Honoring young business professionals is the dominant narrative in our culture: success and fulfillment are encouraged and recognized at the dawn of adulthood (or even sooner, if you can manage it). But achievements don’t come instantly, and success is becoming of everyone, regardless of age. People don’t turn obsolete at 32, 45, 50, or even 70, and our reader-nominated list proves just that.
The following individuals are not only making positive impacts in their communities but in the lives of all Arkansans. They are lawyers, CEOs, doctors, educators, small business owners and more. Thanks to decades of hard work, they are superstars in their fields. At Arkansas Money & Politics, we revere these individuals for their expertise and look forward to seeing what their futures hold—now presenting: AMP’s 2023 Fifty Over 50.
Bob Arthur
Director of Training and Leadership Development
Harps Food Stores, Inc.
Bob Arthur has been with Harps for six years, but his early career consisted of sales work and vocational and bi-vocational ministry positions. He previously worked as a contractor, facilitating leadership and HR training for companies such as Tyson Foods, La-Z-Boy, Glad Manufacturing and more. Arthur earned his master’s degree from Liberty University; in 2006, he published “Incredible Influence,” a book focused on encouraging individuals to develop their relationship skills. Arthur has been involved in the Springdale community as a planning commissioner, president of the Springdale Rotary Club, 2010 president of Springdale Leadership, and a chamber board member. His favorite part of his role with Harps is being able to influence others for their benefit.
Jerry Barakat
Owner
Arthur’s Prime Steakhouse
Ocean’s at Arthur’s
Jerry Barakat owns Arthur’s Prime Steakhouse and Ocean’s at Arthur’s. Barakat has been in the restaurant business for 40 years and opened Arthur’s in 2007. Throughout its continued success, Arthur’s has moved several times and is currently located on Chenal Parkway in Little Rock. Arthur’s offers over 350 world-class wines from its wine cellar, and Barakat takes pride in the high-quality food served at both restaurants. He is also grateful for the friends, family, staff and support that make the restaurants excel in every category. The restaurants are managed by Barakat’s two daughters, Suzi and Sandy.
Kim Clatworthy
Owner
Elder Independence
Home Care
Kim Clatworthy has been the owner of Elder Independence Home Care, a leader in home non-medical care for older adults, since 2014. Clatworthy learned early on that she wanted to care for others, thanks to the values her parents instilled in her; her favorite part of the job is being able to offer unique solutions to families in need of help. Clatworthy has been recognized numerous times for her work by the Greater Bryant Chamber of Commerce and others. She has undergraduate degrees from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
George Dodson
Co-owner
Hopkins Icehouse
George Dodson is the co-owner of Hopkins Icehouse in Texarkana. Dodson and business partner, David Jones, originally purchased the building without a concrete business idea. However, the pair saw a need for a unique restaurant and bar in the area, and Hopkins Icehouse was born in 2007. After over a decade, Dodson has enjoyed growing the business and watching downtown Texarkana become an impressive entertainment district. Previously, Dodson worked in the family business of asphalt road overlay and was the vice president and general manager at Lamar Outdoor Advertising. Outside of work, Dodson enjoys spending time outside, live music and great food.
Chad Evans
President, COO
Aromatique
Chad Evans is president and COO of Aromatique, the Heber-Springs-based leading manufacturer of decorative fragrances. Previous to this role, Evans oversaw Aromatique’s manufacturing operations. He attributes the company’s success to the employees, who have been dedicated to their work for decades. The company initially started in founder Patti Upton’s kitchen; today, the company operates across the country, shipping handmade decorative fragrances worldwide. Evans has been with the company since 1983 and spent many years on the manufacturing side before stepping up to his current role in 2013 following Upton’s retirement. Evans’ goal with the company is the same as it has been since the beginning: to provide the finest decorative fragrances on the market.
Beverly Foster, DC
Owner
Chiropractic Health &
Rehabilitation
Beverly Foster, DC, has served the Little Rock community for over 25 years and is known as the “go to” chiropractic physician for complex and difficult back and neck treatment. She is an expert at blending the best of natural and conservative care with conventional medicine. Her patients and peers respect her knowledge and skills. Foster has been voted the “Best Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine” year after year by multiple outlets. She currently serves on the UAMS College of Public Health Advisory Board, has served on both the Arkansas State Chiropractic Board of Examiners and the Arkansas State Board of Health and has been a guest lecturer at UAMS. Foster is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic after completing undergraduate degrees at the University of Missouri and The University of Paris (La Sorbonne). She has a post-doctorate specialty certification in chiropractic orthopedics.
Mark Francis
Executive Vice President
Bernhard TME
Mark Francis serves as Executive Vice President for Bernhard TME, one of the largest engineering and contracting firms in the nation, at its Little Rock office, which happens to be where the Bernhard engineering division was founded. Francis came to the Natural State from across the pond; he graduated in 1994 from Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England, earning a bachelor of engineering with honors, specializing in electrical and electronics engineering.
After graduating, Francis worked as a project manager in post design services at BAE Systems, the largest defense contractor in Europe and the largest manufacturer in Britain. He then joined Bernhard TME in 2006 as an electrical engineer and director of building design at the company’s Fayetteville office. In 2018 Francis was promoted to vice president and oversaw the Fayetteville location’s move to a new office space before being promoted to his current position in Little Rock.
Julie Furst-Bowe, Ed.D.
Interim Vice President of
Academic Affairs
Arkansas Tech University
Julie Furst-Bowe, Ed.D., is the interim vice president of academic affairs at Arkansas Tech University, where she has provided leadership in developing a new academic structure for the university. She received her undergraduate degree from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and her master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Furst-Bowe then obtained a doctor of education degree in work, family and community education and earned a professional certificate in human resource development from the University of Minnesota. She has previously held various leadership positions at University of Wisconsin-Stout, where she served as provost and vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. She was also chancellor at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and most recently served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Wisconsin. Furst-Bowe was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to serve on the board of overseers for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and was a founding board member of the National Consortium for Continuous Improvement in Higher Education.
Sally Gilbert
Market President,
Mountain Home
Farmers & Merchants Bank
Sally Gilbert was appointed market president for Mountain Home at Farmers & Merchants Bank in 2021. Gilbert is responsible for setting the bank’s culture and ensuring growth and profitability in five branches throughout North Central Arkansas. She served seven years as the community bank president for Arvest Bank’s Mountain Home operations and almost 10 years as senior vice president for business development at Centennial Bank. Gilbert graduated from Missouri State University with a communications management degree and is a Walton Institute graduate. She entered the banking industry on the advice of mentors early in her career and is now approaching 30 years in bank management. Gilbert has also served on the board of directors at Baxter Health for 15 years.
Melissa Graham, MD
Owner
Advanced Allergy & Asthma
Melissa Graham, MD has worked in private practice since 2000; she opened her Advanced Allergy and Asthma Clinic in 2014. Graham received her doctorate from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock and is board certified in adult and pediatric allergy and immunology. Graham is on the board of directors for Arkansas Children’s Hospital and is a quality and safety committee member. She is also past president and current member of the board of directors for the Arkansas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and its foundation. Graham has been recognized in numerous publications, including AY About You, Arkansas Times, Arkansas Life and Little Rock Family.
Max Greenwood
Vice President, Government and Media Affairs
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Max Greenwood was promoted to vice president for government and media affairs at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield in 2019. Greenwood joined Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield in 1996 as the manager of public policy; in 2015, she was named director for governmental and media relations. Before joining the company, Greenwood was the press secretary for the Arkansas Governor’s Office, deputy press secretary for the Clinton for President campaign and transition team, and a Capitol Bureau reporter for the Arkansas Democrat and the Arkansas Gazette. She received her undergraduate degree in political science from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.
Glenn Grimes
Owner
Capitol Glass Company
Glenn Grimes has been the owner of Capitol Glass Company since 1990 and recently took on co-ownership of Lacey’s Boating Center (2016) and Shiloh Marina (2022) at Greers Ferry Lake.
Grimes worked at Capitol Glass, the family business, throughout his childhood, starting full-time in 1972 immediately after graduating from high school. His father, Jack Grimes, co-founded the company in 1950. Grimes visits weekly to check on the business, while his son, Aaron, currently runs the company’s day-to-day operations. Grimes has been spending most of his time working on updates for the Shiloh Marina and managing Lacey’s Boating Center.
Mike Halter
Arkansas Regional President
Cadence Insurance
Mike Halter is the Arkansas regional president of Cadence Insurance, formerly BXS Insurance, and has been with the company for over three decades. He previously served as vice president of Ramsey, Krug, Farrell & Lensing, a division of BancorpSouth Insurance Services. Halter received his undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Central Arkansas.
Angela Harrison
Owner, CEO
WELSCO
Angela Harrison is the owner and CEO of WELSCO, one of the country’s largest independent welding supply and industrial-gas distributors. Harrison grew up in the family business but originally started her career as a behavioral counselor and nutritionist at a weight loss center. After being asked to join the company by her father, Harrison worked various jobs in the office and spearheaded the development of the company’s human resources department. She then switched to sales and took over from her father at age 27. Today, WELSCO is the largest woman-owned company in Arkansas and its industry. Harrison was also one of the first females to be elected to the leadership board of the International Oxygen Manufacturers Association. Over the years, WELSCO has grown to include customers and stores in Oklahoma, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Missouri.
Buddy Hasten
President, CEO
Arkansas Electric and Cooperative Corporation and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives
Buddy Hasten became the president and CEO of Arkansas Electric and Cooperative Corporation and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. in October 2019. Hasten previously served as vice president at Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Missouri and as regional director of generation at Alliant Energy in Iowa. After enlisting in the United States Navy in 1986 as a submarine reactor operator, he was selected for the Navy’s Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP), where he spent two decades working on various nuclear submarines and shore assignments. Hasten completed his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering at Auburn University.
Marc Haynes
Chief People & Customer Officer
Smiley Technologies
Marc Haynes is the chief people and customer officer at Smiley Technologies, where he oversees human resources functions and creates programs to support and enhance organizational culture. Haynes spent 15 years with Acxiom Corporation in multiple leadership roles across IT, facilities, security, health and safety, and human resources. He has also served as chief human resources and loss prevention officer at Deluxe Media Services, held various roles within the Walmart Corporation and Kennametal Industries, and been a small business owner. Haynes received his undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master of Arts in human resources from Webster University.
Bill Hodge
CFO
HP Engineering
Bill Hodge is a founding principal and serves as chief financial officer of HP Engineering. In his current role, Hodge focuses on growing the organization’s business side; he enjoys using an energetic approach to problem-solving and improving his leadership skills through running a business. Hodge is also a Certified Building Commissioning Professional and Certified Energy Manager who has worked alongside owners and engineers on projects across the United States and overseas. Throughout his career, Hodge has gained experience in education, retail, medical, municipal, hospitality, multifamily, corporate, industrial, government and entertainment sectors. He understands the importance of balancing design performance with ease of maintenance. He is also a veteran of the United States Air Force.
Jerry Holder
Senior Vice President,
Director of Enterprise Solutions
Garver
Jerry Holder is senior vice president and director of enterprise solutions at engineering services firm Garver. He has over three decades of experience in transportation design and program management and previously served as the company’s director of transportation. Before his current stint at Garver, Holder was vice president and Texas district leader for engineering company HNTB. Holder leads teams of experts to construct efficient and modern interstate systems, river crossings, municipal streets and more; he believes that large infrastructure projects can be both short-term economic catalysts and long-term economic development investments. Holder received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and completed his MBA at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Richard Howe
Chairman, CEO
Inuvo, Inc.
As CEO and chairman of Inuvo for the last 12 years, Richard Howe has used his intimate knowledge of business strategy, operations, sales and marketing and technology to create a new vision and successfully lead the company to prosperity. Howe has also been a member of the company’s board of directors since November 2008. In his early career, Howe wrote software that helped design and build some of the most significant construction projects in the world, most notably the Hibernia Offshore Oil Platform. Howe previously served as chief marketing/mergers and acquisitions officer at Acxiom. He graduated first in his class from Concordia University in Canada with an undergraduate degree in engineering; Howe later earned a graduate engineering degree from McGill University in Canada. His favorite parts of his role at Inuvo are working on strategy and technology.
Howard Hurst
President
Tipton & Hurst
Howard Hurst spent his childhood working with the family business and is proud to carry on that tradition as president of Tipton & Hurst. His grandfather, Joseph B. Hurst, and David Tipton founded the floral company in downtown Little Rock in 1886. Hurst became vice president of the business after receiving his undergraduate degree in business administration and management from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1980. Four years later, at 26, he stepped into the role of president, succeeding his father, Joe Hurst. Since then, Hurst has seen the company expand to Conway and Pine Bluff with the help of the company’s talented staff.
Osi Imomoh
President and General Manager
Southland Casino Hotel
Osi Imomoh is the president and general manager of Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis, a position he has held since May 2022. Early in his career, Imomoh served as Southland’s food and beverage director. He then held various casino manager positions with Delaware North, the global food service and hospitality company that owns Southland and other gaming operations across the United States and Australia. Imomoh has been recognized for his work in casino and hotel operations, revenue generation, guest satisfaction ratings and team productivity. He received his master’s degree in hospitality management from the Conrad N. Hilton College at the University of Houston.
Casey Jones
Sales Associate
The Janet Jones Company
Casey Jones has been a sales associate at The Janet Jones Company since 1992. Jones uses a relationship-oriented approach to real estate and has consistently ranked as the top residential agent in Arkansas and The Janet Jones Company for over a decade. Jones’ favorite part of the job is becoming friends with the extraordinary families he has had the privilege of serving over the past 35 years. Jones has previously served as a member of the Potluck Inc. and Baptist Health boards of directors. Jones is on the board of directors for Soaring Wings, a ministry serving children in crisis. Jones has received numerous accolades and has been recognized in publications, including AY About You, Arkansas Business, and At Home in Arkansas.
Matt Kendall
President, CEO
Arvest Central Mortgage Company
Matt Kendall is the president and CEO of Arvest Bank’s mortgage division and Arvest Central Mortgage Company; he was officially named to the position in 2021 after several months of serving on an interim basis. Kendall has nearly 30 years of industry experience, having previously held the position of executive director of administrative operations, where he provided oversight for a variety of specialized areas within the mortgage division. Earlier in his career, Kendall worked as a staff auditor, title insurance and closing agent, network systems analyst, and was president and CEO of Waco Title Company. He received his undergraduate degree in economics and business with an emphasis in accounting from Hendrix College. Kendall is a board member of the Teen Action Support Center and JMC Innovation Scholars and a past president of the Open Avenues Foundation board of directors.
Cathy Kincaid
Baking Instructor
University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College
Cathy Kincaid is a certified executive pastry chef and baking instructor at the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute, where she teaches baking, pastry and cake decorating. Kincaid and her students prepare food for the college’s pastry shop and restaurant. She has been with the university for a decade and enjoys working with students. Kincaid previously ran a wedding and specialty cake business for several years before getting involved at UA-PTC, and she is a cake artist at the Blue Cake Company.
Taylor King, JD
Founder
Taylor King Law
Taylor King, JD founded Taylor King Law firm in 1994 and has been practicing law for over 30 years. He received undergraduate political science and history degrees from Ouachita Baptist University before completing his doctorate at the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville. King was named to the National Trial Lawyers “Top 100” list and has been recognized in numerous publications, including AY About You and Arkansas Life. He is a member of the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, the Arkansas Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Pound Civil Justice Institute.
Vickey Kirkemier
Administrator
Superior Health and Rehab
Vickey Kirkemier is an administrator at Superior Health and Rehab. Kirkemier was drawn to nursing during her time as a CNA while attending college at the University of Central Arkansas, where she realized she wanted to take a hands-on approach to patient care. She went on to attend nursing school at what is now the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. After spending some time in nursing, Kirkemier took the opportunity to move into management and long-term care. She enjoys making an impact in the lives of others and being a trusted caregiver for people who reach out to her. In 2018, she was recognized by the Conway Chamber of Commerce as an “Outstanding Woman in Business” in the community.
Jeff Lovelady
CPA – CFO
Bell & Company
Jeff Lovelady is CFO and shareholder at Bell & Company, a regional certified public accounting and business advisory firm founded in 1981. Lovelady has been with Bell & Company since 1992; he provides clients with financial attest and consulting services and manages the IT department. Lovelady also has many years of experience working with transportation companies. He has written articles for Arkansas Trucking Magazine and Arkansas Business’ transportation edition. He received his undergraduate degree in education from Missouri State University and earned his CPA license in 2006. Lovelady enjoys puzzles, so deciphering a financial analysis is what he enjoys most in his work.
Rex Luttrell, MD
Surgeon
Saline Surgery and
Weight Loss Clinic
Rex Luttrell, MD is a general and bariatric surgeon at Saline Surgery and Weight Loss Clinic. An El Dorado native, Luttrell attended medical school in Bay Shore, New York, and Kent, England, before completing his residency at the James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University. Luttrell joined Saline Health System in 1993 when he entered practice at Saline Memorial Hospital. He currently specializes in procedures involving gastric bands, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, OverStitch and the Orbera Intragastric Balloon.
Randy Machen, DDS
Founder, CEO
Little Rock Family Dental Care
Randy Machen, DDS is the founder and CEO of Little Rock Family Dental Care and has been in the business for over 30 years. Machen received his undergraduate degree in biology from Southern Arkansas University; he then went on to complete his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at the University of Tennessee. He began his career as a general dentist at The Doctors Building before expanding his practice. Machen has always been entrepreneurial and enjoys finding creative ways to make money. His favorite part of the job is seeing a patient smile and thank him for the work he has completed.
Stacey Mason
Founder
The Improv Lab
In 2018, Stacey Mason opened the Improv Lab in Bentonville. The Improv Lab uses workshops to help teams develop quick decision-making skills, improve listening skills and better understand their communication habits through improvisational games. Mason is also the owner of Mason on Leadership, a leadership consultancy focused on applied improvisation, executive coaching and behavioral science. Early in her career, Mason led teams with Walmart Inc. in logistics and operations, global supply chain and enterprise inventory management. She later pivoted to leadership, executive development and culture coaching for the Walton Institute. Mason received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Tyler.
Andrew Meadors
CEO
Sunstar Insurance of Arkansas
Andrew Meadors is the CEO of the Arkansas and Tennessee markets for Sunstar Insurance Group. Meadors is a 30-year veteran of the insurance industry, and his favorite part of the job is helping everyone, including employees, clients, prospects and new agency partners, get to where they want to go. He is a former board member of the Insurors of Arkansas and serves on the Sunstar Insurance Group executive committee. Meadors received his undergraduate degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University in 1985. His early career consisted of selling commercial television time for the CBS affiliate in Dallas-Ft. Worth. In 2016, Meadors spent five months in retirement before being hired by Casey Bowlin, chairman and CEO of Sunstar in Memphis, Tennessee, to run and develop the Arkansas and Tennessee markets.
Rick Moody
Market President
Generations Bank
Rick Moody has been the market president of the Fayetteville area for Generations Bank since 2021. He oversees operations, the growth of lending and deposit relationships and community involvement for the Fayetteville market. Previously, Moody spent almost 20 years serving the Elkins and Fayetteville community in commercial lending and other leadership roles. Moody attended Arkansas Tech University; initially, in his career, he followed in his father’s footsteps as a cattle farmer and, later, the owner of a trucking company that provided bulk feed products to Arkansas dairy and turkey farmers. Moody’s favorite part of his current role is working with customers with a vision of starting something from the ground up.
Elizabeth Moore, JD
Board Member
Southwest Power Pool
Elizabeth Moore, JD was elected to a three-year term on the Southwest Power Pool board of directors in October 2020 and is a member of the human resources and oversight committees. Moore previously served as senior vice president and general counsel at Consolidated Edison of New York and has more than 30 years of experience in the regulator and energy industry. Moore has also served as an attorney at American Express, a partner at Nixon Peabody LLP and as counsel to former New York Governor Mario Cuomo. Moore completed her Bachelor of Science in labor relations at Cornell University and received her doctorate from St. John’s University. She is also a member emeritus of Cornell’s board of trustees.
Julie Nix
President
Baptist Health Rehabilitation Institute
Julie Nix is Baptist Health Rehabilitation Institute’s president and the surgical services executive for Baptist Health Medical Center – Little Rock. She has been with Baptist Health since 2004; in her current role, her top priority is to ensure that Baptist Health remains a leader in innovative service offerings and quality patient-centered care. Her responsibilities also include assessing and analyzing access to care, particularly in rural underserved areas of Arkansas. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and her master’s degree in health care administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Dorcas K. Prince
Owner
Low’s Bridal
Dorcas Prince and her husband, Stan, are the owners of Low’s Bridal in Brinkley. Low’s Bridal, located in the historic and restored Great Southern Hotel building, is one of the largest bridal shops in the United States and is the go-to bridal gown destination in the South. Low’s Bridal began with Prince’s mother and six dresses in a room above the family pharmacy. Prince initially intended to become a pharmacist like her father, but she joined the other family business instead. Over four decades later, the appointment-only shop now offers more than 2,500 gowns in sizes 0-34 – one of the largest selections in the country – and handles about 5,000 weddings annually.
Gary Proffitt
Vice President of Operations
GES, Inc.
Gary Proffitt is vice president of operations for GES Inc, the company that operates Edwards Food Giant and Edwards Cash Saver stores across central and eastern Arkansas. After graduating from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Proffitt initially worked in various management positions for other supermarkets before moving into retail counseling for independent stores. While in this role, GES Founder Oral Edwards and his son, Steve, hired Proffitt to oversee operations for the Edwards brands. After more than two decades as vice president, Proffitt has helped the company thrive and open new locations at an impressive rate.
Susan Reynolds
Vice President,
Sales Associate
The Janet Jones Company
Susan Reynolds is vice president and sales associate at The Janet Jones Company. She is one of the top real estate agents both at the company and in Arkansas. Reynolds has been in real estate for over 25 years, earning her real estate license at age 18. In her roles at the company, Reynolds assists in running the business, helping agents in the office, training new agents and working on strategic planning. She especially enjoys motivating, encouraging and teaching new agents. Alongside administrative work, Reynolds lists and sells homes. She comes from a long line of salespeople, including her mother, Janet Jones. Over the years, The Janet Jones Company has consistently ranked as the top real estate agency in Central Arkansas, and the firm remains locally, family-owned, and proudly independent. Reynolds has served on the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce boards and the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Auxiliary. Numerous publications have recognized her, including Arkansas Money & Politics, Arkansas Business, At Home in Arkansas, and others.
Todd Rice
Principal, Executive
Vice President, Brokerage
Colliers Arkansas
Todd Rice is an executive vice president and principal at Colliers Arkansas. He is a member of the firm’s executive committee and is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the brokerage department. Rice has over 15 years of experience in commercial land analysis and development, commercial mix-use projects, industrial, multifamily and retail representation. Rice was previously a broker with Coldwell Banker Commercial Hathaway Group in Little Rock, where he worked for six years. He was also the co-founder and president of the VanadisCl Development Companies, where he oversaw client development and project management for the company’s multifamily and commercial properties in Arkansas. He attended the University of Arkansas and is a certified commercial investment manager.
Dave Roberts
Senior Vice President of Business Development, Director of Planning
Crafton Tull
Dave Roberts has been the senior vice president of business development and director of planning for Crafton Tull since 2016. Earlier in his career, Roberts designed zoos for the Little Rock firm MESA before starting his planning and design firm, Roberts & Williams Associates. He managed Roberts & Williams until it merged with Crafton Tull in 2008. Roberts oversees and contributes to various urban design and community redevelopment plans, and he frequently presents at conferences across the Mid-South. Roberts is a Governor’s Advisory Council on Cycling member and serves on the Little Rock Active Transportation Advisory Committee. He is also a member of the Camp Aldersgate board of directors.
Rodrigo Salas
Executive Director
Entrepreneurship for
All Northwest Arkansas
Rodrigo Salas has been the executive director of EforAll since 2021. Salas is the primary fundraiser and spokesperson for EforAll/EparaTodos and focuses on building relationships within the community to grow the program. He enjoys working with a wide variety of entrepreneurs and seeing their business ideas evolve. Salas worked in marketing and advertising in his early career and was referred to EforAll while mentoring entrepreneurs with Startup Junkie. He loves EforAll’s mission of accelerating economic impact in Northwest Arkansas. Salas received his undergraduate marketing degree from the Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico and his MBA from the University of Texas.
Patti Stobaugh
Owner, Founder
PattiCakes Bakery
Patti Stobaugh is the owner and founder of PattiCakes Bakery. She and her husband, David, are the owners of the Arkansas restaurant staple, Stoby’s. After receiving her accounting degree from Lyon College, Stobaugh worked in corporate accounting and served as the CFO of Arkansas One Call. Leaving the corporate world behind, Stobaugh opened a bakery next to the Russellville Stoby’s location; after the property behind Stoby’s in Conway became available, she moved the operation to Central Arkansas. Stobaugh, a past president of Haven House, has been on the Conway area Chamber of Commerce and, in 2015, was asked to join the board of directors for the Retail Bakers of America.
Steve Straessle
Principal
Catholic High School for Boys
Steve Straessle has been the principal of Catholic High School for Boys for the last 18 years. A 1988 graduate of the school, Straessle started teaching in 1992 before taking the helm as principal; he continues to teach two classes in addition to his administrative and fundraising duties. He has served as the physical fitness and bowling team coach, yearbook sponsor, alum director and vice principal throughout his time at Catholic High. His numerous accolades include being named DAR Social Studies Teacher of the Year in 1995 and ASPA Administrator of the Year in 2016. Straessle is a member of the Arkansas Activities Association board of directors and serves on the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation Commission.
Chris Tanner
Co-Owner
Cheers in the Heights,
Samantha’s Tap Room & Wood Grill, The Oyster Bar
Chris Tanner and his wife, Samantha, own Cheers in the Heights, Samantha’s Tap Room & Wood Grill and The Oyster Bar. Tanner originally earned a degree in aviation, but soon after, he and his wife turned to catering for extra money. That hobby turned into a full-time job and a career when the couple opened their first restaurant in Little Rock, Cheers in the Heights. In 2016, along with ICU nurse Devin Miller, the couple established the Heart of a Nurse scholarship in honor of their late daughter, Anna Charley Tanner.
Mitsy Tharp
Co-Owner, Realtor
Signature Properties
Mitsy Tharp is a realtor and the co-owner of Signature Properties. While helping clients navigate the home selling and buying process, she and her business partner, Holly Driver, are responsible for the daily management of the brokerage and assisting agents in achieving their goals. Tharp received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1992. She has been recognized for her work by publications, including At Home in Arkansas and AY About You, in addition to receiving awards of distinction from the Little Rock Realtors Association. Tharp currently serves on the board of directors for the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and the Little Rock Realtors Association, and she previously served on the UAMS Consortium Board.
Katherine Thomas, RN
Owner
Arkansas Aesthetics
Katherine Thomas, RN is the owner of Arkansas Aesthetics, where she works as a master aesthetic injector and aesthetic trainer. Arkansas Aesthetics is the only aesthetic practice in the Southeast, focusing solely on neurotoxins and dermal fillers in all three locations. Thomas is the only injector in the state to be named to the Top 100 Best Injectors in America three years in a row. Thomas started her nursing career in the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Before founding Arkansas Aesthetics, she was the vice president of clinical education at medical device company AccuVein. Her favorite part of the job is meeting patients’ needs, some of whom have become her close friends.
Cathy Tuggle
Owner, Principal Broker
Tuggle Services, Inc.
Cathy Tuggle is the principal broker and owner of Tuggle Services, Inc. DBA Apartment Hunters and Arkansas Suites. Tuggle began her career as a leasing consultant in 1991, and in 1999 she had the opportunity to purchase Apartment Hunters; she started Arkansas Suites one year later. Tuggle holds the Certified Apartment Manager and National Apartment Leasing Professional designations through the National Apartment Association and has over 28 years of experience in the multifamily industry through marketing, training and property management. Tuggle is the chair of the UA Little Rock advisory board and the Commercial Real Estate Council of Metro Little Rock; she is a former chair for Make-A-Wish Mid-South and AR Kids Read. She currently serves on the UA Little Rock real estate advisory board, the Arvest board of directors, Fifty for the Future, the Little Rock Regional Chamber and is a member of Rotary Club of Little Rock. She is a past president of the Arkansas Apartment Association, Apartments Across America and a past officer of the Institute of Real Estate Management.
Brooke Vines
Co-Founder
Vines/Brookshire
Brooke Vines is the co-founder of Vines/Brookshire, a media buying and planning company established by Vines and business partner, Bill Brookshire, in 2018. Her goal is to put people first – clients, team members, partners and the audiences her team is trying to communicate with. Her first professional job was at Arkansas Business Publishing Group, where she worked as an ad coordinator. Before joining forces with Brookshire, Vines was the owner of Vines Media, which she founded in 2004. Vines is also active in her community, mentoring other entrepreneurs at the Venture Center and volunteering with organizations including CARTI, Care-Link, Home For Healing, Holy Sews and others.
Keith Weeks
President
Gary Houston Electric Company
Keith Weeks has been the president of Gary Houston Electric Company for the past 10 years, having worked his way up under the guidance of founder, Gary Houston. Now with over three decades of experience in the company, Weeks is proud to be part of a hardworking team that continues to provide residents and businesses with crucial electrical contracting services. For 45 years, Gary Houston Electric Company has performed electrical repairs and remodeling for homes, retail spaces, restaurants, offices, warehouses and more.
Shannon Williams
Vice President and Senior
Account Manager
CJRW
Shannon Williams is vice president and senior account manager at the advertising agency CJRW. She has three decades of experience in advertising and communications and prefers a team-focused approach to project management. Williams works with various local, regional, and national clients in her current role to develop and implement marketing campaigns, including Visit Hot Springs, Stamp Out Smoking and others. Williams previously worked as an account executive at Stone Ward and held various positions at Alltel Communications, Inc. A Little Rock native, Williams graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Keith Wingfield
President and Co-Owner
Keith Wingfield is the president and co-owner of River Rock Builders, a custom home company specializing in high-performance homes, and is the most active Energy Star® Builder in Central Arkansas. Wingfield is a Certified Graduate Builder, Certified Green Professional and LEED AP. He and his wife, Patty, began building for customers in 1999 after building their home in Little Rock. Patty has since retired, but Wingfield continues to oversee day-to-day operations and ensures that each project is completed with the same quality and sound building principles the company has maintained for over two decades. Wingfield earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and began his career in construction material sales in 1977.
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