The C-suite entails more than just the corner office. It is as much a metaphorical place as it is a tangible one. Business does not get done without the worker bees, but C-suite executives ensure that work counts. From overseeing a company’s finances, security, information technology or operations to spearheading strategy and guiding development, C-suite execs represent the face of business in the community. Arkansas Money & Politics once again asked its readers to tell us about their favorite C-suiters, and their preferences are chronicled in the list below.
Jim Acuff Executive Director of Finance & Nonlegal Operations
Attorney’s Title Group
North Little Rock Tourism
Shannon Anastosopolos Founder & CEO
Granted, Viriya Consulting
Lauren Anderson Chief Revenue Officer
Arkansas Hospitality Association
Steve Arrison CEO
Visit Hot Springs
As CEO of Visit Hot Springs for the last 27 years, Steve Arrison is responsible for the creation and implementation of the advertising, promotion and marketing program for the city of Hot Springs. His duties include operating the Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission, which manages Visit Hot Springs; the Hot Springs Convention Center; Bank OZK Arena; the Northwoods Biking and Hiking Trails System; and the Majestic Park baseball complex. Under Arrison’s direction, the A&P commission oversees the organization’s $15 million annual budget, which annually attracts more than 3.6 million overnight visitors to the city.
James Baird CFO
Signature Bank of Arkansas
James Baird is chief financial officer at Signature Bank of Arkansas. Since joining the bank as controller in 2021, he has played a key role in strengthening financial reporting, driving strategic planning and supporting the bank’s continued growth. Known for his analytical mindset and steady leadership, Baird is committed to operational excellence and long-term value creation. Baird earned two Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and has his Certified Public Accountant licensure. His deep expertise in financial institutions was initially honed during his time as an auditor with BKD. Outside the office, Baird lives in Fayetteville with his wife and their three young daughters. He can often be found on the tennis court, embracing the same competitive spirit he harnesses in the workplace.
Levi Bauer CEO
OrthoArkansas
Levi Bauer is CEO at OrthoArkansas, Arkansas’ largest physician-owned orthopedic practice. Since stepping into the role in 2019, he has focused on helping the organization grow in the ways that matter most to patients and physicians, bringing teams together through a major merger, expanding specialized services and strengthening the systems that support care across the state. Bauer’s career has centered on the operational and financial leadership of musculoskeletal, spine and neurosciences service lines with an emphasis on aligning strategy with a consistently strong patient experience. Under his leadership, OrthoArkansas has continued to invest in physician-led, independent practice, expanding its footprint through purpose-built facilities, advanced technology and coordinated care designed to improve efficiency and keep expert orthopedic care close to home. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and he has dedicated his professional life to elevating health care standards across Arkansas.
Eliza Borné Chief Development Officer
Central Arkansas Library System
Char Boulch CEO
Saline Memorial
Elizabeth Bowles President & Chairman
Aristotle Unified Communications
Jay Brogdon President & CEO
Simmons Bank
Jay Brogdon became president and CEO at Simmons First National Corp. and Simmons Bank Jan. 1, 2026. Previously, Brogdon served as president since January 2023, overseeing all revenue lines, finance, operations, information technology and corporate strategy. Prior to joining Simmons in 2021 as chief financial officer, Brogdon worked at Stephens for more than 13 years. There, he served as managing director in the investment banking division. Prior to Stephens, he served four years at Deloitte. Brogdon has a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting and business management from Harding University in Searcy.
Chris Brown VP & CFO
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Chris Brown serves as vice president and chief financial officer at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in Fort Smith, where he oversees the institution’s financial strategy and operations. Since joining ACHE in 2021, Brown has helped guide the college’s continued growth, bringing both financial expertise and a people-centered leadership style to his role. He was promoted to CFO in January 2022. A licensed certified public accountant in Arkansas, Brown began his career in public accounting at Landmark CPAs in Fort Smith, where he advanced to audit manager. A graduate of Arkansas Tech University in Russellville with a degree in accounting, he has been recognized for his professional achievements, including the Arkansas Society of CPAs Emerging CPA of the Year, Arkansas Tech’s 19 in 9 award and selection to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Leadership Academy.
Darren Brown President & CEO
Arkansas Air Flow
Darren Brown is president and CEO at Arkansas Air Flow, a Sherwood-based HVAC, plumbing, and sheet metal contractor serving clients across Arkansas and beyond. With more than 25 years of industry experience, Brown is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency and known for his hands-on leadership style and commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable solutions to customers. He has worked on projects statewide but remains deeply rooted in central Arkansas, where he focuses on investing in his team and supporting the community through volunteer efforts. Under his leadership, Arkansas Air Flow continues to emphasize service excellence, workforce development and steady, sustainable growth.
Bryan Bruich CFO
Nabholz
Bryan Bruich’s 25 years of accounting and finance experience combined with his license with the Arkansas Board of Public Accountancy positioned him as corporate controller at Nabholz in 2008. In 2014, he was promoted to Nabholz’s chief financial officer, for which he oversees the company’s accounting, human resources, legal and risk-management groups, as well as Nabholz’s surety and banking relations, investments and real estate developments. Over his 12 years as CFO, Nabholz has experienced exponential financial success, bringing in revenue of approximately $1.8 billion in fiscal year 2025.
Kendra Cain Chief Compliance Officer
Arvest Wealth Management
Kendra Cain is chief compliance officer at Arvest Wealth Management, for which she oversees investment and insurance compliance across four states. With more than 20 years of industry experience, Cain has held leadership roles, including chief compliance officer, at various financial institutions before joining Arvest in 2023. She specializes in navigating complex regulatory landscapes for dually registered investment advisors and broker-dealers. Cain holds the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional designation, is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary, and maintains Series 7, 66, 24 and 53 registrations. She has been an active member of the Bank, Insurance, and Securities Association for several years and is currently serving a three-year term on the FINRA South Regional Committee.
Kelly Carney VP of Human Capital & Chief People Officer
Southwest Power Pool
Bret Carroll CEO
Conway Corp.
Will Carrouthers CFO
Southern Bancorp
Jim Carter Associate Vice Chancellor & CIO
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is proud to welcome alumnus Jim Carter as associate vice chancellor and chief information officer. With more than 35 years of information technology leadership — including CIO roles at the Arkansas Department of Health and CARTI — Carter brings a deep expertise in high-stakes infrastructure and data center operations. A veteran U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, his career is defined by a commitment to public service and technical excellence. Carter’s vision focuses on collective impact, driven by three pillars: fostering a culture of candor, accelerating system growth and establishing robust knowledge sharing. By aligning cutting-edge technology with the university’s research mission, he ensures that when UA Little Rock’s people succeed, the entire university community thrives.
Joe Carter CEO
Everbranch Capital Group
Joe Carter is the CEO of Everbranch Capital Group in Little Rock, where he leads strategic, financial and operational direction while shaping the firm’s long-term vision. With more than 20 years of experience as a stakeholder-focused operator and CEO, Carter has led Inc. 5000 companies, completed three successful exits, and built scalable merger and acquisition and integration platforms. A longtime business leader in Arkansas, he serves on the board of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, previously chaired its political action committee, and formerly served on the board for Ronald McDonald House Arkansas & North Louisiana. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oxford in England and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School in Boston, having completed its owner/president management program.
Lyndsay Carter Chief People Officer
Farmers & Merchants Bank
Lyndsay Carter is chief people officer at Farmers & Merchants Bank of Stuttgart, where she leads the human resources and growth and impact departments. In her role, she focuses on strengthening the bank’s culture, supporting employee development and enhancing the overall team member experience across all markets. Carter joined Farmers & Merchants Bank in 2016 as a corporate executive assistant and was later promoted to chief legal officer. Her leadership background and deep understanding of the organization position her to align people strategies with the bank’s long-term vision. Carter earned a political science degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. She is completing another program at the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin.
Mike Chalenburg VP of Information Systems & Technology and CIO
Harding University
Bailey Clark COO
Flexion Point
Bailey Clark is chief operating officer at Flexion Point in Little Rock. With more than 15 years of experience in accounting, finance and operations, Clark combines technical expertise with a passion for building high-performing teams and scalable business processes. She began her career in public accounting and went on to serve as controller for an Arkansas-based construction company before joining Flexion Point to grow and manage daily operations. As COO, Bailey oversees strategy execution, team development and client operations, ensuring the firm delivers exceptional results while maintaining its core values of relationships first, executing relentlessly and leading with integrity. She takes pride in being a trusted local resource for Arkansas business owners, working to find creative solutions to help them succeed no matter their business need.
Dennis Clay CEO
Crews & Associates
Greg Cockmon CEO
Cromwell Architects Engineers
Greg Cockmon is CEO of Cromwell Architects Engineers, where he leads one of Arkansas’ most established design firms with a focus on innovation, service and strategic growth. A graduate of Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden and the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design in Fayetteville, Cockmon joined Cromwell as an intern in 1989 and has helped shape the firm for more than 35 years. After 12 years as president, Cockmon has led a period of consistent growth; the firm is on pace to exceed 100 percent growth since he became CEO in 2020. He has expanded Cromwell’s geographic reach, including a fast-growing Charlotte, N.C., office, and recruited key team members to strengthen the firm’s position in core markets nationwide and abroad. He remains active in professional and community leadership initiatives across Arkansas.
First Community Bank
Dale Cole is the chairman and CEO of First Community Bank, a locally owned and managed financial institution that opened in 1997 in Batesville and currently operates 34 full-service branches in Arkansas and Missouri. Cole’s career in banking began in 1974 at Texas Bank and Trust Co. in Dallas. He then worked with First National Bank in Marshall, Texas, and became president of Bank of Texas in McKinney in 1983. Cole and his family relocated to Arkansas in 1988, when he was named chairman and CEO of Worthen Banking Corp. in Batesville. Nearly 10 years later, he joined with 153 local investors to form First Community Bank. First Community Bank opened for business at 710 St. Louis St. in Batesville with 14 employees and $3.5 million in capital. Today, it has grown to 650 employees and is proud to be the eighth-largest bank chartered in Arkansas. Cole previously served on the board of trustees at the Barret School of Banking in Memphis, the board of visitors at the University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville, the board of the chamber of commerce and economic development foundation in Batesville, Lyon College Advisory Counsel in Batesville, and the board of White River Medical Center and Future Fuel Chemical Co. in Batesville. Cole and his wife, Gayle, have two children, and their pride and joy are their two grandchildren.
Dr. Steven Collier Founder & CEO
Arcare
Dr. Steven Collier serves as CEO of Arcare. A native of Augusta, he earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock and returned home in 1981 to establish White River Rural Health, the foundation of Arcare. A community physician at heart, Collier built the organization on a simple but powerful vision: accessible health care for every patient, regardless of circumstance. Under his leadership, Arcare has grown to more than 100 locations across Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. He has also served in numerous leadership roles statewide and nationally, advocating for community health and improved access to care.
Andrew Covington CFO
Arkansas Surgical Hospital
Cody Crawford Founder &
Chief Visionary Officer
C.R. Crawford Construction
Drawing on years of experience in the commercial construction industry, Cody Crawford launched C.R. Crawford Construction in Fayetteville in 2006 to deliver a more personalized, client-focused experience. Grounded in integrity, dependability and clarity, he has led the firm’s growth into an industry-leading organization. Now celebrating 20 years in business, C.R. Crawford has completed more than 975 projects across the United States. “This kind of growth takes grit and determination, and I credit it to an exceptional team,” he said. “We built this company to redefine the industry through service and performance. This year is our 20-year milestone, and it’s a testament to the relationships we’ve built and the trust our clients place in us every day.” As chief visionary officer, Crawford drives strategic growth, strengthens client relationships, and champions innovation that benefits employees, partners and owners alike. He has a Bachelor of Science in construction management with a minor in finance and real estate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
M. Lane Crider, CEO
Beaver Water District
Kelly Davis Chief Trust Officer
Farmers & Merchants Bank
Kelly Davis serves as chief trust officer at Farmers & Merchants Bank of Stuttgart, leading the trust and wealth management department from the Morrilton branch. In his role, he oversees fiduciary services and works closely with families and businesses to help protect and grow their financial legacies. Davis brings nearly 15 years of financial services experience, including a decade at the Arkansas State Bank Department, where he most recently served as certified bank examination manager-trust supervisor. His background also includes experience in trust and brokerage operations, as well as time as a licensed financial adviser. A Batesville native, Davis earned a finance degree from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway and lives in Fayetteville.
William “Cody” Decker Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Chief Data Officer
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
William “Cody” Decker serves as vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, providing executive oversight of enrollment management, financial aid, student services, auxiliary operations and institutional analytics. Since 2020, Decker has helped achieve the university’s first enrollment increase in more than 15 years, boosting freshmen, transfer and overall undergraduate enrollment through data-informed strategies, cutting-edge recruitment initiatives and new corporate partnerships. Decker is a member of the Arkansas Academy of Computing, serves on the board of the EAST Initiative and is a graduate of Leadership Arkansas Class XVII. He has a Ph.D. in integrated computing, a master’s in information quality, a Master of Business Administration and multiple industry certifications.
Kerrie Diaz CEO
Snyder Environmental
Marcy Doderer President & CEO
Arkansas Children’s
Mark Doramus CFO
Stephens
Mark Doramus is chief financial officer at Stephens. He began his career as a certified public accountant at Arthur Andersen & Co. in Dallas in 1980. He joined Trammell Crow Co. in Dallas in 1983. In 1988, he joined the corporate finance department at Stephens and, in 1996, was named chief financial officer. He graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis with a degree in economics/business and received his master’s in real estate from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
Maegan Dyson Chief Development Officer
Conway Regional Health System
Maegan Dyson is the chief development officer for Conway Regional Health System, where she is responsible for leading the Conway Regional Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm. The foundation serves central Arkansas by funding the needs of the community through advocacy, strategic relationships and financial support of the Conway Regional Health System. As CDO, Dyson oversees all aspects of the organization’s fundraising efforts and manages the foundation’s relationship with the health system through her role on the executive administrative team. Dyson joined Conway Regional in 2022, coming from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, where she served as assistant vice president for development. In total, she has 15 years of experience in development work, including annual giving and events, major gift fundraising, grant writing and management. She is an alumnus of the Conway Area Leadership Institute and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Leadership Arkansas program. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in marketing and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Arkansas and obtained her Certified Fund Raising Executive certification in 2020.
Steve Edwards CEO
GES
Steve Edwards is chairman and CEO at GES, the Marianna-based company behind Edwards Food Giant and Edwards Cash Saver stores. Steve’s father, Oral Edwards, entered the grocery business as assistant manager of a store in Tennessee in 1959 and, within three years, became part owner of Liberty Supermarket in Forrest City, after which he and his partners opened several more stores, consolidated under the GES umbrella in 1968. Steve started as store manager in 1975 after graduating from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. His wife, Laura, is also involved with the company, as is his son, Steve Jr., and son-in-law, Paul Rowton. Steve Edwards has led the company to incredible growth; down to only three stores at one point in its history as the supermarket landscape shifted to accommodate the rise of industry giants, GES now has 15 locations between its Food Giant and Cash Saver brands. After expanding to Little Rock during the 2010s, Edwards opened or remodeled 12 locations over 15 years.
J. Bradford Eichler COO
Stephens
Brad Eichler is chief operating officer at Stephens, where he oversees the firm’s business divisions, which include Stephens Capital Management, fixed income sales and trading, institutional equities and research, investment banking, private wealth management, and public finance. Eichler works directly with Miles and John Stephens, the company’s Co-CEOs, and serves on the firm’s executive committee. He brings 33 years of experience and a deep appreciation of Stephens’ culture to the role. Prior to his appointment as COO in 2023, Eichler headed Stephens Investment Banking division from 2007. During his tenure, he helped grow Stephens Investment Banking to more than 260 professionals across nine major markets in the U.S. and launched Stephens Europe Limited in London and Frankfurt. Eichler joined Stephens in 1991 as an associate in the firm’s research department. In 1993, he became an analyst covering the property and casualty insurance industry. In 1999, he began to focus on building the firm’s research effort in information technology and services and was named director of research in 2006. He began his career with Merrill Lynch Capital Markets. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and earned the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst in 1995. Eichler serves on the board of directors for the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.
Doug Elms Founder
SafeHaven Security Group
Doug Elms is an expert in behavioral threat assessment and management, executive protection, keeping people safe, and protecting clients’ brands. As a former police officer in what has been known as “the most dangerous small city in America,” Elms gained extraordinary experience understanding violent behavior while managing thousands of violent crime investigations and arrests. Elms was recognized by White House agencies for his work in protective intelligence and dignitary protection during Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign in Little Rock. Elms founded the Risk Intelligence Sharing Consortium and the Violence Prevention Conference of Mid-America. In 2024, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed Elms as a commissioner to the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission.
Julie Embry CEO & COO
EngageMED
Julie Embry serves as chief operating officer at EngageMED in North Little Rock, a physician practice management company focused on helping practices operate more effectively and sustainably. With more than 25 years of experience in health care management, Embry brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach shaped by work across a wide range of care settings. Since joining EngageMED in 2013, Julie has worked closely with physicians and internal teams to support the organization’s steady growth and strengthen client relationships. Under her leadership, EngageMED provides management services, revenue cycle support and operational guidance designed to meet the practical day-to-day needs of today’s health care practices. Her experience includes primary care, specialty and hospital-affiliated environments with particular focus on change management, team development and aligning operational structures with physician priorities.
Kim Eskew Chairman & CEO
Harps Food Stores
Chris Evans President & CEO
Arvest Mortgage
Chris Evans is the president and CEO at Arvest Mortgage Division, a role he stepped into in 2024. With over 25 years of experience in the finance industry, he joined Arvest Bank in 2006 and previously served as director of finance for Arvest for more than a decade. During his tenure, he has led numerous strategic growth initiatives across the organization, including building the bank’s process improvement and intelligent automation program. Evans is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and is a certified public accountant. He also obtained the Certified Strategic Financial Leader designation from Stanford University Graduate School of Business in California.
Boyd Evert CEO
Harvest Revenue Group
Jason Evins CFO
C.R. Crawford Construction
Jason Evins brings more than 20 years of financial, real estate and operational leadership experience to C.R. Crawford Construction in Fayetteville. Since joining the company in 2016, he has played a pivotal role in its tremendous growth, helping position CRCC as the largest construction company headquartered in northwest Arkansas. Under Evins’ financial stewardship, the company has remained debt free, substantially increased bonding capacity, and maintained workforce stability, even during periods of economic uncertainty. Known for his ethical, analytical and people-centered leadership style, Evins ensures the company remains both financially strong and strategically agile. He holds accounting and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and is active in regional civic and alumni leadership organizations. Evins serves as a board member of the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust and is a member of the University of Arkansas Walton College MBA Alumni Advisory Board.
Rebekah Fincher Chief Administrative Officer
Conway Regional Health System
Rebekah Fincher serves as the chief administrative officer at Conway Regional Health System, where she leads strategic growth and business development. She plays a key role in fulfilling the health system’s mission to provide quality health care in central and north central Arkansas. Fincher has helped recruit numerous physicians and led acquisitions, including three primary care clinics and specialty centers in neurology, orthopedics, gastroenterology and maternal-fetal medicine. She also oversees Conway Regional’s graduate medical education programs, offering training opportunities to more than 30 physicians annually. She was named 2019 C.E. Melville Young Administrator of the Year and was recognized as part of AY About You’s “Intriguing Women” in 2020. A community leader, she is involved in multiple civic organizations and has served in leadership roles with the University of Central Arkansas in Conway and Delta Zeta.
Ryan Flynn President
Network Services Group
In 2013, Ryan Flynn was named president of Network Services Group, a company that provides information technology support and voice over internet protocol telephone solutions for many businesses across the state. Under Flynn’s leadership, NSG has grown from 11 employees and a single location in North Little Rock to more than 75 employees and three locations in Arkansas. Flynn also has served as president of the Cabot Rotary Club, two terms on the city council of Cabot, on the Cabot Parks and Recreation Commission, and on the Lonoke County Election Commission.
Greg Fogle COO
Nabholz
Greg Fogle joined Nabholz in 2004 as vice president of project management in Rogers. Over the years, he transitioned to executive vice president of operations and then to regional president. In 2018, he was named chief operating officer. He is a member of the Design Build Institute of America, Associated General Contractors, and Associated Builders and Contractors. A firm believer in community service, Fogle has served as a member of the YMCA of northwest Arkansas, the Bentonville Chamber of Commerce and the board of trustees for the United Methodist Church of Bentonville.
Brian Fowler CEO
Arkansas Surgical Hospital
Traci Fox COO
OrthoArkansas
Traci Fox is chief operating officer at OrthoArkansas, Arkansas’ largest private orthopedic group. With 37 years of health care experience — primarily in orthopedics — she has built her career through a commitment to growth and operational excellence. Beginning on the clinical side, she developed a strong foundation in patient care before expanding into reimbursement and revenue cycle operations. Her passion for learning and leadership guided her ascent to executive leadership. Over her tenure, she has seen two mergers, expanded service lines, opened new locations and, recently, watched as OrthoArkansas broke ground on a new ambulatory surgery center.
Charley Gardner Director of Retirement Plan Services
Meridian Investment Advisors
Charley Gardner serves as director of retirement plan services at Meridian Investment Advisors in Little Rock, where he leads one of the firm’s largest and fastest-growing practice areas. He advises plan sponsors on qualified retirement plans, including 401(k), profit sharing, and 457 and 403(b) plans, providing strategic guidance, fiduciary support and investment oversight. Gardner plays an integral role in strengthening client relationships and advancing the continued growth and development of Meridian’s retirement plan services. Administering retirement plans can be taxing for executive and human resources teams. Gardner’s hands‑on approach emphasizes simplicity, allowing clients to stay focused on their most important goals. A Little Rock native, Gardner earned his degree in accounting at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
Scott Gardner CFO
ACC Capital
Stephanie Gardner Provost & Chief Strategy Officer
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Grant Garrett CEO
Garrett Excavating
Grant Garrett is CEO of Garrett Excavating, a company founded in 1950 in Hot Springs by his grandfather Irvin Garrett. Working alongside his grandfather and father for many years, Grant honed his operational skills, demonstrating his potential to lead the company into the future. After a football career with the Arkansas Razorbacks and a stint in the NFL, Grant and his father, Gilbert Garrett, revived the business in 1999 after Gilbert sold the company in 1997. In 2015, Grant purchased his father’s shares of the business, and as of 2024, Grant and his two partners have rebuilt the culture within Garrett Excavating while expanding the company’s footprint with locations in Benton and Rogers.
Erin K. Gattis CHRO
ArcBest
Erin Gattis is the chief human resources officer at ArcBest. With more than 25 years of experience, she leads the teams responsible for the company’s learning and development and succession planning programs, talent acquisition, employee experience, HR, payroll, benefits, compensation and workforce analytics. She also champions the company’s total well-being and belonging programs. Various corporate governance responsibilities also fall under her leadership. Under Gattis’ guidance, the people at ArcBest have an opportunity to achieve tremendous personal and professional growth, and the company’s customers, partners and other stakeholders benefit. Her dedication to strengthening the company’s values-driven culture has made ArcBest one of the best companies to work for in the nation; career mobility across the company has increased, while turnover remains significantly lower than logistics industry averages.
Bryan Gibbs Chief Support Officer
Conway Regional Health System
Bryan Gibbs, a highly accomplished professional and veteran of the U.S. Navy, brings a disciplined, mission-driven approach to health care administration at Conway Regional Health System as chief support officer. Gibbs began his career at Conway Regional in 2001 as director of materials management. He now oversees supply chain, plant operations, environmental services, safety and security, telecommunications, food and nutrition services, clinical engineering, property management, and all construction and renovation initiatives. Through his extensive experience and steady leadership, Gibbs has played a pivotal role in advancing operational efficiency, supporting organizational growth and enhancing the overall effectiveness of Conway Regional Health System.
William Giles CEO
Magnolia Regional Medical Center
Chris Gosnell President & CEO
Farmers Bank & Trust
Gerald Gregory CEO
Songbyrd Development Enterprises
Veronica Gregory CFO
Songbyrd Development Enterprises
Donna Hall SVP & CFO
Bank of Little Rock
Donna Hall is senior vice president and chief financial officer at Bank of Little Rock, where she oversees financial strategy, regulatory reporting, accounting, human resources and the bank’s asset-liability and interest rate risk-management efforts. She has been a key leader in the bank’s multiyear balance-sheet restructuring, guiding the bank’s capital strategy and long-term financial planning while working side by side with her colleagues to support the bank’s future growth. Hall’s work and leadership were recognized statewide in 2025, when she was named one of Arkansas Money & Politics’ “Top 100 Professionals,” honored as an “Influencer of the Year” recipient and selected for other accolades.
Tammy Hall CFO
Harding University
Jerry Halsey Jr. President & CEO
Halsey Real Estate
Jerry L. Halsey Jr. is president and CEO at Halsey Real Estate, a fourth-generation family business based in Jonesboro. A graduate of Arkansas State University, Halsey recently completed his term on the Arkansas Real Estate Commission, serving as chairman in 2025. He was also appointed to a 10-year term on the Arkansas Highway Commission, where he focuses on strengthening infrastructure and supporting economic growth across the state. Jerry and his wife, Cheri, have two daughters, Taylor and Olivia.
First Orion
Russ Hannah CFO & Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration
Arkansas State University
Jon Harrell CEO & Chairman
Generations Bank
Lynn Hawkins Chief Membership &
Engagement Officer
Arkansas Rural Health Partnership
Lynn Hawkins serves as chief membership and engagement officer at the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, where she is known as one of the organization’s most trusted relationship builders and champions for health care collaboration across Arkansas. Her connection to ARHP runs deeper than a job title. Since 2005, Lynn has worked alongside founder and CEO Mellie Boagni in rural health network development, helping lay the foundation for what ARHP is today. Her loyalty to the organization’s mission, its member organizations and the people behind the work has remained steadfast for two decades. Hawkins leads ARHP’s membership engagement strategy and manages 19 professional roundtables that connect health care leaders statewide, creating trusted spaces for collaboration and shared problem-solving. Known for her humility, consistency and ability to bring people together, Hawkins has spent more than two decades building the relationships that make collaboration possible — and ARHP is stronger and continues to grow because of her leadership.
Adam Head President & CEO
CARTI
Adam Head joined CARTI as president and CEO in 2017. He has served in health care leadership roles for over 20 years, including four as an officer in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps. During his time at CARTI, the organization has experienced an unprecedented statewide expansion, particularly in areas with limited cancer services. As part of its mission to “make trusted cancer care accessible for every patient we serve through compassion, innovation and purpose,” CARTI has grown to 18 locations. Since November 2018 alone, CARTI has opened six cancer centers in Conway, Russellville, North Little Rock, El Dorado, Pine Bluff and Heber Springs, as well as the state’s first cancer-focused surgery center in Little Rock in 2023. He has also overseen the addition of specialty clinics that include CARTI Urology, CARTI Audiology, CARTI Dental, The Breast Center at CARTI and Cancer Genetics and Risk Management, along with enhanced patient support services at The Bridge. Head is passionate about fostering strong teams, shaping a positive culture and improving organizational systems to better serve patients.
Leslie Higgins Chief Programs Officer
U.S. Marshals Museum
Leslie Higgins is the chief programs officer at the U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith and has been with the museum since 2011. She is responsible for overseeing the programs department, including education, exhibits and curatorial, as well as admissions and museum store staff and operations. She has almost 20 years of experience working in museums, including work at the National Archives and Records Administration and the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Higgins received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville in 2003 and her Master of Arts degree in history from Arkansas Tech University in 2006. She also received a Master of Arts in teaching in museum education from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., in 2008.
Kassidy Hill-Howard CEO, Founder & Owner
DJL Health Strategies
Maggie Hogan CFO
Kelley Commercial Partners
Maggie Hogan joined Kelley Commercial Partners in 2006 as a property manager and soon earned her Certified Property Manager designation. Over the years, her portfolio expanded to include commercial and residential assets, including high-profile retail properties. A partner with the firm, Maggie also serves on KCP’s leadership team and as secretary/treasurer of the corporation. She assumed the role of chief financial officer in 2018 and remains an asset manager on several properties. Most recently, Maggie has led KCP’s receivership assignments, utilizing her accounting and management expertise as court-appointed receiver for a large group of residential properties, including approximately 150 single-family homes, and an industrial mining operation. In both matters, she managed operations, accounting, reporting and disposition activities to comply with court orders, including monthly financial preparation, cash flow and expense management, and regular reporting to the court.
Michael Hoggard CFO
Generations Bank
Nicholas “Nic” Horton Founder & CEO
Opportunity Arkansas
Nicholas “Nic” Horton is the founder and CEO of Opportunity Arkansas, a family of nonprofits on a mission to renew the Land of Opportunity by simplifying government and solving generational problems. Since its launch in late 2022, OA has secured 55 policy wins, including more than $1 billion in income tax cuts, the repeal of the state grocery tax and education freedom for nearly 50,000 students. Arkansas’s fastest-growing conservative organization, OA has also earned three national awards for communications and policy achievements. Horton was named to the Arkansas Money & Politics “C-Suite” in 2024 and was honored as the Voice of the American Dream by the Club for Growth Foundation in 2025, among other accolades.
Brock Hoskins President & CEO
Garver
Eric Howerton Chief Growth Officer & Co-Founder
AdFury.ai
Ashley Huneycutt CEO & Co-owner
Beyond Wellness
As CEO and co-owner of Beyond Wellness, Ashley Huneycutt has overseen the founding and expansion of one of the state’s premier health and wellness providers alongside husband and co-owner Matt. Huneycutt’s own experiences with the transformative power of holistic health and root-cause medicine inspired her to leave a stable career in education for the chance to help others as a health care entrepreneur. Beyond Wellness is an all-encompassing health and wellness option for both men and women and offers a full spectrum of personalized services. The Huneycutts opened their first clinic in Lonsdale in 2022 and have since opened two locations in Little Rock, as well as a Rogers clinic coming soon.
Jeff Hunnicutt CEO
Highlands Oncology Group
Quincy Hurst VP & COO
Superior Senior Care
Kevan Inboden COO
Beaver Water District
Amanda Irby CNO
Conway Regional Health System
Amanda Irby brings 26 years of nursing experience, 24 of those years spent at Conway Regional. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Harding University in Searcy in 1998 and her Master of Health Care Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2023. Throughout her career, Irby has excelled in various roles. She has served as a clinical nurse in the emergency department, followed by director of emergency and critical care services, the outpatient interventional unit and the progressive care unit. Irby was instrumental in implementing and leading the trauma and stroke program at Conway Regional and also served as interim director for women’s and infants’ services. She played a key role in the development of critical care units and served as interim chief nursing officer before officially stepping into the CNO position in 2024. As CNO, she oversees all nursing divisions, guiding directors and managers while also managing financial matters, improving quality outcomes and enhancing patient care.
Phillip Jett CEO
Encore Bank
Kyron Jones CEO (incoming)
Academics Plus Charter Schools
The Academics Plus Charter Schools Board of Trustees has named Kyron Jones as its next CEO effective July 1. A lifelong educator, Jones has served as chief operating officer since 2018 and brings nearly three decades of experience supporting students, teachers and families. He began his career as a classroom teacher and has since served as a mathematics specialist, assistant principal, principal and state-level school improvement leader. Jones is a proud alumnus of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, where he earned multiple degrees. He believes strong, positive relationships are at the heart of student success and that every child deserves meaningful opportunities and genuine encouragement and should be surrounded by adults who are fully invested in their growth.
Lenesha Jones SVP of Human Resources & Chief People Officer
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas
William “Gerry” Jones Chief Medical Officer
CHI St. Vincent
Vic Kennett Founder & CEO
Kerusso
Michael Kirkpatrick CEO
Kirkpatrick Creative
Dylan Lamprecht CFO
Garrett Excavating
Dylan Lamprecht joined the team at Garrett Excavating in 2020 and rose swiftly to the leadership position of chief financial officer. He drives the company’s financial strategy with a keen eye for sustainability and growth. His expertise in financial planning and dedication to operational excellence ensure that every decision GarrettX makes builds a stronger, more resilient future for the company and its clients. Lamprecht received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accounting from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. With his attention to detail, Lamprecht has a keen eye for streamlining financial operations and securing future financials. In his downtime, Lamprecht enjoys riding horses and spending time with his wife and dogs.
Jennifer Lancaster Founder
Cornerstone Law Firm
Jennifer M. Lancaster is the founder and managing partner of Cornerstone Law Firm, a full-service firm specializing in areas such as bankruptcy, estate planning, family and business law. Additionally skilled in civil rights law and election law, Lancaster is best known for successfully suing Hunter Biden for child support and representing President Donald Trump in challenging the 2020 election results. Lancaster has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers magazine, “Woman of the Year” by Women’s Own Worth and Top 10 in Client Satisfaction by the American Association of Personal Injury Attorneys, in addition to being listed among Arkansas Money & Politics’ “Power Women.” She is also the founder of the Lancaster Animal Project, as well as founder and CEO of conservative nonprofit Arkansas 1st.
Steve Landers Jr. President
Interstate Holdings Blockchain
Little Rock native Steve Landers Jr. is the owner and president of Interstate Holdings Blockchain, which is based in Bryant and Sarasota, Florida. Interstate’s portfolio includes multiple blockchain and crypto mine operations in Arkansas, the award-winning Warfield Distillery in Idaho, Cowboy Chevrolet GMC in Hot Springs, Leis Creek Cattle Co., bitcoin mining fund Southern Block Capital, and various real estate investments. He and his wife, Karmen, have been married for 25 years and have three children.
Ricky Lattin COO
Garrett Excavating
Ricky Lattin joined as a partner and chief operating officer at Garrett Excavating in 2022. He helps drive growth and operational excellence with his strategic vision and industry expertise, ensuring GarrettX consistently exceeds standards across both regions. As COO, Lattin assists in finding innovative solutions that strengthen the company’s capacity to deliver exceptional projects and boost community impact. Lattin has racked up a lengthy and impressive list of achievements and qualifications including 6 Sigma & Lean Green Belt, as well as completing the CAT Executive Leadership Program. Outside of work, Lattin enjoys spending time with his wife, Sandy, on their farm. Oftentimes, he can be found riding horses with his wife and enjoying the outdoors.
Jeremy Lawson Co-CEO
Luxury Pool & Spa
Shane Lawson Co-CEO
Luxury Pool & Spa
Tameka Lee Chief Communications & Engagement Officer
Central Arkansas Library System
Jennifer Lester COO
Moses Tucker Partners
Tabi Lipscomb President & CEO
Arvest Trust
Tabi Lipscomb is the president and CEO at Arvest Trust. She also serves as Arvest Trust’s chief fiduciary and risk officer, bringing more than 30 years of experience to her role. She joined Arvest in 2008 and previously served as chief fiduciary and risk officer and regional trust manager for Arvest Wealth Management locations across Arkansas and Missouri. Lipscomb is a graduate of Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville. She is also a graduate of Cannon Trust School and holds the Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor designation, as well as her Accredited Estate Planner designation awarded by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils.
Veronica Love CEO
Home Health Care Agency of Arkansas
Ann Madea EVP & CIP
Simmons Bank
Ann Madea serves as executive vice president and chief information officer at Simmons Bank and is responsible for the bank’s overall information technology strategy and operations. With more than 25 years of experience in banking and technology, Madea has held numerous leadership roles, primarily focusing on strategy, execution, operational agility, emerging technology and business transformation. Prior to joining Simmons in 2021, Madea worked at HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations, where she served as executive vice president and U.S. chief information officer. Madea has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Kimberly Markland President & CEO
Bank of Little Rock
Kim Markland serves as president and CEO at Bank of Little Rock, where she leads with a people-first approach and a deep commitment to strengthening community banking in Arkansas. With more than three decades of experience, Markland has helped guide the bank through a period of meaningful transformation, working closely with her leadership team to reshape the balance sheet, reinvest in technology, and deliver a banking experience that blends high-tech convenience with high-touch service. Markland’s dedication to the industry and her community has been recognized across the state. She serves on the boards of the Arkansas Community Bankers Association and Barret School of Banking in Memphis.
Brian Marsh President & CEO
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas
Janet Marshall Chief Development Officer
Baptist Health Foundation
Janet Marshall, a native of Wynne, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University in Texas. She began her professional fundraising career with Baptist Health Foundation and has worked as vice president of development at Easter Seals Arkansas; executive director at Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute; vice president of development at The Methodist Foundation of Arkansas; and membership administrator at the Arkansas Bar Association before returning to BHF in 2023. She became chief development officer in December 2024. Marshall is a member of the P.E.O. Arkansas Chapter and Chapter AL, as well as the Arkansas alumnae chapter of Alpha Chi Omega, having served on the executive committee of both organizations and on the state board of P.E.O. Arkansas Chapter. She is a member of Rotary Club 99 in Little Rock.
Aaron McDonnel COO
C.R. Crawford Construction
Aaron McDonnel is the driving force behind the operational excellence and rapid market expansion at C.R. Crawford Construction in Fayetteville. Since joining the company in 2021, he has leveraged deep expertise in preconstruction and general contracting to streamline project lifecycle and exceed aggressive delivery benchmarks. Known for his steady, collaborative leadership style, McDonnel aligns people and processes to ensure clarity, accountability and seamless project transitions from bidding to completion. His focus on quality, efficiency and relationship building has helped position the company for continued growth, and he has a commitment to turning every client into a repeat client. McDonnel has a Bachelor of Science in construction management from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Kevin McGilton President & CEO
Riceland Foods
Stuart McLendon CEO
Flexion Point
A central Arkansas native, Stuart McLendon has spent his professional career helping other leaders achieve their goals through specialized support in leadership, finance and accounting. While serving as chief financial officer at DYNE Hospitality Group, McLendon recognized a widening gap between the number of open finance and human resources positions and the talent available to fill them. Taking a cue from successful fractional staffing approaches in areas such as information technology and marketing, he founded Flexion Point in Little Rock to address the growing demand in his own area of expertise.
Ron Meijerink SVP & COO
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas
James A. Rogers Excavating,
McHenry & Meyer Companies
Chris Meyer has served as president and CEO of James A. Rogers Excavating since purchasing the company from his grandfather, James A. Rogers Sr., in 2016. Founded in 1962, the company has always striven for perfection, and that same spirit is at the root of the company’s ideology today. The third generation of company leadership, Meyer got his start in the field with the James A. Rogers team in 2006. Under his leadership, the business has expanded around the state, acquiring Hot Springs quarry operation McHenry Companies, now McHenry & Meyer Companies, and utilities infrastructure company NOEC Construction. Meyer sits on the industry advisory board for construction management at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is a highway division member for the Associated General Contractors of Arkansas.
Fran Miceli CFO
Small Wealth Management
Tina Miles CFO
Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners
Tina Miles has more than 25 years of accounting and financial leadership experience across private business, manufacturing, service and nonprofit sectors. As chief financial officer at Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners, she leads the company’s financial strategy, reporting, and operational performance, supporting one of the region’s leading commercial real estate firms through continued growth and expansion. Her disciplined, forward-looking approach ensures strong fiscal stewardship and long-term stability. Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners, Miles spent 10 years as CFO at BioBased Technologies and began her career as an auditor at Schneider Downs in Pittsburgh.
Jim Minor VP & COO
Baldwin & Shell Construction Co.
Jim Minor has been part of Baldwin & Shell Construction Co. since 1994, although his connection to the company began much earlier through his father’s long history with Baldwin & Shell dating back to the late 1940s. Minor has served as a project coordinator, project manager and senior project manager, later becoming vice president of the northwest Arkansas team and joining the board of directors in 2016. In 2018, he was named corporate vice president and chief operating officer. What stands out most about Minor is his genuine and encouraging personality. Even in senior leadership, he remains approachable and easy to talk to. He treats everyone with respect and makes each person feel valued.
Janet Moore COO
Stone Bank
Janet Moore joined Stone Bank in 2019 and now oversees deposit operations, loan operations and treasury management. She is a career banker dating back to 1979 after graduating from the University of Tennessee. In 2024, she oversaw a bank core conversion and the physical relocation of the company’s corporate office in Little Rock. Despite unexpected “curveballs” along the way, she worked to ensure an effective transition while minimizing disruption in service. Moore is all about the team and stays focused on leading and retaining her staff.
Chuck Morgan President & CEO
Relyance Bank
Chris Moses President &CEO
Moses Tucker Partners
Jake Nabholz CEO
Nabholz
As Nabholz’s CEO for the past four years, Jake Nabholz has encouraged the company’s growth across its regional footprint, while still maintaining its core values. Nabholz is employee- and family-owned, a trait that he preserves by emphasizing the growth of every employee. He puts training and professional development at the forefront to ensure that the people of Nabholz are growing right alongside the company. Nabholz is also passionate about the growth in his community, currently serving on the boards for Arkansas Children’s Foundation, Conway Development Corporation and First Security Bank. He previously served on the board of directors for ACANSA Arts Festival, Rotary Foundation, Conway Corp. and Broken Arrow Economic Development. He has also served on the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton Board of Visitors and the board of trustees at Philander Smith College in Little Rock.
Abhi Nyatee CFO &
Chief Transformation Officer
Rock Dental Brands
Abhi Nyatee joined Rock Dental Brands in 2025 to lead strategic operational improvements across its 110 clinics. Serving as both chief financial officer and chief transformation officer, Nyatee integrated business intelligence, financial planning and analysis, and information technology, creating a data-driven operating model that accelerates decision making and maximizes impact for patients, providers and staff. Committed to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and personal growth, he champions people as the company’s greatest asset and data as its second. Embracing automation and artificial intelligence as strategic enablers, he has helped the company streamline administrative tasks without any workforce reduction. Guided by the motto, “We serve those who serve our patients,” Nyatee’s dual-benefit approach returns time to providers so they can prioritize patients, ultimately raising patient volumes, enhancing net promoter scores and creating a future-ready organization.
Tim O’Donnell CFO
Northwest Arkansas National Airport
Tim O’Donnell joined the Northwest Arkansas National Airport in Bentonville in 2019 as chief financial officer. Previously, he served as vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He was a member of the chancellor’s executive committee and had oversight of a total budget of more than $800 million. Prior to joining the UA in 2013, O’Donnell was vice president and treasurer of Southwestern Energy Co. in Fayetteville until the company relocated to Houston. He spent 22 years at Southwestern and had numerous financial positions with the company. He has also worked in commercial real estate and public accounting in his career. He is an inactive certified public accountant and a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Arkansas Society of CPAs. O’Donnell was formerly on the board of the Walton Arts Center Foundation and Washington County Historical Society, and is currently on the board of The University of Arkansas Foundation. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from the University of Iowa.
Dan Oberste President & CEO
BSR REIT
Dan Oberste serves as president and CEO at BSR REIT. Prior to his current role, Oberste served as president and chief investment officer at BSR and its predecessor, BSR Trust. Oberste earned his undergraduate degree from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law. He recently served as chairman of the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College Foundation in North Little Rock and chairman of the board at Good Shepherd Community in Little Rock. Last year, Oberste orchestrated the second-largest business deal in the state of Arkansas, a $618.5 million transaction with AvalonBay Communities in which BSR sold a third of its apartment portfolio and reinvested the proceeds into newer apartment communities in high-growth Texas markets.
Beau Odom CEO
Professional Computer Services Inc.
John Olaimey President & CEO
Southern Bancorp Bank
Kyle Parker President & CEO
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Kyle Parker, who has a Juris Doctor, is president and CEO of the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in Fort Smith and the visionary behind its rapid growth into a nationally recognized health sciences institution. He led the creation of ACHE’s academic programs, a 542-acre health and wellness park, the mixed-use Heritage community, and the ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness Center, advancing an integrated model of education, health care and community development in Fort Smith. A pioneer in legal technology before entering higher education, Parker developed the first artificial intelligence software copyrighted for the legal profession, launched the first legal CD-ROM, and founded loislaw.com, one of the earliest searchable legal research websites. As founder and CEO of Law Office Information Systems, he took the company public on NASDAQ before its acquisition by Wolters Kluwer. Throughout his career, Parker has been recognized nationally for innovation, entrepreneurship and transformative leadership across technology, business and higher education.
Carrie Phillips CCMO
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Carrie Phillips serves as chief communications and marketing officer at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she provides strategic leadership for the university’s brand, reputation, and enrollment marketing efforts. Since joining the institution, she has helped guide a comprehensive repositioning that contributed to the university’s strongest enrollment in 15 years, reversing a long-term decline. She has led enterprise-level initiatives including a full website transformation, modernization of crisis communications, expanded national media visibility, and alignment of marketing strategy with a historic comprehensive campaign now nearing $240 million. Under her leadership, UA Little Rock strengthened its brand clarity, increased statewide and national presence, and advanced messaging centered on student success and workforce impact. Phillips is known for pairing bold vision with disciplined execution to drive measurable institutional growth.
Mike Preston CEO
CDI Contractors
Carrie Price SVP & Chief Marketing Officer
First Community Bank
Carrie Price is senior vice president and chief marketing officer at First Community Bank, where she leads strategic marketing, branding and communications across the bank’s multistate footprint. She has 21 years of experience in banking, marketing, public relations and community development. Since joining First Community Bank in 2021, Price has led efforts to strengthen the bank’s brand strategy, support growth in both existing and new markets, and align messaging with the bank’s community-first focus. During her tenure, the bank’s assets have grown from $1.81 billion to $3.42 billion. Price serves on the University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville Foundation Board and the Independence County Education Foundation. She is an avid supporter of parent-teacher organizations and athletic programs at her children’s schools, as well as local nonprofits, and is a tireless volunteer in various community outreach efforts. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Gary Proffitt VP & COO
GES
Gary Proffitt of Cabot has been promoted from vice president of operations to vice president and chief operating officer at GES, the parent company of Edwards Food Giant and Edwards Cash Saver. Proffitt has spent 30 years at GES and played a key role in the company’s expansion into central Arkansas. Proffitt began his grocery career at age 16, gaining experience at independent grocers before joining Food 4 Less, where he advanced to store manager and later led Little Rock’s Megamarket. He was recruited by wholesaler Malone & Hyde, which became Fleming Foods, where he served as a retail counselor working with grocery operators to improve store performance. While calling on GES in that role, Proffitt was hired in 1996 as the company’s store supervisor. His combined retail and wholesale expertise helped guide GES’ growth from three to 15 supermarkets across Arkansas. Proffitt currently serves as a board member and chairman of the Arkansas Tobacco Control Board and has contributed to several city of Little Rock advisory committees focused on combating hunger and eliminating food deserts. He is also a former board member and past president of the Central Arkansas Executives Association and has been named as one of AY About You’s “Men of Distinction.”
Trisha Rackley CEO
Arkansas Extended Care Hospital
Cindy Reed CFO
CBM Construction
James Reed CIO
Conway Regional Health System
James Reed is chief information officer at Conway Regional Health System. A highly accomplished professional, Reed earned his Doctor of Pharmacy in 2002 and his Master of Business Administration in 2011. He is also a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Reed has been a dedicated member of the Conway Regional team since 2012, though his association with the health system began in 1997 when he worked as a pharmacy technician. In his current role, Reed oversees the operations of the information technology department and manages several clinical areas, including pharmacy, respiratory therapy, lab, radiology, quality and risk management. His extensive experience and leadership have significantly contributed to the advancement and efficiency of Conway Regional Health System’s operations.
JimBob Reynolds EVP & Chief Credit Officer
AgHeritage Farm Credit Services
JimBob Reynolds is executive vice president and chief credit officer at AgHeritage Farm Credit Services. Reynolds grew up on a family farm in Dalhart, Texas. He has a Bachelor of Arts in agricultural economics and finance from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and he has completed the Graduate School of Banking at Texas Tech. He has a total of 32 years in banking, and 15 of those years have been within the Farm Credit System. Reynolds is married to his wife, Thedra, and has two daughters and five grandchildren.
Amy Rice CFO
Saline Memorial
Butch Rice CEO
Stallion Transportation Group
Paul Rowton President
GES
Paul Rowton of Harrisburg was named president of GES, the parent company of Edwards Food Giant and Edwards Cash Saver, after most recently serving as executive vice president and chief financial officer. A graduate of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Rowton has built a distinguished career in both business and community leadership. He currently serves on the board of trustees of the Arkansas State University System and the Baptist Memorial Health Care System and is a board member of the National Grocers Association. Rowton has also served six terms as chairman of the Arkansas Retailers Association. Rowton is a graduate of Leadership Arkansas Class I, sponsored by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, and has been recognized in numerous local publications. His community involvement includes service as a board member and former president of the Harrisburg Rotary Club, where he is also a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. Rowton joined GES in 2002 as a store manager in Harrisburg after working as a district sales manager at Hershey Foods. His leadership and operational expertise helped propel him quickly through the company’s ranks.
ArcBest
Seth Runser is president and CEO at ArcBest. With nearly two decades of experience, he brings deep operational expertise and a customer-led approach to driving growth, efficiency and innovation across the organization. Focused on building better supply chains, Runser leads strategic initiatives that simplify logistics, improve service performance, and create long-term value for customers and shareholders. Runser began his career at ArcBest in 2007 as an ABF Freight Management Trainee and advanced through key operations and leadership roles. He was named president of ABF Freight in 2021 and president of ArcBest in 2024, guiding teams through disruption and modernizing operations. He became CEO and was appointed to the ArcBest Board of Directors effective Jan. 1, 2026. Runser serves on several industry and community boards and has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Kent State University in Ohio.
August Rusher Chief Credit Officer
Generations Bank
Scott Sanders EVP & CFO
Summit Utilities
Scott Sanders is executive vice president and chief financial officer at Summit Utilities, where he leads the company’s financial strategy, planning and performance. Sanders has more than a decade of experience in investment banking, advising and raising capital for clients in the utilities and renewables sectors. He began his career as a regulator at the California Public Utilities Commission, working as an electric and natural gas utility policy advisor to the commission president. Prior to joining Summit, he co-founded New Infrastructure Advisors, a boutique financial advisory firm focused on the renewable energy sector. Sanders has served as a senior member in the Power Group in investment banking at Citigroup. In addition to investment banking, he has consulting experience, having worked for Deloitte Consulting’s utility practice. Sanders earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear and chemical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Colleen Sarkar CFO
Beaver Water District
Fred Scarborough EVP & Chief Development Officer
Arkansas Children’s
Janell Schmidt CHRO
Lexicon
Janell Schmidt is chief human resources officer at Lexicon, one of Arkansas’ largest private companies, boasting more than 3,000 employees nationwide. She oversees talent recruitment, workforce development and employee engagement across Lexicon’s multisite operations. With 25 years of industrial HR experience, including 15 at Fortune 500 companies, Schmidt has a proven record of building strong cultures and high-performing teams. Since joining Lexicon in 2024, she has led initiatives to enhance employee well-being, expand benefits and launch the company’s Strong as Steel: Building Mental Might campaign. A veteran of the U.S. Army and the Kansas Army National Guard, Schmidt is also a champion for the skilled trades workforce — the backbone of Lexicon’s industries — ensuring employees’ contributions and voices are recognized.
Jeremy Schreckhise VP & CIO
Summit Utilities
Jeremy Schreckhise is vice president and chief information officer at Summit Utilities. He has more than 25 years of experience guiding organizations through growth, transformation and operational modernization in highly regulated, infrastructure-intensive environments. Schreckhise has a Bachelor of Science in computer information science from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and a Master of Business Administration in leadership and ethics from John Brown University in Siloam Springs. He has served in long-standing advisory and governance roles and multiple committees within national natural gas industry associations. His professional credentials include Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Information Security Manager, CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner, and Certified Ethical Hacker. Alongside his executive career and lifelong pattern of leadership, Schreckhise has served as an adjunct faculty member and curriculum developer, designing and teaching undergraduate and graduate-level courses in programming, database management, financial mathematics and technology.
Patrick Schueck CEO
Lexicon
Patrick Schueck is CEO of Lexicon, a leading provider of construction management, fabrication, erection, mechanical installation, golf course construction and plant management services. Under his guidance, Lexicon was named to Engineering News-Record’s prestigious 2025 “Top 600 Specialty Contractors” rankings. Lexicon ranked No. 40 in overall specialty contractors and No. 3 in steel. Schueck is very active in his civic and industry affairs, sitting on a number of boards both locally and nationally. In 2025, Schueck guided Lexicon’s transition to an employee stock ownership plan. He is married to Jessica Crowson Schueck and has four children.
Daryl Seaton President & CEO
Sowell Management
Vince Signorelli Founder & CEO
Vulcan Pickleball
Brad Sikorski President & CEO
Excellerate Foundation
Todd Simmons CEO & Co-vice Chair
Simmons Foods
Shelley Simpson CEO
J.B. Hunt
Jim Sliker CEO
Central States
Jim Smith President & CEO
Keith Smith Co.
Les W. Smith SVP & Chief of Staff
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Les W. Smith serves as senior vice president and chief of staff at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in Fort Smith, where he plays a key leadership role in institutional strategy, operations and growth. Since joining ACHE in 2019 as chief business strategy officer, Smith has helped guide the organization’s continued expansion and was promoted to his current role in 2024. Prior to ACHE, Smith built a more than 20-year career at Arvest Bank, beginning as a college teller and rising through the organization to executive vice president and loan manager. His extensive experience in finance, lending, construction and real estate provides strategic insight that supports ACHE’s long-term development initiatives. He serves on several community boards, including the board of directors for Mercy Health Fort Smith Communities. He has a Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and a graduate banking and finance degree from Louisiana State University.
Payton Smith COO
Metro Disaster Specialists
Payton Smith is chief operating officer at Metro Disaster Specialists, a family-owned and locally operated restoration and reconstruction company based in North Little Rock. A third-generation leader, he helps carry forward the company’s 47-year legacy of serving all 75 Arkansas counties as a licensed general contractor. Payton began working at Metro in high school and college and advanced into leadership before becoming COO in 2018. He holds the Certified Restorer designation and oversees the restoration division and marketing department. He served as the 2025 chairman of the North Little Rock Chamber and on several statewide industry and community boards.
Taylor Speegle President & CEO
Northwest Arkansas Food Bank
Jo Spencer CFO
Central Arkansas Library System
Katie Spencer Owner
The Polish Agency
Katie Spencer is owner of The Polish Agency, a woman-owned, full-service marketing firm specializing in brand development, social media strategy, website design and paid advertising. Since taking the reins, Spencer has led the agency’s growth into a five-person team serving more than 30 ongoing clients across Arkansas and beyond. Under her leadership, Polish operates as both a strategic partner and, for many businesses, a fully outsourced marketing department, coordinating campaigns, managing multilocation brands, and ensuring every touchpoint is polished, cohesive and results driven. Spencer is a proud alumna of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and is deeply committed to investing in northeast Arkansas. She regularly sponsors local events and donates services to initiatives that strengthen the business community and help the region thrive. Her commitment to growth extends to downtown Jonesboro, where she purchased a historic building with a long-term vision in mind. She is thoughtfully redeveloping the space to bring the Polish approach to life — creating something vibrant, lasting and community centered that contributes to the continued revitalization of downtown and offers a place the entire community can enjoy.
John Stephens Co-CEO
Stephens
John Stephens was appointed Co-CEO at Stephens in January 2025. Stephens most recently served as a managing director and member of the family advisory services group at Stephens. Prior to that role, he was an associate director of Stephens Europe, where he has served on the management committee since 2019, and previously had been part of the consumer investment banking team at Stephens in New York. He began his career as an equity analyst for Stephens Investment Management Group, based in Houston. As an analyst, he assisted four portfolio managers across all industry sectors in their research of small and mid-cap domestic growth equities. Stephens is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and received his Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School in New York. He serves on the investment committee for Firethorn Trust, a London-based real estate firm. Stephens also earned the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst.
Miles Stephens Co-CEO
Stephens
Miles Stephens was appointed Co-CEO at Stephens in January 2025. Stephens had been the president and CEO of Stephens Insurance before becoming Co-CEO at Stephens. Prior to his role at Stephens Insurance, Stephens served as a senior vice president in the investment banking division of Stephens, where he advised mid- to large-sized businesses with a focus on the energy and auto retail sectors. Before joining Stephens, he served in research positions at Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management and Lehman Brothers. Stephens is a graduate of Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and received his Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School in New York. He is currently a director at Vanguard Truck Centers.
Christine Tan COO
SupplyPike
Jason Taylor EVP & CFO
First Community Bank
Jason Taylor serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer at First Community Bank, bringing more than 24 years of dedicated service to the organization. In his role, Taylor oversees the bank’s financial strategy, reporting, and long-term fiscal planning, helping ensure continued strength, stability and responsible growth across all markets. Under his financial leadership, the bank’s total assets have grown to $3.42 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025. Taylor earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1999 and his Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 1996. He is also a graduate of the Barret School of Banking in Memphis and the Moore Graduate School of Bank Investments and Financial Management, reflecting his commitment to ongoing professional development and excellence in financial leadership. Throughout his career, Taylor has played a key role in supporting First Community Bank’s mission of serving customers with integrity, sound judgment and personalized service. His steady leadership and deep institutional knowledge have contributed significantly to the bank’s sustained success. Outside of work, Taylor enjoys spending time with his wife and cheering on their children, Kennedi and Steele, at sporting events.
Wes Taylor CEO
NWA Steel
John Teeter President & CEO
C.R. Crawford Construction
Since being named president and CEO in 2021, John Teeter has led C.R. Crawford Construction in Fayetteville with a disciplined, client-centered approach that has fueled company growth and strengthened market position. He joined the company in 2017 as vice president of project management, drawing on his engineering background and deep technical knowledge to ensure precision, performance and long-term value for clients. Under his leadership, the company expanded operations, elevated standards and fostered a culture of accountability and excellence, earning national recognition including ranking in the Engineering News-Record “Top 400 Contractors” list. As the company enters its 20th-anniversary year, Teeter continues to provide steady direction and strategic focus that positions CRCC for sustained growth and long-term success. A civil engineering graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, he is a registered professional engineer and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional. His leadership is grounded in a commitment to developing strong teams and advancing the success of the individuals and organizations in his sphere of influence.
Lenore Trammell Chief Administrative Officer,
Chief Compliance Officer & General Counsel
Big River Steel
Lenore Trammell joined Big River Steel in 2014, as chief compliance officer and general counsel. In 2019, while maintaining her other roles, she was elevated to chief administrative officer. Trammell also serves on Big River Steel’s executive committee and is the executive sponsor for the employee resource group, NextGen. Trammell’s career in metals began in sales and pricing at Rouge Steel. After serving in the pricing and sales area, she was appointed assistant general counsel. As the company became Severstal Dearborn, Trammell was accountable for legal matters affecting the organization and its other North American affiliates. Her responsibilities included serving as a trusted advisor for legal matters having a direct impact on the course of business, including the management of day-to-day corporate expansion and supervision of outside counsel. Trammell also managed contract drafts, negotiation and implementation of a $1.3 billion capital expenditure program, including a $100 million capital equipment purchase contract, and saved the company more than $5 million by negotiating business solutions for potential liability claims. She was also named director of maintenance, repair and operations procurement, managing a team that supported operations in excess of $100 million in MRO spend annually.
Matt Troup President & CEO
Conway Regional Health System
Matt Troup has served as president and CEO at Conway Regional Health System for more than 10 years. Under his leadership, Conway Regional achieved an 83rd-percentile employee engagement score in 2025 and maintained a voluntary turnover rate of just 9.88 percent with physician engagement reaching 4.34 out of 5. Conway Regional has also seen historical growth in net revenue that remained above 20 percent from 2020 to 2022. Troup views health care as a faith-driven calling — reflected in how he interacts with his team daily. Staff from every facet of the health system are inspired to be bold, exceptional and to answer their calling to help others. Conway Regional has earned best-place-to-work honors for nine consecutive years in Arkansas and eight consecutive years nationally. Troup has been married to his wife, Melissa, for 33 years, and together, they have four sons: Bucky, Barrett, Duncan and Gabriel.
Gary Troutman President & CEO
Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce,
Hot Springs Metro Partnership
Gary Troutman is president and CEO at the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and Hot Springs Metro Partnership. He serves as the Arkansas director for the Southern Economic Development Council and is a board of regent for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s institute at the University of Arizona. Troutman leads one of only four five-star chambers in Arkansas and one of only two accredited economic development organizations in the state. He was named the Chamber Executive of the Year in 2025 by AEDCE, and the Hot Springs chamber is the two-time reigning Chamber of the Year by AY About You.
Jim Tull Chief Strategy Officer
Crafton Tull
Richard Tyler CHRO
Conway Regional Health System
Richard Tyler has more than 43 years of human resources experience, including 18 years as chief human resources officer at Conway Regional Health System. He is a senior professional in human resources and a licensed attorney with 33 years of experience focusing on employment discrimination law. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Hendrix College in Conway, as well as a Master of Public Administration and Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Tyler is a past president of the Arkansas Healthcare Human Resources Association and the Arkansas Industry Liaison Group and remains active in professional and community service organizations.
Kris Upton President & CEO
RPM Group
Stephan Van Der Merwe President & CEO
iHawl Land Specialist
Stephen Wallace CIO
University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
Chad Ware CFO
Central States
Doug Wasson CEO
Kinco Constructors
Joel Webb VP & Chief Technology Officer
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Joel Webb serves as vice president and chief technology officer at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in Fort Smith, where he leads the institution’s long-term technology strategy and ensures technical excellence across campus. With more than 25 years of experience, Webb brings deep expertise in infrastructure, cloud technologies, cybersecurity and disaster recovery to support ACHE’s continued growth and innovation. Before joining ACHE, Webb was information technology director at USA Capacity Solutions, where he delivered advanced technology solutions that supported continuous operations across North America. He also served in key technology roles at the United States District Court and as federal public defender for the Western District of Arkansas, where he led strategic next-generation infrastructure initiatives. Webb has a Master of Science in information technology management from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Science in business information systems from John Brown University in Siloam Springs. He maintains multiple industry certifications, including Microsoft, Dell, Cisco, VMware and ITIL, reflecting his commitment to technical excellence and forward-looking leadership.
Steven Webb President & CEO
White River Health
Steven Webb is president and CEO at White River Health, an independent nonprofit health care system serving north-central Arkansas. As a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Webb brings nearly 20 years of operational leadership experience and a strong commitment to improving health care access in rural communities. Webb earned a bachelor’s degree from East Texas Baptist University and a master’s degree in health service administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Webb prioritizes treating others with respect, building strong teams and delivering high-quality results. In his role as president and CEO of White River Health, Webb focuses on advancing access, strengthening clinical services and supporting teams dedicated to delivering reliable, patient-centered care across the region each day while promoting the values of the organization. His leadership has consistently produced positive outcomes in finance, quality, patient satisfaction and outreach.
Mindy West President & CEO
Murphy USA
Amber White CEO & Principal Broker
White Stone Real Estate
Casey Willis CEO
St. Mary’s Regional Health System
Sarah Willis CNO
Arkansas Surgical Hospital
Jennifer Wilson-Harvey CFO
Attorney’s Title Group
Kecia Wolf President & CEO
Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative/Four States Fiber
Jennifer Yarberry CNO
Pinnacle Pointe Hospital
Randy Zook President & CEO
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
Associated Industries of Arkansas
Randy Zook is president and CEO at the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas. A few of his accomplishments during his tenure include strengthening the brand of the state chamber, increasing membership, leading two successful ballot issue campaigns and refocusing attention on the workforce development system in the state. He is currently serving on the boards of the Arkansas Public School Resource Center, Economics Arkansas, McGehee Farm & Real Estate Co., and the Arkansas Economic Development Foundation. He was recently appointed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to the 2030 Complete Count Committee.
