You don’t have to be a CEO, baby, to be in our show. The executives are great, but Arkansas Money & Politics readers recognize that it takes everyone — small-business owners, marketers, nurses, real estate agents and more — to make Arkansas work. We asked readers to help us recognize some of the professionals in Arkansas who stand out in their fields.
Janice Acosta
Dennis Adkins
Adkins & Associates
Richard Akel
Akel’s Carpet One Floor & Home
Jason Allen
Arkansas Electric Cooperative
Chris Arnold
Hope, O’Dwyer, Wilson & Arnold
Alex Baldwin
State Farm
Paul Barkley
McGraw Realtors/Big Adventure
Custom Pools + Outdoor Living
With more than 25 years of experience as a business owner, luxury designer and licensed contractor, Paul Barkley understands how to help his client navigate the journey and deliver luxury results every time. As a Realtor at McGraw Realtors in Benton, Barkley is committed to the core values that have provided the foundation for the success in business, relationships and the real estate industry at McGraw for more than 85 years: commitment, loyalty and tenacity. Barkley said the team cares about people and helping them find the best solutions while making real estate easy; it is as simple as that. As the president of Big Adventure Custom Pools + Outdoor Living, Barkley and his team design and build some amazing luxury pools and outdoor living spaces in central Arkansas. Barkley celebrates 24 years of marriage with his wife, Amber, this year and is the father of three daughters.
Chris Bates
Pinnacle IT
In 1992, Pinnacle IT CEO Chris Bates was working as information technology manager for Little Rock law firm Williams & Anderson when he started moonlighting a small, home-based technology solutions service, The Computer Hut. Through hard work, expertise and impeccable customer service, Bates grew that side hustle into Pinnacle IT. Headquartered in Little Rock and with offices in Lowell, Jonesboro, Fort Smith, Hot Springs and Texarkana, the company partners with clients in meeting their technology needs including, but not limited to, managed information technology services, cybersecurity, server support, data backup and recovery and Microsoft 365 services. Originally set on a pharmacy degree, Bates discovered a love for technology in college, graduating from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway with a degree in computer information systems. When he is not providing cutting edge solutions for clients, Bates enjoys spending time with his two sons and grandchildren.
Tina Bell
Malvern-Hot Spring County Library
Beyond Wellness
Sidney Bennett, a registered nurse and seasoned aesthetic injector at Beyond Wellness in west Little Rock, embodies a growth-oriented mindset that has propelled her career forward. Her journey into aesthetics began during her time at a dermatologist’s office, where she discovered a passion for enhancing natural beauty. As a dedicated aesthetic nurse injector with more than six years of extensive experience in Little Rock, Bennett is passionate about helping her patients achieve their personal beauty goals. Throughout her career, she has developed expertise in advanced cosmetic procedures, including dermal fillers, neurotoxins and regenerative therapies, while prioritizing safety and natural-looking results. Her approach is centered on building lasting relationships with her patients and providing personalized treatment plans that enhance and rejuvenate their unique features. Bennett is excited about the future, particularly as she helps Beyond Wellness expand with a new location coming soon to Little Rock’s Hillcrest neighborhood.
Trey Berry
Henderson State University
Niki Bolton
American Truck & Rail Audits
Niki Bolton presently leads American Truck & Rail Audits as the chief strategic operations officer. With AMTR since 2008, Bolton is a seasoned professional who has risen through the ranks as a senior truck freight cost auditor where she has been an integral part of providing expert audits and overcharge recoveries for clients. Her many duties have included managing client relationships, conducting contract negotiations, and providing tariff, rules, and contract interpretation. With in-depth knowledge, Bolton has also served as an expert witness, as well as providing trucking industry advocacy.
Bolton is an active member in organizations to include Women in Trucking, National Industrial Transportation League and Transportation Intermediaries Association. Her honors include WIT’s 2020 Top Women to Watch in Transportation, WIT’s 2019 Influential Woman in Trucking Award finalist and Modern Woodmen of America Hometown Hero Award for volunteer work in the foster care and adoption community. She has a B.A. in mathematics from University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Scott Bond
Lexicon
Scott Bond is a licensed CPA with 13 years of diverse experience in public accounting and in the steel industry. As corporate controller at Lexicon, he manages financial operations, including accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and month-end closing, ensuring accurate financial reporting and strategic decision-making. With a strong background in financial statement audits, Bond excels in building trusted relationships with clients and colleagues. His leadership skills, commitment to training and development, and management capabilities have enabled him to successfully implement new accounting software to streamline processes and improve efficiency. He actively coordinates financial forecasts, manages cash transactions, and oversees employee benefit programs. A graduate of the University of Kansas with a master’s degree in accounting, Bond is dedicated to enhancing financial operations and driving company growth. A dyed-in-the-wool Chiefs fan, Bond has embraced all things Arkansas since moving here a little over a year ago.
Michelle Boone, DNP, APRN
Compassion Health & Wellness Clinic
Scott Broadbent
pb2 architecture + engineering
Jeremy Brown
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Mark Camp
1836 Club
Mark Camp is president and managing partner of the 1836 Club located in Little Rock. Camp formerly served as the executive director of Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission, a state agency and part of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Camp spent more than 30 years in municipal finance with 28 of those years as the general market municipal bond trader at Crews & Associates, one of the top investment banking firms in the South. He has always had a passion for aviation and is a licensed pilot. He and his wife reside in Little Rock and have four sons and two grandchildren. Camp serves on the boards of Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission, Keep Arkansas Beautiful Foundation, Arkansas Recycling Coalition and serves on the State Leaders Council of Keep America Beautiful and the Clinton National Airport Commission.
Tim Campbell
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Bret Carroll
Conway Corp.
A native of Mabelvale, Conway Corp. CEO Bret Carroll is a 1989 undergraduate of the University of Central Arkansas, after which he worked for Entergy and Acxiom. Carroll is a certified public accountant and earned an MBA from UCA in 1996. Two years later, he joined Conway Corp. as chief financial officer. In 2017, he became just the sixth CEO to lead the utility, which offers electric, water, wastewater, video, internet, voice and security services. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Carroll is a well-recognized figure among nonprofits and charitable organizations; a sampling of his board service includes the American Public Power Association, Arkansas 811, United Way, Rotary International, Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army, Gideons International, Boys and Girls Club, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Carroll and his wife Sandra are members of Second Baptist Church in Conway, where Carroll serves as a deacon.
Vanessa Cash Adams
ARLaw Partners
Vanessa Cash Adams is co-founder and managing attorney at ARlaw Partners, a firm with offices in Little Rock and Fayetteville. Adams graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law in 2007 and was admitted to the Arkansas Bar that same year. Her undergraduate degree in journalism at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville gave her a strong foundation in communication, while other essential skills have come through hands-on experience. In 2020, Adams founded ARlaw alongside her partners Charlie Cunningham, Dustin Duke and Katie Freeman. Over the course of 17 years in private practice, Adams has focused primarily on consumer and business transactions, negotiations and bankruptcy. Adams is past president of the Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers and president of the Debtor-Creditor Bar of Central Arkansas. She is also a proud volunteer with the Little Rock School District, serving on the PTA board for Pulaski Heights Elementary.
James Chavez
Encompass Financial Partners
Jennifer Cobb
City Year Little Rock
Jennifer Cobb is an authentic, energetic, data-driven leader with more than 20 years of diverse experience in health care and nonprofit communications, fundraising and marketing. A storyteller at heart, Cobb serves as senior vice president and executive director of City Year Little Rock. She leads a team of 11 staff members supporting up to 45 AmeriCorps members who’ve committed to a year of service in Jacksonville North Pulaski and Little Rock school districts. Prior to joining City Year, Cobb served in leadership roles in fundraising and communications at UAMS Institutional Advancement, Arkansas Children’s Foundation, Arkansas Business Publishing Group, and at various nonprofits in Montgomery. Cobb graduated with a degree in English from Rhodes College.
Kami Coleman
Arkansas Bankers Association
Kami Coleman joined the Arkansas Bankers Association, the state’s largest and oldest banking industry organization, in 2004. In her role as vice president of professional development, she is dedicated to contributing to the professional development growth and the needs of Arkansas bankers and their careers. Her focus includes overseeing all professional development offerings and committees including the state bank convention and the emerging leaders section council. She is passionate about the banking industry and helping to develop Arkansas’s community bankers with continuing education and opportunities within the field.
Steve Colley
Waypoint College Consulting
Steve Colley is the owner and founder of Waypoint College Consulting, a leading service in central Arkansas that helps students and families navigate the highly competitive admissions process for top colleges and universities. Through personalized guidance, Colley has helped countless students achieve their dream of attending all types of institutions, preparing them not just for college, but for lifelong success. Colley also is director of the Mijo Program, which champions educational access for a select group of high-achieving, first-generation Hispanic students.
Colley, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran educated at Harvard, is deeply involved in advancing education access and equity across Arkansas. He serves as the Arkansas Government Relations chair for the Southern Association for College Admissions Counseling, advocating for policies that support students’ pathways to higher education. He is also a board member of Mamas Unidas Little Rock and a dedicated volunteer for One Million Teachers of Color.
Adrienne Collins
AC Productions
Katie Cox
Conway Regional
Katie Cox, BSN, RN, is the Director of Emergency Services at Conway Regional Medical Center. Of her 16 years of nursing experience, 12 have been spent at Conway Regional. For the last three years, she has overseen the stroke and trauma program. Cox helps run an emergency department that is a Level 3 trauma center and primary stroke center that sees over 34,000 patients annually. Cox has been named a 40 Under 40 Nurse Leader and a Great 100 Nurse.
Mariah Crews
Arkansas Institute of
Transportation Engineers
Shawn Daniels
Daniels Law Firm
Bo Diamond
Caisson Capital Partners
Robert Eason
Arkansas Land Co.
Robert Eason is owner and principal broker at Arkansas Land Co. in North Little Rock. Licensed in Arkansas and Mississippi, he started as an agent in 2009, soon after graduating from the University of Arkansas Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences in Fayetteville. Since his start, Eason has maintained a full-time career in real estate. He is active in both real estate sales and farm management. He has listed and sold everything from cabins near Maddox Bay to large row crop farms and premier hunting properties across the state. His management encompasses both farm and recreational properties. He is also president of Eason LaRoche Holdings, which has purchased, developed and sold several recreational developments. Eason LaRoche Holdings owns Prairie Cypress Farm and Lodge, a 1,000-acre recreational farm with both row-crop fields and flooded timber.
Nathan Eller
Haag Brown Commercial Real Estate
and Development
William Fletcher
Kinco Constructors
Cesar Garcia
American National Insurance
Johnny Gibbs
Diamond Bank
Maya Gray
Day Dream Design Firm
Maya Gray is the founder and CEO of Day Dream Design Firm, based in central Arkansas. She has worked with P&G and been featured on Black Enterprise. Her clients work with Fortune 500 companies, have been internationally published, and featured on CBS, THV11, and ESPN. She’s created strategies that have saved her clients thousands and gotten them more exposure to their ideal clients. Previously, she worked with a variety of brands in multiple industries and now focuses on the needs of thought leaders and public speakers to make her impact and influence rippling by implementing sustainable and repeatable marketing systems that save ten hours a week, attract qualified leads, and optimize marketing budgets. The vision of Day Dream Design Firm is to advocate for leaders to prosper beyond superficial limitations nationally.
Don Grisham
Natural State Wholesale
Don Grisham has 27 years of experience as a businessman and a deal maker. Since founding Natural State Wholesale in 1997, Grisham has transformed his company from a small business-to-business operation into one of Arkansas’ best-kept retail secrets, boasting $20 million in annual revenue. Based in Cabot, Natural State Wholesale specializes in flooring from tile to hardwood to vinyl and offers an array of other building materials and household products. With Grisham leading the company, Natural State Wholesale embraced its dual role as a commercial and retail operation.
Grisham’s business journey originally began at Boondock Building Materials in Gainesville, Texas, where he developed his skills in making deals on closeout and damaged goods. In 1991, Grisham relocated to Arkansas, where he took an opportunity to partner with Builders One Carpet One.
Scott Hambuchen
First Orion Corp.
Traci Hampton
Highlands Oncology Group
Laine Harber
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Woody Harrelson
Hatcher Agency
Woody Harrelson has been with the Hatcher Agency since 1992, starting as a part-time employee while attending the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Over the years, he has held nearly every position within the company, beginning as a courier and eventually rising to the role of president in 2015.
Beyond his professional achievements, Woody is deeply committed to his community. He has served on numerous boards and chaired several, including the Better Business Bureau, UA Little Rock’s Foundation Fund Board, Young Life’s Southside Committee, and the National Kidney Foundation of Arkansas.
Among his proudest accomplishments is his ability to build a thriving career while maintaining a strong and close relationship with his wife and four children.
Tammy Harvey-Stauber
ATA International
Chief Master Tammy Harvey-Stauber of Little Rock is a ninth-degree black belt, the highest level of rank achievement within the American Taekwondo Association. She is the highest-ranking female and serves as chief ambassador for the organization. She has trained in the art of taekwondo for more than five decades, demonstrating leadership and active involvement within the organization, an exhibition of ethical conduct and contribution to the growth of Songahm Taekwondo. She is pursuing the Grand Master title in 2024. A native Arkansan, Stauber has been an icon for all martial artists around the world, men and women alike, for the past five decades and has been regarded as a top instructor and athlete. By 1977, at just 16 years old, Harvey-Stauber became the youngest person to become a certified instructor in ATA. During that time, she taught at ATA Headquarters’ school, eventually opening her own, Benton Karate Academy. She continued to dominate in the martial arts world by becoming Regional Instructor of the Year in 1989 and opening ATA-Karate for Kids pilot locations in both Little Rock and North Little Rock.
Ryan Herget
Good Day Farm
Matt Hesse
University of Health and Performance
Jennifer Holland
UA Fort Smith
Nolen Hughes
Jan-Pro of Arkansas
Douglas Hutchings
Delta Solar
Rochelle Johnson
Grand Village at Clear Creek
Cindy Jones
Garrett Excavating
With more than 40 years of experience in the construction industry, Cindy Jones is a seasoned professional who has made significant contributions to the Northwest Arkansas landscape. Her impressive career began with designing for local civil engineering and architectural firms, where she honed her skills and developed a keen eye for detail.
In 1995, Jones founded her own residential design and build firm, CJ’s Designs, where she successfully designed over 700 homes throughout NWA, earning a reputation for quality and innovation. For the past 8 and a half years, she has served as a senior estimator at Garrett Excavating, where her extensive knowledge and expertise in construction have been invaluable to the team. Outside of work, she enjoys life on her small farm near Beaver Lake, where she finds joy in camping, fishing, kayaking, and tending to her garden. Her next big adventure is an exhilarating 188-mile float on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, showcasing her passion for the great outdoors.
Jacob Jones
Jones & Son Diamond &
Bridal Fine Jewelry
Jacob Jones attended the Gemological Institute of America in 1997 and earned the coveted GIA graduate gemologist designation at just 19 years old. Since then, he has been involved in the day-to-day operations and interactions at Jones and Son Diamond & Bridal Fine Jewelry.
Jones, a Catholic High graduate, feels passionately about giving back to the community. Jones & Son has been a presenting sponsor of Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s Miracle Ball since 2010. Through the years, Jones & Son has also been a presenting sponsor for the 20th Century Club’s Hope Ball and the jeweler selected year after year to participate in the Angels of Hope program. For the last 10 years, Jones & Son has been a presenting sponsor to the Miss Arkansas Pageant, and Jones personally designed the Miss Arkansas 2022-2023 official coronation ring.
Kevin Keen
Arkansas Land Co.
Kevin Keen, executive broker and wildlife biologist at Arkansas Land Co. in North Little Rock, is best known by his family and friends as one who loves the outdoors and can never spend too much time outside, hunting and fishing. He has farmed row crops, raised livestock and worked as an educator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. His agricultural experience, in addition to a Bachelor of Science in wildlife ecology and management and a master’s degree in biology, gives him insight into what it takes to operate a farm and manage habitat to help land reach its full wildlife potential. He is a hardworking, eager individual who strives to put others’ needs first.
Nicholas Kelly
Riceland Foods
Erica Kennemer
Horse Play
Taylor King
Taylor King Law
Rick Leasure
ARMI Manufacturing
Curtis Longfellow
United Built Homes
Home Health Care Agency of Arkansas
Veronica Love is the founder and CEO of Home Health Care Agency of Arkansas and the president of Southern Carrier Services, a non-emergency medical transportation company. Love previously found incredible success in the automotive world, moving from sales and finance management to directing and managing a multi-million dollar business. After several years in the industry, Love became the first African American woman in Arkansas to serve as general manager for a franchise dealership while at Crain Mazda. Taking all that she learned in that career, along with her servant leadership style and entrepreneurial spirit, Love has now cultivated her own business into a million-dollar empire. Love’s caring heart motivates her, not only in supporting those in need, but in creating generational wealth for her loved ones. She leads her teams with integrity, demanding their best and empowering them to serve their communities with dignity, equality and respect.
Jeff Lynch
Eagle Bank & Trust
Baldwin & Shell Construction Co.
Amanda Mack is director of human resources at Baldwin & Shell Construction Co., which is headquartered in Little Rock. Since joining the company in 2018, she has overseen HR strategy, employee relations, compliance, and benefits while championing a positive company culture. A graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, Amanda is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and the National Association of Women in Construction. Her accomplishments include being featured at Money.com for COVID-19 protocols in 2020 and being recognized in Ragan’s Top Women in HR in 2021. She has also played a key role in earning “best places to work” accolades. Outside of work, she attends First Baptist Church in Benton and enjoys spending time with her husband Glenn, and their two children, Elle and Levi. Her favorite hobbies are travel and vegetable gardening. She is motivated by people and strives every day to make employees feel valued.
Dominic Maggio, M.D.
Legacy Spine & Neurological Specialists
Stephanie Malone
Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association
Stephanie Malone grew up in Rogers, where she graduated from high school in 1996. She earned a B.S. in journalism from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 2000. After college, she moved to Fort Smith, where she started a career in communications with the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. In 2009, Malone was named marketing director for the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority.
During her tenure at Chaffee, Malone was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives and served three terms. As a member of the House, she served as chairman of the Committee on Children Aging and Youth, chaired the House Select Committee on Rules and served as an assistant Speaker Pro Tempore. In 2015, Malone moved to central Arkansas, where started a new career in political advocacy, including stints with AETN, Community Health Centers of Arkansas and Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. In 2020, Malone was named CEO of the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association.
Carla Martin
Go Forward Pine Bluff
Jamie McAfee
Pine Bluff Country Club
Robi McDonald
Gateway Bank
Robi McDonald is the President / Chief Executive Officer of Gateway Bank with branches in Cleveland and Saline Counties. In his role, McDonald is blessed to work with a great team of bankers and oversees all operations of the institution. He joined the bank in 2020 as a Senior Vice President / Chief Lending Officer and was promoted to his current role in March of 2022. McDonald is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University with a bachelor’s degree in business management, as well as a graduate of the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodists University. He has served on several civic and non-profit boards over his career and has a strong passion for the development of financial literacy and promoting leadership within youth. McDonald is a native of Rowlett, TX but is a “converted” Arkansan and currently lives in Benton.
Staci Medlock
RE/MAX
Staci Medlock is consistently one of the top-performing real estate agents in the central Arkansas area, carrying almost 20 years of experience under her belt. A native of the area, she caters to a wide range of clients in cities across the region, including Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, Maumelle, Jacksonville, Cabot, Searcy and Beebe. While Medlock’s abilities as a Realtor are across the board, she has extensive experience in new construction, custom home building and working with first-time homebuyers. Medlock has also served as justice of the peace for Pulaski County’s 15th district since 2013.
Jackson Mendenhall
Nunnelee & Wright Commercial
Properties
Jackson Mendenhall was born and raised in Fort Smith. He is a proud alumnus of Subiaco Academy, where he attended high school, and The University of Arkansas where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing management. Mendenhall began his career in commercial real estate as a summer intern for Nunnelee & Wright, which led to him pursuing his real estate license in 2018. Since joining the brokerage full time in 2020, he now holds active licenses in both Arkansas and Oklahoma and is the head of the multifamily property management branch of NWCP. Mendenhall is a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce.
Larry Middleton
Middleton Heat & Air
Logan Moss
Acme Brick Tile & Stone
Laura Nick
Garver
Laura Nick leads engineering firm Garver’s in-house communications team charged with all facets of branding, strategic marketing, and internal and external communications. Nick first joined Garver as a corporate recruiter in 2011 and has gone on to develop key initiatives within the firm, including its competitive recruitment program, internal networking programs, and GarverGives, the company’s employee-driven corporate giving program with a focus on STEM education. She has since cultivated a team of 30+ communications professionals who manage outlets ranging from public relations to video production to targeted digital campaigns. In 2023, Nick was named to Garver’s C-suite as the firm’s first chief communications officer. Her team has amassed renowned industry awards, including a Silver Anvil Award of Excellence and SMPS National Marketing Communications Awards.
Barbara Page
USAble Life
Melanie Palmer
M. Palmer Consulting
Melanie Palmer is the owner of M. Palmer Consulting, a northwest Arkansas firm that helps nonprofit organizations of all sizes and missions raise more money and do more good. Along with her team, Palmer provides values-based, community-centric assistance in the areas of grants, fundraising strategy as well as board and staff development to nonprofits in Arkansas and across the country. Palmer is loyal to a vision of a more inclusive, more effective nonprofit ecosystem in Arkansas. She loves supporting other nonprofit leaders, working with young professionals, and bringing everybody to the table. She is a past president of the Arkansas chapter of the Grant Professionals Association, a past president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Northwest Arkansas Chapter, and current board member of the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She is one of only two professionals in Arkansas dual certified as a grant professional certified and certified fundraising executive.
J. Daryl Peeples
Kelley Commercial Partners
J. Daryl Peeples is president, partner and principal broker for Kelley Commercial Partners in Little Rock. As principal broker, he ensures that all business conducted by the firm and its real estate activities adhere to the rules and regulations set by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission and provides strategic direction and leadership to advance the company’s mission and increase revenue, profitability and growth as an organization. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia and his MBA from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. His civic affiliations include board service for the YMCA, Main Street Argenta, March of Dimes and Immanuel Baptist Church.
Greg Pillow
Conway Wealth Management
Greg Pillow has been a financial advisor since 1999, working for a couple of national firms before founding Conway Wealth Management in 2010. He grew up in Conway and graduated from the University of Central Arkansas. Pillow enjoys being an advisor and helping his clients pursue success in life. He and his team provide comprehensive financial planning for clients so that they can give the best advice possible for their clients. Areas of focus for Pillow’s practice include retirement planning, estate planning, business succession planning and investment planning. Pillow has been married to his wife, Sherri, for 27 years and they have two children, Jack and Kate.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.
John Ponthie
Green House Cottages
Lindsey Ponwith
Revive Lifestyle Medicine
Lindsey Ponwith is a family nurse practitioner certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and an upcoming Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Since graduating from UAMS, she has worked in family and pediatric health care settings for more than 15 years. She is the primary practitioner and owner of Revive in Little Rock, specializing in functional health care, aesthetics, women’s health and thyroid and hormone therapy. She combines her functional health wisdom and conventional practice training to create true health in each patient she treats.
Dr. Andi Reeves Green
Rehab Specialists of Arkansas
Karen Richardson
Mainline Health Systems
Karen Richardson, APRN, graduated from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She believes in providing comprehensive health care to individuals across their lifetime, assisting patients with knowledge to enhance self care and supporting patients during difficult times with compassionate understanding and resources to improve the quality of health.
In her spare time, Richardson enjoys water sports, family travels, yard work, snow skiing, volunteering in her community and country western dancing. She joined the Mainline team in December 2019.
Andrea Ritchie
AM Group
Edward Ruff
Petit Jean Meats
Anna Russell
Buttered Biscuit
Bo Ryall
Arkansas Hospital Assocation
Megan Selman
Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Megan Selman is the CEO of the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Russellville Regional Alliance for Economic Development, a role she began in 2022. As the first female CEO of the alliance, Selman has spearheaded transformative projects, including the recruitment of a Fortune 500 company to Russellville and the expansion of two major manufacturers in cold storage and aerospace and defense. These efforts have brought over $230 million in investment to her community and created hundreds of new jobs in her hometown. A dedicated community leader, Selman co-hosts the local webcast All Things Russellville and serves on several boards, including the West Central Planning and Development Board, Arkansas Tech Alumni Board, Co-Create Innovation Hub, and chairs RSD’s Cyclone Education Foundation. She was recently elected to the Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives Board of Directors.
Stephanie Shine
Arkansas Talent Group
Stephanie Shine, partner and co-founder of Arkansas Talent Group in Little Rock, launched the company in February 2024 with partner Christopher Chunn. The firm specializes in direct-hire and executive-level placements in Arkansas. and her team brings more than 50 years of local recruitment expertise. Shine has served on boards for Rotary International, the Accounting & Finance Women’s Alliance, where she is current board president, and the Institute of Management Accountants. In 2023, Shine and Chunn launched the Arkansas Talent Podcast, which features talented leaders in the state in accounting, finance and human resources and covering topics such as hiring trends, job market updates and talent retention. Shine has a management degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a Master of Business Administration from Missouri State University.
Simone Singh
Junior League of NWA
Jim Smith
Smith Hurst
Jim Smith is a founding partner of Smith Hurst, a regional business and private wealth law firm located in Rogers, Arkansas. For over 30 years, Jim has focused his practice on advising companies, executives and entrepreneurs regarding a full range of business advisory and transactional law matters, with a particular emphasis on corporate structure, governance and finance (including private placements of securities, capital raises and securities law matters), strategic initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, business taxation, compliance with regulatory obligations, executive compensation and compensatory plans, and business contractual matters.
Smith obtained his Masters of Law (Taxation) from New York University School of Law and his law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law. He is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant (registered inactive).
Hannah Stanley
New Wave Wealth Advisors
Hannah Stanley founded New Wave Wealth Advisors in 2019, where she focuses on investment management, tax strategies, and retirement planning for high-net-worth clients. Born and raised in Arkansas, she strives to build deep and long-term relationships with her clients in order to provide trusted advice around asset and risk management, trust and estate planning, options/stock benefits, and wealth and income strategies for both personal and business clients. As a fiduciary, her goal is to make the planning process easy by being relatable, experienced, and invested in her clients’ success. Hannah graduated cum laude from the University of Arkansas with degrees in Biochemistry and Spanish and then obtained her Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado in Denver. While in Colorado, she served in various banking, finance and management roles at FirstBank.
She then moved back home to Arkansas and served as a Client Advisor with Arvest Wealth Management and a Vice President Private Banking Advisor with Arvest Bank for several ears before founding New Wave Wealth Advisors. She is licensed in investments, insurance, and is currently sitting for her Certified Public Accountant exam. She was a Forty Under 40 honoree in the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s class of 2024.
In her spare time, Hannah loves to travel with her family (especially if a beach or Spanish is involved), play golf, and ski. Hannah and her husband. Heath, have twin daughters and a son who love to travel with them. She thrives on being efficient and creative in the financial planning space, using her own life experiences to add insight from more than a numbers standpoint. She is excited to work hand in hand with complex clients to provide efficient, customized expertise in a fast-paced, ever-changing market.
Brent Stevenson
Brent Stevenson Associates
Lee Strother
Colliers
Corrine Sudar
Sudar Group
Corrine Sudar is the principal broker and co-owner, alongside her husband, Doug Sudar, of Sudar Group, the fastest-growing real estate boutique brokerage in Arkansas. Known for her aggressive sales style, Sudar leads a team of over 50 agents specializing in real estate across northwest Arkansas, eastern Oklahoma, Missouri, and the Arkansas River Valley. Her commitment to delivering outstanding results has established Sudar Group as a key player in the Arkansas real estate market. Each agent at Sudar Group is highly knowledgeable about their market and works to create a customized process tailored to their clients’ specific real estate goals. Sudar’s leadership and expertise have earned her the prestigious title of a triple diamond award-winning agent, solidifying her reputation as a powerhouse in the real estate industry.
Roger Sundermeier
First Arkansas Bank & Trust
Monica Treat
Treat Insurance
Monica Treat is owner of Treat Insurance Agency in North Little Rock. She launched the agency 17 years ago and specializes in Medicare plans. Treat and her team of 9 women help guide their clients through the complexities of Medicare. Treat explains “the primary thing we sell isn’t insurance, it’s peace of mind”. The Treat agency thrives through word-of-mouth advertising with roughly 95 percent of its business coming through referrals.
A Sherwood native, Treat is running for the Ward 4 seat on the Sherwood City Council. A Sylvan Hills graduate, she is a strong advocate for her hometown and local schools. She supports Sherwood schools forming their own school district and is passionate about bringing more economic development to the area through new restaurants and entertainment options.
Mercy Vaughn
Conway Regional
Mercy Vaughn, BSN, RN, is the Director of ICU and ICU Step Down at Conway Regional Medical Center. She brings 15 years of nursing experience, with eight of those being in management at Conway Regional. Mercy played an integral role in helping launch the ICU Step Down unit (1 East) in 2023. Over the years, she has also helped lead CVICU, GI Lab, and OIU.
Erica Wacaster
Lake Hamilton Health & Rehab
Corey Whisenhunt
Wild Fire Farms
Rooted in family and faith, Corey Whisenhunt spends each day working to make people’s lives better. A second-generation pork producer, Whisenhunt added hemp to his repertoire two years ago via Wild Fire Farms in Nashville, Arkansas. He uses only organic materials and farming methods to raise the plant, which has a growing list of uses from fiber to animal feed to alternative medical products for humans. A natural leader, Whisenhunt is a board member for Arkansas Pork Producers and a member of Farm Bureau of Arkansas. One of Arkansas’ most passionate hemp advocates, the husband and father of two gives all credit to God for allowing him to provide for his family and the health and well-being of his neighbors, community and beloved state.
Deke Whitbeck
Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation
As a loving family man, Little Rock native Deke Whitbeck enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Sarah, and their two daughters, Cate and Charley, developing in his children the same appreciation for the state’s woods, waters and plains he developed growing up in the Natural State.
As president of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, a job Whitbeck has held since 2016, the goal is much the same: to provide native Arkansans and guests access to quality outdoor experiences through education, conservation and preservation.
Leading AGFF, the fundraising arm of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Whitbeck has brought the organization to new heights, raising millions of dollars in support of AGFC initiatives and AGFF programs including maintaining nature centers, funding youth shooting programs and investing in wildlife conservation. In so doing, Whitbeck has mustered support and inspired grassroots activism from every corner of the state to preserve myriad outdoor ecosystems for future generations of outdoor enthusiasts.
Cindy Williams
Time Striping
Jillian Wilson
Attorney’s Title Group,
Wilson & Associates
Alex Worley
Happy Egg
Dr. Zachary Young
Arkansas Plastic Surgery
As a native Arkansan and double board-certified surgeon, Dr. Zachary Young is humbled to be recognized as a 2024 Top Professional. His certifications include both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He has a passion for helping patients achieve amazing results through both aesthetic (cosmetic) and reconstructive plastic surgery. Dr. Young offers a wide range of aesthetic surgeries for the breasts, body and face. Some procedures he offers include breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, arm lift, thigh lift, liposuction and eye lid surgery. Young is also passionate about breast reconstruction and helping women recover what cancer has taken from them. The team at Arkansas Plastic Surgery pride themselves on patient centered care. While surgery is his focus, the office also provides non-surgical options, including laser treatments, microneedling, chemical peels, neurotoxin and filler. No matter the need, Young and his team are honored to bring exceptional care and cutting-edge techniques to central Arkansas.
Randy Zook
Arkansas State Chamber
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