12 Powerful Men

32 . juLY 2010

A Y ' S

32 . juLY 2010

I N A u G U R A L

For the past several years, AY has acknowledged the outstanding accomplishments of Arkansas women. This month, it's a man's world. Join us as we congratulate these men and welcome them into our exclusive club.

by Amy Bowers and Angela E. Thomas / photography by Janet Warlick/bar stools courtesy of Jones Bros. Pool Tables .

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Business J. French Hill, 53

C h i e f

E x e c u t i v e

Offi c e r

o f

D e lta

Tr u s t

Hill founded Delta Trust & Banking Corporation, which purchased the Southeast Arkansas Bank founded in 1910. He served as an advisor for former Gov. Mike Huckabee and two U.S. senators and was appointed by Pres. G. W. Bush to serve as a member of the U.S. Treasury’s Community Development Advisory Board. Hill served the White House in such a capacity to receive the Distinguished Service Award from the Secretary of the Treasury in 1993. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, he began his commercial banking career with what is now Bank America — Texas. He has served as a contributor to CNN, Fox and NPR. Hill is a recipient of the Arkansas Heritage Award, given for his leadership in historic preservation.

One Word that Describes You: Committed.

|

Hobby/Volunteer Work: I grew up loving American history …

so I am passionate about my hobby of reading and researching Arkansas history topics. My volunteer work with Historic Arkansas Museum; Arkansas Children’s Hospital; Scouting; the University of Arkansas at Little Rock; and Fifty for the Future centers around projects that produce better communities and higher incomes. | Childhood Nickname: Frenchman. | Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas. | First Job: Camp staffer at Boy Scout Camp Quapaw on the Saline River. I earned $10 a week, plus room and board. | First Big Break or When You Knew You'd Made It: At age 23, I was asked by my boss, the CEO of the largest bank between New York and LA, to become an “intrapreneuer” and lead a start-up that would become one of nation’s largest shared ATM/ EFT systems, PULSE. | What You Love About What You Do: Finance is challenging, both intellectually and emotionally. It is all about people and their aspirations to save, invest, build a business and a better future. | What is Your Dream Profession?: Building an entrepreneurial company in banking and investments in my hometown is a dream come true.

36 . juLY 2010

Education James L. “Skip” Rutherford III, 60 D e an o f Clin t o n

t h e Uni v e rsi t y o f A r k a nsas S c h o o l o f P u b li c S e r v i c e

Rutherford has been intertwined in the worlds of both education and politics in Arkansas for many years, which made him the perfect candidate for dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. The Clinton School, which attracts students from across the globe, is the nation’s first institution to offer a master’s degree in public service. Rutherford supported the Clinton School before its grand opening by coordinating the planning, construction and opening of the Clinton Presidential Center and Park. Prior to his service to The Clinton School, Rutherford taught at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (his alma mater), Lyon College, University of the Ozarks and the University of Central Arkansas. He is a former administrative assistant to the U.S. Sen. David Pryor; a past president of the Little Rock School Board; and the founding chairman of the advisory board of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science and the Arts.

| Hobby/Volunteer Work: Politics. / Supporting more than 75 Clinton School service projects as well as working to enhance the Little Rock River Market District. | Childhood Nickname: “Skipper.” | Hometown: Batesville, Arkansas. | First Job: Stock boy at Barnett Brothers department store in Batesville. | First Big Break or When You Knew You'd Made It: At age 28, when Senator-Elect David Pryor asked me to direct his Arkansas office. | What You Love About What You Do: Being part of a relatively new and unique graduate program, which attracts some of the best and brightest students to Arkansas, and keeps some of the best and brightest students in Arkansas. | What is Your Dream Profession?: With the Presidential Library and the Clinton School, I’m dreaming them.

One Word that Describes You: Energetic.

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Entrepreneur John Gaudin, 54 Managing

p ar t n e r ,

A rg e n t a

W e al t h

Manag e m e n t

Gaudin has been a critical player in the redevelopment and complete revitalization of downtown North Little Rock, known as Argenta. Through his position as managing partner of Argenta Wealth Management — an advisory firm with emphasis on “Life, Wealth, and Community Involvement” — Gaudin has partnered with Mayor Patrick Hays of North Little Rock and the Argenta Community Development Corporation to make major strides towards the realization of the city’s potential. As chairman of the Argenta Downtown Council, he leads a group of downtown business owners in their efforts to provide a safe, clean and exemplary downtown to the residents and guests of North Little Rock, and through his involvement with City Year and the THEA Foundation, he is an advocate for mentoring, public service and infusion of the arts in education.

| Hobby/Volunteer Work: Reading, painting and traveling. / Promotion of the arts, education and community through THEA Foundation; City Year, Little Rock/North Little Rock; Argenta Downtown Council; and Argenta Community Development Corporation. | Childhood Nickname: Pep. | Hometown: St. Martinville, Louisiana. | First Job: Crawfisherman. | First Big Break or When You Knew You'd Made It: It’s been more of a journey for me than any one defining job or moment. | What You Love About What You Do: I am blessed to work with great business partners, friends and city officials who share the vision of building North Little Rock into the next great American city. | What is Your Dream Profession?: I hope someday to relax in my future art gallery/coffee shop on Main Street in the Argenta Arts District and enjoy the company of the many friends I have made in my life’s journey.

One Word that Describes You: Passionate.

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Law Ron Sheffield, 63

A ss o c ia t e

J u s t i c e

o f

t h e

A r k ansas

S u p r e m e

C o u r t

Sheffield earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He served with the Arkansas Insurance Department as assistant commissioner consumer affairs, department deputy commissioner as well as other positions.

He also served as the Secretary of State redistricting director. He taught at Pulaski Technical College as an adjunct professor and entered private practice in 2002 where he served until this year. Sheffield is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association and a charter member of Arkansas 100 Black Men Inc.; he has served on the boards of Riverfest; Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families; the UALR Lettermen’s board; and Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency (ARORA).

One Word that Describes You: “Man” for one cannot always be a hero, but one can always be a man. | Hobby/Volunteer Work: Cycling and fishing. / My volunteer work involves work for my church and other ventures and organizations. | Childhood Nickname: Ronnie. | Hometown: Coshocton, Ohio. | First Job: Shining shoes. | First Big Break or When You Knew You'd Made It: When I was saved from a house fire

at the age of 5; and when I was hired at the Arkansas Insurance Department, which afforded me an opportunity to be interviewed on “60 minutes.” | What You Love About What You Do: Being able to bring to the judicial decision-making process my many years of diverse legal and non-legal experiences. | What is Your Dream Profession? Professional baseball player.

40 . juLY 2010

Media Warwick Sabin, 33 P u b lis h e r

o f

T h e

O x fo r d

A m e r i c a n

Maga z in e

Sabin has built quite an impressive resume and list of accomplishments in a still-budding career. Before joining the team at The Oxford American Magazine, Sabin was associate editor of the Arkansas Times and co-host of "Unconventional Wisdom," a public affairs program on Arkansas public television. He has also been associated with the Clinton Foundation and held positions on Capitol Hill, at the White House, at the U.S. Embassy in London, and at Foreign Affairs magazine. He is a Marshall Scholar and a Truman Scholar; and he holds an M.A. in philosophy, politics and economics from Oxford University and a B.A. (summa cum laude) in political science from University of Arkansas, where he graduated as valedictorian and was president of the student body. Sabin was named to the FOLIO: 40, a list of the 40 most influential people in the national magazine industry, last year.

One Word that Describes You: Passionate.

|

Hobby/Volunteer Work: Canoeing, reading. / Working with Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families. | Hometown: New York, New York. | First Job: Speechwriter for U.S. Ambassador Philip Lader (United Kingdom). | First Big Break or When You Knew You'd Made It: Still waiting … | What You Love About What You Do: I run a non-profit organization that provides a national and

international forum for great Southern writing, art and photography; promotes the best of Southern culture to a national and international audience; and utilizes every possible creative outlet — from print, digital, and broadcast media to events and other projects — to realize its mission. And I get to do it all from Arkansas! What's not to love? | What is Your Dream Profession? This is pretty close.

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42 . juLY 2010

Medicine Peter D. Emanuel, M.D., 51 P h y si c ian a n d Dir e c t o r o f t h e Win t h r o p P . R o c k e f e ll e r Can c e r

I ns t i t u t e

Emanuel served as a clinical fellow studying the field of hematology/oncology and as a postdoctoral fellow in cell and molecular biology. He was an associate professor and a professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s division of hematology/ oncology. He later became deputy director of the division. Emanuel joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2007. During his illustrious career, he has served as editor-in-chief for the American Society of Hematology News Daily and The Hematologist. He has been named one of The Best Doctors in America® and one of America’s Top Doctors for Cancer® for a number of years, and has been published in more than 30 peer-review publications.

One Word that Describes You: Driven.

|

Hobby: Barefoot water skiing.

|

Childhood Nickname: Peachy. I

had such a boyish face, I had to grow a beard after med school just so people would believe I was a doctor and not still a med student. | Hometown: Marshfield, Wisconsin. | First Job: Doctor and assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. | First Big Break or When You Knew You'd Made It: I made a major research discovery in 1991 dealing with childhood leukemia. It occurred just as I was finishing my last stages of training, 14 years after high school graduation. | What You Love About What You Do: Being a physician, scientist and administrator, I wear many hats, and I never have a routine day. | What is Your Dream Profession? Exactly what I’m doing right now.

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Nonprofit John E. Bel, 63

Pr e si d e n t ,

A r k ansas

C h il d r e n ’ s

H o s p i t al

F o u n d at i o n

Bel earned his current position in 1999; under his tenure the foundation has raised more than $144 million to benefit children.

Prior to this position, he served as vice president and chief development officer for the Christus Santa Rosa Healthcare System in Texas. He began working with nonprofit organizations in 1971, and lists “getting to know and work with Jimmy Stewart at the American Red Cross” in LA as a career highlight. Bel is also an educator; he taught high school and coached football in Los Angeles and served as an instructor in a volunteer parenting program. He also serves as a board member and treasurer for the Woodmark Group and as a board member for the Children’s Miracle Network.

One Word that Describes You: Coach.

|

Hobby/Volunteer Work: Former Board Chair of Just Communi-

ties of Arkansas, formerly the NCCJ, and I continue as a board member. We must all be responsible for building inclusive communities ... so that we can exist with more harmony and less hatred. / On a hobby side, I love to read and am always well challenged on the golf course. | Childhood Nickname: Johnny or JB | Hometown: Born in Springfield, Mo., and raised in southern California. | First Job: Newspaper boy. | First Big Break or When You Knew You'd Made It: When a good Sister at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield asked my parents to consider adoption; they said yes, which began my life journey. / When my wife said, “Yes, she would marry me.” She's the essential source of my confidence, my sounding board. | What You Love About What You Do: I am privileged to work with generous donors who are willing to share so children may be served and healed.

ACH, both the hospital and the research institute, are extraordinary institutions. | What is Your Dream Profession? I grew up dreaming of being the next Mickey Mantle, Elgin Baylor or Johnny Unitas. Boyhood dreams aside, I have been so blessed to be a part of American philanthropy; I could not imagine a better career — the people, institutions, and outcomes have been extraordinary.

44 . juLY 2010

Philanthropy Rick Fleetwood, 61 CEO ,

S n e ll

Pr o s t h e t i c

&

Or t h o t i c

L a b o ra t o r y

Fleetwood has served others his entire career. He joined Snell Prosthetic & Orthotic Laboratory more than three decades ago.

A veteran, Fleetwood joined Snell with the idea of helping veterans and others, and he has served the community tirelessly ever since. He has served as a corporate sponsor of the Arthritis Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Association; on the boards of: State Medicare; State Disability Association; and on the scholarship committee for the Governor’s Commission on People with Disabilities. Today, he lends himself to United Cerebral Palsy of Arkansas; Easter Seals Arkansas, CARTI and the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Gala.

One Word that Describes You: Care. | Hobby/Volunteer Work: Razorback fanatic. / Non-profit organizations that contribute to quality of life. | Childhood Nickname: Rick. | Hometown: Monette, Arkansas. | First Job: Working in a cotton gin at age 14. | First Big Break or When You Knew You'd Made It: I’m still waiting on my big break. I do not feel that I have made it yet, because I still have much to accomplish. | What You Love About What You Do: I’ve been blessed to work in a profession with an amazing group of people who everyday improve the quality of life for those who are physically challenged. | What is Your Dream Profession? I am

living it … if you’re not happy with what you are doing, you are not being all that you can be. I thank God for the entire Snell Team for helping me help others.

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Congratulations Rick Fleetwood

for being one of AY Magazine’s 2010 Powerful Men.

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46 . juLY 2010

Politics Dustin McDaniel, 38 A r k ansas

A t t o rn e y

G e n e ral

McDaniel began his career as a uniformed patrol officer in his hometown of Jonesboro, Ark., and took the motto of “protect and serve” to a whole new level when he took the office of attorney general in January 2007. McDaniel brings vibrancy and passion to this position, as he is currently the youngest attorney general in the nation. As the state’s top consumer advocate and top law enforcement officer, McDaniel and his team are committed to the issues that most affect the citizens of Arkansas including: fighting methamphetamine production and distribution; eliminating payday lenders; and assisting consumers through his health care bureau. McDaniel’s involvement in the community extends further through his service as chair of the southern region and member of the finance committee for the National Association of Attorneys General, and co-chair of the Democratic Association of Attorneys General. He is also a recipient of an Aspen-Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership.

One Word that Describes You: Dedicated. | Hobby/Volunteer Work: Hunting, aviation, watching Razorback and Red Wolf football. | Hometown: Jonesboro, Arkansas. | First Job: Construction work for my grandfather’s company, Ramsons Construction. | First Big Break or When You Knew You'd Made It: On the night

of the 2006 general election when Arkansas voters placed their trust in me by electing me attorney general. I try every day to maintain that trust. | What You Love About What You Do: Everything. I often say that being attorney general is like getting paid to eat ice cream. It’s that good. | What is Your Dream Profession?: Public service — I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do, especially since I knew early on that being a Major League baseball player wasn’t in the cards.

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Tourism Richard W. Davies, 60 E x e c u t i v e Dir e c t o r , A r k ansas D e p ar t m e n t o f Par k s an d T o u ris m

Davies has had a fulfilling, life-long career serving Arkansas at the Department of Parks and Tourism where he has spent 37 years, 19 of which as its executive director. Davies has been named State Parks Director of the Year by the National Association of State Parks Directors; has been inducted into the Hall of Fame by both the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation and the Arkansas Hospitality Association; was named Arkansan of the Year in 2004 by the Arkansas Broadcasters Association; and was inducted into the Hall of Honor by the Lemke Journalism Alumni Society at the University of Arkansas in 2008. He received a presidential appointment in 1998 as vice chair of the National Recreation Lakes Study Commission to make recommendations to the president and congress on the future of federal reservoirs. In addition to his commitment to the state, Davies served our country for 27 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, and retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1999.

One Word that Describes You: Empathetic. I try to understand other people’s positions on things, even if I | Hobby: Hunting, fishing, antiques, history, gardening and good food, anywhere you can find it. | Hometown: Born and grew up in Little Rock, now I live in North Little Rock. | First Job: Summer computer assistant at Garver and Garver Engineers in Little Rock. | First Big Break or When You Knew You'd Made It: When Gov. David Pryor appointed me to the position of State Parks Division Director in 1976, at age 26. I was

don’t agree.

the youngest one in the country at the time. My grandfather, Sam Davies, was Arkansas’ first State Parks Director in 1937. My dad also worked for the State Parks for a while. | What You Love About What You Do: Two things: the wonderful, dedicated staff and commissioners of the Department of Parks and Tourism; secondly, the diversity of the job — you never know what’s going to happen next. | What is Your Dream Profession? This is it. I’ve been here for 37 years and seven governors and still enjoy it. Great resources, wonderful people and I get to help protect and promote all the good things about my home state.

48 . juLY 2010

Volunteerism David Bazzel, 46 R a d i o H o s t , TV S p o k e s p e rs o n , E m c e e , Pr o m o t i o ns / Mar k e t ing

Bazzel came to fame in Arkansas as a member of the beloved University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (UA) Razorbacks. He then went on to a lead successful marketing campaign for Gold’s Gym and later joined Arkansas Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Center and founded his consulting firm Fourth Quarter Productions. Always innovative, in 1996, he created the Broyles Award, the country’s first assistant coach of the year award, and that same year, Bazzel began consulting with UA to help expand the fan base. He established the successful Little Rock Touchdown Club, and co-hosts 103.7’s "Show with No Name." He is an indemand emcee who lends his time and talent to many non-profit organizations and events, including AY’s Runway for a Cause.

One Word that Describes You: Aware.

|

Top Three Organizations You Are Involved With: With my position in the media, I get to work with too many great charities to rank them. | Childhood Nickname: Baz. | Hometown: Panama City, Florida. | First Job: Short-order cook in my grandmother’s restaurant. | The Organization Whose Mission Means The Most To You: All of them are so important, but Make-A-Wish touches kids who are dealing with such serious issues that shouldn't befall a child. | What You Love About What You Do: So much interaction with the friendliest people in the world — Arkansans. | What is Your Dream Profession?

Rock star/pro bass angler/Miss Universe judge.

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