That place where most of us strive to be when we launch a career. Referring to the cluster of top-level executive positions within most companies — traditionally positions such as chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief information officer but now including titles such as chief human resources officer or chief people officer — the C-Suite entails hard work, high stress and long hours. The rewards, however, can be substantial.
The coveted C-suite represents the realm of top-level executives within companies. Whether the end goal is the CEO’s office or that of the COO, CFO or another executive position, the C-suite demands diligence, creativity, skill, constant learning and an ability to lead people effectively.
Arkansas Money & Politics asked readers to pick their favorite C-suite executives. It is our way to recognize many of those business executives in Arkansas whose hard work makes the Natural State a great place to live and work.
John W. Allison CEO
Home BancShares
Dennis Anderson CIO
ArcBest
Dennis Anderson is the chief innovation officer at ArcBest in Fort Smith. With more than 20 years of experience in logistics, Anderson oversees the company’s innovation and technology strategy, including unlocking the potential of emerging technologies such as the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. He is dedicated to leveraging the power of technology to address customer needs, drive growth and efficiency and advance the global supply chain. His approach to innovation emphasizes continuous improvement and a customer-centric philosophy, ensuring that ArcBest remains agile and responsive to customer demands and market changes. Under his guidance, ArcBest has undergone transformational improvements in its digital tools, significantly enhancing transparency and shipment visibility and making shipment management easier than ever for customers. This has contributed to arcb.com being named the No. 1 most useful website in Mastio’s 2024 rankings. Anderson is a member of the Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineering, the University of Arkansas Department of Industrial Engineering Liaison Committee, the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation Board and the United Way of Fort Smith Area Board, for which he served as chair in 2024. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
T.J. Anderson CFO
Farmers & Merchants Bank
T.J. Anderson is the chief financial officer at Stuttgart-based Farmers & Merchants Bank, bringing more than 20 years of experience in banking, corporate finance and investments. In his role, he focuses on the bank’s strategic initiatives and financial management, working from the Jonesboro office. Before joining Farmers & Merchants Bank in 2024, Anderson held leadership positions at the Arkansas State Bank Department, Microsoft Corp., Premier Bank of Arkansas and Southern Bancorp Bank, where he most recently served as executive vice president of banking operations. A Paragould native, Anderson earned a finance degree from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and a graduate degree in banking from Louisiana State University. He is also a certified fraud examiner. Active in his community, he volunteers with various civic organizations, provides financial counseling and is a member of Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro.
Chris Bates CEO
Pinnacle IT
Sara Bechdoldt CEO
Waco Title
Sightline Retail/Blue Elephant Food Group USA
Shannon Bedore is CEO of Sightline Retail in Bentonville and Blue Elephant Food Group USA. Bedore founded Sightline Retail in 2015 to provide sales, management, strategy, operations, replenishment, warehousing and administrative support for brands to have a lower cost option than directly hiring an internal retail team. Prior to starting Sightline, she worked at Walmart and Kohl’s. Bedore has also dedicated much time to closing health care gaps for the cystic fibrosis community in Arkansas. She helped open an adult cystic fibrosis clinic in northwest Arkansas and served for many years as board president in northwest Arkansas of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She currently sits on the Mercy Hospital Community Board. Bedore obtained her bachelor’s degree in human resources from Michigan State University and her master’s degree in supply chain management from Pennsylvania State University. She is currently completing her doctorate at the University of Florida, after which she hopes to teach retail, supply chain and brand management at the collegiate level.
Matt Bell CEO
Origami Sake
Courtney Bishop CEO
Pinnacle Pointe Hospital
Sylvia Blain CEO
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
For the last 22 years, Sylvia Blain’s professional experience has spanned both the nonprofit and government sectors, where she has led numerous initiatives to combat food insecurity. As the executive director of Potluck Food Rescue, the Arkansas Local Foods Initiative and the Dunbar Garden in Little Rock, Blain spearheaded the implementation of community gardens and farmers markets in underserved neighborhoods, providing fresh produce to thousands of families annually. As CEO of Potluck Food Rescue in Little Rock, Blain increased the organization’s impact by 500 percent, serving hunger relief agencies in six counties. Additionally, she and a group of nonprofit and governmental partners established the first Arkansas Food Policy Council. Beyond her professional endeavors, Blain is deeply committed to building resilient food systems, advocating for policy improvements that center on our most vulnerable citizens and building community engagement around these issues. She serves on several boards and committees with a focus on food access statewide.
Arkansas Rural Health Partnership
Mellie Boagni currently serves as the CEO, president and founder of the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership and as the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences regional director of strategy, management and administration. She has more than 23 years of experience in community and organizational networking, grant writing, program development and implementation. Mellie founded the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership organization in 2008. It began with five critical access hospitals and has grown its membership to 19 rural hospitals, two FQHCs, 92 owned and affiliated clinics and three medical schools serving rural Arkansas residents. Mellie has obtained over $52 million in grant funds for Arkansas Rural Health Partnership to implement federal and state grants to provide health care provider training opportunities, health care workforce initiatives, telehealth expansion, SDOH initiatives, chronic disease programs, behavioral and mental health services and improved access to care throughout rural Arkansas.
Tad Bohannon CEO
Central Arkansas Water
Jon Bostock CEO
Leaf Home
Benjamin Bowman CEO
Enhance Dental
Charley Boyce CEO
Paschal Air, Plumbing & Electric
Brad Brannon CEO
TCW
Leslie Brown CHCO
AgHeritage Farm Credit Services
Leslie Brown, is the senior vice president and chief human capital officer at AgHeritage Farm Credit Services in Little Rock. Originally from Stuttgart, Brown has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist certification. With nearly 30 years in human capital management, she specializes in benefits and compensation. She is known for her collaborative and supportive leadership style, fostering an environment where team members feel empowered to achieve their career goals. Brown’s favorite part of her role is aligning individuals’ aspirations with the organization’s growth strategies, ensuring the right people are in the right roles to drive success. Her vision is to create an inclusive workplace that not only meets the evolving needs of the organization but also supports the holistic well-being and growth of its people.
Bryan Bruich CFO
Nabholz
Bryan Bruich’s 17 years with the company have been marked by dynamic changes and growth. During his 12-year tenure as CFO, Nabholz’ sales have more than doubled, reaching the $1 billion mark in fiscal year 2023. Over the same period, the company has increased its number of business units from 22 to 34, a feat made possible by doubling its number of employees to include over 1,700 people. As CFO, Bruich oversees Nabholz’ accounting, human resources, legal and risk management groups, as well as the company’s surety and banking relations, health and wellness program and clinics, investments and real estate developments and equipment fleet. He also serves as the head crawfish and gumbo chef for employee and client cookouts. Bruich currently serves on the board for Conway Regional Health Systems. He is a licensed CPA with the Arkansas Board of Public Accountancy, a member of the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants and an active alum of the University of Central Arkansas, where he received his bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Amy Buss CFO
Fortier
Dexter Caffey CEO
Smart Eye Technology
Kelly Carney CPO
Southwest Power Pool
Kelly Carney, is the vice president, human capital and chief people officer at Southwest Power Pool, where she oversees the human resources and learning and development teams. Carney has more than 20 years of experience in human resources and has worked across a variety of industries; she previously served as vice president of human resources and chief administrative officer at Delta Dental of Arkansas. She also serves on the board of Leadership Foundation for Women and the governance board for Arkansas Hospice. She has a bachelor’s degree in human resources administration from the University of Kansas and has a Senior Professional in Human Resources designation from the Human Resources Certification Institute.
Kristi Casey CEO
Rock Dental
Larry Casey CIO
FAB&T
Farmers & Merchants Bank/Bank of Fayetteville
Brad Chambless is the CEO of Stuttgart-based Farmers & Merchants Bank and the Bank of Fayetteville. Before starting his banking career in 2006 as a commercial loan officer, he practiced law in Arkansas for over a decade, representing banks and agricultural clients. He was promoted to chief lending officer in 2014 and became CEO in 2021. Chambless holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello and a law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law. As the Arkansas Bankers Association’s 2024-2025 chairman, he is dedicated to serving member banks statewide.
Shana Chaplin CPO
Winthrop Rockefeller Institute
Dennis Clay CEO
Crews & Associates
Dennis Clay drives the strategic direction and operational performance of the Crews team as it assists clients in Arkansas and across the country in navigating financial markets. His commitment to stewardship and service — backed by delivering reliable value to investors and bond issuers — positions the organization for consistent performance long term. Before becoming CEO in 2020, Clay was head of sales and trading. His extensive background includes serving as a municipal underwriter for 28 years and underwriting more than $100 billion in municipal bonds. His experience includes developing a dedicated municipal sales force, building a super-regional competitive underwriting group that covered the entire country, and constructing an internal system that premarkets and distributes negotiated municipal bonds to numerous class investors. His expertise and vast knowledge allow Crews & Associates to serve the financial needs of clients in all levels of government, business and private industry.
Greg Cockmon CEO
Cromwell Architects Engineers
Andrew Covington CFO
Arkansas Surgical Hospital
Originally from Collierville, Tennessee, Andrew Covington, chief financial officer at Arkansas Surgical Hospital in North Little Rock, graduated from Harding University in Searcy with an accounting degree in 2006. He has worked for multiple private accounting firms and hospitals in central Arkansas. In 2017, Covington joined Arkansas Surgical Hospital as director of financial services and became CFO the following year. Covington is a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional and is actively involved with the Healthcare Financial Management Association.
Cody Crawford CVO
C.R. Crawford Construction
Cody Crawford is chief visionary officer and founder of C.R. Crawford Construction, one of the state’s largest general contracting and construction management companies. A native of El Dorado, Crawford began his construction career early in life by working in the various types of heavy industrial and manufacturing businesses located in the southern region of the state. He began his formal education in the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. After realizing, however, that his passion was not for designing, but rather for constructing buildings of all types, he adjusted his career path to better align with his interests and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in construction management at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He founded C.R. Crawford in 2006 in Fayetteville, where it remains headquartered.
Lane Crider CEO
Beaver Water District
M. Lane Crider, is CEO at Lowell-based Beaver Water District. Crider holds a Class IV water operator’s license, is a registered professional engineer in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee, and has a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. From 1989 to 2018 he worked for McGoodwin, Williams and Yates, a division of Olsson Associates. His nearly 30 years of experience with MWY included water and wastewater treatment plant design; water transmission, distribution and storage; wastewater collection and transmission; sludge application and industrial pretreatment; street, paving and storm sewer design; sanitary sewer rehabilitation; municipal utility relocation and reconstruction; and many other areas of design and construction for private and municipal projects. Crider currently serves as a member of the Arkansas Board of Health, on the board of Arkansas811, and he is an officer of the Arkansas Water and Wastewater Managers Association. He has served on the board for the Arkansas Water Works and Water Environment Association, the state board of the Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers and the board of the southwest section of the American Water Works Association. At the national level, Crider serves on the American Water Works Association’s water utility council.
Taylor Crow CFO
Pain Treatment Centers of America
Donna Csunyo COO
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas & North Louisiana
Learon Dalby COO
Today’s Power
Josh Davenport CEO
Seal Solar
Jennifer Davis CMO
Central States Manufacturing
Jennifer Davis is chief market officer and president of Central States Building Works at Central States Manufacturing in Tontitown. In her role, she oversees the marketing, communications and strategy functions of the company while also leading the Central States Building Works division, working to grow the preengineered metal buildings business. Before joining Central States, she held leadership positions at companies such as Learfield, Amazon Web Services, Honeywell, Planar and Intel. Davis is also the author of the book, Well Made Decisions (New Degree Press, 2021), which focuses on organizational decision-making and strategy implementation.
Leslie Davis CEO
Harbor
Mark Davis CCO
Lexicon
Mark Davis is the chief operating officer at Little Rock’s Lexicon. As chief corporate officer, general counsel and secretary, Davis oversees various corporate matters, including strategy and direction of corporate initiatives, structures, policies and procedures. He also manages the company’s legal matters, including litigation. He is an attorney and certified public accountant (inactive).
Sam Dean CEO
Scott Family Amazeum
Robert DeBin CEO
Natural State Medicinals
Starting as co-founder of Natural State Medicinals of White Hall, Robert DeBin has been at the helm of one of Arkansas’ first medical marijuana operations. Now as founder of the CBD-manufacturing company Buffalo Co., DeBin continues to figure heavily in the cannabis trade in Arkansas. He serves as president of the Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association, advocating for the medical marijuana industry while heading up numerous educational initiatives geared toward consumers and policymakers alike. DeBin has applied his knowledge and years of experience to nearly every facet of the Arkansas cannabis industry. His work has led to greater resources and options for those seeking to benefit from medical marijuana use.
Ross DeVol CRO
Heartland Forward
Thomas Dickinson CEO
McGeorge Contracting Co.
Gray Dillard COO
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
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.
John Elkins CLO
Seal Solar
Doug Elms CEO
SafeHaven Security
Susan Eoff CFO
Everett Buick
Victor Esposito CTO
Ritter Communications
Andrew Faulkner CEO
Staley Technologies
Sandy Ferguson CRO
Generations Bank
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 over 30 physicians annually. She was named 2019 CE Melville Young Administrator of the Year and was recognized as an Intriguing Woman by AY Magazine in 2020. A community leader, she is involved in multiple civic organizations and has served in leadership roles with the University of Central Arkansas and Delta Zeta.
Greg Fogle COO
Nabholz
Greg Fogle joined Nabholz in 2004 as a vice president of project management. He later transitioned to executive vice president of operations, then regional president and in 2018, he was selected as Nabholz’ chief operating officer. Fogle has a Bachelor of Science in construction science from Kansas State University, as well as three separate general contractor licenses. He is a member of both the Associated General Contractors and the Associated Builders and Contractors. He has served as chairman of the board for the Rogers Lowell Chamber of Commerce, a member of the executive board for the Boy Scouts of America WestArk Area Council and a member of the Bentonville Rotary Club.
George Ford CEO
Arkansas Door Service
Brian Fowler CEO
Arkansas Surgical Hospital
Originally from Springdale, Brian Fowler, CEO of Arkansas Surgical Hospital in North Little Rock, earned an accounting degree from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro in 2004 and completed his Master of Business Administration at the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas in 2005. Fowler got his start in public accounting at BKD in Little Rock, where he worked from 2005 to 2008. Fowler worked in a variety of health care organizations in central Arkansas before joining the team at Arkansas Surgical Hospital. Fowler joined ASH as chief financial officer in 2016 and became chief operations officer six months later. He was named CEO in 2020. Fowler plays an active role in professional organizations. In addition to being a certified public accountant, he is a fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, where he served as president from 2016 to 2017. Fowler is a board member of Special Olympics Arkansas and is actively involved in the youth group at First Baptist Church in Benton.
Daron Frederick CIO
Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas
Brad Freeman CEO
Source Club
Greg Furr CFO
Arkansas Foodbank
Jay B. Gadberry CEO
Gadberry Financial Group
Scott Gardner CFO
Arkansas Capital Corp.
Erin Gattis CHRO
ArcBest
Erin Gattis is the chief human resources officer at Fort Smith-based 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 employees 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. She serves on the boards of the Arkansas Tech University Foundation in Russellville, Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce and the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, as well as the UAFS Dean’s Leadership Council and Alumni Association’s Mentor Connections Program. She is the communities board vice chair for Mercy Health Fort Smith. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.
Dan Gillison CEO
NAMI
Leslie Godwin CEO
Godwin Retail Group
Chris Gosnell CEO
Farmers Bank & Trust
Chris Gosnell joined Magnolia-based Farmers Bank & Trust in 2010 and was elected president and CEO in 2017. Gosnell received his Bachelor of Arts in administrative management from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 2003, as well as his Master of Science in operations management in 2005. He also graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado, Leadership Arkansas and the FBI Citizens Academy. Gosnell currently serves in a leadership role for the Arkansas Bankers Association, Southwest Arkansas Water District, Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, Arkansas State Police Foundation, Arkansas Economic Development Council, and Airport Commission Columbia County.
Kalene Griffith CEO
Visit Bentonville
Laura Grimes CFO
Conway Chamber of Commerce
Bob Gunderman CFO
Summit Utilities
Bob Gunderman serves as chief financial officer for Summit Utilities. He is responsible for overseeing Summit’s accounting, financial planning, taxation, audit, investor relations, treasury, insurance and procurement teams. Prior to joining Summit, Gunderman served as the CFO of Windstream Holdings, a privately held communications and software company (and previously publicly traded Fortune 500 company). Before being named CFO of Windstream in 2014, Gunderman held various senior finance executive positions after joining Windstream in 2008. Gunderman began his career in 1994 with Deloitte and Touche and entered the telecommunications industry in 1996, serving in various finance executive positions with Alltel, the fifth-largest wireless telecommunications company in the United States before its acquisition in 2008. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation and was previously a board member for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas & North Louisiana.
Rob Guthrie CEO
Bernhard
Aaron Hagan CEO
Mr. Sparky Mid-America
Brian Hagewood CEO
Southern Interiors
Tammy Hall CFO
Harding University
Bill Halter CEO
Scenic Hill Solar
Russ Hannah CFO
Arkansas State University
Russ Hannah is the vice chancellor for finance and administration and chief financial officer at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Hannah came to Arkansas State in 1991 as treasurer and has served as controller and in a number of senior financial roles. He has been an adjunct instructor in higher education finance and law, public financial management and budgeting and accounting. Hannah has undergraduate degrees in accounting and management, a master’s in business administration, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, all from Arkansas State. He is a certified public accountant, a charted global management accountant and a certified government financial manager, a graduate of the Higher Education Management Institute at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee and the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University in Massachusets, and he holds an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Barrett Harrison CEO
Arkansas AeroPlex
Brad Harrison CFO
Mississippi County Electric Cooperative
Buddy Haston CEO
Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas
Adam Head CEO
CARTI
Tim Hicks CFO
Bank OZK
Brad Holloway CEO
Birch Tree Communities
George Holm CEO
Performance Foodservice
Nicholas Horton CEO
Opportunity Arkansas
Nicholas Horton is the founder and CEO of Opportunity Arkansas, a nonpartisan, nonprofit policy organization in Conway. Launched in 2022, OA works to renew the Land of Opportunity by solving generational problems — such as dependency, crime, broken families and failing schools — and simplifying government. A lifelong Arkansan, Horton began his career as a journalist, serving as the editor of the Arkansas Project, the state’s largest policy news site. From there, he spent eight years with the Foundation for Government Accountability, where he conducted research about the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid and food stamps in addition to managing a national team of researchers as research director.
Craig Hoskins CDO
Performance Food Group
Jeff Hunnicutt CEO
Highlands Oncology Group
As CEO of Highlands Oncology in northwest Arkansas, Jeff Hunnicutt has demonstrated a passion for creating a work environment where people are engaged and energized to provide outstanding patient care. Specializing in comparative analytics in oncology, he has helped drive the success of his practice by providing an in-depth look into the underlying data that helps give direction to operational decisions. Hunnicutt has been distinguished for his efforts by participating on the board and being recognized as a service fellow at the Association of Cancer Care Centers, serving as American Cancer Society chair in northwest Arkansas and serving as a board member with the Community Oncology Alliance Administrators’ Network, as well as in his previous role as executive director of the Quality Cancer Care Alliance. He also serves on the Red River Region for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and as the chair for Oncology Supportive Services in northwest Arkansas. He and his family are deeply involved in projects to bring quality education to the remote areas of Senegal and raise awareness for the foster system in the state.
Kevan Inboden COO
Beaver Water District
Kevan Inboden is the chief operating officer of Beaver Water District in Lowell. He supervises the engineering, information services, compliance, environmental quality, operations, electrical and instrumentation and maintenance departments. He is a licensed professional engineer with more than 30 years of experience in the utility industry and holds both Class 4 water treatment and water distribution licenses. Previously, he served as part of the senior management team at City Water and Light in Jonesboro. His work experience includes design and project management on water, wastewater and electricity generation projects including solar power. Inboden served as chairman of the board for the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, Jonesboro Unlimited and the Craighead County Regional Solid Waste Disposal Authority. He was a board member of the Jonesboro Economic Development Corporation, an adjunct instructor in the Arkansas State University College of Engineering and an active member of Jonesboro First United Methodist Church. He has been a member of the American Water Works Association for more than 25 years and has served as the Arkansas trustee for the Southwest Section of AWWA.
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 Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2023. Throughout her career, Amanda 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. In addition to her extensive clinical experience, she has earned two national board certifications: Nurse Executive Board Certified in 2017 and Certified Emergency Nurse in 2018.
Christie Owen CCO
Birch Tree Communities
Todd Jacobs COO
Summit Utilities
Todd Jacobs is the executive vice president and chief operating officer at Summit Utilities, where he oversees operations, engineering, information technology and gas supply, ensuring safe and reliable natural gas delivery across Summit’s service territories. Previously, he was senior vice preisdent for growth and strategy at Black Hills Energy, leading customer-focused solutions and growth strategies. He also served as the operations leader for Black Hills Energy’s natural gas utilities, serving more than 1 million customers across six states. Before Black Hills, Jacobs held legal, regulatory and corporate services roles at Spire and Missouri Gas Energy. He also served as an active-duty Army officer with the First and Second Infantry divisions. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Military Institute and a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and he completed the executive program at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. He currently serves on the board of directors for the American Gas Association and the board of trustees for the American Gas Foundation.
Levon James COO
Gadberry Financial Group
Benjamin Johnson CEO
U.S. Marshals Museum
Over his nearly two-decade museum career, Benjamin Johnson, CEO of the U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith, has served in nearly every capacity within the museum industry. From intern to curator to senior leadership, Johnson is driven by his passion for history and the role that museums play in creating vibrant communities. He has held senior leadership roles at museums across the country, including Iowa, Nebraska, New York, Oregon and Arkansas. He firmly believes that museums and cultural institutions belong to everyone, and that high-quality exhibits and programs can educate and entertain citizens of all ages. A native of Nebraska, Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in history and religion from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in U.S. military and diplomatic history from the University of Nebraska. Under his leadership, the U.S. Marshals Museum aims to honor the legacy of America’s original federal law enforcement agency and educate the public about its pivotal role in American history.
Lenesha Jones CPO
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas
Lenesha Jones serves as senior vice president and chief people officer at Goodwill Industries of Arkansas. Jones originally joined GIA in 2019, after retiring from the United States Navy following 24 years of honorable service. She began with Goodwill as a career services manager before transitioning to director of human resources in 2020. In 2021, she was named vice president of human resources before being promoted to her current position. In her role, Jones oversees human resources and training for more than 1,400 GIA employees. She develops and implements equitable HR policies and procedures in accordance with local, state and federal laws and regulations. She also creates and oversees HR programs that support employee recruitment, development and retention. Her position is critical in ensuring that GIA is an employer of choice, attracting and retaining talent who champion Goodwill’s mission of education, training and employment.
Charlene Julian CTO
Farmers & Merchants Bank
With more than 26 years of experience in the legal and financial sectors, Charlene Julian serves as chief trust officer at Stuttgart’s Farmers & Merchants Bank. She leads the bank’s trust services department, overseeing estate planning, fiduciary solutions and financial preparedness. A graduate of the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Julian transitioned from a distinguished legal career to the trust sector, combining legal expertise with financial strategy. She is committed to helping clients build successful financial legacies through personalized trust services. Active in the community, Julian supports Little Rock’s Mount St. Mary Academy and Catholic High School for Boys.
Vic Kennett CEO
Kerusso
Vic Kennett is the founder and CEO of Kerusso, based in Berryville, the nation’s leading producer of faith-based apparel and accessories. What began in 1987 as a startup in a spare bedroom with a $1,000 loan has grown into an internationally recognized brand. Today, Kerusso products are sold in thousands of retailers — from independent gift and Bible stores to Walmart — and distributed in more than 50 countries. This year, the company celebrates an incredible milestone: 50 million T-shirts sold and counting. Under Kennett’s leadership, Kerusso has expanded from a single flagship brand to seven distinct brands, launching hundreds of new designs each season. Guided by the company’s motto, “Change Your Shirt. Change the World!,” he believes in the power of messaging and in giving back, supporting numerous faith-based and humanitarian organizations while staying true to Kerusso’s mission to inspire and uplift. Kennett is also the author of Change Your Shirt. Change The World.
Brad Lacy CEO
Conway Chamber of Commerce
Craig Lair CFO
Mountaire Corp.
Holly Larkin COO
Circumference Group
Frank Lawrence CEO
The Athletic Clubs
John Lee CEO
Ashley-Chicot Electric Cooperative
Phil Libin CEO
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Christina Littlejohn CEO
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
Sarah Loftin CNO
Arkansas Surgical Hospital
Sarah Loftin serves as the chief nursing officer at Arkansas Surgical Hospital in North Little Rock, where she provides strategic clinical and administrative leadership to ensure exceptional patient care. She works to develop processes that uphold ASH’s reputation for delivering five-star, high-quality care. In 2014, she joined ASH as a preoperative staff nurse, quickly advancing to clinical coordinator in 2016, director of quality services in 2017, and CNO in 2022. A graduate of Baptist Health Schools, Loftin was named one of the Arkansas Center for Nursing’s Top 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40 in 2018 and was named an AMP Power Woman in 2022. Loftin finds joy in family life while living in Benton with her two children, Macy and Reed.
Jeff Maland CRO
Signature Bank
Jeff Maland is the chief risk officer at Signature Bank of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He joined the fledgling bank in 2004 as a banker trainee. In his tenure at the bank, Maland served as compliance officer and loan review/risk management officer before his promotion to chief risk officer. His role places him on the bank’s executive management committee, which develops strategic business planning, policy development and problem solving. He has been a primary contributor to the bank’s success in its 20 years, formulating policies and procedures, overseeing audits and examinations as well as identifying, assessing and reducing threats to the bank. Maland has a Bachelor of Science in administrative management from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He has completed graduate commercial lending school at Southern Methodist University, the American Bankers Association National Compliance School at the University of Oklahoma and the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Colorado.
Eric Mangham CFO
Arkansas Federal Credit Union
Mark Marquess CEO
Riverwood Homes NWA
Brian Marsh CEO
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas
Brian Marsh was named president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas in 2017, after serving six months in an interim role. Marsh originally joined Goodwill Industries of Arkansas as chief operating officer in 2013. Goodwill Industries of Arkansas owns and operates 50 retail and donation centers across the state and, in fiscal year 2024, received nearly 45 million pounds of donated goods which accounted for 95 percent of GIA’s revenue. Under Marsh’s leadership, GIA has launched the Goodwill Training and Education Centers in Little Rock and Springdale. The GTEC campuses house the Excel Center and the Academy. The Excel Center is the only adult high school in Arkansas where individuals aged 19 and above can obtain their high school diploma. The Academy, licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Private Career Education, offers job and skills training, as well as certifications that focus on the state’s top business sectors.
Rob Marsh CEO
Bradford Health Services
Janell Mason CEO
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas & North Louisiana
Kevin McGilton CEO
Riceland Foods
Kevin McGilton is president and chief executive officer of Riceland Foods in Stuttgart. McGilton joined the farmer-owned cooperative in 2003 working in export sales advancing to lead the department as vice president of international rice sales. Most recently, he served as chief of staff and vice president of government affairs. He began his career in the rice industry in 1995 with Louis Dreyfus in McGehee. Prior to joining Riceland, he worked for the USA Rice Federation in Washington, D.C. Originally from Hamburg, McGilton is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and he serves as an executive council member of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, as a director of the National Oilseed Processors Association and on the government affairs committee for the USA Rice Federation. He served as the past vice chairman of the Arkansas Rice Federation and past chairman of the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce. Riceland Foods is the largest miller and marketer of rice serving.
Nicole McMinn CNO
Cabot Emergency Hospital
Kristin Merlo CEO
Delta Dental
Chris Meyer CEO
James A. Rogers Excavating
Chris Meyer is CEO of James A. Rogers Excavating in Little Rock. Founded by James A. Rogers, Sr. in 1957, the company has always strived for perfection in every dimension of their work. Handed down from generation to generation, that same spirit stays at the root of the company’s ideology. Meyer has served in the role of president and CEO since 2016. He received his degree in construction management from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Chris Moses CEO
Moses Tucker Partners
Chris Moses is the principal, president and CEO of Little Rock’s Moses Tucker Partners. Moses spearheads the firm’s strategic growth and market expansion, redefining the commercial real estate landscape across Arkansas. Since assuming leadership in 2013, he has elevated the company into one of the state’s most influential real estate firms, driving more than $1 billion in development, leasing and investment transactions. Under his leadership, the firm’s property management portfolio expanded by more than 800 percent, surpassing 11.6 million square feet. With 25 years of expertise, Moses is a recognized leader in multifamily, retail, office and medical development, historic preservation, investment sales and tenant/landlord representation. His visionary leadership has played a defining role in shaping downtown Little Rock’s skyline, delivering transformative projects that reinforce his legacy as a powerful force in commercial real estate.
Adam Motherwell CFO
Beaver Water District
Adam Motherwell of Fayetteville joined the staff of Lowell-based Beaver Water District in 2014 as chief financial officer. He is an honors graduate of the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He has more than 40 years of experience in corporate auditing, governmental auditing and financial accounting. From 2000 to 2014, he served as the associate dean for finance and administration in the UA’s Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. His credentials have included certified public accountant, certified fraud examiner, UA Credit Union treasurer and chairman of the audit committee for the city of Fayetteville.
Jake Nabholz CEO
Nabholz
Nabholz’ chief executive officer Jake Nabholz began his 26-year tenure with the company working as a summer laborer while in high school. After graduating with his construction management degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, his career advanced within Nabholz, and he later served in business development and leadership roles for the firm in Tulsa and central Arkansas. In 2018, he was promoted to the position of regional president overseeing construction operations in central and northeast Arkansas as well as Tennessee, Mississippi and Oklahoma. In 2022, he took the reins as CEO. He currently serves on the boards for Arkansas Children’s Foundation, Conway Development Corporation, Conway Corp. and First Security Bank. He is part of the third generation of the Nabholz family to work at the company, following the path of his grandfather, company founder Bob Nabholz, and father, David Nabholz, former executive vice president and current chairman.
Kim Nunnally CFO
Bank of Cave City
Tim O’Donnell CFO
Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Authority
Tim O’Donnell joined the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Authority in 2019 as its CFO. Previously, O’Donnell served as the vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where 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 in Fayetteville until the company relocated its energy business to Houston. He spent 22 years at Southwestern and held numerous financial positions at the company. O’Donnell has also worked in commercial real estate and public accounting in his career. He is a certified public accountant (inactive).
Phillip Oldridge CEO
Envirotech
Caleb Parker CEO
Arkansas Matters
Kyle D. Parker CEO
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Kyle D. Parker, is president and CEO of the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in Fort Smith. Throughout his successful career, he has made significant contributions in the legal profession, business, technology, education and health care sectors. As CEO of ACHE, Parker is the driving force behind the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, ACHE School of Physical Therapy, ACHE School of Occupational Therapy and the Master of Science in Biomedicine and Master of Public Health programs. He has also played a visionary role in creating the Village at Heritage, Celebration Garden and Wellness Park. The Biomedical Resource Center and the Center for Rehabilitation and Research were recently opened on the second floor of the building. Parker’s philanthropic spirit shines through his extensive volunteer work for civic, charitable and educational organizations.
Bill Paschall CEO
Paschall Strategic Communications
Nelson Peacock CEO
Northwest Arkansas Council
Chris Pledger CFO
Westrock Coffee
David Porter CEO
Polk Stanley Wilcox
Tina Powe CEO
LifeLine Service Dogs
Tricia Rackley CEO
Arkansas Extended Care Hospital
Trisha Rackley is CEO of Arkansas Extended Care Hospital, a long-term acute care facility in Fort Smith. She serves in the same role at Priority Hospital Group. Prior to being named CEO in 2021, she served as chief operating officer and chief nursing officer for Valley Behavioral Health System in Fort Smith. She also served as chief quality officer for Fort Smith’s former Sparks Health System.
Stephen Ragland CFO
Stone Bank
Steve Ragland is an executive vice president and chief financial officer at Little Rock’s Stone Bank. He joined Stone Bank in 2016. Prior to joining the bank, Ragland was a member of the financial leadership team of Acxiom, a software development and data management company headquartered in Conway. He focused on financial analysis, budget and planning. Prior to his work at Acxiom, Ragland had more than five years of banking experience. He is a certified public accountant, a chartered global management accountant and has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Ragland is a former board member and treasurer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Central Arkansas.
Amanda Rey CEO
Northwest Arkansas Musicians
Conway Regional Health System
James Reed is chief information officer for 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.
Garland “Butch” Rice III CEO
Stallion Transportation Group
Born in 1962 and raised in North Little Rock by his parents, Garland and Carolyn Rice, Garland “Butch” Rice III grew up in the Rose City neighborhood and attended Northeast High School in North Little Rock. He continued his education at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and Arkansas State University-Beebe. From a young age, Rice learned the importance of respect, dedication, passion and loyalty. In 1992, he opened Stallion Transportation Group with two employees. Now, more than 30 years later, the company has 158 employees and annual sales of $75 million. Rice has served on the board of directors for the Arkansas Trucking Association since 2005.
Nick Roach CEO
Stone Bank
Nick Roach was appointed chief executive officer at Stone Bank in 2024. He joined the bank 2010 and served as chief lending officer. Roach received his bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and graduated from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in Texas. Under his leadership, Stone Bank has been recognized as a top 100 Small Business Administration lender and a top five U.S. Department of Agriculture lender. Additionally, Stone Bank has been consistently ranked as one of the leading Farm Service Agency agriculture lenders with customers in 13 states. Roach has served as the president of the National Rural Lenders Roundtable of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Allison Roberts CEO
Arkansas Arts Academy
Keith Rozolis CEO
ABC Supply
Jonathan Rushing COO
Frost
Bennie Ryburn III CEO
Commercial Bank & Trust Co.
Austin Samuelson CEO
Tacos 4 Life
Rachel Schell CEO
RASPersonalized Solutions
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 maintenance services. Lexicon delivers up to 4 million man-hours and 150,000 tons of steel annually through its multiple divisions — Prospect Steel, Custom Metals, Steel Fabricators of Monroe, Lexicon Industrial Constructors, Lexicon Industrial Maintenance, Lexicon Energy Services, Heritage Links and Universal.
David Scruggs CEO
Today’s Bank
Shelley Short CEO
Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development
Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce
Vince Signorelli CEO
Vulcan Sporting Goods
Nicki Simpkins CFO
Pinnacle Pointe Hospital
Heath Simpson CEO
Ritter Communications
Susan Singleton CFO
Healthy Connections
Brian Smith CFO
Southern Administrative Services
Jeff Smith CEO
Cyrus Works
Payton Smith COO
Metro Disaster Specialists
Payton Smith is chief operating officer at Metro Disaster Specialists, a family-owned and locally operated business in North Little Rock. As a third-generation leader, he has played a key role in the company’s 46-year legacy of providing full-service restoration and reconstruction as a licensed general contractor across all 75 counties in Arkansas. Smith began his career at Metro during high school and college, later advancing into leadership roles before becoming COO in 2018. He holds the Certified Restorer designation, the highest certification in the restoration industry, and continues to oversee Metro’s Restoration Division and Marketing Department.
Brent Staley CEO
Staley Electric
Heather Stallings CEO
Wound Solutions of Arkansas
Devin Stockfish CEO
Weyerhaeuser
Ember Strange CFO
City of North Little Rock
Marilyn Strickland COO
Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care
Tammy Sun CEO
Carrot Fertility
Blake Swindle COO
AgHeritage Farm Credit Services
Blake Swindle is executive vice president and chief operating officer at AgHeritage Farm Credit Services in Little Rock. He received a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Business Administration from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He oversees branch operations and the association’s agribusiness and capital markets portfolio and team. He also serves as a member of ALCO and is chairman of the commercial lending committee. Swindle began his career at AgHeritage as a credit analyst trainee in 2001 before transitioning to the agribusiness and capital markets department. He was eventually promoted to vice president for agribusiness lending. He joined the senior leadership team in 2020 as senior vice president and chief commercial lending officer before taking his current role in 2022.
Brian F. Swindle CFO
Harrison Energy Partners
Krista Tapp COO
Pediatrics Plus
Denise Thomas CEO
World Trade Center Arkansas
Stephen Tipton CEO
Home BancShares
Chris Tropp COO
Arkansas Surgical Hospital
Chris Tropp, chief operating officer at Arkansas Surgical Hospital in North Little Rock, graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 1994. He started his career as an operating room nurse and helped develop a total joint and spine program. He served as the director of surgery at two local hospitals before coming to Arkansas Surgical Hospital. Tropp was recruited to ASH before it opened in 2005. In his role as director of perioperative services, he was instrumental in helping establish flow processes, hiring staff, ordering equipment and developing efficiencies. Tropp worked in that role for 15 years and served as chief nursing officer for two years during his tenure.
Conway Regional Health System
Matt Troup has served as the president and CEO of Conway Regional Health System for more than nine years. Conway Regional has seen historical growth in net revenue that has consistently stayed above 20 percent from 2020 to 2022. Conway Regional has achieved the best place to work designation for eight continuous years in Arkansas and seven continuous years nationally. Troup views health care as a faith-driven calling — a sentiment 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. Previously, Troup worked in Texas, Oklahoma and Florida as a chief operating officer and vice president. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Texas A&M University. He completed his Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio.
Kris Upton CEO
RPM Group
Kris Upton is president and CEO of RPM Group, one of the most storied real estate companies in Arkansas that will celebrate 70 years in business this year. Upton joined the Little Rock firm in 2003. He has been at the helm of leadership for the past decade and recently became the owner of the firm with his wife, Karen. RPM provides commercial real estate brokerage and asset management services across the state while its residential division, through a franchise relationship with Coldwell Banker, serves the greater central Arkansas metroplex. Coldwell Banker RPM Group has ranked No. 1 in sales volume in central Arkansas for the past two years. Upton believes community involvement and service are key tenets of RPM Group’s mission.
Joe Vitiritto CEO
PAM Transport
Sam Walls III CEO
Arkansas Capital Corp.
Mitch Ward CEO
Red River Auto Group
Jeff Weatherly CFO
Lexicon
Jeff Weatherly has served as Lexicon’s chief financial officer for more than 20 years. He is responsible for accounting, treasury, risk management, banking and surety relationships, litigation and acquisitions. Prior to joining the Lexicon team as vice president and CFO, he served as director of tax for Hudson Foods in Rogers and manager for Authur Andersen & Co. in Kansas City. A certified public accountant, Weatherly received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Missouri.
Amelia Weglewski COO
ICM
Amber White CEO
Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce
Becky Whitted CEO
NWA Federal Credit Union
Morgan Wiles CEO
WinChoice USA
Gena Wingfield CFO
Arkansas Children’s
Ronald Witherspoon CEO
Arvest Bank
David Wold CFO
Weyerhaeuser
Kecia Wolf CEO
Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative/Four States Fiber
Kecia Wolf is the president and CEO of Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative and Four States Fiber in Texarkana. With nearly 15 years of dedicated service at the cooperative, Wolf has held several key roles, including vice president of finance and accounting, member services and human resources, as well as controller and accountant. She graduated with honors from Texas A&M-Texarkana, earning both her Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees. She also has an associate degree in applied science in electric power technology from Bismarck State College in North Dakota. Wolf is an alumna of the Robert I. Kabat Management Internship Program and has earned certifications as a key account executive, a cooperative financial professional and in key ratio trend analysis. A committed professional, Wolf is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Nathan Woodruff CEO
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