we reset a couple of blocks over to help his friend get moved in. And the friend was moving into a second-floor duplex.

The thing about second-floor duplexes in New Orleans… Well, three things: They are narrow, steep and twisty. Fortunate ly, the friend’s aunt was there to help. Because she is ripped.

Apparently having just missed the cut for “She Hulk,” she brought a six-pack, and it wasn’t Abita. Frankly, she was the lead dog on this sled team. Two healthy, college-aged young men and I could hardly keep up.

But hey, it was refreshing to be emasculated in person for once instead of by virtually everything on TV.

***

I’ll never understand the reasoning behind the decision to set up shop where New Orleans lies, wedged in the middle of a giant marsh between the Mississippi and what essentially is a shallow inland sea, Lake Pontchartrain.

In 1762, when the Frenchman Bienville claimed the “high” ground for his country, 95 miles upriver from the mouth, was he just ready to call it a day? I suppose there was some strategic value in the location, maybe a lot, but still.

Some 250 years later, the city works. Literally and otherwise. Somehow, it keeps drying off, drying out, and coming back for more.

Once you pass the Dixon Road exit on Interstate 530 and crest a rise, Little Rock pops out of the piney-woods nowhere. The off-kilter skyline beckons a hearty welcome, arms outstretched like that little boy just delivered back to school — wait, young man just delivered — used to do when you walked in at the end of the work day.

Another trip, safe and sound on both ends.

Think I’ll hit the dumbbells when I get home. If only I could remember where they are.

The Hillbillies,BeverlyCBS

David Trent Matt Jones, JD,

At Conway Regional Cardiovascular Clinic, our highly-skilled group of interventional cardiologists and emergency department physicians have one of the state's best door-to-balloon times for providing emergency heart care. To schedule an appointment with the Conway Regional Cardiovascular Clinic, call 501-358-6905 or visit ConwayRegional.org to learn more.

Left to Right: Ronak Soni, MD, Don Steely, MD, Rimsha Hasan, MD, and Yalcin Hacioglu, MD of Conway Regional Cardiovascular Clinic

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