Faulkner County Business Journal - 12/2015

DECEMBER 2015

Hit a deer?

Get a turkey A & J Collision Repairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holiday campaign gives back to customers, community TURKEY < 4D

2D — Sunday, December 13, 2015

Faulkner County Business Journal

To subscribe call (501) 329-2927 • Log Cabin Democrat

2015 Women in Business present honorees SPECIAL TO THE LOG CABIN

nity. The 2015 honorees are as follows:

The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual Women in Business Awards took place Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Centennial Valley Country Club.

The sellout event honored Outstanding Women in Business, Outstanding Women in Nonprofit, and one Diamond Achievement Award recipient.

Pam McDowell of Pam McDowell Properties is the 2015 Diamond Achievement Award recipient. This award is presented to an individual with at least 25 years of professional experience who has inspired and empowered many generations of women and who has had a positive impact on those in her profession and in the community.

•Elizabeth Blankenship, Southridge Village Assisted Living •Mary Clements, Middleton Heat and Air •Tiffany Duhamel, Regions Bank •Patti Stobaugh, PattiCakes Bakery/Stoby’s •Judi Lively, Bethlehem House (Nonprofit) •LaTresha Woodruff, Conway Police Department (Nonprofit) The selection committee consisted of women executives outside Conway: Mary Wheatley, Rheumatology Research Foundation (Atlanta, Georgia); Kelle Marsalis, Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce (Dallas, Texas); Kuma Roberts, Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce (Tulsa, Oklahoma); and Elyse Cullen, North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce (North Little Rock, Arkansas).

Additional information about each award recipient follows.

Pam McDowell

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Arkansas-native and Hendrix alumna Kristi Crum, vice president of strategy and distribution for Verizon Wireless, was the keynote speaker at the 2015 Women in Business awards luncheon.

For the first time, this year’s awards luncheon honored Outstanding Women in Nonprofit in addition to Outstanding Women in Business. The honorees embody high standards of excellence, dedication and accomplishment to their respective organizations, industries and to the business commu-

With more than 20 percent of the market, Pam McDowell Properties is the leader in sales in Faulkner County.

Owner Pam McDowell’s career in real estate spans more than three decades, and she has been a business owner for 20 years.

“Conway has been so good to me in the past 44 years with the tremendous growth,” she said. “The support from the agents at Pam McDowell Properties has made me the person I am.”

McDowell was the first woman chosen to serve on the Conway Planning Commission. She is active on the Faulkner County Board of Realtors, having served as president, secretary, and treasurer. In 1982, she was chosen as the Faulkner County Realtor of the Year.

McDowell has fostered a work environment that has given opportunities to women of all ages and all different stages of life – from single moms to college graduates to women who are re-entering the workforce. Pam Mc-

Dowell Properties currently employs more than 30 women ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s.

“Every woman in our office is incredible and brings unique talents and gifs to our company,” she said.

McDowell and her late husband have one son, Jay. He and his wife, Michelle, have a two-year-old son, Tanner Gray McDowell, who Pam describes as “her pride and joy.”

Elizabeth Blankenship

Elizabeth Blankenship has dedicated her 40-year career to the care of seniors and elders. As the CEO and owner of Southridge Village Assisted Living, she oversees four assisted living facilities. Blankenship purchased an 11-bed, residential care facility in Heber Springs in 1994 and eventually opened additional locations in Conway, Cabot, and Russellville.

“Promoting the advancement of quality, person-centered care for elders has always been a passion of mine,” Blankenship said. “I wanted to make a difference, and it became evident that the best way to do so was to own a business and be the person responsible for making decisions concerning the residents’ care.”

Blankenship’s passion for long-term care goes beyond her role as a business owner. In 2001, she helped make assisted living a reality across the state by working with the Arkansas legislature to write the state’s rules and regulations for assisted living. She also wrote the curriculum for the first Assisted Living Administrator Certification course and currently teaches a section of the course semiannually.

Mary Clements

Mary Clements has a nearly 20year career in office management. She previously worked for a judge and attorney for several years before entering the heating, ventilation, and airconditioning industry.

“I am grateful to be able to manage an office and know I am trusted, supported, and worthy of the respect from others,” she said.

As office manager for Middleton Heat and Air’s Conway office, Clements is solely responsible for managing five technicians, ordering and stocking parts, receiving invoices and tickets, maintaining accurate records and logs, and communicating with both residential and commercial customers, among other duties.

“I prioritize things regularly, and I juggle everything,” Clements said.

“This past year, I’ve have experienced some health issues, which has made finding a balance between my personal and professional life more difficult.

However, I have maintained my faith and stayed strong. I am fortunate to have had the support of friends and family.”

Tiffany Duhamel

Tiffany Duhamel is a mortgage loan officer at Regions Bank. She began her career in banking as a teller and later worked as a loan assistant during college, sacrificing much of her social life and college involvement for her goal to become a loan officer. At the beginning of her final semester at the University of Central Arkansas, she gave birth to her daughter, Kennedi.

“I missed only one week of class and juggled being a new mother and a fulltime student while working as a loan assistant,” Duhamel said. “I was determined to earn my college degree and reach my goal of becoming a loan officer.”

Duhamel’s perseverance and dedication paid off. As a mortgage loan officer, she has helped more than 225 families achieve their dream of homeownership. She is currently ranked among Regions Bank’s Top 5 loan officers in the state of Arkansas for loanclosing volume.

Patti Stobaugh

Patti Stobaugh is the owner of PattiCakes Bakery. The Conway bakery opened nine years ago, and has become a staple in the community – much like Stoby’s Restaurant, which Stobaugh

HONOREES < 6D

Log Cabin Democrat • Find our online edition at www.thecabin.net

Editorial: The end of the beginning

Faulkner County Business Journal

Sunday, December 13, 2015 — 3D

Small business institute continues in spring

SPECIAL TO THE LOG CABIN

A little more than five years ago, the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and the Log Cabin Democrat began a partnership (and experiment) of sorts.

The Faulkner County Business Journal would be a once-a-month insert into the Sunday paper.

The majority of content would be provided by the Chamber. That content would offer in-depth news, editorial, and data about the local economy.

It was a business publication written by the organization most readily identified with Conway’s business community.

The Log Cabin Democrat (and its readers) wanted more and deeper business content. The Conway Area Chamber wanted to communicate beyond its paid membership.

The Journal has satisfied those two goals.

Those goals are still important to the Chamber and to The Cabin. That hasn’t changed.

However, how we deliver that content will change.

This will be the last issue of the Faulkner County Business Journal.

It has been our privilege to provide content about new businesses, executives, events, and more each month. Before the Faulkner County Business Journal, the Chamber never had regular communication with businesses or individuals beyond its paid membership.

There is real value in that. And it’s something the Chamber is committed to continuing.

If you want to continue to receive information about Conway and Faulkner County’s economy, we encourage you to reach out to us in a few alternative methods. First, you can visit our website at www.ConwayArkansas.org.

It is the online portal to all of our tourism and development organizations. Second, you can visit us at Facebook.com/ConwayARChamber. Finally, you can send us an email at GetSmart@ ConwayArkansas.org. Tell us that you want to join a network of informed people who care about our local economy. We’ll add you to a regular email list.

It’s the end of another great year in Faulkner County; 2016 already holds so much promise. We look forward to living, working, and communicating with all of you.

Stay in touch.

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The Conway Small Business Institute, a program of the University of Central Arkansas Division of Outreach and Community Engagement and the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, will continue in the spring of 2016 with workshops in February and March. The workshop series is designed to help small-business owners establish, develop and promote their business. The dates for the spring 2016 sessions are as follows: Thursday, Feb. 25: Human Resources and Thursday, March 31: Small Business Finance. The Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center at UCA will be the site for the Conway Small Business Institute. The registration fee is $50 per workshop. Each session will last from 9 a.m. until noon.

Visit uca.edu/outreach/csbi to register or for more information.

Cadron Creek Capital Crosses Million-dollar Threshold New Conway based Venture Fund Establishes 12/31 Deadline for New Investors SPECIAL TO THE LOG CABIN

Conway, AR – Cadron Creek Capital, a seed-stage venture fund based on Conway, has recently established a December 31st deadline for new investors.

To date, the fund has over 40 investors and more than $1.0M in seed capital.

“We are excited about the strong initial response we’ve had to the fund,” said Jeff Standridge, cofounder of the fund. “A great group of investors have joined and we are confident we can leverage their ex-

pertise to help our portfolio companies grow.”

Cadron Creek Capital is a member-managed capital investment fund focused on scalable ventures with a high probability of high return. The fund typically invests $50,000 to $100,000 in each company in order to achieve a diversified portfolio of 10-15 companies. The major goals of the fund are to generate a significant return for investors, elevate the overall venture investment acumen of the community, and create jobs by encouraging start-up companies to either launch or relocate to Conway.

“We value entrepreneurs with product and process vision, strong market insight, focused execution, and dogged ambition,” says Standridge. “The investment strategy of Cadron Creek Capital is not only to provide seed funding, but also to provide the guidance and mentorship necessary to accelerate their

CADRON < 6D

4D — Sunday, December 13, 2015

Faulkner County Business Journal

To subscribe call (501) 329-2927 • Log Cabin Democrat

Hit a deer? Get a turkey.

A & J Collision Repair’s holiday campaign gives back to customers, community SPECIAL TO THE LOG CABIN

“In everything that we do, we believe in providing you with helpful, professional service and to give you the assistance you need when it comes to your vehicle. Our superior customer service is completed by listening to you and inspecting your vehicle thoroughly. This will give you a vehicle that will look great and operate the same way.”

This is the statement that Jody Gatchell, owner of A & J Collision Repair, uses to drive his business.

He and his team are 100 percent customer focused.

Taking care of the customers’ needs and wants has helped his business continue to grow as it has entered its 18th year in business.

During this holiday season, A & J Collision Repair is turning something that you do not want to have happen into something that helps others in the community.

During the last quarter of each year, your probability

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A & J Collision Repair has been in business in Conway for 18 years. The automotive repair company provides helpful, professional service in a well-maintained environment.

of having an accident with a deer increases dramatically.

This data is compiled each year by State Farm insurance company. During Octo-

‘My staff and I love to see the excitement and surprise on their faces when they are given the turkey. I am glad that we were able to give the customers something back for the holidays.’

— Jody Gatchell

ber, November and December, your likelihood of having an accident with a deer is one out of 101 here in the state of Arkansas, an increase of 5.9 percent over last year.

Comparing Arkansas to the rest of the nation, we rank 13th in the nation for the likelihood of having a deer related accident. The state at the top of the list is West Virginia at one out of 44.

“We see on average of at least one deer-related auto accident per month,” Gatchell states, “but during these last three months, we have seen it increase to an average of eight per month.”

What is significant about this? Several years ago, Gatchell implemented a “Hit a Deer Get a Turkey” program. This program combines the unfortunate run in with a deer with the holidays.

It works like this: For every deer-related accident that is brought to A & J Collision Repair for repair, the customer will be given a turkey for their family’s holiday meal when they pick up their repaired vehicle.

It helps to take the situation that they just had with their accident and turn it into something for them for the holiday.

“My staff and I love to see

the excitement and surprise on their faces when they are given the turkey,” Gatchell says. “I am glad that we were able to give the customers something back for the holidays.”

Gatchell was at a business meeting one morning and met Rick Harvey of “The Soul Food Café.”

The two of them began discussing with each other what their specific businesses are all about. After the meeting, Jody was wondering what he could do to help with Rick’s mission.

That is when the idea of combining A & J Collision Repair’s “Hit a Deer Get a Turkey” program with The Soul Food Café’s mission of helping those in need.

This year is the third year that Jody and his team at A & J Collision Repair have helped The Soul Food Cafe by donating turkeys to them.

Over the last couple of years, A & J Collision Repair has donated more than 500 frozen turkeys to the mission.

To help families during the holidays, these turkeys are delivered to The Soul Food Café on the last Tuesday before Christmas.

This is the last day before Christmas that The Soul Food Café distributes food to individuals who need a little help.

This will help to ensure that it is possible that families can get a turkey for their Christmas meal.

A & J Collision Repair is located at 1215 Thomas G Wilson in Conway.

6D — Sunday, December 13, 2015

Faulkner County Business Journal

To subscribe call (501) 329-2927 • Log Cabin Democrat

HONOREES from 2D and her husband, David, also own.

“Making it past the five-year mark was an important milestone for us,” Stobaugh said. “Most independent bakeries close their doors within five years.” Stobaugh has worked to transform PattiCakes Bakery in Conway into a from-scratch bakery, meaning nearly everything is made fresh daily with the exception of a few items the bakery does not have the production facility for. She uses this same handson approach as a leader.

“The best way I can show my team how to do something is to do it myself and then walk alongside them as they learn to do it,” she said. “I’ve been fortunate to be a first-employer or an early employer for many young women. I hope that in the time they worked for me, they saw what it means to work hard and do your best.”

Judi Lively

For 10 years, Judi Lively has served as executive director of Bethlehem House, a nonprofit that provides shelter and support services to homeless individuals and families in Conway.

Lively recently led a capital campaign to raise $1.5 million to build a new fa-

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The 2015 honorees are as follows (seated, from left): LaTresha Woodruff, Outstanding Woman in Nonprofit; Pam McDowell, Diamond Achievement Award recipient and Outstanding Woman in Business; Judi Lively, Outstanding Woman in Nonprofit; (standing, from left) Patti Stobaugh, Outstanding Woman in Business; Mary Clements, Outstanding Woman in Business, Tiffany Duhamel, Outstanding Woman in Business; and Elizabeth Blankenship, Outstanding Woman in Business.

cility and oversaw the construction process. Under her leadership, Bethlehem House’s annual revenue more than doubled, and the new facility was paid off within 18 months.

Lively made a career change in her mid-40s, choosing life impact over salary. “I often remind myself that in my job, I am responsible for much more

than a ‘product,’” she said. “The decisions I make and the work I do can literally mean the difference in life and death.”

LaTresha Woodruff

LaTresha Woodfuff has been in the communications industry for 20 years, beginning her career as a television

news reporter. In January 2011, she became the public information officer for the Conway Police Department, making her the first civilian to serve in this role. “I had just left my job as a television news reporter when I heard the former public information officer received a promotion,” Woodruff said. “I convinced the police chief that my experience in media would make me a good fit. I then became the first civilian public information officer for the Conway Police Department and only one of three in the state.”

During her time at the Conway Police Department, Woodruff has started an annual Child Safety Fair and increased outreach both in the community and online through social media.

About the Event This year’s speaker was Kristi Crum, vice president of strategy and distribution for Verizon Wireless. An Arkansas native, Crum is a graduate of Hendrix College and has worked in the telecommunications industry since 2001. Presenting sponsors for Women in Business were UCA Foundation and Simmons Bank. For more information about Women in Business, visit ConwayChamber.org.

CADRON from 3D growth.”

About the Fund

Price

Address

Beds/Baths

Subdivision

SQFT

City

$712,500 450 Janan 4/4/1 Avignon 5597 Conway $440,000 1130 Grandview Heights 4/3/1 Carl E. Gentry Sub. 4996 Conway $392,900 83 Richland Hills Drive 5/4/0 Richland Hills 4891 Conway $379,000 4945 Quarry Drive 4/4/1 Paddington Estates 3710 Conway $335,000 1470 Wildflower Lane 5/3/1 South Wind 3957 Conway

Cadron Creek Capital is a member-owned and member-managed angel/ seed stage capital investment fund designated to capitalize on the entrepreneurial activity and venture financing throughout Arkansas and the mid-South. The fund operates as a limited liability company (LLC) organized to provide members an opportunity for active involvement it its investments. For more information about Cadron Creek Capital, please visit www.

CadronCreekCapital.com.

Log Cabin Democrat • Find our online edition at www.thecabin.net

Sunday, December 13, 2015 — 7D

Faulkner County Business Journal

EconomyAtAGlance December

By Roger Lewis Pulse of Conway

Unemployment Rate October 2015

Seasonally Adjusted US...............................5.0% Arkansas....................5.1%

Not Seasonally Adjusted US...............................4.8% Arkansas4.....................6% Faulkner County.............4.4% Conway.......................4.2%

Sales Tax Collections

Conway* September 2015..................$1,955,250 2014....................2,033,168 Percent Change.........-3.8% Year to Date (September) 2015................$17,691,908 2014................$17,172,646 Percent Change..........3.0%

Annual 2014................$23,416,628 2013..................23,235,891 2012..................22,944,163 Percent Change 2013-14.......................0.8% *Tax Rate 1.75%

Faulkner County*

September 2015.....................$733,699 2014.......................770,904 Percent Change.........-4.8% Year to Date (September) 2015..................$6,646,938 2014....................6,467,132 Percent Change..........2.8%

Annual 2014..................$8,774,109 2013....................8,588,835 2012....................8,465,686 Percent Change 2013-14.......................2.2% *Tax Rate 0.5%

Restaurant Sales*

October 2015................$14,588,725 2014..................15,169,527 Percent Change.........-3.8% Year to Date (October) 2015..............$150,610,055 2014................147,028,400 Percent Change........ 2.4 %

Annual Sales 2014..............$176,205,965 2013................164,519,369 2012................161,318,563 Percent Change 2013-14 ....................................7.1% *Including mixed drink sales

Hotel Sales

October 2015..................$1,403,566 2014....................1,671,612 Percent Change...... -16.0% Year to Date (October) 2015................$15,625,222 2014..................16,727,294 Percent Change.........-6.6% Annual Sales 2014................$19,336,169 2013..................18,559,308 2012..................18,683,677 Percent Change 2013 – 2014............................4.2%

Real Estate Market*

New and Existing Residential Units Sold In Faulkner County Year to Date (September) 2015.................1,189 Units 2014.................1,100 Units Percent Change..........8.1% Average Price 2015................$164,944 2014................$156,289 Percent Change..........5.5% *Sold by realtors Data source: Cooperative

Arkansas Realtors Association

Conway Building Permits

Single Family Homes Year to Date (November) 2015................139 Permits 2014................108 Permits Percent Change........28.7% Annual 2014................119 permits 2013................147 Permits 2012................186 Permits 2011................153 Permits Percent Change 2013 – 2014.............-19.0% Average Square Footage* Year to date (November) 2015...........................3,076 2014...........................2,908 Percent Change..........5.8% Annual 2014...........................2,929 2013...........................3,002 2012...........................2,910 2011...........................2,814 Percent Change 2013-2014..................-2.4% * Total under roof

Average Construction Cost*

Year to Date (November) 2015.....................$253,933 2014.....................$223,643 Percent Change........13.5%

Annual 2014.....................$220,311 2013.......................228,275 2012.......................207,537 2011.......................204,387 Percent Change 2013 – 2014...............-3.5% *Not including lot or lot improvements Average Construction

Cost Per Square Foot* Year to Date (November) 2015.........................$82.55 2014.........................$76.91 Percent Change..........7.3% Annual 2014.........................$75.22 2013...........................76.04 2012...........................71.33 2011...........................72.64 Percent Change 2013 – 2014...............-1.1% *Not including lot or lot improvements Total under roof

Lottery Sales

Faulkner County Year to Date (November) 2015................$13,252,537 2014..................13,036,601 Percent Change..........1.7% Annual 2014................$14,193,204 2013..................17,038,277 2012..................16,943,909 Percent Change 2013 - 2014..............-16.7% Total State Year to Date (November) 2015..............$385,439,705 2014................367,782,001 Percent Change......... 4.8% Annual 2014..............$401,251,365 2013................432,932,798 2012............... 452,245,217 Percent Change 2013 - 2014............... -7.3% Total State Lottery Sales Since Inception (November 2009) $2,730,807,310

Natural Gas

Wellhead Price Price per 1000 cubic ft.

October: 2015...........................$2.34 2014.............................4.39 2013.............................3.73 2012.............................2.75 2011.............................4.00 2010.............................4.39 Percent Change 2014 - 2015............. -46.7%

Severance Tax Distribution

Conway Annual 2015.....................$260,270 2014.......................363,837 2013.......................276,523 2012.......................162,523 Percent Change 2014 - 2015............ -28.5%

All Other Faulkner County Municipalities

Annual 2015.......................$65,576 2014.........................91,610 2013.........................69,671 2012.........................40,932 Percent Change 2014 – 2015.............-28.5%

Faulkner County*

Annual 2015.....................$211,986 2014.....................$296,411 2013.......................224,455 2012.......................131,418 Percent Change 2014 – 2015.............-28.5%

*This is the amount received by the County government and is in addition to that received by the municipalities.

Information provided by Pulse of Conway