COURIER
Page 2 - Wednesday, May 29, 2019
VAN BUREN CHAMBER
PRESS ARGUS-COURIER
Letter from the chamber president On behalf of the Chamber Team of Janie Simmons, Operations Manager, Ashley Love, Marketing and Communication Manager and myself, I would like to say ‘Thank you’ to our members for your continued support. Our newly-formed team is excited about the changes happening in our community and we look forward to supporting and encouraging the growth of our businesses. We would also like to thank Terry Carson for his willingness to serve
as interim chamber president this last year. He was a great asset to Janie and the board of directors in representing not only our members and Chamber, but also our community. O ve r t h e pa s t two months we have been working hard on developing the use of our new ChamberMaster software and web site. We have launched numerous new promotional tools for our members to utilize including Hot Deals, Job Postings, Enhanced Membership Di-
rectory Listing, News Releases and the Events Calendar. Our members will have the opportunity to learn how these tools can work for their business at the annual meeting. On a personal note, I am thrilled and honored to have this opportunity to serve my hometown as the president of your Chamber of Commerce. I have been so impressed by the engagement of the community, the Chamber Board of Directors, Chamber Am-
bassadors and Chamber Committee Members. The city of Van Buren has a momentum right now that most communities can only dream about having! Your Chamber Team will encourage and build on that momentum to ensure our community and businesses continue to prosper. Through growing and working together, Van Buren will be on track for an expansion of businesses and amenities to match our love for this city.
Julie Murray
Deputy district director to be keynote speaker
David Moody
D av i d Mo o dy, D e p uty District Director for the Arkansas Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce’s 64th Annual Meeting on June 6. Hundreds of area business and community leaders are expected to attend the event, which will be held in the Van Buren High School Commons area. Moody will headline the program, which will also include several special award presentations. The Arkansas District Office for the U.S. Small Business Association serves in assisting the 200,000 small businesses that serve our state so well. Th e s e s m a l l b u s i n e ss e s employ one million people and provide nearly half of all Arkansas jobs. The small staff, h e a d q u a r te re d i n L i tt l e
Rock with a field office in Fayetteville, helps to provide about $100 million in loans to small businesses. The office, along with SBAfunded partners, provide management training and consulting to thousands of entrepreneurs while also helping small business owners pursue contracts from the federal government and prime federal contractors. A native Arkansan, Moody takes pride in supporting s m a l l b u s i n e ss e s a c ro ss the state while providing informative insight on a variety of topics. His history includes working for NASA, being an entrepreneur (and father to a teen entrepreneur) and working as a consultant. His presentation will be titled, “Building Blocks and Lessons: Keys to Business Success We Learned in Kindergarten.” “We are thrilled to welcome
Mr. Moody to this year’s Annual Meeting,” said Van Buren Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Julie Murray. “His experience in business, especially with an emphasis in small business, will be a great asset to our program. Our members will gain valuable thoughts and ideas from his time here.” Fo l l ow i n g Mo o dy ’s presentation, chamber leaders will present the organization’s third annual “Excellence in Business” Awards, as well as the highly-respected Iverson Riggs Citizen of the Year Award. The Annual Meeting begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch, followed by the program and awards presentations. The Business Expo will take place prior to the meeting, beginning at 10 a.m. For more information, call (479) 474-2761.
COURIER PRESS ARGUS-COURIER
s year’s said Van ommerce e Murray. business, mphasis in be a great am. Our valuable from his
oody’s er leaders nization’s lence in s well as d Iverson he Year
ng begins h lunch, gram and ons. The ake place beginning
tion, call
VAN BUREN CHAMBER
Wednesday, May 29, 2019 - Page 3
Presenting Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Page 4 - Wednesday, May 29, 2019
VAN BUREN CHAMBER
PRESS ARGUS-COURIER
Gold Sponsors Centennial Bank
Hawkins-Weir Engineers, Inc.
Today’s Bank
Cox Business
Hubbs Belcher & Company, P.A.
Turf & Pest Pro, USA
Cross Pointe Insurance Advisors, LLC
Methodist Village Senior Living Center
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce Generations Bank
My HR Professionals OG&E
Van Buren Advertising & Promotions
Progressive Business Systems, LLC & Savin
Williams Florist & Gifts
Silver Sponsors Arkansas Blue Cross/Blue Shield Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation Arkansas Valley Electric/WAVE Rural Connect BancorpSouth Chance 2 Dance Cherokee Nation Entertainment Crawford Healthcare and Rehabilitation
Marrlin Transit Press Argus-Courier Rhodes Chevrolet Company TEC Staffing Services The CALL in Crawford and Sebastian Counties Time Striping, Inc. Tyson Foods, Inc.
COURIER PRESS ARGUS-COURIER
VAN BUREN CHAMBER
Wednesday, May 29, 2019 - Page 5
Chamber officers & executive committee
Debbie Foliart Vice Chairman
David Young Chairman
Craig Beam Executive Committee
Joe Stewart Treasurer
Jason Myers Executive Committee
Steve Dufresne Past Chairman
Jim Petty Executive Committee
Page 6 - Wednesday, May 29, 2019
VAN BUREN CHAMBER
PRESS ARGUS-COURIER
Chamber to celebrate growth at annual meeting Each year during the Annual Meeting, Van Buren Chamber of Commerce board and staff recap the successes and development of the previous year. The upcoming 64th Annual Meeting will not be different. The past 12 months have shown tremendous growth and, looking forward, the pattern is expected to continue. The Chamber had a busy year, welcoming over 30 new members and hosting 16 ribbon cuttings. Wi t h a va r i e ty of new members, comprised of such industries as restaurants, home furnishings, car washes, hotels, event venues and more, it’s an exciting time to live and work in Van Buren. T h e n e x t ye a r will continue to see
H I
further expansion and amenities in the area with the addition of bike and walking trails, among others. But growth did not only happen outside the walls of the Chamber of Commerce. After serving as interim president for a year, Terry Carson stepped aside once Julie Murray came onboard to be the new president and CEO. Murray is a Van Buren native and VBHS graduate who relocated back to Van Buren from Heber Springs. While in Heber Springs she served as the executive d i re c t o r fo r t h e Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce. Prior to her directorship at the Heber Springs Chamber, Murray worked at the
V A N
B U R E N !
MYGENERATIONS.BANK
479.262.2900 2925 ALMA HIGHWAY SUITE A VAN BUREN, AR 72956 WE ARE BANKING FOR YOUR GENERATION
Walmart Corporate Office in strategy and development, as well as the global communications department. She earned her undergraduate d e g re e f ro m t h e University of Arkansas and a Master of Science in Leadership and Ethics from John Brown University. In 2018 she graduated from the Community Development Institute and passed a rigorous exam to earn the certification of Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED). The Chamber also welcomed an additional staff m e m b e r, A s h l e y Love, to serve in a new role as marketing and communication manager. Love recently relocated back to Van Buren as well after living in Conway for 15 years. A VBHS graduate, Love earned her Bachelor of Business
Administration in Marketing Management from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. S h e p rev i o u s ly held marketing, finance and special events positions for the University of Central Arkansas. Fo r a l l t h e s e reasons, it’s fitting
that the Chamber’s theme for this upcoming year will be “Growing and working together.” As the city of Van Buren continues to grow and move into the future, it will be of high importance for the residents to be part of everything that happens. We grow together
by supporting existing businesses and welcoming new ones to the area. We work together, not only at our places of employment, but also in making sure Van Buren remains a beautiful city that’s both inviting to newcomers and familiar for the natives.
COURIER PRESS ARGUS-COURIER
VAN BUREN CHAMBER
Wednesday, May 29, 2019 - Page 7
Growing and working together!
Members of the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce are involved in many events that support the community throughout the year, such as the annual Festival of Trees, Senior Luncheons, Business After Hours, Ribbon Cuttings for new businesses and the Arkansas Scholars Awards Ceremony.
Page 8 - Wednesday, May 29, 2019
VAN BUREN CHAMBER
PRESS ARGUS-COURIER
Iverson Riggs Memorial Citizen of the Year recipients • Van Buren Mayor, Bob Freeman (2018) • Community Supporter, Debbie Faubus-Kendrick (2017) • Community Supporter, Debbie Foliart (2016 • Community Supporter, Lisa Huckelbury (2015) • Van Buren Boys & Girls Club Director, Cindy Faldon (2014) • Community Supporter, Jim Petty (2013) • Community Supporter, Kenneth Fry (2012) • Community Supporter, Mary Blount (2011) • Van Buren School District, Lonnie Myers (2010) • Community Supporter, Susan McCartt (2009) • Community Supporter / educator, Donna Parker (2008) • Community Supporters, Richard and Helen Hodo (2007) • Community Supporters, Ed and Shirley Yeager (2006) • Community Supporter, Alan Swaim (2005) • Community Supporter, Fred Williams (2004) • Van Buren Mayor, John Riggs (2003)
• Community Volunteer, Debbie Thomas (2002) • Community Supporter, Cathy Gifford (2001) • Former State Senator, Morril Harriman (2000) • Realtor/Developer, Jimmy Bell (1999) • Business Leader and School Board Member, Dorvan Wiley (1998) • Former Van Buren Mayor, Allen Ray Toothaker (1997) • Former Retailer, Susan King Skillen (1996) • Developer, Dibrell Johnson (1995) • Retired Optometrist, Dr. Louis Peer (1994) • Realtor/Developer, Earl Robinson (1993) • Van Buren Advertising and Promotion Commission Chairman, Rusty Myers (1992) • Former Van Buren Mayor, Gene Bell (1991) • Banker and Businessman, Raymond Allen (1990) • Van Buren Boys/Girls Club Volunteer, Jimmy Lansdell (1989) • Retired Van Buren High School Football Coach, Clair Bates (1988)