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BUSINESS JOURNAL
Baptist Health Welcomes Two Providers in Faulkner County
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Minority Enterprise Development award honorees named The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce has named the recipients
In addition to offering housing and employment opportunities
of its annual Minority Enterprise Development Awards. Throughout
to Conway-area residents, Tim and Gena Ester give back to the
the past 12 years, recipients of these awards have been dedicated
community in other ways. They co-founded the Pine Street Backpack
professionals, philanthropists, business owners, and friends of
Program 12 years ago to assist low-income families that live in the
the community.
traditionally African-American Pine Street community. Established
These honorees were recognized at an invitation-only event
in response to the financial crisis of 2008, the Pine Street Backpack
scheduled for Monday, Sept. 28. The Minority Enterprise
Program provides backpacks filled with school supplies to students
Development Awards were presented by Northwestern Mutual,
from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. The program has since expanded
Conway Corporation, and Conway Regional Health System.
to help students in need throughout the city of Conway and Faulkner
First Community Bank and Sam’s Club were the award sponsors, and Hendrix College and Sandstone Real Estate Group were the speaker sponsors. MED advocates included Acxiom, Arvest Bank,
County, raising over $250,000 and serving more than 10,800 schoolaged children since its inception. Tim has donated food and food service to a number of nonprofit
Nabholz Corporation, Candlewood Suites, Comfort Inn & Suites,
organizations and has served on the board of directors for the
and Country Inn & Suites.
United Way of Central Arkansas, the Boys & Girls Club of Faulkner
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Gena and Tim Ester
County, and the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. He and Gena’s
The Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates high standards of
entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, and community involvement have
excellence, dedication, and accomplishment over a sustained period of
earned them the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award.
time. The award is granted to an individual who has played an integral
MINORITY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: Northwestern Mutual
role in the creative, technical, or professional progress of minority business development over the course of his or her life. Through entrepreneurship, community service, and volunteerism, Tim and Gena Ester have made significant contributions to the
The Minority Business of the Year is presented to a minority-owned business whose practices have had a significant impact on the community. Northwestern Mutual manages financial plans for Conway-area
Conway community over the past 30 years. The couple owns two
business and individuals, helping them reach their financial goals
businesses: Ester Properties, which has provided affordable, well-
and live out their dreams. Captained by managing director Drew
maintained rental homes to Conway residents for 25 years, and
Gainor, Northwestern Mutual began in June 2015 with a small group
Ester’s C&C, a new catering and food truck business established in
of five individuals. It has since grown to a team of 45, including 25
June 2020.
full-time employees and 20 interns. The Conway office is nationally
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SEPTEMBER 2020
Congratulations 2020 Minority Enterprise Development Award winners!
MINORITY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Northwestern Mutual
MINORITY EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR Mita Sitaram | Kumon of Conway
OUTSTANDING YOUNG MINORITY PROFESSIONAL Trip Leach | S7 Tactical
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Tim & Gena Ester
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ranked within the industry and is recognized as one of the top offices
church’s finance team and business office as chief financial officer.
in its category in the South, both in terms of growth and for its
Trip has been on the school board for Conway Public Schools for six
commitment to diversity and inclusion.
years and currently serves as president. He is also on the board of
Drew’s team understands the importance of service and the responsibility of being philanthropic. They regularly support
directors for the Children’s Advocacy Alliance. Described as a humble leader who has a “servant’s heart and a work
organizations that work on behalf of children and young people,
ethic that’s second to none,” Trip Leach has been named the 2020
including the Children’s Advocacy Alliance, Deliver HOPE, Boys
Outstanding Young Minority Professional.
& Girls Club of Faulkner County, and Alex’s Lemonade Stand
MINORITY EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR Mita Sitaram | Kumon of Conway
Foundation for Childhood Cancer. A proud alumnus of the University of Central Arkansas, Drew and his wife, Lauren, established the Drew
The Minority Executive of the Year award is presented to the owner,
Marshall Gainor Scholarship endowment in honor of Drew’s late
executive, or leader of a business. This award recognizes executives
father. The scholarship is awarded to Hispanic students majoring
in the community who have displayed outstanding performance in
in finance, insurance and risk management, or innovation and
either an individual or collaborative endeavor. This person is a driving
entrepreneurship and is the first scholarship fund established at UCA
force behind the company and works to maintain an enriched business
for Hispanic business students. With its commitment to its clients
climate and an enhanced quality of life in Conway.
and the broader community, Northwestern Mutual of Conway has been named the 2020 Minority Business of the Year. OUTSTANDING YOUNG MINORITY PROFESSIONAL: Trip Leach | S7 Tactical The Outstanding Young Minority Professional award is presented to a
Mita Sitaram is the owner of Kumon Math and Reading Center of Conway, a franchise of the world’s largest after-school math and reading program. Kumon helps children from age three through high school build a lifetime of math and reading success. Although the COVID-19 pandemic forced Mita to briefly close
minority business owner or professional between the ages of 21-39 who
the Conway center shortly after opening it 11 months ago, Kumon
has committed themselves to business and community service.
Math and Reading Center of Conway is seeing an uptick in inquires
As a small business owner, school board member, and volunteer
from parents who want to provide supplemental education for their
pastor, Trip Leach has dedicated his life to serving others in his
children, especially during a time when many students are enrolled in
community. He is the co-founder of S7 Tactical, a company that
virtual learning. Mita’s goal is to offer an individualized lesson plan
offers safe, relational firearms training to law enforcement officers,
for each child so they can progress on their own.
military personnel, and civilians at a private gun range. Club members
Mita has volunteered with AR Kids Read, Ronald McDonald House
completed 564 hours of training in 2019, which ranges from private
Charities, and more. Before she moved to Conway, she was active
and group instruction to corporate training, and have already more
in the Sherwood community, having served as a member of the
than doubled the amount of completed training hours in 2020.
city’s advertising and promotions commission and as secretary for
For 11 years, Trip has served as a volunteer pastor for New Life
the Sherwood Chamber of Commerce. With her commitment to
Church’s Family Ministry, counseling hundreds of people and leading
education and passion for helping others, Mita is the 2020 Minority
many studies alongside his wife, Courtney. He also oversees the
Executive of the Year. n
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“Biketoberfest” to promote area cycling amenities As the city of Conway continues to emerge as a cycling destination in Arkansas, the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce is launching a fall campaign to increase awareness about the variety of bike amenities the area has to offer. The Conway Regional Health System “Biketoberfest” will highlight four different ways to enjoy biking in and around Conway: longer-distance road rides, mountain biking, gravel rides, and “community” or leisure rides. Biketoberfest is presented by Caldwell Toyota, Car-Son Construction, and the Conway Convention & Visitors Bureau. The month-long promotion will highlight twelve popular routes, three in each surface type. Routes will be featured on all popular social media platforms, including Strava, an online community of the physically active. Participants in Biketoberfest are encouraged to post or check-in online while cycling using the hashtag #BikeConway. “We hope that Biketoberfest will bring new awareness to residents and visitors about what the Conway area has to offer cyclists of every skill level,” said Conway Area Chamber President & CEO Brad Lacy. “The online campaign will let us introduce cyclists to each other and to new routes in a way that safe and fun.” Conway Regional Health System Biketoberfest will last the entire month of October. For more information about rewards and group rides, visit the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce or Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau Facebook pages. n
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Baptist Health Welcomes Two Providers in Faulkner County OB/GYN Audrey Tobey, MD, and Pediatrician Carly Roark, MD, Join Conway Clinics Two Baptist Health providers who recently began seeing patients at
her to better relate to others going through health care issues. “First
clinics in Conway strive to create personable and inviting
and foremost, I hope to be someone you can trust in your medical
environments for their patients by taking into consideration their own
journey. I’ll always listen to your struggles and hardships without
experiences growing up around health care settings. Adding providers
judgment,” she said.
at Baptist Health Women’s Clinic-Conway and Baptist Health
A native of Austin, Texas, Dr. Tobey received her Doctor of
Pediatric Clinic-Conway is just one way that Baptist Health continues
Medicine from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
to address the growing health care needs of residents in Faulkner
in Dallas. She later went on to complete her residency training in
County and surrounding areas.
Obstetrics and Gynecology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in
Audrey Tobey, MD, at Baptist Health Women’s Clinic-Conway Obstetrician-gynecologist Audrey Tobey, MD, of Baptist Health Women’s Clinic-Conway says her decision to specialize in women’s health was easy and resulted in part from her wanting to be a voice for women who may at times feel unheard or without sufficient resources when it comes to their health and wellbeing. “Women are a strong, unique, and often underrepresented population who deserve strong advocates,” Dr. Tobey said. “The physiological changes inherent to every woman’s life are marvels that demand attention, support and empowerment.” Dr. Tobey’s clinical interests are in high-risk obstetrics, infertility, menopausal management and ultrasound. Dr. Tobey performs an array of other services and procedures including breast care, care for gestational diabetes, menopause management, care for urinary incontinence, weight-loss management, treatment for pelvic pain as well as woman exams and screenings. For Dr. Tobey, being born with congenital heart disease meant that the hospital environment became a second home. That, she says, led to medicine becoming her focus later in life and allowed
Norfolk, Virginia, where she also received fellowship training in Hospital Governance and Quality Improvement. Dr. Tobey and her husband have a baby daughter and two dogs. The family also spends time cycling, fly fishing, kayaking and gardening. Baptist Health Women’s Clinic-Conway provides comprehensive care for all stages of a woman’s life. This includes navigating puberty, screening pap smears, contraceptive care, preconception counseling, all the ups and downs of pregnancy, postmenopausal care and all aspects of gynecological surgery. Early in October, Baptist Health Women’s Clinic-Conway will extend its reach through a satellite offering in Heber Springs. Dr. Tobey joins Drs. Brittanie Hagen and Jessica Pullen at Baptist Health Women’s Clinic-Conway, which is located at 625 United Drive, Suite 420, in Conway.
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Baptist Health Women’s ClinicConway Address: 625 United Drive, Suite 420, Conway Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Phone Number: (501) 358-6941
Baptist Health Pediatric ClinicConway Dr. Carly Roark of Baptist Health Pediatric Clinic-Conway, left, and Dr. Audrey Tobey of Baptist Health Women’s Clinic-Conway, right
Carly Roark, MD, at Baptist Health Pediatric Clinic-Conway Faulkner County native Dr. Carly Roark has joined Baptist Health Pediatric ClinicConway as a pediatrician. She says her main role is to be there for the children. “No one truly enjoys going to the doctor, especially kids who don’t really understand why they are there,” Dr. Roark said. “I want their experience with us to be as fun and comfortable as it can be.” Dr. Roark has seen the impact medicine can have. The oldest of five children, she watched one of her twin brothers endure a number of medical complications that left him in children’s hospitals for many months. “I had a lot of exposure to the medical field growing up,” she said. “I fell in love with medicine and pediatrics specifically.”
Address: 625 United Drive, Suite 360, Conway Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone Number: (501) 358-6892
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Baptist Health’s Mission
is to provide quality patientcentered services and health education and respond to the changing health needs of our state. Our top priority, as always, is protecting the health and safety of our patients and providers. Baptist Health Women’s ClinicConway and Baptist Health Pediatric Clinic-Conway are open, accepting new patients and offering several options for care, including both telehealth and in-person visits. All patients scheduled for an in-person visit at a clinic will be pre-screened for COVID-19 signs, symptoms and exposure. Our clinics are safe and follow all guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Baptist Health’s medical office building at 625 United Drive houses both clinics on the Baptist Health-Conway campus.
Dr. Roark calls her ability to spend time with children a true
Baptist Health Pediatric Clinic-Conway sees all children from
blessing. Being there for newborns and new parents is of particular
newborns to 18 years old for a variety of conditions. The clinic
interest, she says.
offers wellness visits and sports physicals as well as sick visits.
“Having a baby is such a special time in the life of a family. There are so many emotions and even uncertainties that come with giving birth,” Dr. Roark said. “I consider it a blessing to be
Providers at the clinic also help manage and treat ADHD, asthma, eczema, feeding difficulties and behavior concerns. Dr. Roark joins pediatrician Janell Vinson, MD, at Baptist Health
able to be with parents during this time to celebrate with them
Pediatric Clinic-Conway, which is located at 625 United Drive,
and help ease any of their concerns. I love being there to help
Suite 360, in Conway.
parents navigate a baby’s transition, including growth, feeding, safety and everything else.” As a pediatrician, Dr. Roark believes she plays an important role
From humble beginnings nearly 100 years ago with one hospital in Little Rock to becoming Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization with more than 250 points of access, Baptist
in keeping her pediatric patients happy and healthy. Dr. Roark
Health’s purpose has remained the same – to create a healthier
received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arkansas
community through Christian compassion and innovative services.
for Medical Sciences College of Medicine. She later completed
For more information about Baptist Health, visit baptist-
post-graduate training as a pediatric resident physician at UAMS
health.com, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or
and Arkansas Children’s.
download the myBaptistHealth app. n
North Metro Economy at a Glance Population US ..........................328,239,523 Arkansas ....................3,017,804 Conway............................67,638 Cleburne County ..............24,919 Conway County ...............20,846 Faulkner County ............126,007 Perry County ....................10,455 Van Buren County ............16,545 Civilian Labor Force June-2020 Seasonally Adjusted US ..........................159,932,000 Arkansas ....................1,314,162 Not Seasonally Adjusted US ..........................160,883,000 Arkansas.....................1,331,793 Conway............................32,976 Cleburne County ................8,958 Conway County .................8,087 Faulkner County...............60,070 Perry County......................4,038 Van Buren County...............5,623 Unemployment Rate June-2020 Seasonally Adjusted US.................................... 11.1% Arkansas ........................... 8.1% Not Seasonally Adjusted US ................................... 11.2% Arkansas............................ 8.3% Conway.............................. 8.2% Cleburne County ................ 9.7% Conway County ................. 8.2% Faulkner County................. 7.7% Perry County ...................... 7.3% Van Buren County............... 9.2%
Bank Deposits June Conway 2019.................... $1,835,390,000 2018.................... $1,829,012,000 Percent Change..................0.35%
Conway County 2020.............................$514,924 2019.............................$467,777 Percent Change.............. 10.08% Tax Rate........................... 1.75%
Faulkner County Cleburne County 2020.............................$975,708 2019....................... $556,697,000 2019.............................$858,660 2018....................... $554,248,000 Percent Change.............. 13.63% Percent Change..................0.44% Tax Rate........................... 0.50% Conway County Perry County 2019....................... $364,163,000 2020.............................$154,192 2018....................... $358,473,000 2019.............................$126,601 Percent Change..................1.59% Percent Change.............. 21.79% Tax Rate........................... 2.50% Faulkner County
2019.................... $2,228,144,000 Van Buren County 2018.................... $2,193,879,000 Percent Change..................1.56% 2020.............................$421,421 2019.............................$440,578 Perry County Percent Change...............-4.35% 2019......................... $65,345,000 Tax Rate........................... 2.00% 2018......................... $72,986,000 Percent Change.............. -10.47% Restaurant Sales* Van Buren County Year to Date (August) 2019....................... $278,929,000 Conway 2018....................... $276,171,000 Percent Change..................1.00% 2020......................$125,002,712 2019......................$137,808,420 Sales & Use Tax Collections Percent Change...............-9.29% *Includes mixed drink sales August Conway 2020...........................$3,138,161 2019...........................$2,885,082 Percent Change................. 8.77% Tax Rate.......................... 2.125% Cleburne County 2020.............................$671,062 2019.............................$556,905 Percent Change.............. 20.50% Tax Rate......................... 1.625%
Hotel Sales Year to Date (August) Conway 2020..........................$8,489,193 2019........................$12,152,832 Percent Change.............-30.15%
Residential Building Permits Year to Date (August) Conway 2020......................................152 2019....................................1204 Percent Change.............-25.49%
Values of Residential Units Sold** Year to Date (August) Conway 2020......................$117,426,171 2019......................$102,807,283 Percent Change.............. 14.22%
Year to Date (July) Residential Units Sold** Cleburne County (New and Existing) 2020....................... $79,874,626 Year to Date (August) 2019....................... $58,389,575 Conway 2020......................................541 Percent Change..............36.80% 2019......................................521 Conway County Percent Change................ 3.84% 2020........................$13,969,503 2019........................$13,348,638 Year to Date (August) Percent Change................ 4.65% Cleburne County Faulkner County 2020......................................371 2020. . ....................$213,301,488 2019......................................310 Percent Change.............. 19.68% 2019......................$176,501,117 Percent Change.............. 20.85% Conway County Perry County 2020......................................113 2019......................................117 2020..........................$5,567,596 Percent Change...............-3.42% 2019..........................$3,597,128 Percent Change.............. 54.78% Faulkner County Van Buren County 2020....................................1222 2019....................................1072 2020........................$23,755,995 Percent Change.............. 13.99% 2019........................$19,372,055 Percent Change................ 2.63% Perry County Average Price of 2020........................................40 Residential Units Sold** 2019........................................33 (New and Existing) Percent Change.............. 21.21% Year to Date (August) Conway Van Buren County 2020......................................181 2020..............................$214,125 2019......................................167 2019..............................$198,865 Percent Change................ 8.38% Percent Change..................7.67% **Includes sales of residential units
Year to Date (August) Cleburne County 2020.............................$215,295 2019.............................$188,353 Percent Change.............. 14.30% Conway County 2020.............................$123,624 2019.............................$114,091 Percent Change................ 8.36% Faulkner County 2020.............................$200,095 2019.............................$189,582 Percent Change................ 5.55% Perry County 2020.............................$139,190 2019.............................$109,004 Percent Change.............. 27.69% Van Buren County 2020.............................$131,249 2019.............................$116,000 Percent Change.............. 13.15%
Proud sponsor of Pulse of Conway Sources: 2014-2018 ACS 5-Year Data Profiles, Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, C2ER, Sperling’s Best Places, Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Cooperative Arkansas Realtors’ Multiple Listing Services, Arkansas Realtors Association, and City of Conway.
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Central Baptist College Reports Traditional Student Enrollment Increase for Fall 2020 Conway, Ark. (Sept. 15, 2020) – Despite a challenging higher
confirm that students are seeking an institution of higher education that
education environment due to the COVID-19 global health pandemic,
focuses on the integration of Christian faith and academic excellence
Central Baptist College saw a 1.1% increase in the traditional student
in a Christ-centered environment, which is the heart of the mission of
population for the Fall 2020 semester. Additionally, the College
CBC. We are currently evaluating the PACE adult education program
reported a 3.6% increase in first time entering students (includes first
to determine why we are seeing decreases in that area of enrollment.
time entering freshmen, transfer students, re-admitted students, and
PACE is a unique program that has provided an education for countless
transient students) and an increase in the incoming freshmen class.
individuals who can’t obtain a college degree in a traditional manner.”
“The Admissions and Registration teams did an outstanding job of
“The Admissions team is already hard at work to recruit a strong 2021
bringing in the 2020 class, which is the highest since 2018,” said Ryan
class,” said Johnson. “They are on the road attending recruiting events,
Johnson, Vice President for Enrollment Management. The freshman
hosting in person and virtual personal campus visit experiences, and
class, comprised of first time entering new students, came in at 121
are planning for the campuses’ first in person Stampede Preview Day
students, up from 103 first time entering new students for the Fall of
of 2020 scheduled for October 7.” Prospective students can register
2019. This constitutes an increase of 17.4%. The returning student
to attend one of four upcoming Stampede Preview Days at cbc.edu/
population in the traditional program was just one off of last year’s
stampede. The college has also started accepting applications for
number and continues a five-year trend of consistent return percentages
fall 2021 admission for the traditional program, and there are eight
of approximately 70% of spring students returning in the fall.
enrollment periods throughout the academic year for the PACE
Despite the strong enrollment for the traditional program, overall enrollment for the institution decreased by 11.3%. Total enrollment
Program. Students can begin the admissions process for both programs by visiting cbc.edu/apply.
on the tenth day of classes was reported as 607 students compared to
Central Baptist College recently announced its inclusion on the 2021
685 in the Fall of 2019. The enrollment decrease was due to a decrease
list of Best Regional Colleges in the South by U.S. News & World Report.
in both the Professional Adult College Education (PACE) Program and
Central Baptist College ranked 63rd on the 2021 list. In addition to be
high school concurrent students. The institution planned and budgeted
being included on the list of Best Regional Colleges in the South, Central
for a significant decrease in total enrollment due to the uncertainty
Baptist College was also ranked 24th on the list of Top Performers of
surrounding the start of the fall semester caused by the COVID-19
Social Mobility Regional Colleges-South. n
global health pandemic. Central Baptist College President Terry Kimbrow added, “I am excited as we look to the Fall of 2021. The increases in new student enrollment and the consistency in the return percentage in the traditional program
Central Baptist College is a four-year, private, liberal arts college owned and operated by the Baptist Missionary Association of Arkansas. CBC offers approximately 40 baccalaureate degree programs, 16 athletic teams that compete in the AMC conference of the NAIA, and 6 fine arts performance groups. For more information about CBC visit cbc.edu or call 501-329-6873.
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Leave a review for the restaurants you visited.
#ConwayToGo Supporting small businesses and safe dining. Let’s support our local restaurants! Use hashtag #ConwayToGo to highlight establishments that are accommodating diners with curbside takeout, home delivery, etc. during a time when restaurant dining rooms are operating at limited capacity and social distancing is encouraged. We also invite you to join and participate in the #ConwayToGo Facebook community at facebook.com/groups/ConwayToGo.
