Arkansas Money & Politics is proud to introduce its list of Influencers for 2024, those who inspire us all to reach higher, achieve more and improve things in our communities. Within this list, find leaders in the corporate, nonprofit and public-service spaces — people who provide jobs, feed the state’s economy and provide a hand up to those who need it.
The individuals on this list were handpicked by a blue ribbon panel, who culled hundreds of nominations down to the final listing. They represent not only the best of what they do, but the present and future leaders of our state, who work for the good of us all. As the state’s leading publication focused on the business, community and policy, AMP is proud to shine a bright spotlight on these outstanding achievers and their accomplishments.
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Scott Smith
Executive Vice President
Powers of Arkansas
One could say Scott Smith was born into the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry. He grew up in North Little Rock where his father owned and operated two HVAC companies. When he was 15, Smith went to work at a sheet metal shop, where he learned the value of hard work. After graduating with a business degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Smith went to work in the family HVAC business in North Little Rock as an outside sales representative and later joined ADW Corp. in Dallas in the same role. In 1998, Smith returned to central Arkansas and worked for the John Prince Co. on the outside sales team and then as director of HVAC sales and marketing, a position he held until 2013. He then joined Powers of Arkansas and has worked his way up over the past 10 years from director of sales to his current role of executive vice president. Smith’s career in HVAC has spanned 39 years, and he has worked with generations of families. He credits his father with instilling in him a strong work ethic and opening doors in the industry through the relationships his father built from the 1960s to the 1980s. He also praises the leadership at Powers for giving him every opportunity to succeed and the freedom to hire the best team with the best people.
