AMP closes out another year by focusing a spotlight on women in Arkansas who are setting themselves apart in the worlds of business and politics. These AMP Power Women for 2022 were nominated by readers, and each has blazed a trail, exhibited outstanding leadership or enhanced her company’s performance. We’re proud to recognize these Power Women.
President, SixtyOne Celsius
Stephanie Alderdice is president and primary shareholder of SixtyOne Celsius, a full service, full-stack creative communications agency headquartered in Hot Springs. She has served on the boards of the Hot Springs Area Community Foundation, the Hot Springs National Park Rotary Club and the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. She is excited to join the Friends of KLRE/KUAR Board in 2023. Alderdice is also a member of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Arkansas Class XIV, the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and Hot Springs Fifty for the Future, among others. Alderice holds a master’s in communication from Eastern Michigan University. As a national championship coach with the Western Kentucky University Forensics Team, she was honored with being named a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.
Director, Little Rock Zoo
Susan Altrui is the director of the Little Rock Zoo, an organization committed to inspiring people to value and conserve our natural world. The Zoo is one of Arkansas’s largest family attractions and an important destination for recreation and tourism. As the director, Altrui guides the care of more than 400 animals, ensures that the Zoo maintains its accreditation with the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and directs the overall strategic vision of the organization. Under Altrui’s leadership, the Little Rock Zoo has more than doubled its annual revenue earnings and tripled its fundraising efforts with the Arkansas Zoological Foundation, a non-profit raising funds for the growth and development of the Zoo. Altrui helped secure the largest private gift in the Zoo’s history and most recently led an effort to secure a $12 million dollar bond for new capital investment in the Zoo.
Jade Anuszek
Co-founder and President,
Arkansas Solar Power, Inc.
Sarah Bailey
Principal Broker/Owner,
Bailey & Company Real Estate
Real estate is Sarah Bailey’s passion, and she loves working with her clients to list and sell their homes. She began her real estate career in 2003 as an agent and became a managing broker in 2006. Now as founder, owner and principal broker of Bailey & Company Real Estate, she is helping a new generation of successful agents accomplish even more while staying front and center with the industry’s latest innovations. Bailey & Company Real Estate is building a real estate brokerage that consists of knowledgeable agents with multiple years of experience. Bailey enjoys helping agents master contracts as well as information and systems that create a smooth buying and selling process for both clients and agents.
Founder, Campbell Ward
Prior to establishing Campbell Ward, Becky Barnes Campbell was director of operations at Noble Strategies, a full-service public affairs firm that represented Fortune 500 companies, federal and state associations, universities, and other businesses. She also served as chief of staff to Arkansas First Lady Ginger Beebe, working as her scheduler, community liaison and media coordinator, while also championing the First Lady’s causes. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Campbell loves to promote Arkansas, follow and discuss politics and spend time with smart, funny people. She is very involved at Epoch Church, serves as a board member for the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and sits on the Multi-Purpose Civic Center Facilities Board for Simmons Bank Arena. Campbell enjoys volunteering with the Downtown Little Rock Partnership and many other worthy causes.
Natalie Bartholomew
Community President in Northwest Arkansas,
First Community Bank
Natalie Bartholomew, a career banker with 21 years of experience in the industry, is the community president in Northwest Arkansas for First Community Bank. Bartholomew has a passion for philanthropy and sits on various boards and committees that serve the Northwest Arkansas region. She was recognized in the 2018 Women In Business list, 2022 Arkansas Money & Politics Women in Banking and the 2022 Intriguing Women list in About You magazine. She was recently presented with the Young Alumni Award for the Department of Agricultural Business and Economics at the University of Arkansas at the 10th Annual Distinguished Alumnus of the Year event. Her podcast, The Girl Banker, has been featured in American Banker, the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal, the ABA Bank Marketing newsletter, and a variety of financial industry newsletters since its launch.
CEO, Arkansas Hospitality Association
Katie Beck recently celebrated her one-year anniversary as chief executive officer of the Arkansas Hospitality Association (AHA). Beck and the AHA team are the voice of the hospitality industry, representing restaurants, lodging, travel and tourism businesses. Previously the Arkansas native served six years in the administration of Gov. Asa Hutchinson in a variety of roles that have prepared her well as the face of the industry before the Arkansas General Assembly, the state’s Congressional delegation, government agencies and other stakeholders. Prior to joining the association, Beck worked as Communications Director for Gov. Hutchinson and represented his office in Washington D.C. Beck, a graduate of the University of Arkansas and the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, works with her team and AHA members to set the future of hospitality in Arkansas.
Georgeann Bolton
Founder, G.A. Bolt Roofing
Georgeann Bolton is owner of G. A. Bolt Roofing LLC. With 30 years of small business experience, she moved her focus to roofing. Georgeann is also a licensed insurance agent. While selling insurance, she met a roofing contractor that encouraged her to use her talent in the roofing industry. Bolton worked as a project manager for two and a half years learning every aspects of residential roofing. Once she had learned the business and created a tremendous referral base, she ventured into her third business startup in 30 years, G. A. Bolt Roofing LLC.
Judy Boreham Dawson, PHD
Member of Board of Directors, The Degen Foundation, Ft. Smith
Brooke Brolo
Agent, Allstate Insurance
Lisa Brumley
Vice President, Arvest Bank
Lisa Brumley has served on the Heart of Arkansas United Way board since 2016. In her time on the board, Brumley has served as a member of the Community Investment Committee, the founding chair of Women United, and a member of the Executive Committee. Brumley’s commitment to United Way and to strengthening the education, financial stability and health of everyone in our community has led her to be a longtime leadership giver and a driver behind successful Arvest Bank United Way campaigns. Lisa is a senior private banker and vice president at Arvest Bank, where she manages comprehensive client relationships with broad-based needs for many financial solutions. She has been recognized as a top-producing private banker for four years, serving high-net-worth individuals and commercial clients, including physicians, dentists and business executives.
VP of Sales and Marketing, Allegra and Image 360
Lisa Buehler has been part of the marketing, graphics, and visual communications industry since 1991. Buehler provides leadership and oversight for both the Allegra and Image360 — Little Rock brands. Buehler is also active in the community, chairing the board for the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and serving on the board of Women & Children First.
Director of Implementation, Apptegy
Amy Charpentier has served as the director of implementation at Apptegy since 2020. Charpentier received a bachelor’s degree in political science and French at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, before going on to complete a master’s degree in education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to joining Apptegy, Charpentier taught and served as the chief academic officer at KIPP Delta Collegiate High School. Charpentier was awarded the KIPP Delta Public Schools’ “Beyond Z” award, as well as the Helena World’s “Best of” in education.
Susan Christian
Vice President of Marketing and Federal
Advocacy, Ritter Communications
Ritter Communications has grown from serving one community to becoming a regional telecom power player, serving four states and over 46,000 customers. Susan Christian, vice president of marketing and federal advocacy, has been a major part of the team positioning the telecom for its ongoing success. She is the driving force behind all of the company’s communications and advertising initiatives and manages a full menu of technology services and solutions for Ritter’s business and residential markets. Christian ensures Ritter Communications has a voice in Washington, D.C. with lawmakers, governmental regulatory agencies and trade associations while advocating for key public policy positions affecting the telecom industry. Prior to joining Ritter, Christian served in marketing leadership positions in Arkansas and Texas, and in 2018 was named Independent Marketing Executive of the Year by Cablefax, a leading industry media outlet. She dedicates time to supporting her community, serving on the executive committee of the board of BRIDGES, a Memphis nonprofit dedicated to transforming young people into community leaders.
Owner, Elder Independence
Kim Clatworthy is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and studied under Teepa Snow. Clatworthy believes every life is precious, and she considers the time she gets to spend with those in need of home care, including the time she spends with their families, to be a privilege and an honor. Clatworthy’s superpower is her heart; she is an old soul and caring for people comes naturally to her. She always knows the way to help a family and provides information for those resources, even when the best option may not be in-home care.
Senior Vice President and Executive Director,
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 as student success coaches in Little Rock public schools. 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.
Ashley Coldiron
Chief Development Officer,
Arkansas Community Foundation
Ashley Coldiron serves as chief development officer for Arkansas Community Foundation. Previously, Coldiron has been senior director of development for Heifer International, senior vice president of major and planned gifts for Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation and executive director of the CARTI Foundation. She also spent eight years as a capital campaign consultant for various Arkansas charities prior to joining Arkansas Community Foundation. She was a member of the Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XV in 2000. Her master’s degree in business administration was earned at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1997, and she graduated from Centenary College of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Science in business in 1989.
Jacquelyn Compton
Owner, The Pizzeria
Born and raised in Little Rock, Jacquelyn Compton has always loved to host friend and family gatherings. Her career is an extension of that passion. After two years of culinary training in Mexico, Compton moved to New York to continue her education at the Culinary Institute of America. In 2002, she returned to Little Rock and began a 12-year catering and event planning adventure that has culminated in her current establishment, The Pizzeria in the Heights. The Pizzeria opened its doors in October of 2014 and is a classic wood-fired Neapolitan pizzeria. Compton strives to apply old world techniques utilizing both imported and local ingredients. The Pizzeria’s Bar Program, paired with a rotating monthly dessert menu, is unrivaled and extremely unique for the region. Hospitality is Compton’s passion, and The Pizzeria sets the stage to create and serve guests every night of the week — entertaining is culinary artistry at its finest.
Wealth Manager/Founder,
Conger Wealth Management
Cindy Conger’s leadership in financial planning began in 1985 when she partnered with another investment professional to found one of the first firms in Arkansas to be registered with the SEC as a Registered Investment Advisor in Little Rock. Conger’s professional work at the time included preparing tax returns as a CPA, and developing and implementing investment allocations for individuals and institutions.
Owner, CK Agency
CK Agency is a local Allstate agency owned and operated by Kaylee Creed. Creed has been in the insurance field for nearly a decade and takes great pride in protecting the most important thing in your world now and for years to come. When at the office, Creed can be found doing anything from helping with a claim to taking payments. She always has heart and passion when it comes to fighting the good fight. With Creed and her team behind the scenes, you can rest easy knowing you’ve got someone in your corner.
Melissa Cruise
Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development, HP Engineering, Inc.
CEO, Rock Dental Brands
As CEO of Rock Dental Brands, Kristi Crum oversees an organization with 102 affiliate dental clinics across Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida. Prior to joining Rock Dental Brands in 2019, Crum spent 17 years successfully climbing the ranks at Verizon, the largest telecom company in the United States, ultimately holding numerous executive-level positions including president of the South Central Region, as well as vice president of marketing and distribution strategy. Crum is a North Little Rock native and earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Hendrix College in Conway.
Kanika Davis
National Outreach and Education Specialist, USDA Outreach Specialist
Melissa Dawson
President & Chief Executive Officer,
Centers for Youth and Families, Inc.
Melissa Dawson is President & Chief Executive Officer of Centers for Youth and Families, Inc. (“The Centers”). Prior to being named CEO in 2017 Melissa has held the position of chief operations officer as well as various roles since 1994. In her role as CEO, Melissa leads a team of 300 employees working towards The Centers’ mission of meeting the unique and evolving needs of individuals by providing comprehensive, integrated care that promotes physical, emotional and social wellness for all. Melissa received a bachelor’s and a master’s of Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She serves as a board member of the Arkansas Council for Behavioral Health and is a member of the federal Administration for Children and Families Region VI Human Trafficking Work Group.
CEO, Snyder Environmental
Kerrie Diaz is the current CEO of Snyder Environmental, an industry leader in environmental remediation throughout the mid-south. As CEO, Diaz chairs Snyder Environmental’s ongoing success and growth initiatives across all channels and market sectors. She provides organizational leadership and supports sustainable growth initiatives throughout the company’s footprint. She provides ongoing evaluation of the overall strength and profitability through key company metrics. Diaz is a lifelong resident of Central Arkansas and is active in BOMA of Greater Little Rock, the Little Rock Chamber and Rotary Club 99. She is an alumni of the University of Central Arkansas and Arkansas State Chamber’s Leadership Arkansas Class XIII.
Vice President, Sales and Special Projects,
Arkansas Bolt Co.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner
Anne Marie Doramus has achieved quite a few accomplishments that belie her young age. She’s currently a member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and serves on the Board of Directors for the Arkansas State Fair and Livestock Show, as well as serving on the board of the Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation. Doramus is one of the youngest ever appointed to a full 7-year term on the AGFC and the first female commissioner. She’s also a founding member of the Arkansas Outdoor Society, a group for young adults passionate about conservation and the outdoors in Arkansas.
Doramus has seen firsthand the impact that the AGFC has on Arkansas. Growing up, her father passed on his love for the outdoors, and that is what she intends to do in her role as a commissioner. She believes passing the torch of conservation is essential to uphold The Natural State’s reputation of being an outdoors paradise — not just for the sports involving hooks and bullets, but also for the hikers, bikers, paddlers and bird watchers.
Sue Emry
Executive Vice President, Envirotech Vehicles
(EVTV)
Sue Emry is the executive vice president of Envirotech Vehicles (EVTV), a transportation-industry-leading provider and manufacturer of purpose-built, all-electric, zero-emission vehicles. With more than 30 years of experience in the transportation, vehicle manufacturing and financial industries, Emry joined the company in 2017 and continues to play an integral role in EVTV’s operations, including its efforts to establish a manufacturing facility in the United States, as well as managing the receipt of new vehicles from overseas manufacturers. She has served as controller of EVTV since April 2021. Prior to that, she served as the director, president, chief financial officer and secretary of Envirotech Drive Systems, Inc. (“Drive Systems”).
Originally from Long Beach, California, Emry has received the Quickbooks ProAdvisor Elite certification and was recognized by the Arkansas Secretary of State for the notable achievements and contributions she had made to the state with the Arkansas Traveler Award.
Rebecca Estep
Grants & Policy Director, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas
Karen Fetzer
Club Executive Secretary, Little Rock Rotary
Jill Flaxman, M.D.
Practice Founder and Owner, Natural State Pain
C. Ann Fleming
CEO, Fleming Electric
Isabel Gamarra
Director of Communications,
Northwest Arkansas Council Workforce
Housing Center
Isabel Gammarra serves as the director of communications and advocacy for the Northwest Arkansas Council Workforce Housing Center, where she manages the center’s brand, external communications and community outreach efforts. Gamarra is a seasoned marketing and communications professional with more than 12 years of experience working in public affairs, corporate communications and marketing. She began her career in crisis communication working with international oil and mining companies, and has served as a communications consultant for aviation, banking, real estate and technology firms. She spent more than seven years of her career working in higher education, specifically in community relations, where she worked to build mutually beneficial partnerships and increase university ties to the local community. Originally from La Paz, Bolivia, Gamarra earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s in public administration from Florida International University, and she can speak and write in Spanish fluently.
Anna Beth Gorman
Chief Executive Officer, Women’s Foundation of Arkansas
Melissa Graham, MD
Allergy & Asthma Specialist, Advanced Allergy & Asthma
Tina Groves
EVP and Chief Risk Officer,
Simmons First National Corporation
Tina Groves serves as EVP and chief risk officer at Simmons First National Corporation. With more than 28 years of experience, Groves manages mergers and acquisitions for the Bank, engaging a variety of resources to create a cohesive process; mitigating risk and capturing value; and overseeing risk management, regulatory and consumer affairs and vendor management. A Certified Public Accountant, she has internal and external audit, accounting and general risk management experience. Prior to joining Simmons Bank, Groves was a risk management/internal audit consultant for Simmons Bank.
Laurice A. Hachem
President, Hachem Investments
Laurice A. Hachem operates her privately-held real estate investment company with offices in Bentonville, Arkansas and Tampa, Florida. Hachem moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2017 and began creating an economic impact for the area through her real estate ventures. Hachem is also a philanthropist who contributes to organizations including the United States Marshals Museum Foundation, the American Red Cross, the UIC Neurosurgeon Fellowship Program, the Boys & Girls Club of America and Mercy Hospital of Arkansas. In addition to being the Chairwoman of the United States Marshals Museum Foundation located in Fort Smith, Hachem sits on the board of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation in Tampa.
Shannon Heard
Associate Director of Executive Education,
Sam M. Walton College of Business
Shannon Heard currently serves as the associate director of executive education at the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business. Heard is responsible for the execution and delivery of executive education programs at Walton College at 2nd & Main in downtown Little Rock. Prior to joining Walton College Executive Education, Heard was the program manager for the Arkansas Academy for Educational Equity and residency program coordinator at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Heard earned her Bachelor of Arts in economics and music from Sewanee: The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. She holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in organizational communication from the Reynolds College of Business at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Heard currently serves on the board for Our House, Inc. and Junior League of Little Rock as marketing vice president.
Christian Life Coach
Jessica Hefley helps leaders make more money by unlocking resistance around worth and wealth. She didn’t let growing up lower/middle class and being an introvert from a small town hold her back. In just 11 months, she reached the highest rank in her network marketing company, has been featured in Success From Home magazine and has remained a top-earning millionaire for over five years with Plexus Worldwide.
She has since launched a #1 podcast in the Self Improvement category called “You’re Worth It” and has gone on to use her skills as a certified speaker, trainer and coach on the John Maxwell Team as well as her training in spiritual direction and christian life coaching to offer a truly unique 6-month leadership experience through her flagship coaching program, Leading Ladies.
Lauren Hendrix, M.D.
Arkansas Urology
Lisa Herschbach, Ph.D.
Executive Director of Community Relations,
Thaden School
Lisa Herschbach, Ph.D., is a leader in the development of world-class academic programs and educational opportunities for students from high school through college and beyond that advance access and equity and promote life-long learning. Herschbach leads school-wide efforts to demonstrate and celebrate the quality, value, and impact of a Thaden School education on the advancement of the greater Northwest Arkansas region. Prior to her work at Thaden, Herschbach served as the director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Princeton. Before arriving at Princeton, Herschbach spent several years on the faculty of the Federated History Department at NJIT/Rutgers, where she created a new graduate program in science studies that served primarily adult learners and working professionals. Herschbach holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history, philosophy and women’s studies from Stanford University and a doctoral degree in the history of science from Harvard University. She has served on the non-profit boards of the Friends of the Bentonville Public Library and Latinas en Bici.
Chief Financial Officer,
Kelley Commercial Partners
Maggie Hogan joined Kelley Commercial Partners in 2006 as a property manager. Soon after, she earned the designation of certified property manager and has gained invaluable experience managing both commercial and residential properties, including HPRs. In 2018, she assumed the role of chief financial officer and serves as secretary/treasurer of the corporation. Hogan leads the accounting department, remains the asset manager on several properties for the firm, and provides support to the property management teams through cash flow planning, analyzing properties’ financial strengths and weaknesses and capital budgeting planning. The firm now manages approximately 8.1 million square feet with a full staff of property managers and a facilities services team.
Co-founder and Attorney,
LaCerra, Dickson, Hoover, & Rogers PLLC
Before establishing LaCerra, Dickson, Hoover, & Rogers, PLLC with her partners in 2016, Hoover was a partner at the law firm of Hilburn, Calhoon, Harper, Pruniski, & Calhoun, Ltd. in North Little Rock. Hoover’s practice consists of a wide variety of litigation. Hoover is from North Little Rock and graduated from Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock. Hoover holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Louisiana State University. Hoover graduated from the UALR Bowen School of Law and was admitted to the bar in 2006. She is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association and Pulaski County Bar Association. She currently serves as secretary on the Board of Directors for the Pulaski County Bar Foundation and is a graduate of the 2012 Arkansas Bar Association Leadership Academy.
Angie Hopkins
Partner,
Frost PLLC and Valuation and Litigation Services
As a forensic accountant, Angie Hopkins uses techniques to “follow the money” in suspected incidents of fraud, asset theft and embezzlement, among other areas. The investigation is not all about crunching the numbers but also includes conducting interviews and reviewing documents. Ultimately, the premise is to provide the results in a court of law.
Hopkins has worked on investigations ranging from $25,000 to over $25 million, testifying in both state and federal courts. She also uses many of these techniques in other matters, such as calculations of damages in commercial litigation matters and preparation of business valuations related to estate and gift planning and shareholder disputes. Hopkins has also been appointed to act as a special master analyzing claims in a $45 million court settlement, an examiner in U.S. Bankruptcy Court and a receiver by various courts. A native of Arkansas, Hopkins is a graduate of Arkansas Tech University.
Johnelle Hunt
Co-founder, J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc.
Kirby Jett
VP Business Development officer,
Signature Bank of Arkansas
Kirby Jett is the VP business development officer for Signature Bank of Arkansas’ home office in Fayetteville. She graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s of bcience degree in hospitality, general foods and nutrition. Jett is actively engaged with the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, where she has served on the board of directors, as a diplomat, graduated from Leadership Fayetteville, and is a member of the Leadership LINK Alumni committee. She is an enthusiastic volunteer with the Children’s Safety Center, where she is head of the annual Dream Big Gala Committee. She has spent countless hours as a fundraising volunteer for causes such as the Fayetteville Order of Police, Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Diabetes Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Janice Keating, M.D.
Neurologist, Mercy Clinic Neurology – Fort Smith
President of Marketing,
JTJ Restaurants, LLC
Little Rock native Stephanie Keet is the president of marketing for JTJ Restaurants, LLC. Keet and her team handle marketing and advertising for restaurants, including Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, Petit & Keet, Cypress Social, Waldo’s Chicken & Beer and Big Bad Breakfast. Keet also volunteers for organizations like the Children’s Tumor Foundation, ACCESS and the Children’s Advocacy Center. Keet obtained her bachelor’s degree in applied communication from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
SVP of Marketing in Northwest
Arkansas, First Security Bank
Annette King has built a career at First Security Bank out of a passion for connecting people with financial solutions that will help make life better for them. She joined the team shortly after graduating from Arkansas State University with a bachelor’s of science degree in journalism and public relations. She developed a genuine passion for community banking and continued her education at the School of Bank Marketing and Management. King believes in First Security and feels that telling the bank’s story allows customers to connect with a brand they can believe in, too. Now the senior vice president of marketing in Northwest Arkansas, she works with a collaborative team to build the bank’s brand, actively deploy representatives in the community to make a difference and supports others in developing solid relationships with customers.
Ashley Knight
Chief Operating Officer, Harvest Group
Laura Labay
Commercial & Residential Realtor, eXp Realty
Store Manager, Cecil’s Fine Jewelry
Erin Laine is the manager and head of sales and merchandising at Cecil’s Fine Jewelry. Laine transitioned into the family business in 2009 to work with her mother, and Cecil’s Fine Jewelry owner, Becky Whelan. Prior to joining Cecil’s, Laine worked as a surgical coordinator in orthopedics at UAMS. Laine is committed to upholding the Cecil’s brand and giving customers the best possible experience.
Amy Langston
Director of Talent Management,
Edafio Technology Partners
Amy Langston, CSP, CPC, joined Edafio Technology Partners as the director of talent management in March 2022 to support the growing need for qualified talent to meet business demands. A resident of Arkansas for over 30 years, Langston has over 15 years of recruiting, operations and sales leadership, with the last 12 years serving in a managerial or director-level role. She oversees talent management, including diverse recruitment and additional training programs to bring competitive internships and certified apprenticeship programs to Edafio.
Katie Laning Niebaum
President, Delta Solar
Vice President of Programs & Partnerships for the
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and
Associated Industries of Arkansas;
Executive Director, Arkansas Economic
Developers & Chamber Executives (AEDCE)
Candice Lawrence is the vice president of programs & partnerships for the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas, as well as the executive director of Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives (AEDCE). Prior to joining the state chamber team, Lawrence served as the communications representative, visitor’s services manager and community outreach coordinator for Caterpillar Inc.’s North Little Rock facility. She received her Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism from the University of Arkansas.
Rebekah Lee, DVM
Doubletree Veterinary Clinic
Rebekah Lee, DVM knew from an early age that her mission was to take her love of animals and build a life dedicating herself to providing the best healthcare possible to them. She currently practices as an associate veterinarian at Doubletree Veterinary Clinic in Little Rock. Her primary focus is on small animals, but Lee enjoys the variety of mixed animal practice. Her professional interests include surgery, dental health and dermatology. She loves interacting with clients and educating them on their pet’s wellness. Lee continually researches the latest advances in veterinary medicine, striving to always provide excellent medical care for her patients. She graduated from LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. Lee served as a member of the 2018 ArVMA Power of 5 leadership program.
Alana Leiva
Co-owner, Leivas Coffee
Owner and CEO, Lewis Contractors
Mary Lewis is the owner and CEO of Lewis Contractors, a residential and commercial construction company. Lewis has built many West Little Rock homes, and she also played a role in the construction of the 16,000-square-foot UALR Wrestling Center. She is currently developing an 80-acre residential neighborhood in Searcy, with 20 three-to-five acre homesites. Lewis graduated from Harding University with a bachelor’s degree in dietetics.
Chief Nursing Officer,
Arkansas Surgical Hospital
Sarah Loftin is the chief nursing officer at Arkansas Surgical Hospital (ASH) in North Little Rock. In this role, Loftin provides clinical and administrative leadership for planning, directing and evaluating patient care. She serves as the advocate for all other nurses and helps develop processes to ensure patients experience high-quality, five-star care. Early in her career, Loftin worked on a specialty unit at Baptist Health caring for cardiac and kidney patients. She joined Arkansas Surgical Hospital in 2014 as a staff nurse in the pre-operative department, becoming the clinical coordinator for that department in 2016. She was promoted to director of quality services and risk management in 2017. Loftin received her nursing degree from Baptist Health Schools. She was a 2018 recipient of the AR Center for Nursing Top 40 Nurse Leaders under 40.
Angelica Luna Rogers
Agent, Coldwell Banker RPM Group
Chris McCreight
Communications Director,
Girls Scouts – Diamonds of Arkansas,
Oklahoma and Texas
EVP of Sales, Westrock Coffee
Elizabeth McLaughlin currently serves as the executive vice president of sales for Westrock Coffee Company, where she oversees the development of new product portfolios and relationships for the largest retail chains in the world. Over the last several years, McLaughlin served as Westrock Coffee’s group president of sales, marketing, and client services. She was instrumental in building the company’s retail and private label manufacturing business, as well as leading the company’s sustainability initiatives, product development and quality assurance programs. Prior to joining Westrock Coffee, Elizabeth owned and served as chief operating officer of SIR Research, a consumer marketing research firm in Richmond, Virginia. She previously worked as the vice president of sales and marketing at PBM Products, a private label consumer products company. She began her career in 1996 at Alltel Corporation.
Tabitha McNulty, JD
Appellate Attorney, Arkansas
Commission for Parent Counsel
Tabitha McNulty, JD began her legal career in 2005 as a trial attorney handling child-welfare cases for the Arkansas Department of Human Services. She transitioned to handling appeals for the agency in 2008. In 2015, she moved to the Arkansas Public Defender Commission Dependency-Neglect Appellate division, now a division within the Arkansas Commission for Parent Counsel, and began representing indigent parents on appeal within child-welfare cases. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and received her law degree from the Bowen School of Law in Little Rock. She serves on the board of the Central Arkansas Boys and Girls Club and is currently serving as the President of the Junior League of Little Rock as it continues to celebrate its centennial anniversary.
Chairman, President and CEO, ArcBest
Judy R. McReynolds is the chairman, president and chief executive officer of ArcBest. Under her visionary leadership, ArcBest has evolved into a multibillion-dollar integrated logistics company leading the way with cutting-edge technology and customized solutions that help keep the global supply chain moving.
McReynolds guides ArcBest with over 30 years of experience in the transportation and logistics industry, including 25 years with the company. Building on ArcBest’s nearly 100-year legacy, she has been the driving force behind diversifying the company into a logistics powerhouse with a full suite of modern logistics solutions that meet customers’ supply chain needs. McReynolds’s experience, combined with her commitment to serving customers well, providing the best atmosphere for employees and conducting business in a way that helps build a safer, more sustainable company and world, has made ArcBest a leader in the logistics industry and a pillar in the communities where it operates.
Elizabeth Michael
Co-owner, Bark Bar
Jennifer Moore, Ph.D.
Founding Dean, Arkansas Colleges of Health
Education School of Occupational Therapy
Jennifer Moore, Ph.D. is the founding Dean of the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education School of Occupational Therapy. As an occupational therapist herself, she is an advocate of occupational engagement for all people. She is one of the founders of the Acting Creates Therapeutic Success program, which allows individuals of all abilities and opportunities to engage in the arts. In her academic role, Moore is passionate about creating learning experiences that simulate real-world scenarios and help students realize the fulfillment that comes from serving others through occupational therapy. Her teaching, scholarship and service interests focus on occupation-based and community programming, leadership, advocacy and professionalism. She has been recognized for her significant contributions to her profession, and was awarded the designation of Fellow. Moore holds degrees in occupational therapy, including a Ph.D. from Texas Woman’s University.
Valerie Moring
Healthcare/Cybersecurity Lead,
Edafio Technology Partners
Valerie Moring, joined Edafio Technology Partners as the cybersecurity and healthcare consulting team lead in 2017 to support professionals navigating cybersecurity consulting, health care delivery, policy improvement and quality payment programs for all payers. Above all, her passion is to bring quality-based, metric-driven, patient-centric, secure and affordable healthcare to the region.
A resident of Arkansas, Moring has over 26 years of health care and cybersecurity experience, with the last twelve years in managerial roles leading the corporate cybersecurity and healthcare consulting teams. Moring manages the expanding portfolio of healthcare and cybersecurity services, from security risk assessments and information security program management to regulatory compliance consulting, innovative quality payment programs and much more.
Heather Nelson
Co-founder and President, Seal Solar
Miguel Newberg
Owner, M.N.’ Teriors
Emily Neuman
Senior Communications Manager,
Crystal Bridges and the Momentary
Communications Director, Garver
As Garver’s communications director, Laura Nick leads the in-house communications team charged with branding, strategic marketing and internal and external communications. Since joining the firm in 2011, she created the firm’s competitive recruitment program and developed the company’s employee-driven charitable giving program. In 2019, she led her team in developing and executing the Garver Chain Reaction Challenge, a year-long initiative celebrating the firm’s 100th year. The campaign, centered around STEM kit and monetary donations to elementary schools across the country, earned a 2020 PRSA Silver Anvil Award of Excellence and the Best of Show Award in the SMPS National Marketing Communications Awards. Nick also values building connections within her community particularly through Rotary Club 99 and the North Little Rock Chamber and serves on the Arkansas State University College of Communications Advocacy Council.
CEO/Superintendent,
Arkansas Lighthouse Charter Schools
LaShawnDa Noel is the chief executive officer andsuperintendent of Arkansas Lighthouse Charter Schools, which has campuses in Pine Bluff, Jacksonville and North Little Rock. Noel has previously served in a variety of roles in education, including for the national charter management organization Lighthouse Academies. In 2022, she oversaw the separation of ALCS from Lighthouse Academies and transitioned into her current role. Noel holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia.
Martie North
SVP and Director of Community Development
and Engagement in Emerging Markets,
Cadence Bank
Martie North is a senior vice president and director of community development and engagement in emerging markets at Cadence Bank. North has spent nearly 30 years in the community development and financial services industry, supporting small businesses, working on commercial lending, mortgage and management information systems, to name a few. She is a graduate of Harding University and a proud Arkansan.
Kila Owens-Montgomery
President, St. Bernards Foundation
Rachel Parker Harding
Parker Lexus, Parker Luxury Group
Rachel Parker Harding began to work for her family’s dealerships, Parker Luxury Group, shortly after getting married. Harding’s grandfather, Leger Parker, started the Parker Luxury Group with Parker Cadillac in 1967. While settling into married life, Harding worked for Parker Audi of Little Rock and Parker Cadillac as a Receptionist before moving into the position of internet sales assistant. She then took on a sales and leasing consultant position with Parker Lexus. While being at home with her two boys, Harding maintained vehicle internet photos for the dealerships and monthly employee newsletters but spent the majority of her available time volunteering in the community and serving on boards of several local non-profit organizations. For years, she spent most of her time with Women & Children First, Easterseals Arkansas, Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Arkansas Children’s Tumor Foundation, among others. Additionally, Harding enrolled in the National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) Dealer Academy in Tysons, Virginia, where she graduated in November 2021.
Associate Vice President-Hospital Operations,
Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock
Callie Parks is the associate vice president of hospital operations for Baptist Health Medical Center — North Little Rock. In this role, she is responsible for the operations of all ancillary and support services for the 225-bed facility. Prior to her role in North Little Rock, she served as an associate vice president for the Baptist Health Medical Group and was responsible for clinic operations and a number of ambulatory initiatives. Most recently, she served as the interim vice president of operations for Baptist Health’s Western Region, which includes Baptist Health’s Fort Smith & Van Buren hospitals. Parks earned her Bachelor of Science in biology at the University of Central Arkansas and Master of Health Administration at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is a member of the Medical Group Management Association and American College of Healthcare Executives.
Carrie Phillips, Ed.D.
Chief Communications and Marketing Officer,
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Executive Director,
Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas
Rebecca Pittillo is the executive director of the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas and assists with the philanthropic giving program of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Pittillo joined Arkansas Blue Cross in 2018, and she has worked with regional teams in Hot Springs, Pine Bluff and Texarkana. For the first 21 years of her career, she worked at Jefferson Regional in Pine Bluff in several leadership positions. She was the executive director of the Jefferson Regional Foundation, served as a member of the Jefferson Regional Senior Leadership Committee and had oversight of all internal and external communication for the organization. Pittillo currently serves on the boards of Southeast Arkansas College, the Arkansas Community Foundation-Pine Bluff Chapter and the United Way of Southeast Arkansas. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Allyson Pittman Gattin
Public Relations Director, Peacock Agency
Elizabeth Pulley
Executive Director,
Children Advocacy Centers of Arkansas
President and CEO,
United Cerebral Palsy of Arkansas
Paula Rader completed her undergraduate studies at Hendrix College and obtained a master’s degree in special education with an emphasis in supported employment from UALR. Rader started working at United Cerebral Palsy of Arkansas in 1992 as an ACS waiver supervisor and flourished quickly to other leadership roles. In 1993 she took on the role of the Project STAR adoption grant manager. Here, she spent five years directing all grant activities, focusing on recruiting parents for children with special needs and providing specialized training for service providers in conjunction with the Arkansas Department of Children and Family Services about the special issues adopted children face in their daily lives. She became compliance/program administrator in 2002, eventually being promoted to chief program officer. After 24 years with UCP of Arkansas, Rader became president and chief executive officer in 2016.
Victoria Ramirez
Executive Director, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Vice President, The Janet Jones Company
Susan Reynolds is one of the top real estate agents in Little Rock and has been in the real estate business for over 20 years. Reynolds’ goal is to make her clients happy by providing them with the highest level of service, professionalism and integrity in the real estate industry. Most of her business comes from personal referrals. She is a Little Rock native with extensive knowledge of local schools, churches, organizations and our beautiful community. With an enthusiastic and energetic attitude, Reynolds strives to provide such incredible service in order for her clients to have a wonderful real estate experience.
Julie Robinson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Leadership Specialist,
Cooperative Extension Service
Julie Robinson, PH.D. is an associate professor and leadership specialist in the Community, Professional, and Economic Development Department at the Cooperative Extension Service. Robinson, a Greenbrier native, earned a Bachelor of Science in agriculture business in 2005 from Arkansas State University and two years later earned a Master of Science in agricultural economics from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She earned a doctorate in human and community resource development from The Ohio State University in 2013. Robinson has been working in the areas of leadership, employee development, program planning and strategic planning for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture since 2013. Robinson is the director of LeadAR, Arkansas’ longest-serving leadership development program, in which participants travel the state taking part in issue-based discussions, skill-building exercises and hands-on activities with fellow LeadAR class members. Since 1984, 19 classes and more than 500 alumni have completed the LeadAR program.
Kristen Saffa
Philanthropist
Director, The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub
at Winrock International
Errin Stanger is the director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, Arkansas’ first makerspace and home to Winrock International’s Headquarters. She has graduate degrees in biology and urban studies from Rhodes College, along with more than 20 years of experience in urban planning, fundraising, public relations, community development, event coordination and STEAM educational programming. She is the producer of the North Little Rock Maker Faire and the proud host of the Make48 North Little Rock competition held in 2022.
Prior to joining The Innovation Hub in mid-2014, Stanger was involved with the planning team for the Argenta Downtown Revitalization project. She has served on the State Computer Science and Cybersecurity Task Force appointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson and represented the Kauffman Foundation as a community organizer of North Little Rock for Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Barbara Suggs
Senior Sales Coordinator, B&G Foods, Inc.
Charley Swann
Managing Partner,
James, House, Swann & Downing PA.
Tori Tisdale Morehart
McClard’s & DownHome Catering
Tori Tisdale Morehart started DownHome Restaurant and Catering in 2003 on Lawson Road in a small brick building. She began catering to doctors’ offices, pharmaceutical representatives and small area businesses. The business continued to grow, and she eventually bought the former Grampa’s Catfish building on Stagecoach Road in 2015. The restaurant and the catering business continued to grow and flourish. While COVID-19 hurt everyone in the restaurant and catering industry, the pandemic taught Morehart that her customers are more than business partners: they’re family. She shares that loyal customers helped them survive the pandemic. Morehart became a part of McClard’s BBQ in August of 2022 and rebranded as McClard’s & DownHome Catering. This rebranding is a combination of the iconic, 94-year-old McClard’s BBQ and great southern-style home cooking. Morehart believes that it’s not work when you love what you do and love the people you do it for.
Karen Trevino
President & CEO, North Little Rock CVB
Executive Vice President,
Arkansas Hospital Association
Jodiane Tritt, JD has served as the executive vice president of the Arkansas Hospital Association (AHA) since 2018. Tritt joined the AHA executive team as vice president of government relations in 2010. Tritt previously served as executive director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Research (now known as the Translation Research Institute) at UAMS. Prior to that position, she was director of community support for the Arkansas Department of Health. She is a past president of the Arkansas Society of Association Executives; a past president of the Arkansas Society of Professional Lobbyists; a member of the South Central Telehealth Resource Center Advisory Council; and on the Advisory Board of the UAMS College of Public Health. She is also a past chair of the State Association of Government Relations Officials for the American Hospital Association. She is a graduate of Hendrix College and holds a JD from William H. Bowen School of Law.
Chief People Officer, First Orion
Libbi Dixon Whitehurst serves as the chief people officer at First Orion, a global telecommunications solutions provider transforming the phone call experience through branded communication. She has more than 30 years of experience leading human resources and people operations. Before First Orion, Whitehurst held several leadership positions at Acxiom, including vice president of human resources. In her six years at First Orion, she has built an award-winning workplace culture recognized by Great Place to Work for seven consecutive years and featured in the 2022 Inc. Best Workplaces list.
Shelly York
Franchisee, Miracle Ear, Inc.
