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SEPTEMBER 2026/armoneyandpolitics.com

LEADERS IN JUSTICE,

Champions for ALL.

SISTAS-IN-LAW LIFTING UP NEXT GENERATION

Judge Cara Connors

Judge LaTonya Honorable

INSIDE: Achievers in Their Forties | Banking and Finance | Corporate Benefits $10 USD

Congratulations,

David Miller 2026 AMP Achievers in Their Forties.

David Miller, General Superintendent at James A. Rogers Excavating, brings a strong foundation of leadership, discipline, and accountability to the excavation industry. With roots in excavation and a successful career in law enforcement, David has built his career around high standards, continuous growth, and strong leadership. Today, he is focused on developing his team, raising the bar, and building a lasting legacy at James A. Rogers Excavating.

Serving Arkansas Since 1962 501-455-2439 / Little Rock, AR

Excellence earns recognition. Trust earns relationships. Stephens is proud to celebrate our colleagues named among Arkansas Money & Politics' 2026 Women in Banking and Top Financial Advisors. Their dedication to thoughtful advice, exceptional service and long-term client success represents the very best of our firm. These honors recognize individual excellence while reflecting something we value deeply at Stephens—the lasting trust our clients place in our people and the relationships we build every day. INVESTMENT BANKING • PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT INSTITUTIONAL EQUITIES & RESEARCH FIXED INCOME SALES & TRADING • CAPITAL MANAGEMENT PUBLIC FINANCE • PRIVATE CAPITAL • INSURANCE

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FEATURES SEPTEMBER 2026

22 LIKE FAMILY Ask anyone in Batesville about First Community Bank’s “secret sauce,” its formula for growth and success, and they will likely provide a variation of the same response.

152

BOLD PLAN

BENEFICIAL

Brad Bolding is back as head football coach in North Little Rock, and big things are expected for his second tenure with the Charging Wildcats.

A great benefits package is a perk for both companies and their employees. ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

SE PTE M B E R 2026

September 2026 PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER

Heather Baker | hbaker@armoneyandpolitics.com

NONPROFIT

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dwain Hebda | dwain@armoneyandpolitics.com

128 Service

SENIOR EDITOR Mark Carter | mcarter@armoneyandpolitics.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Mak Millard | mmillard@armoneyandpolitics.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Darlene Hebda | darlene@armoneyandpolitics.com

BANKING AND FINANCE

28 75 and counting

In 1950, the year Telcoe Federal Credit Union began, depositing a paycheck or taking out a loan was a much slower, more manual process than it is today.

34 The foundation

COPY EDITOR Sarah DeClerk | sdeclerk@armoneyandpolitics.com

Randy Lann said the mission of the Arkansas National Guard Foundation boils down to one purpose — supporting Guard members and their families.

132 Doing good

136 Success story Marsha Martin is getting a lot of attention these days thanks to a flamboyant sense of style and some strategically placed courtside seats at Bud Walton Arena.

144 Cool customers

CORPORATE BENEFITS

90 Office amenities

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jerry Cordova | jcordova@armoneyandpolitics.com Lora Puls | lpuls@armoneyandpolitics.com Lee Smith | lsmith@armoneyandpolitics.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Greg Churan | gchuran@armoneyandpolitics.com Michelle Daugherty | michelle@armoneyandpolitics.com Mary Funderburg | mary@armoneyandpolitics.com Karen Holderfield | kholderfield@armoneyandpolitics.com Ryan Parker | ryan@armoneyandpolitics.com Carrie Sublett | carrie@armoneyandpolitics.com

ADVERTISING ASSISTANT Katie Beth Smith | ksmith@armoneyandpolitics.com

Baldwin Empire Services has wasted little time in establishing itself as a leader in a crowded field of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration installations and repairs.

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Maggie Holloway | ads@armoneyandpolitics.com

Spanish shores 146 From to Arkansas stores

ADMINISTRATION Marissa Porter | ayoffice@armoneyandpolitics.com

For Buenos Aires Gin, a London Dry formulated in Argentina and distilled in Spain, the Natural State seemed like an unlikely landing spot.

TO ADVERTISE call 501-244-9700 email hbaker@armoneyandpolitics.com

It is said people never get a second chance for a first impression. The Dodo has landed Chris Cerrato of Evo Business Environments believes this extends Dodo Coffee is off to a big to workspaces, as well. start in Fayetteville, backed by co-owner and all-pro NFL wide ACHIEVERS IN receiver Cooper Kupp of the THEIR FORTIES Seattle Seahawks.

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95 The sweet spot

150 Cardio-friendly

Careers often hit a sweet spot a decade or two down a certain path. For this year’s class of AMP ’s Achievers in Their Forties, the sweet spot is about the journey.

Nathen Welch, co-owner of Electrical Solutions of Central Arkansas, said his company is focused on “providing a service, not a heart attack.”

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PRODUCTION MANAGER Mike Bedgood | mbedgood@armoneyandpolitics.com

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Jessica Everson | jeverson@armoneyandpolitics.com

SMALL BUSINESS

According to a 2022 study, women held about 21 percent of C-suite and senior leadership positions in the U.S. financial services industry.

MANAGING DIGITAL EDITOR Kellie McAnulty | kmcanulty@armoneyandpolitics.com ONLINE WRITER Kilee Hall | khall@armoneyandpolitics.com

If it were just another Main Street Communities are built on their firm, Goodwill Arkansas would small businesses, homes and be one of the most celebrated schools — but none of that would business headlines in the state be possible without the support of strong community banks. FEATURE

62 Women in Banking

STAFF WRITERS Doug Crise | dcrise@armoneyandpolitics.com Alex Hardgrave | ahardgrave@armoneyandpolitics.com

CIRCULATION circulation@armoneyandpolitics.com

CEO | Vicki Vowell

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Jennifer Baker, Jane Colclasure, Heather Jones, Loria Oliver, DeWaine Duncan AMP magazine is published monthly, Volume IX, Issue 4 AMP magazine (ISSN 2162-7754) is published monthly by AY Media Group, 910 W. Second St., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201. Periodicals postage paid at Little Rock, AR, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to AMP, 910 W. Second St., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201. Subscription Inquiries: Subscription rate is $28 for one year (12 issues). Single issues are available upon request for $10. For subscriptions, inquiries or address changes, call 501-244-9700. The contents of AMP are copyrighted, and material contained herein may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. Articles in AMP should not be considered specific advice, as individual circumstances vary. Products and services advertised in the magazine are not necessarily endorsed by AMP. Please recycle this magazine.

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PLUGGED IN SEPTEMBER 2026/armoneyandpolitics.com

ON THE COV E R Jane Colclasure photographed the Sistas-in-Law founders, judges Cara Connors and LaTonya Honorable, at the Pulaski County Courthouse.

INSTAGRAM

Coverage starts on page 18.

LEADERS IN JUSTICE,

Champions for ALL.

SISTAS-IN-LAW LIFTING UP NEXT GENERATION

Judge Cara Connors

Judge LaTonya Honorable

INSIDE: Achievers in Their Forties | Banking and Finance | Corporate Benefits $10 USD

FEEDBACK ARVEST NAMED OFFICIAL BANK OF STATE FAIR; OTHER PARTNERSHIPS ANNOUNCED Congratulations to the State Fairgrounds and Arvest. What a great partnership for years to come! Dan Sawyer

$242M Eaton facility set to bring 1,200 jobs to North Little Rock

ARKANSAS SURGICAL HOSPITAL ADDS PHYSICIANS Thanks for sharing! We’re excited to welcome these new doctors to our hospital! Arkansas Surgical Hospital IMMEASURABLE IMPACT: NEW SCHOOL YEAR BRINGS NEW CHANCE TO CHANGE LIVES We have loved every minute of this school! Tonya Stringer Franzetti DR. ERIC PAUL, BAPTIST HEALTH Congrats, Eric! So proud to call you a friend! And thank you for helping improve my health! Jeanne Meek 2026 AMP CHAMPIONS OF HEALTHCARE: TRACI HAMPTON, HIGHLANDS ONCOLOGY Traci Hampton, you once told me that you’re “all in” when it comes to Highlands, and it’s true. You communicate their story in an amazing way. Absolutely a champion in your industry. Josie George ARKANSAS RESEARCH ALLIANCE INDUCTS ANAHITA KHOJANDI INTO ARA ACADEMY An extraordinary addition to the ARA Academy, Dr. Anahita Khojandi helps to place Arkansas at the vanguard of AI-driven technology. Arkansas Research Alliance JIMMY ANTHONY TO REPLACE RETIRING KRISTIN MERLO AT DELTA DENTAL Congratulations Jimmy Anthony, MBA, well deserved! Stephanie Shine

Jimmy Anthony to replace retiring Kristin Merlo at Delta Dental

UAMS RECEIVES FEDERAL GRANT TO STUDY PATHOGENS LEADING TO BURKITT LYMPHOMA What an important investment in research. Proud to see this work happening in Arkansas. Scott Lauck

TOP ONLINE ARTICLES Aug. 3 — Aug. 31 1 AMP Best of 2026 2 Dallas Cowboys Great Emmitt Smith gets 2026 Little Rock Touchdown Club off to a running start 3 Putt Chip Chill set to open soon 4 West Little Rock welcomes new 24/7 emergency hospital 5 Arkansas launches active wildfire dashboard

Officials cut ribbon for Hot Springs Suites in Spa City

6 F-35 special access program facility coming to Fort Smith 7 Former UA, ASU coach joins staff at LR Parkview 8 Moses-led group acquires former La Quinta in Downtown LR for use as Arkansas Baptist Student Housing 9 Dr. Aswini Kumar & Dr. Aswanth Reddy, Mercy Fort Smith 10 Braum’s announces plans for another Arkansas location SE PT E M B E R 2 026

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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

By Mark Carter

HAVE THE SQUIRRELS GONE BERSERK?

he squirrels — those of west Little Rock anyway — seem to have taken a cue from their cousins running amok inside the First Self-Righteous Church and gone, well, berserk. Even the Presbyterian squirrels are acting nutty. (Readers younger than 50 are encouraged to search “Ray Stevens” in whichever music-download platform the kids use these days.) For the past two years, the squirrels have seemed way more active, much bigger and, some of them, decidedly more reddish — at least to my eyes. The ones who perform along the fenceline outside my office window apparently have some theater blood in their DNA, and the ones who live in the canopy of my backyard — though almost certainly native-to-Arkansas eastern grays — aspire to become squirrels of the flying variety. The Flying Squirrel Wallendas, if you will. Why wait till the trunk runs out before disembarking from a tree when you can simply hop off 10, 15 feet in the air, land on your feet and go about your business? Because they can, I suppose. Squirrels have always been nutty, of course, but over the past couple of years, their behavior has been decidedly more Almond Joy than Mounds. (Again, kids, Google it, or better yet, Duck Duck Go it. “Duck” it? No, probably not.)

Though the squirrels that catch my attention seem more bold, larger and increasingly red, I know they are typical eastern gray squirrels. The American red squirrels are generally smaller than the eastern grays that make up the eastern half of upper North America. Plus, the reds have tufts at the tops of their ears. They are the Tolkien elves — or, for that matter, the Roddenberry Vulcans — of squirreldom. Red squirrels’ North American range forms a giant, inverted U that takes in Appalachia, New England, the Great Lakes, upper Midwest, almost all of Canada and the Rockies. But the eastern grays? Take a map of North America, and draw a line from Fargo to Corpus Christi, include a couple of quick Canuck excursions to Saskatoon and Ottawa, and everything east of that line is eastern gray country. Are the American reds launching incursions into eastern gray territory, clamoring over the walls like the zombies in World War Z or the Moroccans in Ceuta? Are they infiltrating eastern gray communities in the South because they like their acorns covered in gravy? Or are the Canadian American reds infiltrating the U.S. American red communities and launching these incursions, knowing the U.S. reds will be blamed? You know, a component to the Great 2026 Tariff War. Sadly, with a little dogged determination, I could probably qualify for federal grants to fund my quest for an answer.

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

By Heather Baker

JERRY, BILL AND ‘TOUCHDOWN, LITTLE ROCK’

ike many Arkansans, I have been amazed to witness the Little Rock Touchdown Club grow into one of the biggest — and definitely the best — of its kind since it was launched roughly two decades ago. Little Rock sometimes punches above its weight class as a market thanks in part to its status as state capital and “front porch” of Arkansas. The Touchdown Club, for which AY Media Group is the proud media sponsor, is doing the same by bringing in sports superstars such as Jimmy Johnson, Terry Bradshaw, Jon Gruden, Lawrence Taylor, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Emmitt Smith, Brett Favre and many more. This year’s lineup will be headlined by the men behind two of the most recognizable faces on the planet, both Arkansans — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and former President Bill Clinton. Heather Baker and David Bazzel (Photo by Ryan Parker) Within three hours of club founder David Bazzel SE PT E M B E R 2 026

revealing the pair’s upcoming appearance at the club, hundreds of tickets had been sold. Anticipation of that demand is exactly why Bazzel moved the club’s meeting that week from the Doubletree to Simmons Bank Arena. Jerry and Bill will join Baz to talk Razorbacks, football and Arkansas on Oct. 12. Once again, the club is sure to generate national headlines. Arkansas is full of so many amazing things, many of which continue to fly under the radar. One of them, for sure, is the Little Rock Touchdown Club. After this fall, I am not sure how much longer the club will qualify as one of the state’s hidden gems. Enjoy this issue, filled with sports, banking, benefits, “Achievers” and more. Thank you, as always, for reading. Hit me up with story ideas at hbaker@armoneyandpolitics.com. ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

VIEWPOINT

BUILDING THE FUTURE OF FINANCIAL TECH IN ARKANSAS By Jennifer Baker

accessible. In Arkansas, where small businesses and community relationships form the backbone of the economy, digital tools serve as the ultimate multiplier for local growth.

hen people think of retail banking, they often envision brick-and-mortar branches and bank tellers. Today, however, the most critical infrastructure supporting our regional economy is digital. As chief information officer at Arvest Bank, my focus is on delivering technological innovation that directly supports the communities we serve. Navigating that requires more than just deploying cutting-edge platforms. It demands a modern leadership approach and a deliberate commitment to broadening the talent pipeline.

PAVING THE PATH FOR WOMEN IN SENIOR TECH ROLES As technology continues to reshape financial services, ensuring diverse perspectives at the decisionmaking table is a strategic imperative. My long-standing involvement with Women in Technology, including my current role on the advisory board for Women in Technology of Northwest Arkansas, reinforces a core truth: Changing the dynamic requires moving beyond passive mentorship toward active sponsorship. For women aspiring to senior technology leadership, three factors are critical: 1. Visibility and representation: You cannot be what you cannot see. HighlightJennifer Baker ing women who lead critical technical initiatives — from cybersecurity to cloud architecture or data engineering to artificial intelligence — normalizes executive technical leadership for the next generation. 2. Intentional advocacy and sponsorship: Mentors give advice, but sponsors advocate for you in rooms you have not entered yet. Senior leaders must actively champion high-performing women for stretch assignments, profit and loss responsibility, and core technical roles that pave the way to the C-suite. 3. Cultivating technical confidence: Science, technology, engineering and math fields often see drop-offs in early to midcareer stages. Creating clear career pathways that value both technical mastery and strategic leadership helps keep talented women in the talent pipeline. Arkansas has a vibrant, growing tech ecosystem anchored by world-class retail, logistics and financial institutions. By investing in regional STEM initiatives, supporting local universities, and fostering inclusive corporate environments, we can make our state a destination for top-tier tech talent.

MODERN LEADERSHIP: PURPOSE OVER PROCESS Tech leadership in financial services has fundamentally shifted over the past decade. An IT organization can no longer simply “keep the lights on” or manage legacy infrastructure. Today’s executives must serve as enterprise strategists who connect technology directly to human and business outcomes. At its core, effective tech leadership is about clarity, empathy and empowerment. Technology changes at a breakneck speed, but human nature does not. To drive meaningful change, leaders must create an environment that balances a culture of candor with accountability. When teams feel safe to experiment, share bold ideas and learn from failure, true innovation happens. My role is not to have all the answers — it is to build an environment where our talented associates, engineers, developers and data scientists can solve complex problems for our customers. DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WITH A COMMUNITY HEART Digital transformation is frequently discussed in terms of cloud migrations, artificial intelligence and application programming interface integrations. While those tools are vital, transformation is ultimately a strategic evolution, not just an IT upgrade. Transformation is not a single goal driven by a single loud voice. Instead, it is a catalyst that touches every product or service when aligned with a clear strategy. At Arvest, our digital transformation is not about replacing human connections; it is about deepening them. That philosophy is embedded in our DNA. A great example, we introduced ATMs with Live Teller, combining the speed of automated drive-thru technology with the personal touch of face-to-face video interactions with real Arvest associates. The technology helped us expand banking hours for customers who need to make financial transactions outside standard lobby hours. Arkansans expect the convenience of a modern digital experience alongside the trusted, local relationship they have valued for decades. By leveraging data analytics and modernized banking systems today, we automate routine processes, freeing our teams to focus on personalized, high-value customer interactions. Real digital transformation meets customers where they are. Whether that means delivering instant online loan approvals or enabling a local small business owner to manage cash flow effortlessly on a smartphone, technology should make financial security more

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LOOKING AHEAD The future of banking belongs to organizations that combine high-tech capabilities with high-touch service. Achieving that balance requires clear leadership, purpose-driven digital strategies, and a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. As we build out Arkansas’ digital financial future, our goal remains unchanged: driving technology forward so our neighbors and businesses can thrive. Jennifer Baker is chief information officer at Arvest Bank and an advisory board member for Women in Technology of Northwest Arkansas.

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VIEWPOINT

THREE WAYS TO BUILD A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE TO WRAP UP 2026 By Heather Jones

hile some companies were challenged by uncertain geopolitical and economic forces during the first half of 2026, informed executives remained agile, making key decisions in real time. Strong leaders are focused on three priorities that will help inform their strategic vision to close out the year. DEPLOY AI NOW, AND PREPARE FOR WHAT COMES NEXT Artificial intelligence has rapidly moved from a proof of concept to a business standard. For middle-market leaders, the message is simple: Start now. First, get the company’s data in order. There is no bold AI strategy without clean, connected and properly governed data. Companies should evaluate whether their core systems are integrated. Financial platforms, customer relationship management tools and operational data commonly exist in separate silos, limiting AI capabilities. Leaders will want to ensure that their data is consistently structured and clearly owned. They should be able to trace a single customer or transaction across the business end to end. These are achievable standards and the foundation AI requires to deliver real value. Once that is established, companies should resist the urge to do everything at the same time. For many companies, finance and operations are a good place to start. Cash flow forecasting, accounts payable automation and demand planning are low data complexity and high impact. Starting here also builds organizational confidence, since early wins create the internal case for broader AI adoption. From there, companies can expand to synthesizing market intelligence and personalizing customer engagement. In each case, AI enhances what teams can do without replacing the judgment of the people leading them. STRENGTHEN GOVERNANCE MECHANISMS BEFORE DISRUPTION HITS Businesses do not usually falter because of a single disruption. More often, a lack of structure prevents them from responding effectively. According to the World Economic Forum, what is required now is readiness: the ability to anticipate, adapt and act decisively. For middle-market companies, that starts with internal alignment so they can be agile in crises and consistent in delivering on their long-term commitments. Resilient companies begin by creating a shared vision and decisionmaking framework. Leadership teams should consider the following questions: • How do we prioritize capital allocation in an uncertain environment? • What level of risk are we willing to tolerate as market conditions continue to shift?

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• Are we investing in the right technologies to stay competitive over the long term? Structured governance processes, whether a monthly leadership alignment session, a defined decision-rights matrix or a standing risk review committee, give leaders the framework to make difficult decisions, align on a path forward and act decisively when volatility arrives rather than scrambling in a heightened moment. TURN EMPLOYEE BENEFITS INTO A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE Workplace benefits have become a defining factor in where employees choose to work and whether they stay. According to a recent Bank of America Workplace Benefits Report, 24 percent of employees have recently left or considered leaving their company due to insufficient benefits, up from 15 percent in 2023. In today’s competitive war for talent, attracting and retaining top performers is not just an HR priority; it is a strategic advantage that drives innovation, strengthens culture and fuels long-term business growth. Forward-thinking companies are improving their benefits strategies to align wellness investments with Heather Jones key business goals, including retention, productivity and workforce resilience. They do so by tailoring offerings to the unique needs and demographics of their workforce, from phased return programs for caregivers to lifestyle spending accounts that give employees flexibility in how they invest in their own well-being. For middle-market companies, this represents a real competitive opening. They can often personalize offerings more effectively than larger employers, moving faster to meet the specific needs of their workforce. Middle-market companies are being proactive. They are already building the advantages that will define them through AI infrastructure, governance that enables fast and aligned decisions and benefits strategies that retain top talent. Companies that advance on all three fronts will be better positioned to move quickly when opportunities arise, hold their teams together when conditions get tough and compete more effectively in a market that shows no signs of simplifying. Heather Jones is president of Bank of America Arkansas and senior vice president of global commercial banking.

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VIEWPOINT

INVESTING IN ARKANSAS’ HOMEGROWN TALENT By Loria Oliver

foundations that want to pay forward opportunities they received, strengthen the communities that have shaped them or create opportunities they may not have had themselves. Every story is different, but there is often a common thread: a desire to make a meaningful difference for capable, smart and deserving students in Arkansas. What makes this work meaningful to me is the ripple effect the Land of Opportunity Scholarship has on our scholars. Education paves the way for more career paths, economic security, and a stronger outcome for their futures and our state. The first cohort of Land of Opportunity Scholars is impressive, and I often find myself thinking about the individual student’s journey to arrive on campus: where they grew up, who encouraged them along the way and what they hope to do with the opportunity in front of them. That is when the magnitude of the initiative becomes real. In conversations with Arkansas business and philanthropic leaders, I hear a Loria Oliver shared sense of responsibility for the future. They understand that developing talent is not simply about filling jobs. It is about helping people build lives here, contribute to communities they care about and eventually create opportunities for others. The talent pipeline begins long before an employer posts an opening. It begins when young people can imagine futures for themselves and have people willing to help them find paths toward those futures. As the South becomes increasingly important to the nation’s pipeline of new talent, developing and retaining that talent will remain central to Arkansas’s economic future. Today, Land of Opportunity Scholars come from 57 Arkansas counties. The ambition is to reach all 75 counties, but our measure of success goes beyond how many students enter the program or earn a degree. We follow career placement and other postgraduate outcomes to understand where scholars go, what they do and how the opportunities created through their education continue to shape their lives. That is the larger promise of the Land of Opportunity Scholarship: creating a path for young Arkansans to turn their potential into lasting opportunity — for themselves, their families, their communities and the generations that follow.

cross the country, the number of high school graduates is expected to decline over the years ahead. Nationally, the graduating class is projected to shrink 13 percent by 2041 from its 2025 peak, according to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. The South, however, is the only U.S. region projected to have more high school graduates in 2041 than it did in 2023. That puts Arkansas in an important position. As other parts of the country compete for a shrinking pool of graduates and workers, we have an opportunity to develop the talent already growing up across our state. At the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, we are seeing that potential firsthand. Enrollment reached a record 34,161 students in fall 2025, including a record number of Arkansas students. Through the Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign, more than $141 million is committed to expanding access. More than 100 scholars represent 57 of Arkansas’s 75 counties in the first cohort. The initiative’s early reach spans communities large and small across Arkansas, underscoring the importance of ensuring talented students statewide have the resources and support to succeed. As Arkansas’ land-grant university, the University of Arkansas has a responsibility to serve the entire state and expand access to education. The scholarship program puts that mission into practice by creating pathways for students whose circumstances might otherwise make that access feel out of reach. Access does not end with an acceptance letter, either. The program pairs financial support with mentoring, academic coaching, financial planning and career development to help students persist through graduation and prepare for work they will do in their careers and communities. PHILANTHROPY CAN OPEN PATHWAYS After more than two decades working in philanthropy, I see this as more than a higher education story. It is about creating pathways that allow more Arkansas students to thrive. I moved to northwest Arkansas in 2010. It is where I have continued to build my career, raise my sons and become a part of the fabric that makes this a community that I care deeply about. Over the years, I have seen how one opportunity, one relationship or one person willing to believe in someone can change the direction of a person’s life. Often, that impact reaches well beyond individuals to their families, their communities and the people who come behind them. I am excited to step into this new role as senior director of philanthropic initiatives and help lead the next phase of the Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign. Within this position, I have had the privilege of connecting with individuals, businesses and

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Loria Oliver is senior director of philanthropic initiatives at the University of Arkansas Division of University Advancement in Fayetteville.

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Sept. 27-Oct. 4 Little Rock View the full list of authors at

SixBridgesBookFestival.org

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SE PTE M B E R 2026

COVER

Someone to

By Sarah DeClerk Photo by Jane Colclasure

LOOK UP TO

Sistas-in-Law highlights accomplishments of Black women in law while uplifting next generation

aTonya Honorable may be a judge in the Pulaski County Circuit Court today, but back when she was first starting law school, she had a hard time making the connections that would help get her there, particularly with other Black women. “I didn’t come from a family of lawyers,” she said. “I just knew I wanted to be a lawyer, and so it was difficult for me to understand how important the networking was and making meaningful, lasting connections — not transactional connections, but real, meaningful connections.” Honorable is a woman who seeks to encourage and empower with everything she does. If she comes into a space and does not encourage and empower, she said, she is not doing her job. With that spirit of service in mind, she co-founded Sistas-in-Law to provide other women of color with the support they need to start and grow their legal careers. The organization began as a GroupMe messaging group focused on providing support, en-

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couragement and resources to female lawyers of color. Around 2022, Honorable and Judge Cara Connors, who serves the 6th Judicial Circuit in Pulaski and Perry counties, decided to formalize the community by creating a nonprofit. “I think that gets to the whole point of Sistas-inLaw,” Honorable said. “She’s my sista’, and she encouraged me. She was like, ‘You’ve got to do more than just this GroupMe. This is really good, but this could really be something more and something better.’” The organization works to combat the underrepresentation of Black women in legal professions. In 2023, Black women accounted for less than 3 percent of all lawyers working at U.S. law firms, the Sistas-in-Law website states. “I think there are several things that contribute to that,” Honorable said. “Black women have had struggles getting admitted into law school, and then there is the Bar passage rate. There’s also a certain element of really finding a place for Black women in law, and sometimes we just struggle to ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

COVER

Judges Cara Connors, left, and LaTonya Honorable

COVER

find our place. Some of us have even gone to other professions simply because it’s hard to find your place in this field.” Black women often have limited opportunities for growth and are not promoted at large and midsize firms, she said. “It starts to be kind of prohibitive in how you earn your living and just being in positions of leadership to be able to make a meaningful difference,” she added. “The higher up you look in firms, the less you see women of color. Seeing that barrier and seeing those challenges are just a couple of the reasons we knew this organization was important.” One way Sistas-in-Law helps is by hosting networking events that not only allow women of color to make valuable connections but also provide a “whoosah moment” in which women can relax and enjoy the company of their peers, she said. “Whoosah” refers to a breathing exercise done by Martin Lawrence’s character in the 2003 film Bad Boys II. “We just kind of chit-chat, and we talk about some of the things we’re experiencing in the workplace,” Honorable said. “As women, many of us are married or have families, and sometimes we need to step away from whatever our role is and our occupation in the legal field, in leadership and take a beat and tend to our own physical and mental health. So we try to provide opportunities for us to connect and just relax, as well as those opportunities to talk about leadership opportunities, networking opportunities, training opportunities.” Sistas-in-Law also offers continuing legal education courses on topics ranging from diversity, equity and inclusion and voting rights to artificial intelligence and probate and estate planning. Honorable said the latter is for the members themselves as much as their clients.

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Ret. Judge Joyce Williams Warren

Dean Cynthia Nance

Ret. Judge Alice Gray

“Sometimes we help other people get their business in order, but we don’t always have our own together,” she said. “We did that to make sure that not only are we teaching lawyers the best way to litigate these types of cases but also to say, ‘Listen, we are working on building a legacy within our own families. These are ways that you can do this and protect the legacy that you’re building and make sure that you’re leaving your legacy in a way that others can continue to make it live.’” The CLE courses are usually low cost or free, she added, and many do not require that attendees be members to participate. Perhaps the most impactful way the organization helps empower Black women in law is by providing scholarships to ensure more women have the opportunity to enter the legal field to begin with. Last year, Sistas-in-Law hosted the inaugural Warren Nance Scholarship Celebration to raise money for the scholarships, which it awarded in spring. The organization awarded more than $12,000 in scholarships the first year, Honorable added. “We were really excited about that — really, really excited,” she said. The event honored the namesakes of the scholarship, retired Judge Joyce Williams Warren and Cynthia Nance, dean of the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville. Warren was the first Black female judge in Arkansas and the first Black female graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, while Nance is the first woman and first person of color to lead the U of A School of Law. Honorable said members of Sistasin-Law recently attended Nance’s induction into the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame, of which Warren is also a member. “Being able to expose women of color to those types of events where we’re elevating women in law and leadership

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is a part of what we are about,” she said. “It is the highlighting of those accomplishments and simply to say, ‘Look at her. We can do that too. You can do that too,’ and to create more of an opportunity for us to bring people up, to lift as we climb and to make sure that maybe we’re not the only individuals in the room, maybe we’re not the only women of color in the room, and we can start to invite more people into that room and diversify that room.” This year, the event will honor retired Judge Alice Gray, who presided over the 6th Judicial Circuit from 1992 to 2022. “Judge Gray has been such an inspiration in the state of Arkansas and abroad,” Honorable said. “When Black judges and Black women judges were first getting on the bench here in Pulaski County, she was one of the first ones, and she was on the bench for 30 years before she retired.” Taking place Oct. 8 at the Harry R. Kendall Health and Science Center on the campus of Philander Smith University in Little Rock, this year’s event promises an evening of food and live music plus a comedic host as attendees re-

Sistas-in-Law hosted the inaugural Warren Nance Scholarship Celebration last year to raise money for scholarships. (Photo provided by Sistas-in-Law)

It is definitely our intention to have Sistas-in-Law chapters in other states. — Judge LaTonya Honorable, Pulaski County Circuit Court flect on the honoree’s legacy while helping support scholarships for up-and-coming legal professionals. AY Media Group is a sponsor of the event. “I like to call it a hit it and quit it,” Honorable said. “It’s not going to be long and drawn out because we don’t believe in all that. We’re going to come in, get some good food, celebrate, raise some scholarship funds and get everyone on their merry way.” She added that she hopes the event elevates the achievements of women of color in law and leadership to provide the next generation with inspiration, as well as financial support for their education. “We hope it will serve as inspiration to the students but, also, to the community to say, ‘Yeah, let’s make sure we support women of color in our community. Let’s make sure we get behind this organization to continue to uplift women in law and leadership,’” she said. That is important, she said, because Black women bring a unique perspective to the legal field.

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“Let me tell you something — Black women know how to make things happen, and we know how to do it with whatever you give us to do it with,” she said. “I think that is one of the things that we want to highlight is when Black women are involved, things start to happen that may not otherwise have happened because, historically, that’s what we’ve been forced to do. It’s almost like we have this button on the inside of us that says, ‘OK, whatever you have, make it work with this.’” Once the organization is established in Arkansas, Honorable said she would like to open Sistas-in-Law chapters in other states, eventually becoming a national organization. “It is definitely our intention to have Sistas-in-Law chapters in other states,” she said. “Once we really find our footing and figure out exactly the type of impact we want to make and, better said, how to make that impact, it is our hope to move into different states because we want other women of color to be able to take what we’ve built and use it in their community and tweak it and change it to fit the needs of their specific community.”

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The Secret Sauce Is in the Name

First Community Bank’s success boils down to relationships By Mark Carter

First Community Bank employees celebrate 25 years in 2022. (Photos provided by First Community Bank)

sk anyone at First Community Bank in Batesville — or most any customer for that matter — about the institution’s “secret sauce,” its formula for growth and success, and they will likely provide a variation of the same response. That would be something along the lines of: • “Hire good people and good bankers.” • “Build in strong communities.” • “Take care of employees and customers.” • “Treat ‘em like family.” A recurring theme also reveals itself when glancing at the bank’s historical timeline: grand openings. The themes surrounding the bank’s secret to success seem to culminate in theme No. 2. First Community recently opened a branch in Harrison, its 35th location, while a 36th is on the way in Beebe, and land is under contract for a new standalone FCB branch in Rogers. SE PT E M B E R 2 026

It really is as simple as relationships and communities, said Boris Dover, president and chief operating officer, one of the bank’s original 14 employees. “We just try and roll out the red carpet of service,” he said. “It’s not a comprehensive business model — we just take care of employees and customers.” Happy employees make good employees, and happy customers make stronger communities, he said. It is a formula that has resulted in First Community Bank becoming the seventh-largest state-chartered bank in Arkansas, boasting assets of roughly $3.5 billion and now up to 30 branches throughout northern and central Arkansas and five more in southern Missouri. Simple word of mouth from satisfied customers was a growth catalyst, as well. Dover said strong community banks require both strong communities and strong banks, “but you’ve got to execute it.” Any successful bank must offer the basics of good customer service and competitive products and rates. First Community 22

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BANKING AND FINANCE

has managed to maintain the personal feel of a small operation as it has grown to 670 employees. “The bigger we get, the harder it will be to maintain it,” Dover said. FCB may be climbing the Arkansas state bank charts, a major rising star on the state financial scene, but it started small in 1997, a virtual garage band of exceptional bankers eager to launch something new. Dover was working with FCB founder and CEO Dale Cole at the former Worthen Bank in Little Rock. Cole, a Texas native, was transferred to Batesville by Worthen to lead its local operations. When that bank was sold to Boatmen’s, the buyer did not

funds the annual Christmas lights and synthetic ice rink, among other things. Dover said such endeavors, from the get-go, were considered investments rather than expenses. “There’s been a lot of giving from First Community,” said Batesville Mayor Rick Elumbaugh. “It is definitely a credit to the community. I’ve been mayor for 20 years, and the bank has always been a partner to the city and entire community.” Competitive salaries and benefits positively impact not just employees but local economies. A more physically tangible benefit was realized in 2003 when Cole had an employee lounge themed after Arnold’s Drive-In from the 1970s classic TV show, Happy Days built at the main office in Batesville. The “Arnold’s-Batesville” location even has a jukebox with songs selected by employees. The bank also hosts employee picnics, and each month that budget FCB employees in 1998. is met, employees get a free lunch — all 670 of them. The bank values work-life balance and appreciates the pretzels into which working parents must sometimes tie themselves. In that vein, all FCB locations are equipped with FCB headquarters under after-school spaces for construction in 2003. employees’ children, some of whom are even dropped off at bank locations by school buses in the afternoons. The 5-year-old FCB operations center even has its own playground. That investment in employees pays off and stretches far beyond individual employees’ homes. Crystal Johnson, president and CEO of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, said she had had the unique opportunity to watch the bank grow right in her own backyard. “I’ve seen firsthand the care and concern that they have for their people and the communities they serve,” she said. “Time and again, they have proven to be a dependable and trusted partner. Batesville would not be the successful community we are today without First Community Bank’s leadership and presence.” In the current banking environment, Dover said FCB must be deliberate to maintain the community-bank model. There are regulatory burdens related to compliance and oversight, and it does not get cheaper to run a business with each new day. Plus, the banking landscape has changed drastically since 1997.

Ribbon cutting at original Batesville office.

FCB’s original employees.

retain the entire Arkansas staff. That meant “nine or 10” former Worthen executives, including Cole and Dover, were free to pursue other opportunities. Dover said several of them went on to launch their own banks. Among them was Cole, who raised $3.4 million from 157 investors to launch the venture with 11 employees. One of Cole’s first calls was to Dover. “Our philosophy was to hire those bankers who have local knowledge and who still believe in the community bank model,” Dover said. “Today, every new branch has a community room, a space for nonprofits and customers to use for community events. People are always using our community rooms on Saturdays and Sundays.” Investing more than its competitors in marketing and business development helps, too. So does the bank’s extensive resume of charitable and philanthropic work across the communities it serves. That includes its hometown, for which the bank ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

SE PTE M B E R 2026

BANKING AND FINANCE sets. FCB surpassed that figure long ago. Sticking to the tenets of staying up to date on technology, offering red-carpet customer service and growing deposits has kept the bank strong in a volatile industry. “Banks that take deposits and don’t redeploy them to help grow local businesses are not community banks,” he said. “We take a lot of pride in what we’ve been able to provide our [employee and community] families. We try to help everybody. We walk the walk, and ‘community’ is more than just a part of our name — we live it.”

“The community-bank model is still alive, but we have to be very deliberate to keep it.” — Boris Dover

Boris Dover, president and COO

Banks now compete for deposits with fintech and payment apps such as Venmo, in addition to other financial institutions. Dover said the United States was home to about 12,000 banks in the early 1980s. Today, there are fewer than 4,000 with 77 state-chartered banks in Arkansas. Though it may seem like smaller banks are popping up everywhere, and many are, the consolidation that engulfed the industry 20 to 30 years ago left its mark. The COVID-19 shutdown challenged all industries, banking included, but ultimately helped illustrate the importance of local bankers dealing with local people they know in person. “Some thought that physical branches were going away,” Dover said. “Overall, banks may be smaller and look different, but we’re still here.” He added that it has become harder for small banks to get the resources they need. “The community-bank model is still alive, but we have to be very deliberate to keep it,” he said. Dover said the original core group of employees were prepared to measure success by hitting $250 million in asSE PT E M B E R 2 026

Dale Cole, founder and CEO 24

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BANKING AND FINANCE

First Community Bank Timeline 1997 • First Community Bank opens for business at 710 St. Louis St. in Batesville 1999 • Loan production office opens in Searcy • Grand opening in Southside 2002 • Grand opening of two new facilities at West Beebe Capps Expressway and Race Street in Searcy • Eagle Mountain branch opens for business in Batesville 2003 • Groundbreaking for headquarters at the corner of St. Louis and Harrison Streets in Batesville 2005 • Cave City branch opens for business 2007 • Three new locations open — Bald Knob, Highland and Cabot 2008 • Mortgage loan office opens in Jonesboro • First Community acquires Goodman State Bank, resulting in the addition of branches in Goodman and Neosho, Missouri 2009 • Purchased a branch of Community First National Bank in Mountain Home 2011 • Grand opening of second full-service branch in Neosho • Goodman branch relocates across the street 2014 • Full-service branch in Jonesboro on Caraway Road opens • Fourth Searcy branch opens on East Beebe Capps Expressway

2015 • Bay branch opens for business • Northeastern Arkansas region headquarters opens on Southwest Drive in Jonesboro 2016 • First Community acquires Little River Bank in Lepanto, resulting in another branch 2017 • New Little Rock branch opens at the corner of Kavanaugh and Cantrell 2018 • Opens second location in Cabot on Prospect Court • Newly renovated historic branch opens in downtown Neosho • Ribbon-cutting ceremony for new branch at East Main Street in downtown Batesville 2019 • Newport branch opens for business • Second location in Little Rock at Ranch Boulevard opens • Third branch in Jonesboro on East Washington opens • Branch opens in Conway on Front Street • Full-service banking center opens in Harrison 2021 • 28,809-square-foot operations center opens at headquarters in Batesville • Harrison celebrates grand opening after being delayed due to COVID-19 2022 • Groundbreaking for new Conway banking center • Grand opening for Little Rock banking center at Chenal and Rahling • Full-service branch in Beebe opens 2023 • Grand opening for NWA branch in Rogers • Grand opening for Joplin, Missouri, branch 2025 • Grand opening for Fayetteville branch • Grand opening for Lead Hill branch • Grand opening for Greensborough Village branch in Jonesboro

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S Congratulations to Cheryl Smith and

Leann Siler on receiving the prestigious Women in Banking recognition! Cheryl and Leann are two of the original 14

members of First Community Bank. Their leadership and dedication continue

to inspire us all, setting a remarkable example in the banking industry.

Cheryl Smith 1-888-780-8391 | firstcommunity.net

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SVP | Executive Administration

Leann Siler

SVP | Commercial Lending & Regional Retail Lending Manager

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BANKING AND FINANCE

TOP LARGEST

CREDIT UNIONS in ARKANSAS

NAME

HEADQUARTERS

ASSETS

MEMBERS

Arkansas Federal Credit Union

Little Rock

$2.5B

154,100

Telcoe Federal Credit Union

Little Rock

$458.3M

22,500

Success Credit Union

Blytheville

$191.9M

23,400

MilWay Federal Credit Union

Texarkana

$170.2M

12,700

Arkansas Best Federal Credit Union

Fort Smith

$147.4M

12,200

Fairfield Federal Credit Union

Pine Bluff

$98.4M

11,100

Arkansas Superior Federal Credit Union

Warren

$85.3M

9,600

UARK Federal Credit Union

Fayetteville

$82.4M

7,700

Timberline Federal Credit Union

Crossett

$82.3M

10,800

Clearway Federal Credit Union

Malvern

$80.3M

9,200

Cotton Belt Federal Credit Union

Pine Bluff

$70.7M

6,000

Alcoa Community Federal Credit Union

Benton

$66.8M

5,800

Pine Federal Credit Union

Pine Bluff

$62.8M

5,000

River Valley Community Federal Credit Union

Camden

$58.7M

6,900

Hurricane Creek Federal Credit Union

Benton

$54.8M

4,800

TruService Community Federal Credit Union

Little Rock

$52.5M

5,100

Baptist Health Federal Credit Union

Little Rock

$43.1M

8,100

Patterson Federal Credit Union

Arkadelphia

$33.5M

3,700

UP Arkansas Federal Credit Union

North Little Rock

$31.3M

3,000

Subiaco Federal Credit Union

Subiaco

$27.5M

2,300

United Arkansas Federal Credit Union

North Little Rock

$27.4M

3,200

Dillard’s Federal Credit Union

Little Rock

$25M

3,600

River Town Federal Credit Union

Fort Smith

$19.3M

2,600

Two Rivers Federal Credit Union

Arkadelphia

$18.4M

1,800

White County Federal Credit Union

Searcy

$18.2M

2,100

Source: NCUA, August 2026

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BANKING AND FINANCE

People Helping People AFTER 75-PLUS YEARS, TELCOE STILL HOLDS TRUE TO THE PRINCIPLES ON WHICH IT WAS FOUNDED By Sarah DeClerk | Photos by Jane Colclasure

n 1950, the year Telcoe Federal Credit Union began, depositing a paycheck or taking out a loan was a much slower, more manual process than it is today. Kristy Vest, CEO, said she has heard stories about people lining up on payday to deposit their checks while, in another line, people waited for loans — the money for which came from deposits the tellers had been handed moments earlier. “Things were done a little differently,” Vest said. “We’ve heard a lot of stories like that, even from some of our board members who’ve been members of the credit union here for as much as 50-plus years. We’ve heard stories about the service that they provided whenever they first opened, and it’s nice to know that we are still a place where they can come and do business with us.” Headquartered in Little Rock, Telcoe Federal Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative that first started as a benefit for what is now AT&T and grew to serve employers across the state. The financial institution offers products ranging from checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, credit cards and retirement accounts to personal, auto, home and home equity loans. “Our mission has always been focused on helping people improve their financial well-being by providing exceptional products, exceptional services and that personal touch when it comes to service,” Vest said. “We also want to make sure that we have a trusted partnership

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Michelle Beasley, left, executive vice president, and Kristy Vest, CEO, are two of the leaders at Telcoe Federal Credit Union.

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BANKING AND FINANCE with our members and that they trust us to provide the youth accounts and awarding scholarships to graduating best solutions for whatever they are in need of. Because we seniors. are owned by our members as opposed to being owned by Beasley added that she is proud of Telcoe’s exceptional shareholders, every decision that we make, we are making CD rates and expertise when it comes to offering bridge with the well-being of our members in mind.” loans for people planning to build or purchase homes who She added that the credit union seeks to serve members have not yet sold their current homes. The credit union from birth through retirement. also offers home improvement loans up to $25,000 that al“We start offering accounts as soon as a member has low homeowners to borrow without any equity and avoid a child,” she said. “We encourage them to open accounts liens on their properties. so that they can save for their child’s future. Later, when Besides the person-to-person education whenever they start to drive, they suddenly need access to a checking someone is interested in a product or service, Telcoe proaccount. They need to have funds so that they can do the vides workplace financial education for select employer things that teenagers do. We strive to offer products covergroups. Beasley said presentation topics can range from ing every stage of life.” purchasing a first home to planning for retirement. Education is another way in which the credit union “That’s a great benefit that comes about through ofserves its members. Michele Beasley, executive vice presifering this to your employees,” she said. “Employees who dent, shared a story about a member who was seeking a car have financial worries don’t tend to be as productive as loan. The member knew how much of a monthly payment ones who actually have been able to take control of their would be within budget but not the total cost of the car. Beasley said the loan department was able to help the member determine a ballpark price range, find the value of a car online and even negotiate the deal. “I’ve had a couple people who have asked us to get in the car and go with them to the dealership, and I say, ‘Well, we can’t do that, but if you’ll go test drive and leave the dealership and call me, I can actually help you make a cash offer where you get not only the great rate with us but, also, the lower price,” she said. “I love it when we’re able to save somebody $3,000 just by doing that over-thephone negotiation.” Christmas and vacation loans represent another way to save members money while teaching them about finance. When members request a Christmas loan, for example, staff may also steer them toward a Christmas Club savings account to help them avoid taking a loan the following year. The credit union prioritizes modernization while maintaining a personal connection that inspires trust among members. Offering 5 percent annual percentage yield on balances up to $1,000, members have saved more than $1 million so far this year in their Christmas Club acfinances. We want to give them that financial education counts, Beasley said. so that they can actually move forward. They tend to be The loans themselves provide an avenue for financial happier doing their jobs when they’re not worried about, success, as well. Instead of using a credit card to finance ‘I’ve got these bills to pay. How am I going to make that Christmas or a vacation members can access an installhappen?’” ment loan for one year at a rate less than 15 percent that The credit union also partners with the Academies of can be paid through payroll deductions. Central Arkansas to provide financial education to stu“That way, you’re not paying for that cruise four years dents. Telcoe has a school branch at Maumelle High from now,” Beasley said. School where students can work, and the credit union also The credit union offers specials in January, when it hosts offers a study-and-save program with financial rewards for its annual membership meeting, and celebrates National earning good grades, in addition to visiting classrooms to Credit Union Youth Month in April by offering specials on talk with students about money.

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BANKING AND FINANCE

“We start offering accounts as soon as a member has a child. We encourage them to open accounts so that they can save for their child’s future.” — Kristy Vest, CEO “The things we talk about in terms of financial education have changed significantly in the last 20 or so years,” Beasley said, adding that today’s discussions might include information about how convenience fees from delivery services can sink a budget or why it is a good idea to have direct deposits sent to a local financial institution rather than some of today’s popular money apps. The proliferation of such technologies has impacted not just Telcoe’s membership but the institution itself as it competes against online lenders and peer-to-peer money transfer platforms. “Whenever Telcoe began 75 years ago, you were competing against whoever was 5, 10 blocks down the street,” Vest said. “Now we are competing with everybody. It doesn’t matter where they’re at — everybody.” With an eye for recruiting younger members, Telcoe has also utilized technology to ensure its services are easy to access digitally. Vest said a focus this year has been investing in new methods of money movement to smoothly transfer funds between Telcoe and other institutions. “The generations have to be bridged among those who want to come in, sit down, talk to somebody about their account. Then you have those that want to call somebody about their account and those that want to email. You have people that want to text or to chat inside of an app,” Vest said. “We have to make sure that we invest in all those

technologies to provide services that meet the needs of the younger generation while still providing that very personal, in-person touch for those that prefer that type of service.” Fraud protection has also been a priority this year, Vest said, adding that the credit union uses advanced technology to help detect fraud. Just as important, however, is educating members about the latest scams and ensuring staff are trained to recognize bad actors. Vest shared a story about someone who called in wanting to complete a transaction and even had all the identifying information needed to access the account. “Somehow, [staff] noticed it wasn’t the member’s voice,” Vest said. “Our employees just kind of know the membership, so they started asking them certain personal questions that the person on the phone couldn’t answer. Through that conversation, they were able to find out that wasn’t our member, and so we didn’t release any funds to them.” Those and similar stories have earned Telcoe a five-star rating from Bauer Financial for the past 35 consecutive years, not to mention numerous honors in Arkansas Money & Politics’ and AY About You’s annual “Best Of” competitions. “I had a member yesterday describe their experience with us, and I think if we continue doing what this member feels we did for them for the next 75 years, we’d be hitting it out of the park,” Beasley said. “He said no matter what position you’re in, where you work or what your income level is, they felt that we treat everybody the same, that we provide outstanding service, and we do it with courtesy, dignity and respect. Those were his words, and I love to hear that.’” Moving forward, the company plans to continue to focus on growth, specifically among younger generations, as it expands its digital capabilities, enhances member service, grows business banking relationships, invests in employee development, maintains a strong financial performance and expands financial education for members, Vest said. “After more than 75 years, our mission remains remarkably simple: helping people achieve financial success,” she added. “Technology will continue to evolve, but our commitment to serving members with integrity, compassion and personalized service will never change. We’re honored by the trust our members place in us, and we’re excited about the opportunities ahead.”

Staff member Faith Blanchard is just one of the helpful staff at the company’s Little Rock headquarters.

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Make more. Get more. Save more.

501-375-5321 telcoe.com telcoefederalcu

Checking | Savings | Mortgage | Auto

Congratulations! AMP’s Financial Advisors 2026

AMP’s Achievers in Their Forties 2026

AMP’s Women in Banking 2026 Andy Arnold

Matt Boyd

Mandy Allen

Trenna Barker Ann Snow

Kim Prewitt

Senior Vice President, Director of Retirement Plan Services & Wealth Advisor* NMLS#: 2140020

Market President, Cabot NMLS#: 733437

Loan Originator NMLS#: 1895120

Market President, North Little Rock NMLS#: 1921704

Gold Club Director, Saline County

Gold Club Director, Searcy

First Security is honored to have Arkansas’ best on our team.

Bank Better.

*INVESTMENT PRODUCTS ARE: NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT FDIC INSURED • MAY LOSE VALUE NOT GUARANTEED BY THE BANK • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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Member

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BANKING AND FINANCE

ARKANSAS' CHARTERED BANKS Institution Name

CERT State

Bank Class

State/Federal Charter

Arvest Bank

8728

State

126

8,899,130

12,357,634

12.74%

Bank OZK

110

State

155

14,144,793

9,838,604

10.14%

Simmons Bank

3890

State

174

13,104,038

9,542,139

9.83%

First Security Bank

5633

State

6,164,428

6.35%

Bank of America, National Association

3510

Federal

3,795

1,873,402,491

5,758,164

5.93%

Centennial Bank

11241

State

152

12,214,787

5,218,426

5.38%

Regions Bank

12368

State

1,219

124,857,326

4,545,674

4.68%

Cadence Bank

11813

State

354

36,665,173

2,036,496

2.10%

First Community Bank

34533

State

196,101

1,825,652

1.88%

Southern Bancorp

1528

State

213,811

1,748,292

1.80%

First National Bank

3887

Federal

270,510

1,737,478

1.79%

Encore Bank

34562

State

1,080,354

1,625,463

1.68%

Farmers & Merchants Bank

16216

State

1,419,859

1.46%

First National Bank of Fort Smith

3864

Federal

444,113

1,393,685

1.44%

Farmers Bank & Trust Co.

1291

State

1,037,776

1,370,716

1.41%

U.S. Bank National Association

6548

Federal

2,319

525,461,052

1,280,670

1.32%

Evolve Bank & Trust

1299

State

43,812

1,224,288

1.26%

The Citizens Bank

17211

State

1,220,062

1.26%

First Horizon Bank

4977

State

403

65,433,229

1,158,785

1.19%

Relyance Bank

19371

State

1,050,345

1.08%

Chambers Bank

5615

State

1,035,253

1.07%

First Financial Bank

28905

State

251,538

985,583

1.02%

Anstaff Bank

3869

State

906,202

0.93%

Signature Bank of Arkansas

State

892,526

0.92%

Legacy National Bank

57953

Federal

839,038

0.86%

First Arkansas Bank & Trust

16849

State

820,564

0.85%

Diamond Bank

1527

State

15,345

708,966

0.73%

Generations Bank

State

33,732

663,090

0.68%

Stone Bank

17431

State

582,285

0.60%

First Western Bank

13083

State

550,629

0.57%

Malvern National Bank

14644

Federal

536,362

0.55%

FNBC Bank

1294

State

55,704

514,961

0.53%

First Service Bank

18519

State

512,336

0.53%

First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas

3863

Federal

10,052

482,166

0.50%

Fidelity Bank

19644

State

478,297

0.49%

Citizens Bank & Trust Co.

8738

State

471,730

0.49%

Grand Savings Bank

32084

State

372,407

444,611

0.46%

SE PT E M B E R 2 026

OUTSIDE OF MARKET No. of Offices Deposits ($000)

INSIDE OF MARKET No. of Offices Deposits ($000)

Market Share

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BANKING AND FINANCE

Institution Name

CERT State

Bank Class

State/Federal Charter

OUTSIDE OF MARKET No. of Offices Deposits ($000)

First State Bank

13632

State

CS Bank

5635

State

Eagle Bank and Trust Co.

3873

State

Central Bank

1756

State

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

3511

Armor Bank

28812

Cross Bank

13821

Equity Bank

INSIDE OF MARKET No. of Offices Deposits ($000)

Market Share

432,559

0.45%

13,108

405,268

0.42%

402,516

0.41%

391,709

0.40%

Federal

4,554

1,359,830,551

384,449

0.40%

State

372,148

0.38%

State

358,190

0.37%

25858

State

3,896,811

350,001

0.36%

Southern Bank

28332

State

3,397,824

341,210

0.35%

Partners Bank

15729

State

334,268

0.34%

Farmers Bank & Trust Co.

1027

State

327,366

0.34%

Bank of England

13303

State

322,036

0.33%

The Union Bank of Mena

14597

State

294,637

0.30%

FOCUS Bank

1426

State

331,833

293,568

0.30%

Today’s Bank

33470

State

278,945

0.29%

Merchants and Planters Bank

16464

State

278,581

0.29%

First State Bank of DeQueen

21805

State

273,270

0.28%

Bank of Little Rock

91280

State

267,473

0.28%

First State Bank

15050

State

266,386

0.27%

Bank of 1889

3854

State

258,769

0.27%

Union Bank & Trust Co.

1753

State

254,558

0.26%

The First National Bank of Lawrence County at Walnut Ridge

3896

Federal

251,724

0.26%

Horatio State Bank

109

State

247,861

0.26%

Farmers Bank

1296

State

247,739

0.26%

Commercial Bank and Trust Co.

State

231,283

0.24%

United Bank

32025

State

215,654

0.22%

The First National Bank at Paris

14534

Federal

212,703

0.22%

FBT Bank & Mortgage

1028

State

204,015

0.21%

Unico Bank

10608

State

213,359

202,307

0.21%

Armstrong Bank

2315

State

2,069,583

197,922

0.20%

Commercial National Bank of Texarkana

19024

Federal

76,730

197,183

0.20%

Petit Jean State Bank

35084

State

195,510

0.20%

Merchants & Farmers Bank

8735

State

194,694

0.20%

Peoples Bank

57058

State

186,396

0.19%

Smackover State Bank

5623

State

186,030

0.19%

Peoples Bank

12531

State

168,037

0.17%

Bodcaw Bank

5624

State

43,548

163,011

0.17%

Bank of Salem

11243

State

157,636

0.16%

Century Next Bank

29700

Federal

459,035

155,328

0.16%

Totals

21,065

6,586,318,359

1,287

97,030,556

100.00

Number of Institutions in the Market: 112

Bank Charter Class: (N) National Bank, (SM) Federal Reserve Member, (NM) Federal Reserve Nonmember, (SA) Savings Association, (SB) FDIC Savings Bank, (OI) U.S. Branches Foreign Banks Source: FDIC

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SE PTE M B E R 2026

BANKING AND FINANCE

‘More Than Moving Money’ Small banks continue to support their communities despite changes, challenges By Alex Hardgrave

ommunities are built on their small businesses, homes and schools — but none of that would be possible without the support of strong community banks. “Community banks are the ones that are going to have their finger on the pulse of the needs of the area,” said Jason Tennant, president and chief lending officer at CS Bank, based in Eureka Springs. “We really are the heartbeat. We know what’s going on in our communities and we’re always there to help,” said Alex Maynard, president of the commercial bank division at Farmers and Merchants Bank, headquartered in Stuttgart. Community banks and the communities in which they exist share a truly symbiotic relationships. “I am a believer that if you have healthy banks in your market, that SE PT E M B E R 2 026

means your economy is healthy and your community is healthy,” Tennant said. “At its core, community banking is about more than moving money — it connects local capital with local opportunity. When local families and businesses succeed, the bank benefits, and when the bank responsibly invests in its customers, the broader community has a better opportunity to grow,” said Keith Collard, president and CEO at First Arkansas Bank & Trust, based in Jacksonville. Some of community banks’ largest contributions include providing loans, lines of credit and financial guidance to local businesses and financing local growth by helping members buy homes, purchase farm equipment and open businesses. Tennant said even though there are other community banks in the Carroll County Jason Tennant 34

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BANKING AND FINANCE area that compete with CS Bank, he is happy that there are so many banks that are connected to the community and its history. “We’ve watched the town grow and change,” he said. “We’ve been here a long time, and you develop that relationship with the people.” Being connected to the communities they serve is a tenet of the small-town banks. These institutions work to be available for their customers when they have questions and issues and make sure they offer speedy answers when it comes to lending decisions. “By knowing our people and our communities, we know how to serve them best, and we’re able to do that a little more efficiently and without so much red tape,” Maynard said.

and put down roots and housing is usually their largest investment, so it helps build financial strength, as well.” Along with legislation changes, another set of challenges to small banks comes in the form of rapidly changing technology, including mobile banking apps, artificial intelligence and even nonbank money apps such as Venmo adding to the competition. “Customer expectations are rising,” Collard said. “Customers increasingly expect the convenience they receive from large national banks and fintech companies.” “It’s going to be harder and harder to compete,” Tennant said. “We have to change with the times.” Tennant said apps such as Venmo and Cash App keep liquidity out of the banks as people keep their money in the apps in-

Even though there tends to be fewer regulatory hurdles placed on smaller banks than large ones, the banks still have to work with regulation imposed by the government. “Some regulation is not bad, but overregulation gets to be very burdensome on the banking industry and slows down the process of people getting access to money,” Maynard said. One bill that Tennant believes is good news for banking and lenders is the ROAD to Housing Act, which became law in July and was championed by Rep. French Hill. “Homeowernship should be within reach for more Americans, and this law moves us closer to that goal. This bill reduces unnecessary barriers to building, strengthens community banks and ensures families — not institutional investors — have a fair shot at buying a home,” Hill said in a press release. “It’s getting harder and harder [to buy a home], especially for first-time home buyers,” Tennant said. The bill will not only be beneficial for those in the community who want to own a home but also for the community as a whole, he said. “The more homeowners you have, that is stabilizing your community and your schools,” he said. “People raise families

stead, which can hurt the banks. He said he expects usage of the apps to increase in coming years. “The younger the customer base gets, the more comfortable they are with all these apps,” he said. “As long as that can function and is speedy and easy to use, banks have to keep up with the technology and say, ‘Hey, we offer that too.’” Maynard said community banks are going to have to start embracing AI more, as well, to keep up with larger competitors. “We’re starting to figure out ways to use it,” he said. “It’s definitely not going to be a people replacer but a people enhancer.” “Technology also affects employees and operations,” Collard said. “New banking technology can automate processes, reduce repetitive work, improve access to information and allow employees to serve customers more efficiently.” However, he added that implementation matters and that employees need strong training, internal systems, support and understanding of what new technologies are coming their way to make the technology successful. “For FAB&T, the opportunity is to combine banking technology with the relationship-based services of a community bank,” Collard said. “The goal isn’t to become a technology company;

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SE PTE M B E R 2026

BANKING AND FINANCE

Alex Maynard

it’s to make banking easier and more convenient while preserving the personal relationships that differentiate FAB&T.” However, while embracing and keeping up with technology can have a lot of positive impacts on community banks, it has also increased fraud and fraudsters are getting better at using tools such as AI to scam customers. “Fraud is of grave concern for the financial industry, period, not just banks,” Tennant said. However, Tennant is optimistic that banks will be able to keep customers protected. “There is more time spent on fraud today than there has ever been,” he said. “I think the bank industry is as apt to fight it as anybody and equipped to do so.” The increased use of technology and mobile banking may eliminate some face-to-face interaction between customers and bankers, but that does not mean they will lose the personal touch. “In an industry that increasingly treats people like a number,” Maynard said, “we treat our customers and employees as individuals.” Local banks’ work even goes beyond helping customers with their financial needs. The banks often invest in or volunteer with local schools, nonprofits and more. Collard emphasized that a larger role of a community bank is being there for its people through difficult times. “When a business experiences a downturn or a community faces an economic disruption, an established relationship with SE PT E M B E R 2 026

Keith Collard

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BANKING AND FINANCE

“In an industry that increasingly treats people like a number, we treat our customers and employees as individuals.” — Alex Maynard, Farmers and Merchants Bank

a local banker can make it easier to have a conversation about options,” Collard said. Despite the challenges facing community banks, the leaders agreed that their banks are still strong and are an integral part of the areas they live in. “Community banking is alive and well in Arkansas,” Tennant said. “I think people support community banks and appreciate the community banks. There is a need to keep community bank> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC ing strong and alive.”

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Financial advisors help put their clients in a position to make money work for them instead of chasing it their entire lives. Arkansas Money & Politics selected some of these notable professionals for inclusion in the publication’s “Financial Advisors” list. The professionals listed in this section are committed to guiding their clients through the sometimes intimidating world of investments and transforming finances from a potential source of stress to a golden opportunity. AARON ADAMS

Adams Insurance & Financial

Aaron Adams, owner of Adams Insurance & Financial in Fayetteville, has been an insurance agent for more than 25 years. His company specializes in “out of the ordinary” customer service, offering annual insurance reviews and friendly service that is second to none. Adams attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he received a bachelor’s degree in marketing, management and logistics. RICK ADKINS

The Arkansas Financial Group

Rick Adkins is the founder, CEO, and a shareholder of The Arkansas Financial Group in Little Rock. After earning a Bachelor of Science in management from Harding University in Searcy, he received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi, followed by the Certified Financial Planner certification. He has dedicated his career to pioneering fee-only, comprehensive wealth management solutions. He served on the board of governors of the CFP Board of Standards, serving as board chair in 2003, and previously served on CFP Board’s Board of Practice Standards, serving as chair during 2000. He has lectured extensively on risk profiling and portfolio theory. Adkins has been deeply committed to guiding families and individuals toward their long-term financial goals for more than four decades. SE PT E M B E R 2 026

J. BRENT AKERS

ANDY ARNOLD

Stephens

Brent Akers joined Stephens as a senior vice president in 2013 and brings more than 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. He works closely with his partner, Rocky Jones, and Luke Raiford to help clients define and achieve their financial objectives through a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to wealth management. Whether clients are planning for retirement, saving for education or preparing for the transfer of generational wealth, Akers and his team remain actively engaged in helping them navigate market opportunities and important financial decisions. STACEY ALSTON

Edward Jones

Stacey Alston has worked with Edward Jones since 2018 and in 2025 became a Certified Financial Planner professional. As a financial advisor, Alston utilizes Edward Jones’ established process to help clients set and achieve their financial goals in a way that is tailored to their unique needs. Prior to joining Edward Jones, Alston worked at the largest consumer bank in America, where she offered financial solutions and services to both individual and small business customers. Originally from Nebraska, Alston obtained her bachelor’s degree from Northwest Missouri State University. She has lived in Conway since 2009 and is passionate about building relationships in her community. She is a member of New Life Church, Women’s Leadership Network and Conway Noon Rotary. 38

First Security

Andy Arnold, with more than 25 years in the financial service industry, is the director of retirement plan services and wealth advisor senior vice president at First Security Bank. His commitment to oversee retirement plan services is proven through his experience in consulting committees and institutional and high-net-worth investors as a financial planner and certified private wealth advisor. With an abundance of knowledge and certifications in financial planning, Arnold guides his clients through the world of investments that can reshape their financial situation into an opportunity of success. TERESA ARRIGO

GenWealth Financial Advisors

Teresa Arrigo has been a member of the GenWealth Financial Advisors team since 2013. Based in Conway, she has spent more than a decade working closely with clients, assisting in the research, planning and implementation of plans for new clients and serving existing clients. Arrigo has always had a desire to serve others and encourage them to succeed. She enjoys pursuing her passion for building relationships and empowering people as they move toward their financial goals. Arrigo believes the key to bringing one’s financial aspirations to life is to create a clear plan with an advisor who can provide the tools and encouragement needed to stay motivated and focused. ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

EARN UP TO 5.50% APY*

2026 FINANCIAL ADVISORS RYAN BARTHOLOMEW

Small Wealth Management

Ryan Bartholomew has always been passionate about helping people achieve the goals they work so hard for. For the past 26 years, he has guided individuals, families and business owners through the financial decisions that shape their lives and futures. As a private wealth advisor at Small Wealth Management and a Certified Financial Planner, Bartholomew combines comprehensive planning expertise with a relationshipdriven approach centered on trust, integrity and long-term partnerships. He is known for making complex financial concepts easier to understand and helping clients feel confident in the decisions they make. Today, Bartholomew works closely with clients to create personalized strategies that help them pursue their goals and enjoy what matters most to them and the people they care about. ROBERT BASS

Bass and Bell

At Bass and Bell in Little Rock, Robert Bass acts as a driving force for the success of his team and his clients. With more than 40 years in the asset management business, Bass has developed a unique ability to illuminate the technical aspects of investing. His extensive experience and knowledge of portfolio construction places him in a position to serve all clients well. A graduate of William & Mary in Virginia, Bass has a Bachelor of Science in economics and a minor in biology. His professional career began in 1986 with Morgan Stanley, where he served as a senior vice president. He departed Morgan Stanley in 2009 to form Bass and Bell. CHRIS BELL

Bass and Bell

Chris Bell enjoys developing relationships with clients at Bass and Bell in Little Rock. Given the personal and confidential nature of the client/advisor relationship, he believes that a trusting relationship and a high degree of confidence in the advisor’s qualifications and motivations are crucial. Bell attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, earning an undergraduate degree in financial management in 2000 and a Juris Doctor from the university’s school of law in 2004. He practiced law for two years, thereafter becoming a financial advisor. In 2009, Bell earned the Certified Financial Planner certification. In 2012, he and Rob Bass formed a partnership which as of 2019, has become an independent RIA, Bass and Bell. SE PT E M B E R 2 026

MATTHEW BLACK

Chance Black and Associates — Merrill Lynch

As a financial advisor at Chance Black and Associates, a Merrill Lynch Wealth Management team, Matthew Black helps individuals, families and business owners navigate the complexities of wealth. His practice focuses on retirement planning, tax-efficient investment strategies, estate planning and concentrated stock management. Through a personalized and comprehensive planning process, Black helps clients simplify financial decisions and develop strategies designed to preserve, grow and transfer wealth across generations. GWENDOLEN “WENDY” BLAIR

Empire Financial Architects

As a financial advisor, Gwendolen “Wendy” Blair specializes in providing personalized advisory services and financial solutions to meet the needs of her clients. She takes pride in having no minimum net worth requirement, believing access to sound guidance should not be determined by the size of one’s portfolio. Blair is the current political involvement leader representing Arkansas at a legislative level for New York Life. She obtained the prestigious designation of Chartered Life Underwriter in 2024. Residing in Hot Springs Village with her husband, T.J. Hutcheson, Blair is a Rotarian and recently opened a second office in Lonsdale. Blair is an agent with New York Life Insurance Co. and a registered representative offering securities products and services through NYLIFE Securities, member FINRA/ SIPC, a licensed insurance agency and a New York Life company. KRISTINA BOLHOUSE

The Arkansas Financial Group

Kristina Bolhouse is president of The Arkansas Financial Group in Little Rock and a shareholder. After she graduated cum laude from Western Michigan University, she began her career as a licensed certified public accountant in the Lansing, Michigan office of Ernst & Young. She later switched her area of focus to taxes and personal financial planning and has been serving clients for more than 25 years.

JEREMY BOOE

Edward Jones

Jeremy Booe joined the Edward Jones team in 2018 and is a Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist and Accredited Asset Management Specialist. Serving clients from his office in Sherwood, Booe and his team take advantage of advanced technology and welcome the opportunity to work with clients’ attorneys, accountants and other trusted professionals to provide the best guidance possible. Prior to joining Edward Jones, Booe obtained his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway and spent more than a decade working his way up from intern to investment consultant to branch manager at Scottrade. TAMI BORLAND

ClientFirst Wealth, Legacy & Estate Planning

Tami Boland joined ClientFirst Wealth, Legacy & Estate Planning in 2021 and brings more than 15 years of experience in financial planning to the firm. She graduated from the University of Central Florida’s College of Business with a finance degree. After 10 years as a financial advisor, Boland decided to take a behind-the-scenes role as a financial planner and operations manager to dedicate more time to her family. She enjoys traveling, mountain biking, and spending time with her husband and children. WALKER BOWMAN

Stephens

Walker Bowman has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and has spent the last 14 providing clients with comprehensive wealth management solutions. Bowman applies an interpersonal approach to investment planning and client relationships by taking time to assess the wide-ranging issues and opportunities significant to his clients’ financial lives. After graduating from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in financial management, Bowman began his career at Stephens as a fixed income analyst. He then worked in the financial services industry for several years at other firms before rejoining Stephens in the private client group in 2004.

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FINANCIAL ADVISOR SPOTLIGHT

DRIVEN TO SUCCEED By Dwain Hebda

ristin Daniel never had a long-term goal of becoming a wealth manager, let alone launching her own firm, Parity Financial Group. In fact, she did not have any designs on a career in the financial sector at all. Looking back, she said, about all she knew by the time she hit college were two things. “I knew I was good at math,” she said, “and I knew what I didn’t want for myself.” The daughter of working-class parents, Daniel’s childhood memories are watching two people work incredibly hard yet managing to barely make ends meet. Though money and material things were in short supply, what she witnessed from her folks were valuable insights that continue to serve her well. “There were two undertones in my upbringing,” she said. “First was work ethic; both of my parents were not shy of hard work. That’s the only thing that I knew early on was put your head down and go to work. That became a very transferable skill. “The second was relationships; I had great examples in my parents that I took going into college of how to build relationships, build rapport with people. Really, those were my two driving factors.” After graduating from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Daniel did not have a clear career path mapped out. She landed in retail, where she flexed her work ethic only to find her compensation did not keep up. One day she just made up her mind to head in an entirely different direction and, over the next 16 years, completely reinvented her career. “I took a leap of faith in financial services with the mindset of let me go learn what this is,” she said. “After building a book of business, really in the first two to three years, it lit the fire for me. I saw what success looked like and what financial security looked like, and I operated under the delusion of “Well, if other people do it, I can do it, right? Why can’t I?’” Now a favorite of high-net-worth individuals, Daniel first established her base clientele serving small business owners. “Seeing entrepreneurs and the complexity that came into their financial lives, I noticed they didn’t need just another advisor,” she said. “They needed someone to run point on all of it. Being able to be the trusted person that they called first was something that I learned early on, and it just clicked. From the beginning, entrepreneurs have always motivated me because I just have so much respect for their drive and determination.” Daniel hung her own shingle in Little Rock in 2019 and creditted an unlikely source for the rapid expansion that occurred after that in Bentonville. The firm would later add offices in Fort Smith and Fayetteville. “You can thank COVID[-19] for that,” she said. “We took a leap of faith four months into quarantine, and we moved [to Bentonville] because it was a realization that clients don’t need me in person, they just need me to answer. When you look back,

COVID did a lot of things that drove us all nuts, but it truly was a launching point for our expansion.” Today, Daniel’s success gives her a pick of clients and the luxury of supporting myriad community organizations. She is also highly decorated in her field, including being listed among Arkansas Money & Politics’ “Financial Advisors” and “Influencers of the Year.” At 41, she has a lot of career left in her, a fact that does not preclude the occasional look around to enjoy the scenery. “My definition of success has changed throughout my career. In the beginning, it was proof that I could do it or it was about growth and production or about the recognition,” she said. “At this point, it’s truly about the relationship and the trust that we’ve built with our clients where they know that they’ve got someone to call in times of need.”

Kristin Daniel

Founder/Wealth Manager Parity Financial Group

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SE PTE M B E R 2026

2026 FINANCIAL ADVISORS DR. RALPH BROADWATER

The Arkansas Financial Group

As a retired surgeon and educator, Dr. Ralph Broadwater’s practice identifies the unique needs of physicians with a focus on wealth creation, money management and wealth management in retirement. He graduated magna cum laude from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He completed a two-year fellowship in surgical oncology at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston before returning to Arkansas to establish his surgical oncology practice, from which he retired in 2020 after a 35-year medical career. In addition to serving clients as a financial advisor, Broadwater is a vice president and shareholder in the firm. He also serves as chief investment officer. BOBBY BROWN

Brown Comstock Private Wealth Advisors

Bobby Brown serves as president and branch manager at Brown Comstock Private Wealth Advisors in Hot Springs and a financial advisor at Raymond James. Brown has more than 32 years of experience in the financial services industry and has achieved Raymond James Executive Council recognition for the last eight years. He is a native of Hope and a graduate of the Bachrach Academy, Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and Stephens University at Wake Forest in North Carolina. Brown is past president of Fifty for the Future, served on the executive boards of the Ouachita Area Council Boy Scouts of America and the Hot Springs and Pine Bluff Chambers of Commerce, and is past treasurer of S.E. Arkansas Arts & Science Center. Brown was named 28th in the 2024 edition of AdvisorHub’s list of “100 Fast Growing Advisors to Watch.” LORI M. BROWN

L.M. Brown Wealth Management of Raymond James

Lori M. Brown plays an integral role in helping clients formulate investment strategies designed to leave lasting legacies for future generations through tax and estate planning. She started her career with Morgan Stanley and has been a financial advisor since 2001. She joined Raymond James with her partner, Sonia Graham, and sales assistant, Linda Healy, in 2009. Brown is a graduate of the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, where she obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in finance. Past president of the Junior League of North Little Rock, Brown has also been active with the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, in addition to volunteering at church, her children’s school and with Project Zero. SE PT E M B E R 2 026

MOLLY BUENROSTRO

Gratus Wealth Management

Bringing a heart of service and a well-developed skill set to every client interaction is the goal of Molly Buenrostro at Gratus Wealth Management in Conway. The financial advisor delivers a client experience that is always approachable, never intimidating, as she works to guide hardworking professionals toward financial independence while supporting the unique challenges they face in life and business. Specializing in working with veterinarians, medical professionals and female entrepreneurs who are building something meaningful and who want a financial plan to match, Buenrostro helps individuals and families align their money with their values so they can live with clarity, confidence and purpose. JUDY BUSBEY

BVJ Wealth Management/Wells Fargo

Since 1985, Judy Busbey has been committed to helping clients build and manage wealth, especially in the areas of retirement planning. She believes that investment planning is about clients’ values, not just their money. Her mission has been to help ensure clients have a clear financial path to their future. She wants to help each client pursue creating enough wealth so that they have the resources to reach their financial goals and to live the life they have always dreamed about. MARSHALL BUTLER

Monarch Wealth Advisors

Marshall D. Butler is a seasoned financial advisor with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the world of finance. Butler’s specialization lies in business financial management, efficient portfolio management, and mergers and acquisitions for small businesses. His strategic insights and financial solutions have made him a trusted advisor for businesses seeking to optimize their financial performance and navigate complex financial transactions, as well as individual owners for their personal planning. One of Butler’s most rewarding engagements comes with Lyon College in Batesville as interim vice president of business and finance. Lyon’s new institute of health sciences will encompass both the school of veterinary medicine and the school of dental medicine.

PHILLIP BUTTERFIELD

Stephens

Since joining Stephens Private Client Group in 2014, Phillip Butterfield has focused his practice on understanding each client’s complete financial picture, giving careful consideration to their goals, risk tolerance and personal motivations. He believes effective wealth management begins with building strong relationships and maintaining open communication throughout every stage of a client’s financial journey. Butterfield earned a Bachelor of Science in finance with a minor in accounting from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro in 2012. He served as a captain of the university’s football team. He later earned a Master of Business Administration from AState. He is a Certified Financial Planner. BRIAN CANALES

Edward Jones

Brian Canales has been an advisor with Edward Jones since 2017, but he has had a love of investing his whole life. Growing up on a small farm, Canales learned early the importance of having a strategy, protecting it and working hard to achieve results. As a Certified Financial Planner, Canales focuses on providing wealth management to healthcare business owners and retirees in the Hot Springs and Little Rock areas. Canales helps affluent clients address their five biggest concerns: preserving their wealth, mitigating taxes, taking care of their heirs, minimizing risk exposure and charitable giving. Canales is also active in the Hot Springs community as a member of several boards and City Life Church. CHAD CARLSON

Simmons Investment Services

Chad Carlson is an experienced guide for affluent families, helping them tackle tricky financial matters with sound, individualized advice. He is known for his warm, approachable style and knack for truly listening to what clients want. With about 30 years of experience, Carlson manages every part of a client’s wealth, keeping risks in check while making complex ideas feel simple and clear. His goal is to give clients and their families peace of mind, ensuring they feel confident about their decisions and their plan.

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The moment he takes his company to the next level. From your first business account to expanding into more locations… Life is full of important moments. With our modern banking solutions, managing your business’s finances becomes effortless and efficient. So you can focus on the moments that matter most. Stop by a branch to talk with an advisor. simmonsbank.com/locations

Proud supporter of the moments that matter.

All accounts subject to approval. Simmons Bank NMLS #484633.

You’ve worked hard to achieve success. You deserve a financial advisor that works as hard for you. As an Ameriprise private wealth advisory practice, we have the qualifications and experience to help navigate your complex financial needs. Whether it’s investment management, tax strategies or legacy planning, we can work with you to help grow and preserve what you’ve worked so hard to achieve. Larry Root, CFP , CFS , APMA Call us today to get Private Wealth Advisor Roche Wealth Management started 501.975.7999 Petite A private wealth advisory practice of ®

Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

22 Rahling Circle, Little Rock, AR 72223 petiterochewealthmanagement@ampf.com larryrootadvisor.com

Forbes rankings are developed by SHOOK Research and are created using an algorithm that includes both qualitative (in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings; client impact; industry experience; review of best practices and compliance records; and firm nominations) and quantitative (assets under management and revenue generated for their firms) data. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Certain awards include a demographic component to qualify. These rankings for each applicable year are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC, are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience and are based on data from the previous two calendar years. Neither Ameriprise Financial nor its financial advisors pay a fee in exchange for these rankings or their use. Ameriprise Financial and/or its financial advisors can pay Forbes/SHOOK Research for additional advertising-related materials. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and CFP (with plaque design) in the U.S. Ameriprise Financial, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult with a tax advisor or attorney. Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Securities offered by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2026 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

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SE PTE M B E R 2026

FINANCIAL ADVISOR SPOTLIGHT

SMALL-TOWN KID, BIG-TIME SUCCESS By Dwain Hebda

cott W. Daniel comes from small beginnings in all the ways that matter. Raised in the hamlet of Marshall, he grew up immersed in the unique environment of rural Arkansas, from neighbors helping neighbors in times of need to community pride in homegrown attractions such as the local Kenda Drive-In Theatre and the Daisy Queen restaurant, institutions with stories that run several generations deep. Today, nearly three decades into a career in financial services, he is still focused on family legacies, be it planning to fund future dreams or to leave something meaningful behind. “I love solving problems. I love watching people succeed,” he said. “Mentorship is really what I see myself as providing now. I really want young investors to recognize that instead of getting just bogged down in the moment, they really have the opportunity to be able to succeed further in the future. If you can get them to see what that future means, then they’re going to be more inclined to stay focused. I really, really love it when that happens.” Daniel’s professional journey unfolded as an undergrad at then-Arkansas College, now Lyon College in Batesville, during a fateful visit to a job fair on campus. There, he started looking for ways to apply his Bachelor of Science degree focusing on economics and marketing management. “They had a job fair, and we had the opportunity to go to Little Rock for, I guess maybe they called it job shadowing back then,” he said. “I shadowed a financial advisor — back then they called them stockbrokers — with Merrill Lynch. I was hooked after that. I knew that that is what I wanted to do.” That epiphany notwithstanding, Daniel took a 5-year detour in sales, moving early-generation cellular phones for Alltel Wireless. “Selling car phones out of the trunk of my car in Hot Springs, Arkansas,” he said. “Remember the big bag phones? The white brick phone that you could literally kill somebody with if you weren’t careful? I’ll never forget I could never get to No. 1 in outside sales because I could never beat this lady in Charleston, South Carolina. She was always the No. 1 sales agent at the time. I just never could crack the code to beat her. “Those mentors that I had there, though, they basically positioned me on how to think. One day, I had a person ask me, ‘Have you ever thought about financial services?’ and, of course, I knew all along that I had a passion to get into that realm. I got an interview, and that’s how it all started.” Starting his career as a financial consultant at PaineWebber Private Client Group, Daniel went on to open his own firm before joining WealthPath. Over the years, he has become a well-known figure in industry circles and

a highly decorated advisor who has helped countless clients formulate and stick to a plan to fund their futures. He said while the tools at his disposal are radically different than when he started, the fundamentals of the job have not changed a bit. “Everybody, every client, has those issues that need to be listened to,” he said. “However, probably one of the hardest things to do is to get people to open up and share their issues. A financial advisor who doesn’t listen is not going to be able to find out the best direction to take to consult them. Everything in this business is consulting driven, not product driven, not commission driven. “You really have to let them know you’re on the same side of the table, that you care about their families and all the issues that go with that. When you are able to relate to folks, I think it gives you the ability to where you can help them even better.”

Scott W. Daniel

Managing Director/Financial Advisor WealthPath Investment Advisors SE PT E M B E R 2 026

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Congratulations

Scott W. Daniel for dual recognitions 2022-2026

Your financial path deserves professional navigation

“Its What We Do”

501-671-6690 2228 Cottondale Lane, Suite 250, Little Rock

SCOTT W. DANIEL, AIF® CEPA® Managing Director /Advisor

Advisory services offered by World Investment Advisors, LLC. Securities offered by St. Bernard Financial Services, Inc. member FINRA & SIPC. World Investment Advisors, LLC is affiliated through common ownership with World Investments, LLC. St. Bernard Financial Services, Inc. is not an affiliated entity of World Investment Advisors, LLC or World Investments, LLC. A comprehensive list is then compiled, consisting of influential individuals who have significantly impacted their respective fields. That list is then presented to a board of past influencers chosen to determine the new class. It is a rigorous and thorough process that ensures that only the most deserving individuals receive this esteemed recognition.

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SE PTE M B E R 2026

2026 FINANCIAL ADVISORS CARRIE CARR

ARIA Wealth Management

Carrie Carr is a registered investment advisor at ARIA Wealth Management in Little Rock. With more than 15 years’ experience in the financial industry, Carr began her career at Stephens as a trainer to financial advisors and as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English. LARRY CHANCE

Chance Black and Associates, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

Larry Chance is senior vice president and wealth management advisor at Chance Black and Associates, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Little Rock. Over his career spanning more than three decades, he has distinguished himself for ethics, integrity and expertise, turning client plans and dreams into reality. Leveraging the investment insights of Merrill and the banking solutions of Bank of America, Chance works with individuals and families to help identify goals, challenges and opportunities and then creates a sound financial plan to manage, grow and preserve clients’ wealth today while also considering the impact it can have for years to come. DAVID CHAPPELL

Petite Roche Wealth Management

David Chappell is the operations director and chief operating officer for Little Rock’s Petite Roche Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services. The firm’s areas of focus are retirement planning strategies, investments, tax planning strategies, financial planning for small business, estate planning strategies, charitable giving strategies and retirement income strategies. TARA COBB

Small Wealth Management

Tara Cobb has always been passionate about helping people navigate life’s most important decisions. As financial advisor at Small Wealth Management, she brings a thoughtful, relationship-driven approach to helping individuals and families pursue their financial goals. After spending more than a decade helping develop financial plans and supporting clients behind the scenes, Cobb became an advisor in 2021 and later earned her Certified FiSE PT E M B E R 2 026

nancial Planner credential, the industry’s most recognized designation for comprehensive financial planning. Her behavioral financial advisor designation reflects her belief that effective financial planning begins with understanding the people behind the numbers. Today, she helps clients make confident decisions about retirement, wealth management, and the future they envision for themselves and their families. DALE E. COLCLASURE JR.

RetirePath

Dale E. Colclasure Jr., a Certified Financial Planner and Accredited Investment Fiduciary, is chief investment officer, chief compliance officer and principal wealth advisor at RetirePath Wealth, an SEC registered investment advisory firm. Colclasure has spent the past three decades developing successful solutions for the unique needs of the preretired and retired community. He specializes as a retirement income advisor, a fiduciary who focuses on the entirety of needs of those transitioning from the asset accumulation phase to the income creation and distribution phase of investment management. Along with RetirePath co-founder Mark Smalling, Colclasure has built a holistic financial advisory firm that offers guidance and solutions for each step of the retirement journey. Colclasure is an industry leader in helping clients create predictable lifetime income, considering the specific tax implications of retirement plan distributions, Social Security claiming strategies, along with tax-free and capital gains taxable streams. Roth conversion opportunities, required minimum distribution planning, charitable giving, Medicare options and filing, long-term care planning, tax preparation, and estate preservation strategies are all covered in the “Your RetirePath” process. BECKIE COMSTOCK

Brown Comstock Private Wealth Advisors

Beckie Comstock has been serving the financial needs of families, professionals and retirees for more than 25 years. She is a registered principal and branch manager. She is responsible for the supervision of the practice at Brown Comstock Private Wealth Advisors, along with the construction and management of investment strategies. As a financial advisor with her Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor and Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional designations, Comstock strives to develop long-term relationships with clients with the objective of providing personalized strategies for every element of the wealth management equation. Having lived in Hot Springs since 1994, Comstock also volunteers with the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund and is involved with the Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center through Women with a Mission Society. 46

BARRY CORKERN

Corkern & Co.

Prior to forming his own firm, Barry Corkern recognized that selling financial products for a commission obstructed the client’s ability to make informed decisions. He realized that people prefer to make financial decisions unclouded by commission-driven sales rhetoric. That led him to become the first person in Arkansas to register solely as an investment advisor. As a fiduciary advisor, Corkern acts in the clients’ interests at all times and is not motivated by any third-party compensation. Although Corkern is not currently securities licensed, he has held the National Association of Securities Dealers General Securities representative and principal, variable annuity/variable life, mutual funds, and direct participation licenses. LAURA F. CROWELL

Crowell Wealth Management Group, Edward Jones

Laura F. Crowell has more than 26 years of experience as a financial advisor and has worked at Edward Jones since 1999. The Certified Private Wealth Advisor has a passion for building long-lasting relationships with her clients grounded in trust and transparency. Widely recognized for her efforts and respected throughout her industry, Crowell focuses on partnering with clients who are dedicated to pursuing their personal and family aspirations collaboratively. Likewise committed to bettering her community, Crowell and her husband are ardent supporters of causes related to domestic abuse and children’s health, in addition to putting on an annual Christmas light display — some 650,000plus lights strong — for their neighbors to enjoy. DENNIS “DJ” CURTIS JR.

The Curtis Team/Stifel

DJ Curtis is senior vice president/investments and branch manager at Stifel, and co-founder of The Curtis Team. He began his investment career in 2006 and joined Stifel in 2011. In his role, Curtis provides comprehensive, consultative investment planning, risk management strategies and wealth management services to affluent families and institutions. He assists private business owners with in-depth pretransaction planning and key decisions regarding multigenerational wealth, and takes an active role in facilitating family meetings and discussions around family governance, and the education and preparation of the next generation as future stewards of their family’s wealth. Curtis was named to Forbes’ 2022 “Bestin-State Wealth Advisors” list and to Forbes’ 2022 “Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors” list. ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

2026 FINANCIAL ADVISORS KRISTIN N. DANIEL

Parity Financial Group

Kristin N. Daniel is founder and CEO of Parity Financial Group, a tailored wealth management firm headquartered in Bentonville with offices in Little Rock, Fort Smith and Fayetteville. Serving high-net-worth families, business owners and executives across Arkansas and the country, Parity was built around Daniel’s belief that true wealth management means understanding the full picture, not just the portfolio. An Arkansas native, Daniel started in the industry in 2009, founded Parity in 2019 after recognizing that successful families and business owners often have multiple advisors but no one connecting all the pieces. She built Parity to fill that role, bringing clarity and coordination to complex financial lives and becoming a trusted resource clients turn to before making their most important financial decisions. Beyond Parity, Daniel serves as president of the board of the Helen B. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center and chairs the Justin Moore St. Jude Golf Classic, which has raised more than $2 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. SCOTT W. DANIEL

WealthPath Investment Advisors

Scott W. Daniel, a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Accredited Investment Fiduciary, is a managing partner and financial advisor at WealthPath’s Little Rock office, where he brings unique experience in advising a wide range of clients with personalized strategies. After earning a degree in business and managerial economics from Lyon College in Batesville, Daniel began his career as a financial consultant at PaineWebber & Co. He then went on to establish his own firm, which he ran for 17 years before joining WealthPath in 2015. Daniel is Series 7, 63 and 65 registered and has life, health and disability insurance licenses. He was honored as one of AdvisorHub’s “Top Advisors to Watch Under 1 Billion” in 2022 and 2023. Daniel has been an active member of several other organizations over the years, serving as executive finance committee board member at the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, board president of the Breakthrough T1D Arkansas Chapter, a trustee of Lyon College in Batesville, and commissioner at Little Rock Parks and Recreation. JACOB DUKE

Rivertree Wealth

Jacob Duke is a Certified Financial Planner and founder of Rivertree Wealth. He is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University, where he completed both his finance degree and Master of Business Administration. Prior to his graduation in 2016, he started his career in financial services at a large trust company in his home ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

state of Louisiana. In 2019, he moved to Arkansas and worked at an independent registered investment advisor until Rivertree was launched in 2024. He is now working with more than 140 clients in 21 states. KELLEY CURTIS DUNLAP

The Curtis Team — Stifel

Kelley Curtis Dunlap followed in her father’s footsteps to become a financial advisor in 2002. Today, she is a partner, along with her brother, of The Curtis Team, who joined Stifel in 2011 upon the opening of the Little Rock branch. Dunlap leverages her 24 years of experience to provide insight and perspective in constantly changing market environments. Drawing on the knowledge gained from obtaining the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor and the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor designations, Dunlap assists business owners in developing a retirement plan tailored to their needs. Dunlap was named to Forbes’ “Best-inState Women Wealth Advisors” and “Wealth Advisors” from 2022 to 2026 and “Wealth Management Teams” from 2024 to 2026. She was also named to AdvisorHub’s “Women to Watch” and “Advisors to Watch” for 2026. MARK DUTTON

Smith for ArcBest and Girl Scouts-Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. She graduated summa cum laude from Kent State University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. BRANT FOSTER

Foster and Associates

Brant Foster is owner and lead financial advisor of Foster and Associates in Little Rock. He has been a financial advisor in Little Rock for 30 years. He started with American Express after graduating from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1996. After American Express became Ameriprise Financial, Foster started Foster and Associates, where he has been named a Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisor” six times. His strong personal relationships with clients are a major part of his longterm success. Foster is involved in the central Arkansas community. He is on the board of Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock and enjoys volunteering with the Arkansas Foodbank and Habitat for Humanity. He is a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock, where he serves on the finance committee. ELI FREEMAN

Stephens

Mark Dutton has more than 35 years of industry experience. Dutton and his team at Stephens Private Client Group develop tailored investment strategies that reflect each client’s individual financial goals and longterm objectives. Prior to joining the Stephens team, Dutton was a financial advisor and vice president at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith. Dutton graduated in 1982 with honors from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering. He completed the Stephens’ wealth management program, Stephens University, offered through Wake Forest University in North Carolina. He is a Certified Financial Planner. AMBER FONSECA

Edward Jones

A member of the Edward Jones team since 2018, Amber Fonseca is a Certified Financial Planner who genuinely cares about her clients. Soon after joining Edward Jones, Fonseca discovered her love for helping clients retire on their own terms, which led her to earn her Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation. She has since added other tools to her toolbox, including designations as an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor and Accredited Asset Management Specialist. Prior to joining Edward Jones, Fonseca worked locally in Fort 47

Mach 1 Financial Group

Eli Freeman, a Certified Financial Planner, is vice president of planning at Mach 1 Financial Group, where he focuses on helping clients pursue their unique financial goals. He prides himself on tailoring each plan to the individual, ensuring strategies are both practical and purpose driven. His clientfirst approach is grounded in technical skill and a genuine passion for service. For Freeman, the greatest reward is building lasting relationships and providing peace of mind, making it his joy to care for the families he serves. GILBERTO GARCIA

Gratus Wealth Management

Gilberto Garcia is CEO and president of Gratus Wealth Management in Conway, serving clients in Arkansas and nationally through the core values of integrity, accountability, communication and transparency. Leveraging the same work ethic and commitment to excellence that made him a standout on the football field for the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Garcia helps put clients in the position of power to build and grow generational financial security. The recipient of the 2021 Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s Young Business Professional of the Year award, he also serves on the board of directors for The Conway Foundation and Faulkner County Community Foundation. SE PTE M B E R 2026

FINANCIAL ADVISOR SPOTLIGHT

THE MVP By Dwain Hebda

ush “Buddy” Harding IV sees a lot of similarities between his current life as vice president and managing director at Carty, Harding & Hearn in Little Rock and his former life as a Division I college basketball player. Both roles require focus, determination and a willingness to go the extra mile. Both also share a highly motivating factor for Harding, that of being underestimated — which, truth be told, is just the way he likes it. “I’ve been doubted my entire life. I’ve been doubted on my athletic ability, and I’ve been doubted on my ability in this industry,” he said. “Growing up, there was a message board, Fearless Friday, where I would find every negative comment that was made about me. I’d print it out, and I’d look at it every single day, especially when I didn’t want to go shoot 500 shots. I would look at that and read that and say, ‘Okay, well, let’s go prove them wrong.’” From the outside looking in, it is hard to imagine anyone questioning Harding’s ability or talent in both the athletic arena and that of business. The grandson of a three-sport high school coach, he is also the son of one of the more wellknown financial professionals Arkansas ever produced, who co-founded Crews & Associates in 1979. Still, he insists that outside of a few select people led by his wife, Rachel, the noise coming from those waiting for him to fail in business was at times deafening. “Whenever I came over here everybody was saying I couldn’t make this work, that I wasn’t smart enough, I wasn’t good enough, that I couldn’t do it,” he said. “That flipped a switch in me, something I hadn’t accessed in a very long time. It flipped that switch, and I was kind of just like, ‘Well, watch this.’” Following his basketball career at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, he briefly considered coaching as a profession. Instead, he went into the financial services industry, joining Crews & Associates in early 2008. In 2022, he moved to what was then Carty & Co., now Carty, Harding & Hearn. There, he not only services clients himself but plays a big role in training other members of the team, putting to use his coaching skills and giving him an outlet for the leadership chops he showed on the court. “With some of the younger guys here, I try to meet with them once or twice a week to go over phone calls, to go over what they’re doing right and give them praise, and then talk about what they’re doing wrong and try to help them correct it,” he said. “Mostly, I take more of a stance of lead by example. The only time I take a lunch is when I have a meeting with somebody who requests for me to go meet them at lunch. Otherwise, I’m at my desk. I mean, I turn lights on, first one here, then the last one to leave at 8, 9 o’clock a lot of times. For those who pay attention to

my work ethic, I hope it motivates them and teaches them that if they want to be successful, that’s how they need to pursue this job.” At 40, Harding is just entering his prime in the business, which means he will likely be a force in the market for years to come. He said no matter how successful he gets, however, he never wants to get too far from the grind of getting better and proving his doubters wrong as the primary octane for his success. “I mean, I’ll work 90-hour weeks and 100-hour weeks, and I’ll worry that I didn’t do enough, that somebody else is outworking me and working harder than I am,” he said. “The human race was built to walk uphill, and that’s where I was able to find myself, and that’s what I enjoy so much about life, this industry and this business. That’s just the kind of mindset from athletics and basketball that I was able to bring into the industry.”

Rush “Buddy” Harding IV

Senior Vice President/Managing Director Carty, Harding & Hearn

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SE PTE M B E R 2026

2026 FINANCIAL ADVISORS OSMAR GARCIA

Gratus Wealth Management

A native of Jalisco, Mexico, Osmar Garcia moved to Morrilton in 1998. After graduating from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway with a degree in finance, he began his career in banking as a credit analyst and consumer lender. Recognizing a gap in financial planning, he joined Northwestern Mutual in 2015 and co-founded Gratus Wealth Management in Conway with his brother, Gilberto Garcia. Today, he is dedicated to guiding clients through financial decisions with tailored strategies that address short-, mid- and longterm goals. Outside of work, Osmar enjoys family time with his wife, Morgan, and their five children. JOHN GAUDIN

Argenta Wealth Management

John Gaudin has 30 years’ experience in the investment advisory business and owns Argenta Wealth Management in North Little Rock. His experience includes leading the advisory firm’s family, business and institutional relationships. Active in the community, Gaudin was a founding member of the Argenta Downtown Council, Argenta Arts Foundation, and Argenta Friends of the Arts. He also founded the Art Connection and the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub. He has served on a range of boards, including the Thea Foundation and City Year. A native of Louisiana, Gaudin received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and moved to Arkansas in 1982. JASON GERBER

Prime Capital Financial

Jason Gerber is a managing partner at Prime Capital Financial’s Little Rock location. With more than 15 years of industry experience, he helps individuals and families navigate the complexities of building, preserving and transferring wealth through comprehensive financial planning, focusing on integrated tax advisory and estate planning strategies. Gerber works alongside Prime Capital Financial’s specialists to help clients make informed decisions that align their investments, wealth preservation and legacy goals. Having received his master’s degree in personal financial planning, he is a Certified Financial Planner, as well as an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor, Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist and Accredited Investment Fiduciary.

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JAMES “KENNY” GIBBS

The Gibbs, Marquez, Bemberg & Holbert Group

James “Kenny” Gibbs is senior vice president and wealth management advisor for The Gibbs, Marquez, Bemberg & Holbert Group in Little Rock, an affiliate of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been named to Forbes’ “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list for the years 2018 to 2026 and to Forbes’ “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” for 2025. He joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1985 and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with a degree in marketing and a minor in finance. He is a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Investment Management Analyst. SYDNEY O’QUIN GILBERT

Sagebridge Wealth Management

Since 2005, Sydney O’Quin Gilbert as helped women leaders navigate complex financial decisions with confidence. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in investment planning, wealth management, and retirement strategies, delivering personalized guidance tailored to each client’s goals. Passionate about fostering financial literacy and independence, Gilbert hosts EmpowHER, a monthly seminar designed to educate and inspire women investors. She is actively involved in Rotary International, her church, and her son’s school. Gilbert lives in Arkansas with her husband, Luke, and their son, Andrew. Her California insurance license number is 0G33359, and her resident state is Arkansas. NAN J. GINGER

Rockefeller Capital Management

Nan Ginger joined Rockefeller Global Family Office in 2024, bringing more than four decades of wealth management expertise. Prior to joining Rockefeller, she was a senior vice president and senior financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. Throughout her career, she has earned a reputation for meticulous analysis and profound insights, serving the wealth management needs, estate planning issues and money management goals of affluent individuals and businesses. Ginger holds the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor designations. At Merrill Lynch, she served as a senior vice president and senior financial advisor, where she provided exceptional financial guidance and strategic planning.

NATHAN GREEN

Simmons Investment Services

Nathan Green, a Certified Financial Planner professional, joined Simmons Investment Services in 2015 and has more than 10 years of experience in financial planning and wealth management. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Harding University in Searcy. Outside the office, he is an active member of his local Rotary Club and loves to fish, camp, play basketball and coach youth sports teams. SARAH CATHERINE GUTIERREZ

Aptus Financial

Sarah Catherine Gutierrez started Aptus Financial with a vision for a company that provides a second set of eyes for people who want to manage their own investments. Aptus Financial believes the best financial planner creates capable clients and has seen that success in more than 1,000 physician households. Her company also runs retirement plans and financial wellness services covering over 25,000 participants. Gutierrez’s true joy comes from her family. Early in her marriage, she and her husband discovered the power of living below their means, namely that it allowed them to “buy” time as a family. Now, she lives the life of an Aptus client — on her own terms. JIMMY HACKELTON

Edward Jones

Jimmy Hackelton is an accredited asset management specialist based in Cabot. Recognized as a wealth advisor for multiple years by Forbes, Hackelton helps clients develop specific strategies for achieving their goals — whether that means retirement, college savings or protecting their family’s financial future. As an Edward Jones financial advisor, Hackelton believes it is important to understand what clients are working toward before investing their money, as well as the level of risk they are comfortable accepting. He welcomes the opportunity to work with the rest of his clients’ professional team, from attorneys to accountants, in order to deliver comprehensive strategies that leverage a wide range of expertise.

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FINANCIAL ADVISOR SPOTLIGHT

LEADING THE WAY By Dwain Hebda

lay McKinney, who joined Hatcher Capital Investments eight years ago and for the past six has served as president, learned the value of a dollar the old-fashioned way, working at his family’s business. There, he also gained the self-confidence to lead others and speak up when necessary, even when it was difficult. “My dad owns a restaurant called Corn Dog 7,” the native Texan said. “Working in the family business was really helpful for me because I was in more of a management role with the business and had to have hard conversations with employees and family. Doing business with family can be tough sometimes. “The thing that I have learned is almost every problem is a communication problem. When there’s not good communication, that just leads to more problems. I’ve always tried to be pretty open with everything I’ve done in my career, even if it’s a hard conversation to have.” Born and raised in Hughes Springs, Texas, McKinney moved to Arkansas for college and graduated cum laude from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia in 2014 with a degree in finance and management. He then completed his Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Tyler in 2016. That same year, he married his wife, Emily, a native of Benton, which motivated him to return to the Natural State. He landed a job at Edward Jones and worked as a financial advisor in Little Rock for about two years before joining Hatcher Capital Investments in 2018. He has multiple professional licenses, including the Series 7, Series 66, and life and health insurance. McKinney said being able to learn at the elbow of founder Greg Hatcher, who built The Hatcher Agency into one of the most respected firms in the country, has been an education valuable beyond measure. “Greg’s a trailblazer, and everything he touches turns to gold,” McKinney said. “When he presented me with a job offer, it was not something I was expecting, but I was thrilled for the opportunity to learn from him and his success and just to be part of something special. “Everybody knows The Hatcher Agency as the home of outrageous service, and with Hatcher Capital, we’re able to deliver that same type of outrageous service to our clients. It was a great fit to come on board and start offering that outrageous service on the retirement plan side of the market.” McKinney latched on to the goals of the company with both hands and has quickly developed a reputation for expertise and leadership in the marketplace. He said the company’s unique policy of investing every employee with the power to make a decision in the best interest of the customer inspires the staff with a sense of confidence. “It makes you feel good to know that you’re able to help people and go above and beyond for them without going through layers of management approval,” he said. “You

don’t have to ask somebody if this is OK or that is OK. If you feel it is in the customers’ best interest, do it. I really see it as a good way to build trust and have a greater relationship as a company going through those experiences. “It’s also a great way for us to help our clients feel good about who they are doing business with. It lets them know that if they have a question or a problem, people are equipped to help them. That’s a good feeling for them, and when they’re happy, we’re happy.” At just 34 years of age, McKinney has demonstrated an uncommon knack for his role. He said he works every day to justify the faith placed in him to carry on the Hatcher philosophy to a whole new generation of clients. “I really do feel that ownership more than anything,” he said. “To have that level of trust placed with me is a good feeling, for sure. It makes me want to go out and try to help as many people as I can.”

Clay McKinney

President Hatcher Capital Investments ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

SE PTE M B E R 2026

2026 FINANCIAL ADVISORS BRADY HANSMANN

Guardian Financial

Brady Hansmann is a licensed insurance professional at Guardian Financial in Bentonville, where he helps clients plan for their financial futures and serves as a trusted resource for insurance guidance. He also assists with market and portfolio-related research under the supervision of Tony Hansmann, the firm’s investment advisor representative and owner. Outside the office, Brady Hansmann is excited to put his flying expertise toward Angel Flight, which provides free air transport for people needing medical care. TONY HANSMANN

Guardian Financial

After witnessing a family member’s retirement devastated by dishonesty and poor planning from a trusted advisor, Tony Hansmann was inspired to pursue a career in financial services — a pivotal experience that still drives him today. As Guardian Financial’s investment advisor representative and owner, Hansmann specializes in comprehensive tax-efficient planning strategies, advanced estate and legacy planning, and wealth preservation for high-networth families. He works closely with clients to structure portfolios and strategies designed around minimizing tax exposure across income, investment and estate transitions — helping ensure that what clients have built is protected and passed on with intention. RUSH “BUDDY” HARDING IV

Carty, Harding & Hearn

Rush “Buddy” Harding IV joined the Carty, Harding & Hearn team in 2022 as a senior vice president, stockholder, director and manager of the Little Rock office. After playing basketball on scholarship at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Harding received his Bachelor of Science in health sciences and began his successful tenure at Crews & Associates. Since 2008, he has specialized in fixed income sales and trading to institutional and retail investors. In the past, he served on several boards, including the UA Little Rock athletic board and strategic planning committee, the athletic board at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock, Junior Deputy Baseball and The Centers.

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GREG HARRISON

Harrison Financial Management

Greg Harrison is a financial professional, owner of Harrison Financial Management in El Dorado, and an active member of his community. Dedicated to helping individuals and businesses build their financial futures, he leverages education, experience and professional affiliations in his practical approach to offering financial services and fiduciary advice to his clients. Since 2009, Harrison has offered a variety of services, from financial planning and retirement planning to life and health insurance, and even certified business exit plans. As a Certified Kingdom Advisor, he is able to provide advice with faith-based principles as a foundation. His academic achievements include a Master’s of Business Administration and an Executive Master of Public Administration from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. He also currently has his Series 7, 63 and 66 licenses. Harrison has served 10 years as a justice of the peace for the Union County Quorum Court. CHASE HODGES

Gratus Wealth Management

Chase Hodges is a financial advisor at Gratus Wealth Management in Conway. Before becoming an advisor, he worked in banking, which helped him gain a strong foundation in personal finance and client service. He holds the Retirement Income Certified Professional designation, which allows him to help clients navigate retirement with confidence. Today, he primarily serves medical professionals on comprehensive and tax-efficient financial planning strategies, as well as helps retirees navigate retirement in an optimal manner. ABIGAIL HOLLAR

Hollar Wealth

Abigail Hollar is president and senior wealth advisor of Hollar Wealth, where she provides financial advice to mass affluent and high net worth households in Little Rock and across the U.S. She started her financial services career in 2002 and has been a Certified Financial Planner for more than a decade. She previously spent more than 14 years at a nationally recognized firm in Little Rock, where she learned from one of Arkansas’ most prominent business women and wealth managers. A 2006 graduate of Purdue University in Indiana, Hollar later earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Hollar has also served as a financial educator both on a volunteer basis to local nonprofits and to Fortune 500 firms.

JONATHAN HURD

Wells Fargo Advisors

With decades of experience in the financial sector under his belt and the confidence of hundreds of clients through the years, Jonathan Hurd is a soughtafter financial advisor as well as vice president-investments at Wells Fargo Advisors in Little Rock. Hurd earned his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and has a master’s of business administration in finance degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. His unique blend of technical expertise and concierge-level customer service ensures each unique financial plan is crafted with respect to the individuality of the client and their unique needs and goals. SCOTT INMAN

GenWealth Financial Advisors

Scott Inman spent 17 years as an award-winning television news anchor at KATV in Little Rock before joining the GenWealth Financial Advisors team. He also spent 13 years as the football pregame show host and fillin play-by-play announcer for the Razorback Sports Network. Inman’s passion for people and experience as a communicator led him to become a financial advisor, where he considers it a privilege to work with clients who are preparing for or who have already entered retirement. Inman also hosts GenWealth’s Get Ready for the Future Show and The Fastest Four Minutes In Finance, and he is a frequent guest on Yahoo Finance Live. MARSHALL IPSEN

Ipsen Advisor Group

Loren Marshall Ipsen is a Certified Financial Planner and founder of Ipsen Advisor Group in Little Rock. With more than 20 years of experience in investment planning, wealth management, retirement strategies and risk management, Ipsen helps individuals, families and business owners pursue long-term financial security. He simplifies complex financial concepts so clients feel informed, offering strategies that balance growth with protection. Ipsen’s client-first approach emphasizes professionalism, trust and ongoing collaboration to ensure plans adapt as life and markets change. Beyond managing assets, he strives to provide clarity, direction and peace of mind through every stage of life. Whether planning for retirement, funding education or navigating life transitions, Ipsen provides the guidance and support needed for clients to move forward with confidence.

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Samantha Brown Mortgage Banker NMLS #1244083 Phone: 501-743-8526

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Our Legacy is Helping Build Yours At Small Wealth Management, our advisors combine experience, insight, and personal attention to help you grow, protect, and preserve what matters most. From financial planning to retirement and beyond, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Let’s start the conversation: (501) 975-7968 | caitlyn.small@ampf.com

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SE PTE M B E R 2026

2026 FINANCIAL ADVISORS ANNA JETER

Peregrine Wealth Strategies

Anna Jeter is a financial advisor and owner of Peregrine Wealth Strategies in Little Rock. With more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, she works with individuals and families to navigate the decisions that shape their financial lives, with a particular focus on retirement planning, investment management and long-term financial strategy. Jeter believes financial planning should bring clarity, not complexity. Her approach centers on helping clients understand their options, make informed decisions and feel confident about the path ahead. She holds her Series 7 and 66 security registration with LPL Financial, as well as life and health insurance licenses. MATT JONES

Legacy Capital

Matt Jones began working in the wealth management industry in 1994 after receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and his law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. Having completed the requirements to become a Certified Financial Planner, Jones worked locally for both Morgan Keegan and Stephens. In 1997, he joined the late Frank McGehee to form what is now Legacy Capital. Legacy is one of the state’s largest independent registered investment advisors and has more than $1.6 billion in assets under management. In addition to leading Legacy Capital, he serves as an advisor to ultra-affluent families throughout the U.S. and works with some of Arkansas’ wealthiest families. TIM KEY

GenWealth Financial Advisors

Tim Key joined the GenWealth Financial Advisors team in Little Rock in 2016 after a 22-year career in the banking and insurance industries. Born and raised in Missouri, Key graduated from Culver-Stockton College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1992. He moved to central Arkansas in 1998 and has called the area home ever since. Away from the office, Key enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

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DAVID LUKAS

MORGAN KEYES

Wells Fargo Advisors

As a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors in Little Rock, Morgan Keyes offers a wide range of services, from helping select individual investments to developing a retirement plan. With access to a broad array of resources, including Wells Fargo Investment Institute research analysts and economic and market strategists, Keyes helps clients make informed investment decisions based on their specific needs. Wells Fargo Investment Institute, is a registered investment advisor and wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Co. PAUL KROGER

Northwestern Mutual

Paul Kroger graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway in 2008 with a double major in digital film and communications. After working his way up through Windstream Communications, he applied his enterprise leadership experience to entrepreneurism opening Granite Transformations of Central Arkansas, a business consulting firm, and ultimately finding his passion founding a financial advising firm through Northwestern Mutual. As a wealth management advisor Kroger focuses on helping clients expand their dreams, challenge habits and simplify tactics. AMANDA LEIJA

Freedom Financial Partners

Based in North Little Rock, Amanda Leija is a dedicated wealth advisor who brings a client-first philosophy shaped by more than 20 years of experience in education and leadership. After a distinguished career as a teacher, principal and superintendent, she transitioned into financial services with a passion for helping individuals and families gain clarity, confidence, and freedom over their financial futures. Leija joined Freedom Financial Partners in 2026 after three years with Edward Jones, where she managed approximately $45 million in client assets. She holds multiple financial designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, and combines technical proficiency with a genuine commitment to building lasting relationships rooted in trust, transparency and service.

Lukas Total Wealth

David Lukas is the CEO and founder of Lukas Total Wealth, an independent fiduciary wealth management firm in North Little Rock. He is the creator of the THRIVE Planning Framework, which walks families through taxes, healthcare, risk, income, vitality, and estate and legacy, and the ExoSure Exit Readiness Framework, which helps business owners turn concentrated business value into sustainable personal and family wealth before a transition rather than after it. He hosts The Total Wealth Show, now in its 17th year on Arkansas radio, and he is a contributor to Kiplinger.com. Lukas Total Wealth has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in America for two years running. His view of the work is simple: Money is the tool. Human flourishing is the outcome. EDWARD MAHAFFY

ClientFirst Wealth Legacy & Estate

Edward Mahaffy, a Certified Financial Planner, and his team own and operate ClientFirst Wealth, Legacy & Estate Planning, an independent fee-only registered investment advisor and fiduciary specializing in retirement planning with offices in Little Rock and Fort Worth. He has an undergraduate degree from The Citadel in South Carolina and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. BRAYDEN MALLETT

Arvest Wealth Management

Brayden Mallett is a senior client advisor at Arvest Wealth Management, bringing extensive financial services experience since 2014. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance, a minor in management, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Dedicated to providing an exceptional client experience, Mallett offers proactive, knowledgeable guidance across financial planning, retirement, insurance and wealth management strategies. KATELYN B. MARTIN

Edward Jones

An attorney turned Certified Financial Planner based in Monticello, Katelyn B. Martin helps people, families and foundations achieve financial security and maximize their potential with confidence. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2022, Martin spent years ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

2026 FINANCIAL ADVISORS counseling individuals of all ages and walks of life, helping them to understand their rights and achieve their goals with coaching and careful planning. Martin obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville before earning her Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. LESTER P. MATLOCK

Natural State Private Wealth Group, powered by Ameriprise Financial

For more than three decades, Lester P. Matlock has been helping clients make informed financial decisions and pursue their vision of financial success. Since founding Natural State Private Wealth Group in Little Rock in 1996, he has built his practice around a simple philosophy: personalized advice, meaningful relationships and a commitment to putting clients first. Matlock specializes in helping high-net-worth individuals and families develop comprehensive wealth management strategies that address investment management, retirement income planning, estate planning strategies, taxefficient wealth transfer and charitable giving. A Certified Financial Planner professional, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Matlock combines deep technical expertise with a personal approach to wealth management. He has consistently earned the Ameriprise Client Experience Award, which honors advisors who demonstrate a sustained commitment to delivering exceptional service and creating meaningful client relationships. Matlock’s mission is to help clients simplify complex financial decisions, pursue their goals with confidence, and create a lasting impact for their families and communities. MARY MCCRAW

The Arkansas Financial Group

Mary McCraw joined The Arkansas Financial Group in Little Rock in 2008 and is a vice president and shareholder. She also serves as chief compliance officer. She works with a variety of clients, including young professionals and families just starting out. Prior to joining AFG, she worked for a boutique wealth management firm in Los Angeles, preparing financial plans for clients in the entertainment industry. She attended the University of North Texas in Denton, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in finance with an emphasis in personal financial planning.

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KEITH MCGEORGE

Retirement Advisors of Arkansas

Keith McGeorge joined Retirement Advisors of Arkansas in 2020 and serves as the firm’s managing partner. He specializes in helping clients develop comprehensive financial plans that provide the confidence and clarity needed to transition successfully into retirement. By focusing on each client’s unique goals, McGeorge works to simplify complex financial decisions and create strategies designed to help families pursue long-term financial security. Prior to joining Retirement Advisors of Arkansas, McGeorge owned and operated Max Cleaners. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and management from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He holds Series 7 and Series 66 securities registrations through LPL Financial and is a licensed health and life insurance producer in the state of Arkansas. CLAY MCKINNEY

Hatcher Capital Investments

Born and raised in Hughes Springs, Texas, Clay McKinney moved to Arkansas for college and graduated cum laude from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia in 2014 with a degree in finance and management. After undergrad, he completed his Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Tyler in 2016. Her served as a financial advisor for a Fortune 500 firm before joining Hatcher Capital Investments in 2018 and now leads the company as its president. He has multiple professional licenses, including Series 7 and 66, as well as life and health insurance. NICK MERRIWEATHER

Ipsen Advisor Group

James Nick Merriweather is a Certified Financial Planner at Ipsen Advisor Group in Little Rock. He helps clients build, protect and sustain wealth through every stage of life. He teams up with emerging professionals and rising leaders to design investment strategies, manage financial obligations, navigate debt and lay the groundwork for lasting retirement security. He also works with families, retirees and business owners on complex needs such as income planning, legacy strategies and wealth transfer. Skilled in working with multiple generations, Merriweather provides continuity and a coordinated approach to long-term goals. He simplifies financial concepts into clear, personalized advice. His client-first philosophy emphasizes transparency, trust and ongoing collaboration.

JOSHUA MONTANEZ

Montanez Wealth Advisors

Fourteen years ago, Joshua Montanez launched his financial planning practice with a passion for helping people achieve confidence in their financial future. Today, that vision has grown into Montanez Wealth Advisors in Rogers, where Montanez is known for his client-centered approach and commitment to holistic financial planning. Recognized as a Forbes “Top Financial Security Professional Best-in-State” for the past three years, Montanez and his firm work closely with individuals, families, business owners and corporate professionals, helping them navigate complex financial decisions involving equity compensation, deferred compensation plans, comprehensive business planning and long-term wealth strategies. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Montanez is deeply invested in the northwest Arkansas community through financial education, charitable involvement and advocacy efforts. MARSHALL MOON

Meridian Investment Advisors

Since joining Meridian Investment Advisors in Little Rock in 2015, Marshall Moon has served as senior investment advisor and chief equity strategist. He earned his finance degree from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway and became a Certified Financial Planner in 2020. In January, he became a named partner. As principal, he leads investment strategy, oversees equity research and remains a trusted advisor to clients. He is passionate about helping people feel confident about their financial futures and takes pride in offering open-minded, personalized guidance. SAMUEL G. NAGHER III

Edward Jones

Samuel G. Nagher III has been with the Edward Jones team since 2018, helping clients from his Conway office develop and implement strategies for a confident financial future. Nagher is a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, and his focus areas include wealth strategies, retirement savings strategies, business retirement plans, entrepreneurs and business owners, and estate and legacy strategies. From building a plan to monitoring one’s progress and adjusting as life circumstances change, Nagher and his team are dedicated to providing complete, tailored strategies for clients, all the while offering top-notch service at every step. Nagher obtained his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan in Dearborn. SE PTE M B E R 2026

2026 FINANCIAL ADVISORS LESLEY NALLEY

Nalley & Associates

Lesley Nalley is president of Nalley & Associates in Little Rock, where she partners with individuals, families and business owners to build financial prosperity through a holistic approach to wealth. With a professional foundation in accounting and human resources, Nalley brings both technical precision and people-centered insight to wealth planning. Her background includes a Bachelor of Science in accounting, a Master of Business Administration in human resource management, insurance licenses in Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, California and Washington, and FINRA registration. Passionate about giving back, Nalley also proudly serves on the boards of the Little Italy Arkansas Heritage Society & Museum and the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance. JOEL NEWBURN

GenWealth Financial Advisors

Clarksville native Joel Newburn has always been moved by the opportunity to serve others. Long before his distinguished career helping clients plan for the future through GenWealth Financial Advisors in Hot Springs, he spent 10 years in the Army National Guard as an air traffic controller and Blackhawk helicopter pilot twice deployed to Iraq. In between his military training, Newburn completed his bachelor’s degree in professional aeronautics with a minor in business administration from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. GEOFF NIEBAUM

Mendel Capital Management

Geoff Niebaum brings 20 years of investment advisory experience to his role leading Mendel Capital Management. As president, he focuses on investment management and overall strategic growth of Mendel Capital. Prior to joining Mendel Capital, Niebaum was a partner and portfolio manager for Integra Capital Advisors. His investment management career began at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. ANDREW NORRIS

Red Dog Investment Group | Raymond James

Andrew Norris at Red Dog Investment Group | Raymond James in Little Rock is dedicated to managing and preserving wealth for individuals and their families. By establishing valued relationships, he seeks to gain a comprehensive understanding of clients’ needs and goals. The dedicated financial advisor SE PT E M B E R 2 026

works hard to enhance and preserve clients’ investments while assisting them in realizing their goals through long-term financial solutions using portfolio management, retirement planning — including IRAs, 401(k)s — estate planning, wealth management and more. A native of Benton, Norris graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway with a bachelor’s degree and is a member of Leadership of Saline County. He joined Raymond James in 2019. PATTY NUOVO

Signature Private Wealth Management — Raymond James

Patty Nuovo is a Certified Financial Planner, financial advisor, and investment advisor representative at Signature Private Wealth Management for Raymond James in Bentonville. With more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Nuovo has built her career on helping individuals, families and business owners make informed financial decisions and pursue their long-term goals. After beginning her career in the institutional operations department at Shearson Hayden Stone, Nuovo earned her Series 7 license and became the first female stockbroker hired at Janney Montgomery Scott in Philadelphia. Her success in the northeast financial markets laid the foundation for a career dedicated to serving clients through personalized advice, thoughtful planning and disciplined investment strategies. Today, Nuovo works closely with clients to develop comprehensive wealth management plans tailored to their unique needs and aspirations. She is passionate about financial education and is known for her seminars on the concepts of money, abundance and financial empowerment. Nuovo believes that everyone has the potential to achieve financial success and strives to help clients make the most of their wealth today while creating a lasting legacy for future generations. MARCO OSORIO

Prime Capital Financial

Marco Osorio is a seasoned financial advisor at Prime Capital Financial with a degree in finance from Harding University in Searcy earned in 2012. Beginning his career as an analyst covering public utilities in his home state of Arkansas, he honed his skills before transitioning to Fidelity Investments in Dallas, where he immersed himself in financial services. With more than 10 years of industry experience, Osorio’s passion lies in empowering individuals to make sound financial decisions to achieve their goals. Specializing in retirement planning, he is dedicated to serving his clients by providing them with the necessary tools and strategies to navigate their financial journey effectively.

STEVE OSTERINK JR.

Conger Wealth Management

As chief investment officer, Steve Osterink brings nearly two decades of experience to the Conger Wealth Management team, as well as extensive knowledge of personal finance and asset management. Conger authors the firm’s market review and various educational videos and whitepapers, as well as investor education materials. He is passionate about educating investors and effectively communicating complex financial matters in a simplified manner that addresses common misconceptions. He is constantly creating new resources and methods to improve the financial advice delivered to investors, as well as helping financial advisors to better serve their clients. DEBI PIERCY

The Piercy-Whitt Group

Debi Piercy is managing partner and financial advisor at Little Rock’s The Piercy-Whitt Group of Conservant Financial. Piercy and her team offer more than just knowledge and insight — they offer an objective and holistic approach designed to provide financial solutions for all aspects of clients’ lives up to and through retirement. GREG PILLOW

Conway Wealth Management

Greg Pillow has lived in Conway most of his life and has been a financial advisor since 1999. He graduated from Conway High School and the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. He is very active in the Conway community and enjoys working in Conway and assisting his clients in pursuing their financial goals. APRIL POLLARD

Edward Jones

April Pollard is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Little Rock who helps successful professionals, business owners and families simplify complex financial decisions. Since joining the firm in 2014, she has focused on building lasting relationships through personalized advice and comprehensive planning. As a Certified Financial Planner practitioner, Chartered Financial Consultant, Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, Pollard serves as a strategic partner who collaborates with certified public accountants, estate attorneys and other professionals to help clients build, protect and transfer wealth while pursuing what matters most to them. ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

2026 FINANCIAL ADVISORS CHARLES PORTER

Stephens

Charlie Porter joined Stephens Private Client Group in 2007. Prior to joining Stephens, he was branch manager at First Security Bank, where he worked in the lending division. Porter has a Bachelor of Science in advertising and public relations from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He also completed the Stephens’ advanced wealth management program, Stephens University, offered through Wake Forest University in North Carolina. He is a Chartered Retirement Planning Specialist, signifying that he has met initial and on-going experience, ethical education and examination requirements for the retirement planning process. LISA RABATIN

Simmons Investment Services

Lisa Rabatin has four decades of investment experience and has been with Simmons since 2008. She began her career with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith in 1982 after obtaining her bachelor of business administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. After joining Dean Witter Reynolds in 1985, she spent 20 years with Morgan Stanley. Rabatin then joined Northwestern Mutual in 2005 to further her holistic planning approach. In 2008, she joined Delta Trust Investments, which was later acquired by Simmons Bank. Rabatin obtained her Certified Financial Planner designation in 2002. BRAD RAINES

Applied Capital

Brad Raines founded Applied Capital in 2013 as an SEC Registered Investment Advisor firm with a simple mission: to provide a modern investment platform where highly proficient, ethical advisors can better serve their clients. Since then, the firm has grown steadily, including the addition of a second office in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2015 and an acquisition in 2021. He built an exceptional team of investment advisors and support staff united by a shared focus — refining the process of investing and financial planning to deliver lasting value.

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KYMBERLIE REED

Small Wealth Management

Kymberlie Reed has always been passionate about helping people gain confidence in their financial lives. As a private wealth advisor at Small Wealth Management and a Certified Financial Planner professional, she combines nearly two decades of experience with a thoughtful, client-centered approach to financial planning. Reed believes the best advice starts with understanding each client’s unique story, goals and concerns before building a personalized strategy designed to support the future they envision. She is known for helping clients navigate complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence while making financial planning feel approachable and achievable. Today, Reed works closely with individuals, families and business owners to help them make informed decisions and feel empowered about their financial future. KATRINA ROBERTSON

Phoenix Rising Wealth Management

Katrina Robertson is the founder of Phoenix Rising Wealth Management in Hot Springs. She began her career as a financial advisor in 2007. With nearly two decades of experience, she is well-equipped to help with budgeting, investment, retirement preparation, estate planning and much more. Also, as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst practitioner, Robertson is able to help clients navigate the intersection of legal and financial matters during divorce, helping both the client and attorney understand the financial impact of legal strategies. LARRY ROOT

Petite Roche Wealth Management

Larry Root is a long-tenured financial advisor serving clients across the nation from his Little Rock office. His experience and Certified Financial Planner certification reflect a commitment to professional excellence, comprehensive planning and fiduciary-minded guidance. Coming from a family of educators, his methodology is as much teaching as advising. In doing so, the process provides confidence for clients in both their own judgment and the advice provided. Many retiring advisors have chosen to recommend Petite Roche Wealth Management to their clients as their next advisor and the team has grown to accommodate these numerous requests. The team approach grew out of a desire for clients of generations to come to be treated with the same respect and quality advice that has been evident for decades.

TODD SADOWSKI

StrongTower Wealth Management

Todd Sadowski is a selfproclaimed “money nerd” who delights in serving as a financial advisor. He has been in the industry for more than 30 years and founded his own firm, StrongTower Wealth Management in Hot Springs, in 2018. He is known for serving his clients with a unique faith-based approach in which a person’s faith and finances intersect. His process allows his clients to not only invest for potential growth but also make a positive impact on the world. Sadowski has been voted a Top Financial Planner in Hot Springs by local publications. He hosted a radio show on AFR for many years and has been showcased on Victory Television Network. STEVEN SCHMITT

Willow Financial

Since 2007, Steven Schmitt has been helping northwest Arkansas residents experience those wonderful ‘aha moments’ when their financial future becomes clear. As Willow’s managing partner, Schmitt brings together his extensive credentials — including Certified Financial Planner, Accredited Estate Planner, Accredited Investment Fiduciary and Master of Science in Financial Services — with a passionate belief in teamwork to transform local clients’ lives. His leadership style combines deep expertise with genuine care for each client’s journey, taking particular joy in breakthrough moments when northwest Arkansas families gain complete clarity about their financial path forward. ROCKLIN SENAVININ

Fiduciary Wealth Management

Rocklin Senavinin is president and co-founder of Fiduciary Wealth Management in Little Rock. He has more than 25 years of experience in the investment and financial planning industry and has dedicated his professional life to helping individuals live comfortably in retirement. Starting his career at Waterhouse Securities, Senavinin gained real-world experience in market dynamics and investment strategies. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and received his Certified Financial Planner designation from the College for Financial Planning in Colorado. A member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, Senavinin is also a past volunteer at Our House and is the current chair of the Mount St. Mary Foundation board.

SE PTE M B E R 2026

FINANCIAL ADVISOR SPOTLIGHT

THE NEXT GENERATION By Dwain Hebda

arshall Moon, principal with Meridian Investment Advisors in Little Rock, is the definition of an old soul in all the right ways. Though just 33, he has a dozen years in the industry, serving a client base of institutions and affluent individuals with high expectations about who tends to their finances. That experience and expertise make him one of the more sought-after financial professionals of any age in Arkansas. “What drew me to this industry was a combination of the ability to build and maintain relationships with people but also the actual work behind the scenes,” he said. “It’s a bit of an ongoing puzzle, one that’s never solved. That was and still is stimulating to me, trying to figure out which things move the needle and ultimately drive good outcomes for the client.” Moon, who has lived the majority of his life in Conway, earned his finance degree from the University of Central Arkansas there before joining Meridian Investment Advisors in 2015, where he previously served as senior investment advisor and chief equity strategist. In 2025, he made partner, bringing on the new challenges of leadership. “I’m not so sure owning a firm was always a goal of mine, but I like big challenges, and being an owner of a firm naturally fits into that category,” he said. “Ultimately, trying to create and sustain a really successful business and to create a workplace that other people can get meaning from and build long careers at is something really rewarding to me. “Meridian’s a standalone independent business that’s in its 43rd year, and with me being a younger partner, we obviously have a plan in place to continue for the next 43 years. We like to say that we’re big enough to matter, managing almost $1 billion as a firm, but small enough to care. I want to continue our reputation as a place that can provide real, institutional-grade resources and expertise alongside a high-touch, personal experience for each of our clients.” To that end, Moon has led the way, delivering new operational insights and fresh ideas since ascending to named partner. “I think I bring a different perspective that our older principals do not have the good fortune of having, and that perspective is longevity,” he said. “I have the luxury of being able to think out 20, 30, 40 years because I’ll be here for a long time. Being able to think in that longer timeframe is a strategic asset for us. “Then within technology, of course, I’ve grown up in the technology era, so I’m probably more adept at thinking through those things and how they can serve our business. A couple areas that I’ve tried to lead would be our trading technologies; where a lot of trading processes used to be done by hand, now a lot of them are automated. With the use of technology, we’re able to do them faster, better and cheaper for clients, which ultimately drives much better outcomes.” Adopting technology is just one way Meridian Investment Advisors stays at the

forefront of the industry, an important selling point when dealing with the clientele the company serves. “The people coming to us are pretty well educated or at least have a more sophisticated type of idea when it comes to financial planning techniques or wealth management,” he said. “Most of our new clients come to us because they’re at this crossroads in life where they’re shifting from the savings portion of their working lives to retirement where now they have to figure out, OK, what do I do with this money I’ve saved? What do I want to accomplish and how do I accomplish it? “They come to us to help them put all the puzzle pieces together, both the usual economic pieces but also their own different pieces. It’s great to help people think through their complex financial planning or wealth management needs and help deliver really good, appropriate outcomes for their individual puzzle.”

Marshall Moon

Principal Meridian Investment Advisors SE PT E M B E R 2 026

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INVESTING FOR A RICH LIFE Realizing what you value.

Financial/Personal Investment Services From the way your parents handled money to your plans for retirement— many factors impact the way you view your wealth. We take the time to understand who you are, your vision of your future, and what you need from your financial partner. From there, we develop solutions that are as unique as you are. We make it easy to work with us so your life is less complicated and you can enjoy what you value most.

The above-mentioned award was given in October 2025 based on votes from Arkansas Money & Politics readers and was provided by AMP Magazine. Meridian has a reasonable belief that the survey used to determine the award was fair and balanced. There is no compensation associated with this award. This award does not guarantee future investment outcomes and does not ensure that a client will experience a higher level of performance results.

11300 Cantrell Road, Suite 200 Little Rock, AR 72212 501-663-7055 MeridianIA.com

Congratulations Miranda Gauthier, Carmen Doepel, & Kim Hauge

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SE PTE M B E R 2026

2026 FINANCIAL ADVISORS PEYTON SHARP

Gratus Wealth Management

A financial advisor with nearly a decade of industry experience, Peyton Sharp takes pride in helping his clients live their best life with tremendous confidence. A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Sharp completed an internship with Northwestern Mutual while in college, putting his feet on the path of his rewarding career. As part of the Gratus Wealth Management team, he is a dedicated retirement specialist who strives to deliver exceptional service and personalized support, customizing each plan to the unique needs and goals of individual clients. JOHN SHREWSBURY

GenWealth Financial Advisors

Over nearly 40 years in the financial services industry, John Shrewsbury never wavered from what he considers the central tenet of helping individuals and families plan for the future: Every person deserves their chance at attaining true financial independence. Focusing on this ethic has made his career with GenWealth Financial Advisors in Bryant less of a job and more of his life’s calling. Serving families from every strata, Shrewsbury earned the Retirement Income Certified Professional designation and continues to attend myriad conferences and countless hours of continuing education in order to provide the most informed advisory services available. JOHN SIDERY

Olympus Wealth Strategies

John Sidery, a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Private Wealth Advisor, is the founder of Olympus Wealth Strategies, an independent wealth management firm based in Little Rock. Recognized for his authentic, client-first approach, he focuses on comprehensive financial planning, investment management and tax-smart strategies for families, business owners and executives. He launched Olympus, in partnership with Uptick Partners, on the belief that clients deserve proactive advice and the experience of a modern family office — integrating investments, tax and holistic planning under one roof. He is passionate about helping clients pursue financial independence, create lasting memory dividends, and live with greater clarity and confidence.

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CHARLIE SKINNER

GenWealth Financial Advisors

As a financial advisor helping families work toward financial independence and feel more confident about their future, Charlie Skinner at GenWealth Financial Advisors in El Dorado has distinguished himself on the strength of expertise, customer service and skill. Approaching each client individually allows Skinner to construct financial plans that work for today and pay dividends of goals reached and dreams achieved tomorrow. Helping people make sense of their finances, understand their options and put a plan in place that gives them confidence in the road ahead is the overriding goal for the alum of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with every client interaction. JOEY SMALL

Small Wealth Management

Joey Small has dedicated nearly three decades to helping individuals, families, and business owners navigate the opportunities and challenges that come with building and preserving wealth. As a private wealth advisor and president of Small Wealth Management, Small believes great financial advice begins with understanding what is most important to each client and creating a strategy that supports their goals, values and vision for the future. Drawing on years of experience and a passion for helping others gain confidence in their financial lives, he works closely with clients to simplify complex decisions and provide guidance through every stage of life. Small’s mission is simple: to help clients feel empowered, informed and confident about where they are today and where they are headed tomorrow. MARK SMALLING

RetirePath

Mark Smalling is co-founder, investment advisor representative and oversees the insurance division of RetirePath. Starting as a college intern at a large financial firm, he has spent the past 35 years helping clients navigate the complexities of retirement. About a decade ago, he and Dale Colclasure realized that by combining their strengths and expertise under one roof and working as a team, that they could provide even greater value to their clients. That is when they founded their firm, RetirePath, with the shared goal of helping others achieve their financial dreams. He firmly believes retirement should not be complicated or intimidating, and it also should not be “cookie cutter” either. He truly believes in getting to know every client, so he can best help guide them through their unique retirement journey. 60

RetirePath’s approach to retirement planning is designed to make clients’ retirement vision more attainable with streamlined tools and strategies that are easy to understand and implement. KIM SMITH

Trek Wealth Solutions

As a financial advisor at Trek Wealth Solutions, Kim Smith is dedicated to providing personalized service and building long-term relationships with her clients, ensuring each client’s unique financial needs are met with the attention and care they deserve. Smith brings more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, over the years earning her Series 7, 63 and 66 securities licenses. JAKE SPRADLIN

The Arkansas Financial Group

Jake Spradlin began his career in banking compliance, but his passion for helping families achieve their financial goals led him to a new path. He joined The Arkansas Financial Group in Little Rock in 2023, initially serving as a paraplanner before earning his Certified Financial Planner certification in 2024. He has a bachelor’s degree with a major in finance from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. CANDICE STANLEY

GenWealth Financial Advisors

Prior to joining the GenWealth Financial Advisors team, Candice Stanley owned and managed an insurance agency for several years. Her passion for helping others achieve their financial goals has been present since college, and insurance allowed her to cultivate a part of her ambition. Stanley graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance in 2006, and she holds Series 7, 6, 63 and 66 licenses through LPL Financial. Based in GenWealth’s Bryant office Stanley has a Retirement Income Certified Professional designation. HANNAH STANLEY

New Wave Wealth Advisors

Hannah Stanley founded New Wave Wealth Advisors in Springdale in 2019. There, she focuses on investment management, tax strategies, and retirement planning for high-net-worth clients. Born and raised in Arkansas, she strives to build deep and long-term relationships with her clients in order to provide trusted advice around asset and risk management, trust and esARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

2026 FINANCIAL ADVISORS tate planning, options/stock benefits, and wealth and income strategies for both personal and business clients. As a fiduciary, her goal is to make the planning process easy by being relatable, experienced and invested in her clients’ success.

that follow. He believes financial advice should be personal, not transactional — and that the strongest plans begin with listening, understanding family priorities and building trust that lasts.

JAY STRICKLAND

Merrill Lynch

Legacy Capital

Jay Strickland is a Certified Financial Planner and Retirement Income Certified Professional with more than 20 years of experience in investments and financial planning specializing in asset allocation, risk management and retirement planning. After graduating from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, he began his career serving in trading and research roles before transitioning into working directly with clients and institutions to develop and execute comprehensive financial planning strategies. He is also a member of Legacy Capital’s investment committee, which provides him with direct input into the firm’s due diligence and investment selection process. That knowledge is then directly applied to each client’s unique circumstances to help guide them toward their financial goals. TRAVIS SWANSON

Camienne Financial | Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group

Travis Swanson is a private wealth advisor at Camienne Financial, a Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group firm serving affluent individuals, families, business owners, executives and professional athletes nationwide. Drawing on the discipline, preparation and leadership developed throughout his football career, Swanson helps clients navigate complex financial decisions through comprehensive wealth management, investment planning, risk management, and estate and charitable planning strategies. Before entering financial services, Swanson was a four-year starting center, two-time All-American and team captain for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He established a program record with 50 consecutive starts before being selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played five NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. JUSTIN TRAVIS

Trek Wealth Solutions

Justin Travis brings more than a decade of experience in banking and wealth management to his client work at Trek Wealth Solutions, guiding them through retirement income planning, tax strategies, Social Security decisions and legacy planning. As a Certified Financial Planner professional, Travis takes a comprehensive, planning-first approach that supports clients not only through retirement but throughout the years ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

CHRIS VINCENT

Chris Vincent is a senior vice president and wealth management advisor at Merrill Lynch. With more than two decades of experience in wealth management, he helps individuals and families navigate financial opportunities and challenges through personalized planning, investment management and trusted advice. A graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Vincent earned his Master of Business Administration from Auburn University in Alabama and has the Certified Financial Planner certification and Certified Investment Management Analyst designation. He is committed to helping clients make informed financial decisions and pursue their long-term goals with confidence and clarity. KENNY WASSON

Arvest Wealth Management

Kenny Wasson is a senior client advisor and senior vice president at Arvest Wealth Management and provides tailored wealth management for families and business owners, specializing in financial planning across investments, liability management, risk mitigation and estate strategies. Taking a personalized, objective and cost-conscious approach, Wasson guides clients through life’s transitions with strategic foresight and dedication. A graduate of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia in finance, he holds the Accredited Asset Management Specialist and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designations. In 2021, the American Bankers Association named him a top 40 under 40 wealth management professional. Wasson advocates for special needs children and helped establish North Little Rock’s first inclusive playground. VICTOR WERLEY

Pinnacle Advisors

Victor Werley is a Fort Smith native and graduate of Lyon College in Batesville. He is the founder of Pinnacle Advisors, a financial planning firm focused on outsourced chief financial officer services, business operations management, exit planning and business valuation. He is also the co-founder and managing partner of Acansa LP, an Arkansas-focused private equity fund. He has more than 20 years of experience in financial planning, business valuation, mergers and acquisitions, and litigation support. He has numerous professional designations, including 61

Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Consultant, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Certified Valuation Analyst, Master Analyst in Financial Forensics, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Exit Planning Advisor, and Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor. MEGAN WHITEHEAD

FB&T Wealth Management

Megan Whitehead has served as vice president of wealth management with FB&T Wealth Management since 2023. She is a Certified Financial Planner professional and LPL Wealth Advisor, providing wealth management, retirement and financial planning, and business financial planning to her clients. Whitehead has a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business and a Master of Business Administration from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. She was formerly a financial advisor at McGaha Investments, an instructor of finance at SAU, and director of the SAU Small Business and Technology Development Center. DEENA WRIGHT

SWK Financial Planning Advisors of Raymond James

As a financial advisor, Deena Wright is dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve financial freedom. Her role is to provide personalized financial planning and investment management tailored to each client’s unique situation. Whether preparing for retirement while maintaining one’s lifestyle, saving for a child’s education or maximizing tax efficiency, she works closely with clients to devise actionable strategies that align with their aspirations. Wright’s goal is to empower clients with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed financial decisions, ensuring they feel confident and secure in their financial future. JARED ZEISER

Zeiser Wealth Management

In 1999, company president and CEO Jared Zeiser began Zeiser Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisory firm, in Hot Springs. There, he helps clients pursue their financial dreams and enjoy what they value most in life. Born in North Little Rock, Zeiser graduated from high school in Jefferson City, Missouri, and attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he earned a degree in finance. After graduation he worked for several years at the Bank of Bentonville, now Arvest Bank, and then took a detour managing a family farm and financial advising in Helena before moving to Hot Springs, where he now resides. Zeiser and the ZWM team are passionate about serving their clients with excellence. SE PTE M B E R 2026

he executives named to Arkansas Money & Politics’ 2026 list of “Women in Banking” were nominated by readers. In a male-dominated industry, their perseverance, hard work and expertise have propelled them to influential positions in Arkansas banking and finance. We are proud to recognize them in this month’s issue. Although banking historically has been a male-dominated industry, women are breaking the glass ceiling and rising to the top with the expertise, professional achievements and personal tenacity to succeed. These women in the banking industry are leaders who are making a significant contribution to the profession.

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BANKING AND FINANCE

Hear Them

ROAR

By Dwain Hebda

Women in bank leadership roles up in Arkansas, U.S.

hen the wider business world thinks of Arkansas success stories, it most generally defaults to global corporate behemoths Walmart, J.B. Hunt and Tyson Foods. In most circles, Cathy Owen does not reside top of mind but in the banking world, but she is a unicorn of the highest order and a beacon for women in any industry. Owen is chairman of Eagle Bank, as well as chairman, president and CEO of State Holding Co., which owns Eagle Bank. She is chair-elect of the American Bankers Association’s board of directors and is still the only woman to have served as chairman of the board of the Arkansas Bankers Association in its 136-year history. In 2022, she was named one of the “75 Most Powerful Women” by American Banker. With all that, Owen is the ultimate authority on the challenges that face women in banking, especially as they seek to ascend the ranks of management, executive leadership and board seats. She said while the industry has a long way to go, there is a lot to like about what is changing in the industry as far as parity of opportunity. “There are more women in the C-suite and on boards. I continue to see improvement in that,” she said. “I wish it

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Cathy Owen

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BANKING AND FINANCE

were faster, but unfortunately, it’s not.” Owen credited the new prominence of women in upper leadership roles to the self-seeding effect achieved when a few pioneers proliferate followers over time through inspiration and mentorship. “I’m seeing more women that are helping elevate other women and encouraging other women to seek those higher opportunities,” Owen said. “They’re serving as mentors, which I think is extremely important. I also think that it’s helped with women seeing other women achieving these roles and serving on boards because they realize it is possible and they can do it.” Owen’s assessment of the industry in Arkansas reflects a wider trend across the country in which the progress has been undeniable even if the pace has been below par. According to a 2022 piece by Deloitte Insights, women held about 21 percent of C-suite and senior leadership positions in the U.S. financial services industry, on par with the global percentage. Those included positions within the C-suite tier, such as CEO, chief financial officer and chief marketing officer, as well as senior leadership roles such as line-of-business leaders, division chiefs or regional leaders, executive vice presidents, senior vice president, or equivalents. A separate analysis of the 107 largest U.S. public financial services institutions was even more encouraging, showing women in 32 percent and 23 percent of C-suite and senior leadership roles, respectively. The report went on to predict U.S. women in the industry’s Csuites would grow 7 percent by 2030 but only fractionally among senior leadership positions. However, a category of women identified as “next gen” leaders made up almost a third of employees, suggesting the bench strength is higher than it has ever been. Owen said banks that actively support employee development, including, in some cases, specifically for women, will be at the forefront of the continued march of women to realize their full potential in the industry. “We try to work with all newer employees as individuals. Their supervisor meets with them to discuss their goals and their aspirations, and then we help build the career path from there,” Owen said. “We believe it’s important to hear from them and their aspirations, but we also offer some direction on some things, opportunities that we think their personality and their work style may be perfect for or appropriate for that they may not have thought about.” The effort has also been carried out at the professional association level. The Arkansas Bankers Association has hosted its Women in Banking Conference for more than a decade, an educational and networking event that has seen steady growth in participation, this year selling out at 200 attendees. Lorrie Trogden, ABA president and CEO, said she has seen a lot more opportunity for women to excel in banking in the state,

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I’m seeing more women that are helping elevate other women and encouraging other women to seek those higher opportunities. — Cathy Owen, chairman of Eagle Bank, chairman, president and CEO of State Holding Co. particularly outside of the larger population centers. “I’ve been here now for eight years, and I have definitely witnessed more women moving into CEO, market presidents, SVPs, EVPs and other management positions over time,” she said. “I know at least one person who started as a teller, and over her career, she grew into the CEO of the bank. I tell young people all the time it doesn’t really matter what role you start in; there are absolutely ways to grow your career into whatever position you want to be in the bank. “I’ll also say that as far as growing your career in smaller banks, your career growth can actually be pretty rapid if you’re willing to live in a small town and work for the local bank there. Most of our banks are not in Little Rock; they are across the state in small towns. Looking across the board, there’s this generation of people in their 40s, probably more than you’d think, who have moved into CEO positions, or they’re right there underneath in those executive management positions [and] could move up.” Trogden said while the breakdown of CEOs in Arkansas banking is not 50/50 women to men, a part of that is baked into the fact there are fewer such jobs to begin with compared to other states and that turnover in those roles happens more slowly. “We do definitely still have more men in the CEO roles, but when you start talking about those positions, I think it’s important to know there are basically 78 openings; we have other banks that do business in this

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BANKING AND FINANCE

I’ve been here now for eight years, and I have definitely witnessed more women moving into CEO, market presidents, SVPs, EVPs and other management positions over time. — Lorrie Trogden, ABA president and CEO

In all these areas, she said she has seen many more women take their seats around the table than when she started. “I’ll say on our board, I am definitely seeing a lot more women. Our vice chairman, who will take over in two years, is a female market president,” she said. “The American Bankers Association holds a conference every year for state executives and their chairmen and vice chairmen, and I am seeing more women than ever before showing up to that conference as chairman and chairman-elect. That’s probably the best litmus test I would have without knowing any actual numbers, but I am personally witnessing there are more women showing up to these conferences. “I would say for most of the boards I’m on, I’m not the only woman in the room, but I’m typically a minority. The tide is turning, though; I’m seeing more women in those roles, and I have recently joined several new committees at the American Bankers Association. There have been times when I first started in this job that I may have only been the only female in the room, but that’s not the case anymore.” Susannah Marshall, commissioner of both the Arkansas State Bank Department and the separate Arkansas Securities Department, is another living symbol of the progress women have made in banking and the entities related to the industry. As a 31-year veteran of the Arkansas State Bank Department, the past six as only the second woman to occupy the role, she has seen tremendous changes in the makeup of her department and of the industry at large both in-state and nationwide. “When I first started going to our national association meetings, even as a deputy commissioner, there would be 100 people in the room, 100 regulators, and very few women in a senior leadership role,” she said. “Over the last 10 years, I’ll say, the number of female bank commissioners has grown significantly. Now, when I sit in that room, I can easily count

state, but their CEOs aren’t here,” she said. “One other thing that affects us is across the country, we’re seeing lots of mergers and acquisitions, and every time a bank merges, if they keep the individual charters, they’ll keep the CEO, but if they don’t, if they move to just one CEO or CEO/president, that’s one less opportunity.” “People also tend to stay in those roles for a long time, although I think there will be several here locally over the next couple years that may be looking at retirement. We do have the bench strength that we’re seeing grow at the market president, SVP level, which will facilitate more women moving into those roles.” Another illustration of Arkansas’ performance at scale can be seen in its number of women-owned banks. Arkansas has one, First National Bank of Izard County in Calico Rock, with a second, Commercial National Bank of Texarkana in Texas, doing business on both sides of the state line. That may not sound like much until one considers there are only 17 women-owned institutions in the country, chartered in 12 states, as identified by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Only Texas has more than one such institution. California, Alaska, Kansas, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Minnesota also have just one each. Seen through that lens, Arkansas is way out in front of most states on that measurement. One can also see progress in banking using a wider perspective, to include such things as seats on boards and committees at the state and national level or heads of state banking associations, such as Trogden herself. SE PT E M B E R 2 026

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BANKING AND FINANCE

made.” Marshall also said while turnover among her bank examiners is high, it does not mean those individuals are leaving the banking industry for other jobs — quite the opposite, since their expertise and training are often highly coveted by private sector banking institutions. “Bank examiner positions are mainly entry level, and we’re looking for people that have a business educational background, something in lines of finance, economics or accounting. When our examiners come in they go through rigorous on-the-job training and off-site external training where they gain proficiencies in the industry,” she said. “Some folks even come to us with experience, having worked at a bank part time or over summers during college. “Put all that together, and they very often catch the attention of bankers, and often that’s what examiners want to do, and they see an opportunity. I’m constantly having to compete with banks to keep my talent.” All in all, Marshall said, many of the limits women face are ones they impose on themselves, something she preaches regularly to those coming up who she goes out of her way to mentor. “If there is an opportunity provided, take that opportunity. Don’t doubt yourself on whether or not you can succeed at that or whether or not you may be chosen,” she said. “Every one of my advancements in my career was an opportunity to put my name in the hat. Even if I thought I wasn’t the most senior, the most qualified or had the most tenure, I always put my name in the hat to show that I was interested and wanted to advance and wanted to express my willingness to do more. That paid off so many times. “I tell people even if it’s not something you think you’re ready for right now, that’s all right; I will remember that you raised your hand or were interested in advancement. You keep doing that enough and you continue to be steadfast in thinking about the future, people do notice that. For the young women especially, I often try to share with them as a mentor to use your voice, that you are smart. You’re talented. We’ve selected you to fill a position because we believe in you, and I want you to believe in yourself.”

how many more female bank commissioners there are in this country. I’m energized by that. I’m thrilled to see that change, and I’m proud to be part of that. “As I look around our industry in the state, I remember 31 years ago, when I started my career, I knew and worked with very few female bank presidents. I have seen the evolution of many more women holding executive leadership roles in Arkansas banks. I am thrilled to see that trajectory.” Marshall said while she typically sees more male applicants for job vacancies within her agency than female, the ratio is closer than in the past. She said that may have less to do with the number of opportunities than with the demands of the job itself. “I don’t know that we’ve ever really thought exactly why our applicants are still largely male applicants,” she said. “It may be that as we post the job description and talk to potential candidates, we are quick to point out that this is a travel job. That may be a deterrent on the front end. Over my career, there have been very few female bank examiners that have been able to make a career out of it, with the demands of travel probably the biggest impact. That’s a challenge, even though there’s plenty of opportunities for advancement in the agency. It is still an area where I can see improvement to be

If there is an opportunity provided, take that opportunity. Don’t doubt yourself on whether or not you can succeed at that or whether or not you may be chosen. Susannah Marshall,commissioner, — Arkansas State Bank Department and Arkansas Securities Department ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

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2026 WOMEN IN BANKING FELISHA AARON Small-Business Banker Simmons Bank

Felisha Aaron has 33 years at Simmons Bank in El Dorado as a small-business banker helping clients reach their goals and build relationships. Throughout her career, her roles have included branch manager, market retail manager, business development officer and community president. She believes successful banking is about relationships, understanding needs, creating opportunities and helping others succeed. Aaron serves on the Union County Community Foundation and SouthArk Foundation boards. She is a wife, mother and grandmother leading with purpose and passion for people and community. JANICE ACOSTA EVP/Wealth Management Division Manager Relyance Bank

KATHERINE AGUILAR Relationship Banker II Merchants & Farmers Bank

STEPHANIE ALDERDICE SVP/Director of Marketing Stone Bank

From coaching national speech and debate champions to running a boutique advertising and marketing agency, Stephanie Alderdice’s career has been marked by creative — and competitive — communication. In 2024, she joined Stone Bank as senior vice president-director of marketing. In her role, she aims to not only help promote the rapidly growing community bank but also bridge the financial knowledge gap for adults across Arkansas. In April 2026, Stone Bank, alongside the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, published You Learn As You Go, reflecting the economic realities facing women and families across the Natural State. MANDY ALLEN Mortgage Loan Originator First Security Bank

Mandy Allen is a seasoned mortgage loan professional with 15 years of experience in lending. Originally from east Texas, where she was born and raised, Allen moved to Arkansas in 2008 and raised her two children here. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for providing exceptional service and developing meaningful, lasting relationships with clients and colleagues. She is committed to helping clients navigate the homebuying process with confidence while delivering a high level of personal attention and service. She is also passionate about giving back to the community and serves on the finance committee for Girl Scouts-Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma SE PT E M B E R 2 026

and Texas. She is an active member of the local chamber of commerce and Faulkner County Board of Realtors VICKI ANDERSON VP/Human Resources Director First National Bank of Fort Smith

BETTY ARIVETTE SVP Malvern National Bank

KELLY ASHCRAFT President/COO Warren Bank & Trust

TRENNA BARKER Market President First Security Bank

Trenna Barker is market president at First Security Bank in North Little Rock, overseeing the North Little Rock, Sherwood and Maumelle markets. Raised in Hamburg, she joined First Security Bank in 2011 and has served in roles spanning retail banking, credit and commercial lending. A graduate of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, she currently serves on the Breakthrough T1D Board, volunteers as a banking partner at Providence Park in Mabelvale and is a member of the Argenta Dogtown Throwdown Committee in North Little Rock. Barker previously served as chair of NLR Connects, formerly the North Little Rock Chamber Young Professionals Board, and is a graduate of the WorkMatters Institute. She resides in North Little Rock with her husband, Dillon, their three sons, and their dog, Zela. TAMMY BEEN Partner/Chief Revenue Officer Data Driven Partners

KELLI BEENE VP/Director of Human Resources Malvern National Bank

LINDSEY BETHEA VP, Retail Operations Stone Bank

Lindsey Bethea serves as vice president of retail operations at Stone Bank and brings 23 years of banking experience to her role, for which she provides leadership for branch operations, customer experience, employee development, performance and operational excellence. She is passionate about developing strong teams, mentoring employees, and creating a culture where both customers and employees can thrive. She also plays an active role in her community as a board member of the White Hall Chamber of Commerce and treasurer of the White Hall Noon Lions Club. She also serves on the advisory board for Sisters in Service. She believes great leadership is built on relationships, service and commitment to helping others succeed. 68

BARBARA BETHELL VP/Trust Officer First National Bank of Fort Smith

SAMANTHA BLAYLOCK VP Bank of Little Rock

Samantha Blaylock is vice president at Bank of Little Rock, where she leads the bank’s retail operations across all locations and serves as bank secrecy act officer. During her 23-year career with the bank, she has advanced from teller to senior leadership, gaining extensive experience in nearly every aspect of retail and deposit banking along the way. A graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a degree in marketing, Blaylock also leads key product implementations, helping the bank introduce new products and technology while maintaining the personal service at the heart of community banking. She is actively involved in the community, including Chili Fights in the Heights and the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Her combination of operational expertise, leadership and commitment to customers has made her an important part of Bank of Little Rock’s continued growth and success. LAURA BOGOSLAVSKY SVP Eagle Bank & Trust

LAURA BONDS Senior Trust Assistant Centennial Bank

SHERYL BREEDLOVE VP/Loan Officer Anstaff Bank

CHRISTIE BRIGGS AVP/IT Officer First National Bank of Fort Smith

CARLA BRINKLEY VP Controller Arkansas Bankers Association

Carla Brinkley joined the Arkansas Bankers Association in 1999. In her role as vice president controller, she manages all facets of accounting for the association along with two other companies, ABA Services and ABA Foundation. She has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She thrives on achieving goals, improving processes and making a positive impact. AMY BROOKS Human Resources Generalist Chambers Bank

CHERYL BROOKS VP, Commercial Lending First Financial Bank

ALICA BROWN Retail Manager Malvern National Bank ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

Stephanie Alderdice SVP/DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, STONE BANK By Patrick Newton

thinks of when it comes to financial wellness and what information banks are able to impart to these individuals,” Alderdice said. “I can translate this very technical financial language into something that’s a little bit more palatable and interesting to individuals who may not have grown up in a home where talking about financial wellness was common for them.” One example of that ability is You Learn As You Go, a statewide banking report released by the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas and spearheaded by Alderdice and Stone Bank. Released in April, the study examines women and their financial realities across Arkansas’s rural and metropolitan communities. The report looks at how Arkansas women manage household finances, face structural barriers and often make financial decisions without formal money-management training. In addition to spotlighting the unique challenges women face, the report reveals an opportunity for community banks to better serve women consumers and business owners. It shows that women value a more personal relationship with their banks and that women-owned businesses represent an underserved commercial banking market. “Being at a bank that allows me to do those types of partnerships — to help disseminate information and research in a way that shines a light that all banks can act on — has really been valuable to me,” Alderdice said. “I appreciate that [CEO and President] Nick Roach, [CFO] Stephen Ragland, and everyone with the executive team sees the value in making an impact in our communities, in addition to making an impact on our balance sheet, as well.” For Alderdice, it is the intersection of creativity, communication and community impact that makes her unconventional path into banking so rewarding. “At a time where the economy is so challenging for so many people,” she said, “I really enjoy being able to find ways to connect and answer questions.”

n a world of countless fintech apps and platforms competing for consumers’ attention, community banks must be more creative than ever in how they connect with their customers. Stephanie Alderdice, senior vice president and director of marketing at Stone Bank, brings a background and skill set uniquely suited to help people understand the complexities of the modern financial system. “I always joke with folks when they refer to me as a banker,” Alderdice said. “I say, ‘I’m not a banker. I’m a creative that got adopted by a bank.’” Alderdice’s path to the banking sector has been anything but conventional. After spending seven years as a coach for the national championship-winning speech and debate team at Western Kentucky University, she and her husband moved to Hot Springs, where she owned and operated SixtyOne Celsius, a full-service advertising and marketing agency. It was in that role as a small-business owner that the early seeds for her eventual career shift were planted. “The funny thing is I got into the advertising and marketing business because I enjoyed the creative communication part of it,” Alderdice said. “Then as it grew, I found myself becoming more interested in the entrepreneurial aspects and business ownership.” As she developed a new understanding and interest in smallbusiness ownership, Stone Bank, then a client of SixtyOne Celsius, found itself in need of a new full-time marketing leader. The opportunity allowed her to bring her creative and entrepreneurial interests together into a new industry. Whether in the competitive world of coaching, advertising or, now, bank marketing, clear communication has been the through line of Alderdice’s career. Although stepping into a new industry as complex as banking presented a challenge, her ability to understand and connect with an audience is one that travels across sectors. “I think what I can bring to the table is an ability to bridge the gap between what your average Arkansan

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2026 WOMEN IN BANKING MACHELLE BROWN AVP/Operations Support Manager Chambers Bank

SAMANTHA BROWN Mortgage Banker The Lyles Team at Sente Mortgage

For Samantha Brown, mortgage lending is far more than a transaction — it is a pivotal financial decision that can shape a client’s future. She approaches every mortgage with a big-picture perspective, recognizing homeownership as an opportunity to build wealth, establish stability and support long-term financial goals. Since entering the mortgage industry in 2012, Brown has worked in nearly every facet of the lending process. Having spent much of her career as an underwriter, she developed an exceptional depth of knowledge across a variety of loan programs and a level of guideline expertise that distinguishes her within the industry. Today, as a mortgage banker at Sente Mortgage, Brown combines that technical expertise with a client-focused approach, helping borrowers navigate complex lending decisions with confidence and clarity. SHELBY BRUFFETT COO Anstaff Bank

TAMMY BULLOCK SVP/Loan Officer CS Bank

BREANNA BUNTJER Assistant Branch Manager CS Bank

KRISTY BYRD Branch Manager Bank of the Ozarks

HALLIE CALVIN SVP, Commercial Real Estate Centennial Bank

JENNIFER CARLISLE Co-founder/COO/Chief Product Developer Data Driven Partners

JENNIFER CARROLL VP/Human Resource and Culture Director Partners Bank

MELISSA CASEY EVP/CAO/CFO CS Bank

JOLIE CAVNESS Data Analyst Data Driven Partners

HALEY CHAVIS VP/Arkansas Engagement Officer Century Next Bank

KRISTI CLARK

ELIZABETH BROTMAN DANIEL

SVP Stephens

Managing Director Stephens

Kristi Clark has been with Stephens since 1991 and a member of the equity capital markets team, as well as the debt capital markets team, since 1995. Before joining Stephens, she worked as a sales associate for a national consumer products company. Clark received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1983. J. LYNNE COAN EVP/COO First Western Bank

KAMI TAYLOR COLEMAN VP, Professional Development Arkansas Bankers Association

Kami Coleman joined the Arkansas Bankers Association in 2004. As vice president of professional development, she leads the association’s education and professional development initiatives, dedicated to contributing to the professional development of and for Arkansas bankers to learn, connect and grow throughout their careers. Coming from a banking family, Coleman has a lifelong connection to the industry and a deep appreciation for the important role community banks play across Arkansas. Her responsibilities include overseeing all professional development programs and committees, the association’s annual convention, and the Ascending Bankers Section Council. Coleman is passionate about supporting Arkansas’ banking community and developing the next generation of industry leaders through continuing education, networking and leadership opportunities. SAMANTHA CORLETTO Banking Relationship Specialist Signature Bank of Arkansas

Samantha Corletto is a banking relationship specialist at Signature Bank of Arkansas, where she focuses on building relationships with local businesses and helping clients find banking solutions that support their goals. She is passionate about community banking and the role local banks play in helping businesses thrive throughout northwest Arkansas. Corletto is actively involved with the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce and supports local organizations such as EverHope, the northwest Arkansas children’s shelter. She enjoys being a bilingual young professional in northwest Arkansas and looks forward to continuing to grow her career while becoming an increasingly active leader in the community. JENNIFER CROW BSA AML/CFT & OFAC Officer Gateway Bank

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Elizabeth Brotman Daniel joined Stephens in 2016 as part of the mergers and acquisitions group. She advises companies on buysides, sellsides and shareholder activism. Prior to Stephens, Daniel was at Wells Fargo Securities in the middle market group, where she worked on a broad range of transactions including buyside, sellside and joint venture opportunities, as well as equity and debt transactions. Previously, Daniel was with Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where she was a senior staff member in biomedical engineering and cardiology, including responsibility for international programs. Daniel earned a Bachelor of Arts from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Business Administration from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School. RACHEL DAVIS VP, Regional Retail Sales Manager Equity Bank

As regional retail sales manager for Equity Bank’s Ozark region, Rachel Davis oversees nine branches — five in Arkansas and four in Kansas — working with retail and lending staff to ensure every customer is valued and well cared for while emphasizing coaching and growth for her staff. Davis began her banking career in 2014 as a teller, moved to personal banker in 2019 and advanced into management in 2021. Through Equity, she has completed the Equity University and Emerging Leaders programs and, as a Harrison Chamber Ambassador, launched a small-business spotlight promoting local businesses. Davis sits on the board for Grandma’s House Children’s Advocacy Center and serves on its 5K committee. VICKEY DAVIS SVP/Corporate Secretary Relyance Bank

CAROLYN DENT Branch Manager/AVP/Loan Officer Eagle Bank & Trust

SHELIA DIXON SVP/Trust Manager First Arkansas Bank & Trust

Shelia Dixon serves as senior vice president and trust manager at First Arkansas Bank & Trust, where she leads the trust and wealth management department. She has been with the bank for 15 years and has served as department manager since 2016. With more than 25 years of experience in trust and wealth management, Dixon has worked extensively with clients throughout central and northeast Arkansas. She earned her ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

Local Heart. Proven Leadership. Congratulations to our exceptional leaders on being named among the top Women in Banking: Donna Hall, CFO Samantha Blaylock, VP Retail Banking Kimberly Markland, President & CEO Jennifer Duran, COO Kristi Shuster, VP Commercial and Consumer Lending Your vision, dedication, and expertise don't just set the standard for our bank - you elevate our entire community. We are proud to celebrate your well-deserved recognition.

bankoflittlerock.com

Congratulations

Lorrie Trogden

Kami T. Coleman

Carla Brinkley

Peggy Hooper

Rachel Davis VP, Regional Retail Sales Manager Equity Bank

With over $20 Billion in Arkansas loans, Arkansas Banks Are Investing in What’s Next

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2026 WOMEN IN BANKING degree from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and has dedicated her career to helping individuals, families and fiduciary clients navigate complex financial and wealth planning matters. An active community leader, Dixon previously served as chairperson of the Cabot Parks & Recreation Commission and currently serves as a commissioner on the Cabot Planning Commission. Her professional expertise and commitment to community service reflect her passion for helping clients and communities thrive. CARMEN DOEPEL Mortgage Loan Officer Farmers & Merchants Bank

Carmen Doepel brings more than 18 years of financial expertise to her work at Farmers & Merchants Bank, having started her banking career in 2008. For Doepel, the most rewarding part of her role is helping clients achieve the dream of homeownership. Dedicated to her community, she also serves as treasurer and secretary on the board for a local cemetery nonprofit. Outside of work, Doepel is an avid reader who loves family trips to museums, mountain retreats and theme parks. KAYLIE DOSS Teller Gateway Bank

PAIGE DUGAN AVP/Deposit Operations Manager Chambers Bank

JENNIFER DURAN COO Bank of Little Rock

Jennifer Duran is chief operating officer at Bank of Little Rock, where she oversees deposit operations, information technology and information security. A career community banker, she began working in banking at age 16 as a file clerk and built her career from the ground up, developing extensive expertise in deposit operations and bank technology. A certified community bank technology officer, Duran also leads the Southern Regional User Group for the bank’s core technology provider, collaborating with banking professionals across the region to share ideas, identify emerging needs and improve the use of technology in community banking. Active in the local community, she brings a high-tech, hightouch approach to leadership that combines innovation and efficiency with the personal service that defines community banking.

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ASHLEY EAST

BEVERLY ELAM

Relationship Development Officer Stone Bank

Chief Business Banking Officer Chambers Bank

Ashley East is relationship development officer at Stone Bank, where she specializes in building trusted partnerships and helping clients achieve their financial goals through personalized banking solutions. With more than 20 years of experience in business development, financial services, sales and client relationship management, she is passionate about connecting people with resources that support growth and success. East is deeply engaged in her community and believes strong relationships are the foundation of both personal and professional achievement. Her background in banking, investments, real estate and business development allows her to bring a strategic and client-focused approach to every interaction. SHARI ECHOLS City President Southern Bancorp

Shari Echols brings nearly three decades of banking experience to her role as city president at Southern Bancorp in Arkadelphia. Since joining the mission-focused financial institution in 1998, she has served in a variety of positions, including teller, credit analyst, senior lending assistant, commercial lender and branch manager. Today, Echols oversees lending operations across the Arkadelphia, Gurdon and Bismarck markets while helping Southern Bancorp fulfill its mission of providing responsive and responsible financial services to communities across the region. A lifelong Arkadelphia resident who studied at Henderson State University there, Echols is committed to supporting local businesses and strengthening her community. MICHELLE EDMONDS Marketing & Digital Media Manager Stone Bank

As the marketing and digital media manager at Stone Bank, Michelle Edmonds uses her 15-plus years of experience in TV news production and video editing to tell impactful stories across numerous social media platforms with the goal of educating all Arkansans about the importance of financial wellness. She was born and raised in Kansas and is a graduate of Wichita State University there but has called Arkansas home since 2006. Edmonds is passionate about community outreach initiatives and supporting local businesses. She serves on the Salvation Army of Central Arkansas Advisory Board and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Envoys Board in Little Rock. She also volunteers with Women & Children’s First’s Peacekeepers group. 72

TRACY ELLIOTT VP, Commercial Lending Centennial Bank

VALERIE ERKMAN SVP/CMO Arkansas Federal Credit Union

DANA FERGUSON VP/Consumer Loan Officer Generations Bank

AMY FITZGERALD CFO First National Bank of Commerce

Amy Fitzgerald has served as chief financial officer at First National Bank of Commerce since 2015, overseeing accounting, regulatory reporting and financial planning. During her 26-year banking career, Fitzgerald has held roles that include internal audit manager, controller and loan officer, giving her a well-rounded perspective on community banking. Prior to entering the banking industry, she worked in public accounting, performing audit and tax services. Fitzgerald earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. She is a Certified Community Bank Internal Auditor through the Independent Community Bankers of America and a graduate of Leadership Jonesboro. She serves on the Lawrence Healthcare Board of Governors. TASHA FLANAGIN SVP, Human Resources Director First National Bank of North Arkansas

MIRANDA GAUTHIER Community President, Bentonville and Springdale Farmers & Merchants Bank

Miranda Gauthier serves as community president for Bentonville and Springdale at Farmers & Merchants Bank. Raised on a Fayetteville farm, her strong work ethic drives her communitycentered approach to relationship banking. Deeply involved locally, Gauthier has served as a courtappointed special advocate for foster youth since 2016 and as a Springdale Chamber of Commerce ambassador. Outside the bank, she enjoys traveling, spending quality time with family and exploring the outdoors across northwest Arkansas. ERICA GOINS AVP Sterling Bank

LORRE GOOKIN VP/Director of Trust Services Centennial Bank

MELISSA GREEN Executive Assistant Bodcaw Bank ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

2026 WOMEN IN BANKING REBEKAH GUILTNER EVP, COO FNBC Bank

SUSAN GUNDERMAN EVP, Lending Services Petit Jean State Bank

ASHLEY GUNDRY Bank Manager Signature Bank of Arkansas

Ashley Gundry serves as bank manager at Signature Bank of Arkansas in Harrison. She joined Signature in 2025 and has worked in the banking industry since beginning her career in 2021. In addition to her professional role, she serves on the board of Sanctuary, a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing shelter and support to victims of domestic violence. As a Harrison native with deep roots in the community, Gundry values the opportunity to serve her community and is committed to making a positive impact through both professional and volunteer involvement. She is passionate about building strong relationships with customers and community members. ROBIN HACKETT COO First Service Bank

Robin Hackett is chief operating officer at First Service Bank and has 19 years of banking experience. She began her career as a proof operator and has since served in a variety of roles, gaining a deep understanding of every area of the bank. Hackett enjoys working alongside a team committed to serving customers and communities with excellence and is most proud of helping First Service Bank reach its $1 billion milestone through teamwork and shared purpose. She also serves on the board of directors for Operation Red, White and Brave, supporting veterans and military families throughout Arkansas. DAYNA HALL Branch Manager FNBC Bank

DONNA HALL CFO Bank of Little Rock

Donna Hall is chief financial officer at Bank of Little Rock, where she leads financial strategy, regulatory reporting, accounting, and human resources. A certified public accountant and certified regulatory compliance manager, Hall brings more than three decades of experience spanning commercial lending, internal audit, compliance, operations, technology, marketing and executive management. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Arkansas Bankers Association, helping to represent and advance ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

the interests of banks and the communities they serve across the state. Active in numerous civic and community organizations, Hall has played a key role in strengthening Bank of Little Rock’s capital position, repositioning its balance sheet and improving long-term financial performance. Her broad industry experience and community involvement reflect her belief that strong community banks play an important role in creating opportunity and strengthening local economies. TINA HARMON Data Center/Bookkeeping Union Bank & Trust Co.

LESLIE HARP Director/CFO Partners Bank

DENICE HARPER VP/Senior Trust Officer Union Bank & Trust Co.

KIMBERLY SHAW HARRIS SVP, Retail Banking Gateway Bank

SUZANNE HARTMAN EVP/CFO Petit Jean State Bank

INES HOOD VP & Trust Operations Manager/ Compliance Officer First Arkansas Bank & Trust

Ines Hood serves as the vice president and trust operations manager/compliance officer at First Arkansas Bank and Trust. Her 18-year career at FAB&T began in the human resources department in 2008. In 2015, she transferred to the wealth management department and was promoted to trust operations manager in 2016. As trust operations manager, she focuses on optimizing day-to-day operational functionality and ensuring seamless and efficient processes. In 2019, she took on additional responsibilities as the wealth management compliance officer. In the expanded role, she maintains trust accounting procedures, ensures regulatory compliance and consults on a range of compliance-related issues. In 2022, she earned her Certified Fiduciary Investment Risk Specialist certification from Cannon Financial Institute. PEGGY HOOPER Office Manager Arkansas Bankers Association

KIM HAUGE Community Development Officer Farmers & Merchants Bank

Kim Hauge serves as a community development officer at Farmers & Merchants Bank in Jonesboro. With a banking career beginning in 1997, she brings extensive experience across both retail and lending roles. Hauge is recognized for her exceptional customer service, authentic approach, and dedicated involvement in numerous local community organizations. COURTNEY HAWTHORNE Branch Administrator Anstaff Bank

VALARIE HAYES East Branch Administrator Anstaff Bank

LEAH HEFLIN Deposit Operations Specialist Bodcaw Bank

MEGAN HENDERSON Controller Generations Bank

Peggy Hooper serves as office manager for the Arkansas Bankers Association, bringing more than 36 years of experience in customer service, hospitality, executive support and office administration. Hooper joined the association in 2020 as executive assistant and advanced to the role of office manager in 2022. In her current role, she oversees daily office operations, manages the association’s website, and supports initiatives that strengthen Arkansas’ banking community. Known for her professionalism, organization and servant-hearted approach, Hooper enjoys building meaningful relationships, supporting her colleagues and serving as a trusted resource for Arkansas bankers across the state. She is passionate about helping others, creating positive experiences for members and advancing the association’s mission. ANGELA HORTON Sales Manager Generations Bank

TAYLOR HUDSPETH COO Bank of 1889

TRACEY HISAW EVP/Chief Risk Officer Relyance Bank

ROBIN HUGHES VP/Consumer Loan Officer Generations Bank

DONNA HODGE VP/Loan Officer CS Bank

CINDY INMAN

LACHELL HONEYCUTT VP/Credit Team Manager Malvern National Bank

SVP/Loan Officer CS Bank

AMELIA JOHNSON Loan Officer Bank of Bearden

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2026 WOMEN IN BANKING OLIVIA JOHNSON Data Analyst Data Driven Partners

REAGAN JONES AVP/Regional Retail Manager-Central Chambers Bank

ALISA KELLY SVP/Director of Audit Chambers Bank

ERIN KIMBRELL SVP, Operations Peoples Bank

DELOIS KITCHENS Hampton Market President Generations Bank

MANDI KRAUSS Director of Treasury Management Southern Bancorp

Mandi Krauss joined the Southern Bancorp team in 2018 and brings more than 20 years of experience to the mission-focused financial institution. In her current role, she leads the bank’s treasury management services, supporting smallbusiness owners with cash flow, money management and fraud protection. A Hot Springs native, Krauss is active in her local community, including as a member of the Hot Springs Fifty for the Future and as a volunteer in women’s ministries at Lake Valley Community Church DESTINY LANKFORD Business Development and Mortgage Loan Officer First Service Bank

Destiny Lankford serves as business development and mortgage loan officer at First Service Bank. Throughout her banking career, she has had the opportunity to work in both retail and mortgage lending, allowing her to guide customers through many of life’s biggest milestones. From opening a first account to purchasing a first home and building a forever home, Lankford finds great fulfillment in building lasting relationships and serving customers every step of the way. She enjoys helping people achieve their financial goals while supporting the growth of the communities First Service Bank proudly serves. SHEILA LILLY EVP Priority Bank

KIMBERLA LITTLE EVP/CHRO Hope Credit Union

KIM LONG

KIMBERLY MARKLAND

Vice President BSA/AML Officer First National Bank of Commerce

President & CEO Bank of Little Rock

Kim Long has been at First National Bank of Commerce for 14 years and has been in banking since 1987. Long has had the roles of teller, commercial teller, branch manager and loan officer. She is now vice president of BSA/ AML compliance. She is a graduate of The Barrett Graduate School of Banking, volunteered with the United Way for 5 years and served as board president for one year. She also was a goodwill ambassador at the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce. Long has also served several more community and nonprofit boards. ALEXANDRA LUNDELL SVP Stephens

Alexandra Lundell joined Stephens in 2014 and currently serves as a senior vice president in the firm’s industrial distribution and services group. Prior to joining the ID&S group, she was an analyst working with the specialty finance and industrial distribution and services investment banking groups, where she participated in a wide variety of merger and acquisition and capital-raising transactions. Lundell received a Bachelor of Business Administration in banking and finance from the University of Georgia, from which she graduated summa cum laude. STEFANIE LYLES Branch Manager & Mortgage Banker The Lyles Team at Sente Mortgage

Born and raised in Fifty-Six — a town of just 156 people — Stefanie Lyles has spent 25 years turning small-town grit into big-time results. As branch manager and leader of The Lyles Team at Sente Mortgage, she has closed more than $500 million in lifetime fundings across conventional, FHA, VA and USDA lending, earning a reputation for precision, creativity and an unwavering belief that everyone deserves a place to call home. For Stefanie, mortgage is not just a career — it is a calling rooted in helping Arkansas families and communities plant roots and build futures. Previously recognized by Arkansas Money & Politics as a 2025 “Women in Banking” honoree and one of 2025’s “Achievers in Their Forties.” MICHELLE LYNCH Quality Assurance Lead Rep Chambers Bank

Kimberly Markland is president and CEO of Bank of Little Rock, where she leads with a focus on financial strength, exceptional service, and the continued relevance of community banking. She began her career as a state bank examiner before moving into community banking, where she has held leadership roles in lending, credit administration, retail banking, audit and executive management. Markland’s leadership extends throughout the banking industry. She serves on the board of directors of the Arkansas Community Bankers Association and the board of regents of the Barret School of Banking in Memphis, helping to support the development of community banks and the next generation of banking leaders. She is also actively involved in the local community. Under her leadership, Bank of Little Rock has strengthened its balance sheet, improved performance, and positioned itself for sustainable growth while remaining firmly committed to its customers, employees and community. STACEY MARLAR Head of Retail Southern Bancorp

Stacey Marlar joined Southern Bancorp after graduating from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia in 1999, later attending the Barret School of Banking in Memphis. She has held many roles during her time with the CDFI, working up the ladder from teller and deposit operations manager, to branch manager and, finally, her current position, director of retail deposits. In that role, Marlar leads the region’s deposit staff, programs and operations. The Clark County native is also very active in her community, including as a member of the Economic Development Corporation of Clark County. SUSANNAH MARSHALL Commissioner Arkansas State Bank Department & Arkansas Securities Department

LAURA MARTIN Digital Service Specialist CS Bank

MAKAYLA MARTIN Loan Assistant CS Bank

GWEN MASSINGILL SVP, Marketing & Community Relations Petit Jean State Bank

KORTNI LYONS Retail Branch Manager Chambers Bank

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2026 WOMEN IN BANKING STACY MATLOCK Senior Loan Officer/ Business Development Officer First Service Bank

Stacy Matlock is senior loan officer and business development officer at First Service Bank and has 27 years of banking experience. She enjoys building lasting relationships and helping individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals while serving as a trusted resource for her customers. Matlock is most proud of the long-term relationships she has developed throughout her career and the opportunity to help customers and local businesses grow and succeed. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, hiking and exploring the outdoors. JENNIFER MCALISTER VP Mortgage Lender First National Bank of Fort Smith

MORGAN MCCOWN Loan Originator Eagle Bank & Trust

ALLISON MCDANIEL VP, Business Development Signature Bank of Arkansas

Allison McDaniel is proud to call northeast Arkansas home and is passionate about investing in the community she serves. Through her work with Signature Bank of Arkansas, she builds relationships with local businesses, organizations and individuals while helping strengthen the community she knows and loves. McDaniel is actively involved in Jonesboro, serving on the board of directors for the Downtown Jonesboro Alliance and CASA of the 2nd Judicial District. She also serves as a goodwill ambassador for the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce and an Always Jonesboro Ambassador. She enjoys supporting local businesses, events and initiatives that make northeast Arkansas a vibrant place to live and work. She believes strong communities are built through connection, collaboration and a commitment to helping others succeed. JOANNA MCGUIRE Retail Branch Manager Chambers Bank

LAURA MCMILLAN AVP/Regional Retail Manager Chambers Bank

MEREDITH MILLER AVP/Customer Care Center Manager CS Bank

TANYA MIMS Fayetteville Community President First National Bank of NWA

KATHERINE MITCHELL SVP, Bank Services Relyance Bank SE PT E M B E R 2 026

LEAH JO MORE

KIM PREWITT

EVP/COO/ISO/AAP Grand Savings Bank

Gold Club Director First Security Bank

Kim Prewitt has been in banking 35 years, starting as a teller in a credit union in Abilene, Texas, in 1991. She has been at First Security Bank for 12 years, the last 8 years as the Gold Club director. What she loves most about her role is the relationships that have been formed. Members have become close friends, and she said she feels blessed to have gotten to know them.

EVELYN MORRIS SVP, Loans First Financial Bank

AMBER MURPHY VP, Marketing First Financial Bank

PAM MURRAY VP Eagle Bank & Trust

CARLA NETTLES Loan Originator Eagle Bank & Trust

REATHEL J. PRIVETT

ASHLEY NEWMAN Mortgage Loan Originator, Morrilton Centennial Bank

LIBBY CLAIRE NICHOLS Agribusiness & Capital Markets Credit Officer AgHeritage Farm Credit Services

Libby Claire Nichols, a native of Wynne, graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business and management. She first launched her career with the company’s credit department as a credit analyst in 2022 before being promoted to her current officer role, where she specializes in providing lending services for the capital markets and agribusiness division. AMBER OFFUTT SVP/Controller Gateway Bank

MARISAVEL OLIVA Senior CSR Chambers Bank

EVP/CFO Union Bank & Trust Co.

KATHY RAMSEY City President Southern Bancorp

With more than 42 years of banking experience, Kathy Ramsey is a trusted lender who brings both expertise and heart to every customer interaction. As city president, Ramsey leads Southern Bancorp’s lending efforts in Malvern and the surrounding areas, helping the institution fulfill its mission to provide responsible and responsive financial services to underserved communities. Ramsey has been honored by local publications and has served on the Baptist Medical CenterHot Spring County Board of Directors, the Malvern Revolving Loan Fund Committee and the Hot Spring County Economic Development Board. DEBBIE REED SVP/Branch Manager Eagle Bank & Trust

CATHY OWEN

STEPHANIE RIFFLE

Chairman Eagle Bank & Trust

Regional VP United Federal Credit Union

GLENDA OWEN VP/Trust Officer Merchants & Farmers Bank

KRISTI PARKER EVP/COO Malvern National Bank

RAYCHEL PENDERGIST Bank Deputy Administrator Arkansas State Bank Department

ANDREA PETERSON VP/Loan Officer CS Bank

JAN PHALEN CMO First State Bank

JENNIFER PIERCE Mortgage Loan Officer Gateway Bank

ERICA PRESTON Chief Banking Officer Chambers Bank 76

PHYLLIS RIGGINS Managing Director, Head of Media Stephens

Phyllis Riggins joined Stephens in 2008 as a managing director in the media group. Most recently, she was a managing director at Bluffview Capital, an investment banking boutique firm in Dallas. Previously, Riggins was a managing director and group head of the global media and telecommunications corporate and investment banking group of Banc of America Securities, formerly NationsBanc Montgomery Securities. There, she was responsible for the coverage of U.S. and European relationships in the cable/broadband, broadcasting, publishing, out-of-home media, content, and wireline and wireless telecommunications sectors. Riggins spent more than 20 years at Banc of America and its predecessors working with clients on a variety of strategic ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

Janice Williams RETAIL MARKET MANAGER, SOUTHERN BANCORP by Nicole Capri

dent James “Jimbo” Boyd embodied the direct, fair, down-to-earth leadership she admired most. “I patterned my leadership style after his,” she said. That foundation prepared her for one of the most challenging seasons of her career. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Williams ran an entire branch alone — opening accounts, running the teller window and keeping operations moving. Since 2018, Williams has also served on the Helena-West Helena School Board, motivated by what she saw as hardline tactics instead of more supportive approaches to students, especially the ones who needed a helping hand the most. She could not stay quiet, she said, so she ran for president and won by a landslide. “Kids were being expelled, and we were setting them up for failure,” she said. “Kids need structure, but they also deserve second chances.” When asked what has kept her at Southern Bancorp after earning a Master of Business Administration and receiving offers to leave, her answer is simple: the people and the mission. The mission includes supporting small businesses and banking the unbanked in a community where many families in the community still keep money in their socks or under mattresses. As for the people side, she said she appreciates the close-knit relationships the company fosters between both bankers and clients and among employees. She said it was not unusual for the bank’s leaders to stop by her office and ask about her kids by name. “I love how this bank looks out for the underserved,” she said. “No one is just a number here. It’s a family.” Williams looks to her faith to help her maintain that atmosphere at work. Every morning before she walks in, she prays for her staff — for their protection, their peace, their strength. She said wants to be remembered as a servant leader and, in true military fashion, as someone who left every place, every team and every person better than she found them. “You have to treat people how they need to be treated,” she said.

anice Williams, master sergeant and retail market manager at Southern Bancorp, is known for her no-nonsense leadership and commitment to the people she serves in Helena-West Helena, but her story begins long before her military career or her decades in banking. Growing up with a strict mother, she joked that she was “too scared to disobey.” “I didn’t try anything in high school,” she said. “I was terrified of the consequences.” That fear shaped her early choices, and with college out of reach financially, the military became her path forward. “It was the closest thing I could do to get away and experience life, but my reasons for enlisting and my reasons for staying were totally different,” she said. “I loved the adventure. I’m a challenger and a competitor. I love being pushed.” That drive carried her through post9/11 deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and a yearlong assignment in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Her Arkansas unit arrived with the nickname “The Pig Patch,” a jab at Hog country that became a badge of honor as other units warmed to her team. During that assignment, she worked 12-hour shifts while earning her bachelor’s degree. “The military taught me to learn the situation, assess the situation, then react,” she said. “There are always two sides to every story.” Her path into banking began in an unexpected place: a McDonald’s. She was working security with the military police when a branch manager for the bank came in and encouraged her to apply. She was hired on the spot, and this October marks her 30th year at Southern Bancorp. Williams approached banking the same way she approached the military: Learn every job, master every skill, and never ask someone to do something she wouldn’t do herself. “I challenged myself to learn every machine, every job, every part of the branch,” she said. Two early mentors helped shape that philosophy. Former supervisor Deborah Gentry taught her the value of knowing the entire operation, and past bank presi-

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2026 WOMEN IN BANKING alternatives and solutions, including mergers and acquisitions, private and public equity, and private and public debt. She is also a former director of Clear Channel Communications. Riggins graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee and received a Master of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University in Texas. STEPHANIE SANDERS-RIFFLE AVP/District Manager US Bank

AMY SEAGRAVES Loan Originator Eagle Bank & Trust

MICKEY BELLE SHIELDS-MANLEY AVP/Director of Marketing CS Bank

HILLARY SHIPP Marketing & Business Development Manager Sterling Bank

KRISTI SHUSTER VP, Commercial & Consumer Lending Bank of Little Rock

Kristi Shuster is vice president and commercial and consumer lender at Bank of Little Rock, where she has built lasting relationships with customers through more than three decades of service to the bank. With 42 years of banking experience, her career has included retail banking, branch leadership, security and lending. Shuster’s extensive experience and customer-focused approach have made her a trusted resource for individuals and local business owners alike. Active in the community she serves, Shuster represents community banking at its best: experienced, accessible and committed to building relationships that extend well beyond a transaction. DANA SILASKI Managing Director Stephens

Dana Silaski joined Stephens in 1994. She is a managing director in the private capital markets group and leads the private company advisory team. Throughout her career, Silaski has advised private and family-owned companies, often multigenerational, as they consider financing alternatives and paths to maximize value. Silaski has played a key role in structuring and negotiating private capital transactions for Stephens’ corporate clients across a broad range of industries and with a variety of capital sources, including family offices. Her experience includes minority and control transactions and preparing for and executing merger and acquisition transactions, as well as debt, equity and equity-linked financings. Prior to Stephens, Silaski managed equity and fixed income portfolios at a regional trust company. She is a chartered financial analyst and earned a SE PT E M B E R 2 026

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with high honors in finance at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. LEANN SILER SVP, Commercial Lending/ Regional Retail Lending Manager First Community Bank

Leann Siler serves as senior vice president of commercial lending and regional retail lending manager at First Community Bank. A charter member of the bank, she has been part of its growth since its founding and today oversees retail lending operations for her region while managing a commercial loan portfolio totaling $58 million. With 44 years of banking experience, she began her career in 1982 at First National Bank of Batesville, working as a teller before advancing to a loan assistant and ultimately building a successful career in lending leadership. Over her 29 years at First Community Bank, Siler has played an important role in the organization’s growth from 14 employees to nearly 670 employees and 35 branches. In May 2022, she joined the bank’s directors’ compliance and loan committee as a voting member, helping review larger loan requests, assess risk, and ensure compliance with bank lending policies. CHERYL SMITH SVP/Executive Administration First Community Bank

Cheryl Smith serves as senior vice president of executive administration and assistant to the CEO at First Community Bank. In her role, she supports executive leadership, oversees board and committee meeting documentation and records, while also serving as stock transfer agent for First Community Bancshares. With 43 years of banking experience, Smith has built a career marked by dedication, versatility and a deep understanding of the financial industry. Before joining First Community Bank, she held positions as a proof operator, teller, bookkeeper and secondary mortgage originator. She has spent the past 29 years at First Community Bank, where she has become a trusted resource and valued member of the organization. A graduate of Gateway Vocational Technical School, now the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, Smith earned a business certificate in 1983. NATALIE SMITH SVP/Commercial Loan Officer Simmons Bank

Natalie Smith serves as a senior vice president and commercial loan officer at Simmons Bank, where she partners with business owners and leaders to provide strategic lending and banking solutions that support growth and long-term success. With 78

more than 25 years of banking experience, she brings a relationship-driven approach to helping clients navigate their financial needs and achieve their goals. She takes the time to understand each client’s business and works alongside them to identify thoughtful solutions that make a meaningful difference. Beyond banking, she is deeply committed to her community and enjoys spending time with her family and being her children’s biggest cheerleader. ANN SNOW Gold Club Director First Security Bank

For the past 22 years, Ann Snow has had the privilege of working for First Security Bank while serving as the Gold Club director 21 of those years. What she enjoys most about her job is the opportunity to create wonderful memories and share special experiences with members who have become cherished friends along the way. Of all the places they have traveled together, an African safari holds a special place in Snow’s heart, but even more than the destinations, she treasures the friendships and relationships that have grown through the Gold Club. Watching members become friends and creating memories together is truly the most rewarding part of her work. LANA STOVALL Marketing & Retail Specialist AgHeritage Farm Credit Services

With more than two decades of experience at AgHeritage Farm Credit Services, Lana Stovall manages regional news releases, brand narratives and social media content while also developing strategic marketing objectives in the consumer, retail and agribusiness divisions. Her extensive background in administrative support and office management complements the organizational and leadership skills she brings to her role. A native of Arkansas, Stovall graduated from Bryant High School and attended the University of Central Arkansas in Conway and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She has proudly served AgHeritage since 2004. PAULA STYERS SVP, Commercial Lending Relyance Bank

JANE SVETZ VP/Trust Officer First Arkansas Bank & Trust

Jane T. Svetz is a trust administrator at First Arkansas Bank & Trust. She has been at the bank since 2017. With more than 35 years of experience in trust administration, Svetz has worked with clients across the state. She has attended numerous trust ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

Congratulations Amy Fitzgerald Chief Financial Officer First National Bank of Commerce

Kim Long

Vice President/BSA First National Bank of Commerce

for being named AMP’s 2026 Women In Banking! 206 West Main Street Walnut Ridge, AR Toll Free: 1-(800)-530-7561 firstnb.bank

Samantha Corletto

Allison McDaniel

Ashley Gundry

Congratulations Power Women 2026 ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

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2026 WOMEN IN BANKING schools, including Cannon Financial Institute and the ABA Graduate Trust School. Svetz is a volunteer at Alzheimer’s Arkansas serving on the finance committee and is race director for the statewide 2-mile runs and walks to promote awareness and raise funds. She received the Volunteer of the Year award in 2024. CASSIE SWAFFORD HR & Payroll Administrator First Service Bank

Cassie Swafford is human resources and payroll administrator at First Service Bank and has seven years of banking experience. She considers it a privilege to support the bank’s associates, helping them through both exciting milestones and difficult moments so they can thrive personally and professionally. Swafford is most proud of the relationships and trust she has built throughout her career, becoming someone others can rely on for guidance and encouragement. Service is central to her life both at work and in her community. DARLYNDA TALLMADGE Senior Customer Service Representative Chambers Bank

CHRISTIE TAYLOR AVP/Branch Manager CS Bank

DEANA TAYLOR Branch Manager, Melbourne and Batesville FNBC Bank

SARAH LYNCH TEFTELLER VP/Commercial Loan Officer Generations Bank

APRIL THOMAS VP, Commercial Lending Gateway Bank

BETTY KATE THOMPSON SVP, Commercial Lending First Financial Bank

AMANDA TOLBERT SVP/Controller First National Bank of Fort Smith

DONNA TOWNSELL Director of Investor Relations Centennial Bank

Masters of Science in operations management, and is an American Society of Association Executives Certified Association Executive. She serves as a trustee for the Graduate Schools of Banking at Louisiana State University and Madison, Wisconsin; Economics Arkansas Chairman, Arkansas Capital Corp. Executive Committee; State Business Executives Executive Committee’s national board; State Chamber of Commerce Board Member; and the University of Central Arkansas in Conway’s UCA College of Business Board of Advisors. GENA TRUMBLE Branch Manager Eagle Bank & Trust

MARY TUCKER VP/Loan Officer First Financial Bank

MALLORY VAN DOVER Co-founder/CEO Data Driven Partners

BRITTNEY VASQUEZ Customer Service Representative Sterling Bank

CARLA VAUGHN Senior HR Generalist FNBC Bank

CASSANDRA WILLIAMS President Hope Credit Union

JANICE WILLIAMS Retail Market Director Southern Bancorp

Janice Williams brings nearly 30 years of banking experience to her role as retail market manager at Southern Bancorp. Since beginning her banking career in 1996, she has held a variety of positions, including financial representative, bookkeeper, branch manager and market leader. In her current role, Williams oversees seven branches, while leading employee training and development and helping build strong customer relationships across the region. A Helena-West Helena native with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, Williams actively serves her country through the Army National Guard and is active in her community, serving on several local boards, including the HelenaWest Helena School District Board of Directors, and as a youth advisor at her church. BRITTANY WITHAM

CHRISTIN VILLARREAL Customer Service Officer First Western Bank

JULIE WAGNER Branch Manager Centennial Bank

LORI WALKER CMCO Chambers Bank

MONICA WALKER Commercial Lender Hope Credit Union

RENEE WALTERS Chief Retail Officer Chambers Bank

NATALIE WARD AVP Loan Officer Anstaff Bank

VP, Retail Operations First Service Bank

Brittany Witham is vice president of retail operations at First Service Bank and has 18 years of banking experience. She began her career as a universal banker and has grown through the organization into her current leadership role. Witham enjoys making a difference across the bank by supporting associates, improving processes, solving challenges, and helping deliver exceptional service to customers and the communities First Service Bank serves. She is especially proud of the relationships she has built throughout her career and the opportunity to mentor and develop others. KAREN WITT

CHASADEE WEAVER Senior Commercial Relationship Manager Generations Bank

Commercial Banker, Middle Market and Specialized Industries JP Morgan Chase

ANGELA WOOD

ASHTON WELLS

Human Resources Horatio State Bank

HR & Marketing Director/ Accounts Payable Manager Partners Bank

Customer Care Center FNBC Bank

LORRIE P. TROGDEN

JENNY MARIE WHITEHEAD

AVP/Loan Operations Services Manager FNBC Bank

ELIZABETH TRIMBLE

President & CEO Arkansas Bankers Association

Lorrie Trogden serves as the president and CEO of the Arkansas Bankers Association. She leads the association’s strategic initiatives, including planning, member services, governance and legislative affairs at the state and federal level. Trogden has a Bachelor of Arts in political science, has a SE PT E M B E R 2 026

VP, Human Resources Bodcaw Bank

RACHEL WOODS

TERY YOUNG

PAIGE WHITLEY Bank Examiner III Arkansas State Bank Department

Senior Mortgage Loan Officer Centennial Bank

PATRICIA WILKINSON Branch Manager/VP Union Bank & Trust Co.

ANDREA WILLIAMS New Accounts Representative First Natural State Bank 80

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THE

HATCHER AGENCY

The Home of Outrageous Service

Founded in 1990 by Greg Hatcher, The Hatcher Agency has been Arkansas’ leading employee benefits agency since its inception and has grown to become the largest organically developed agency in the nation. We offer group medical benefits to employers of all sizes, delivering what we call “Outrageous Service.” As the top producer for all major health carriers, we have the relationships to get the best deal for you. 501-375-3737 | hatcheragency.com | 310 Louisiana Street, Little Rock

CORPORATE BENEFITS

Staying Ahead The landscape has grown more complicated, but businesses still stand to benefit from investing in employee benefits

By Doug Crise

or businesses big and small, employee loyalty is a fearsomely complex issue to suss out. The days of blind commitment are over — employees are more and more willing to look elsewhere for better opportunities. While that approach has opened doors to better lives for many, it can also be maddeningly hard to deal with from an employer perspective. Imagine any company as a kind of sports team: Invariably, having a generous amount of experience can lead to greater efficiency and fewer onboarding issues. Getting to that point, where a workforce is established and satisfied, is easier said than done but the numbers point to a singular path toward retaining that valuable experience. According to its annual study of trends in employee benefits, insurance giant MetLife found recently that employees who are satisfied with their respective benefits packages are five times more likely to stay with their present employer. AcSE PT E M B E R 2 026

cording to corporate advising firm WTW, benefits are among the first aspects employees examine when deciding whether to stay at a job, and almost 73 percent said their benefits packages are equally important as base salary when planning their professional futures. “People want flexibility, simple explanations and benefits suited to their individual needs,” said Jason Everett, agency owner at Globe Life. “Employers now view benefits as an important part of recruiting and retaining good people.” Globe Life offers supplemental benefits and life insurance, along with plans for critical illnesses, hospital stays, accidents and more. Employers stand to reap some windfall from all that protection: A Section 125 cafeteria plan, by example, gives employees the chance to pay for their premiums with pretax funds, reducing taxable employee income in the process. That means a business can whittle down payroll taxes. 82

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“The cost of healthcare itself remains at the top of everyone’s list. Medical and pharmacy costs have increased significantly since 2024, and it’s affected almost everyone.” — Bryan Dorathy, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield

In theory, it should be as simple as that and many employers can and do benefit from a quick talk with an agent about what they can offer their workforce. However, the landscape for benefits, notably health insurance, can hardly be summed up in simple terms. Challenges can and do exist. “The cost of healthcare itself remains at the top of everyone’s list,” said Bryan Dorathy, vice president for group markets

Jason Everett

at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “Medical and pharmacy costs have increased significantly since 2024, and it’s affected almost everyone.” Indeed, healthcare spending in the U.S. hit $5.3 trillion in 2024, a 7.2-percent increase from the previous year. All told, total medical-related spending has more than tripled since 2000, and the per capita cost averages out to more than $15,474 per person anually.

Bryan Dorathy

“When healthcare costs rise, health insurance premiums rise to cover the cost,” Dorathy said. “Individuals, as well as people who are covered through their employer health plans, often share more in cost all around.” George Burks, executive vice president for partner management and sales at USAble, also sees the price tag climbing, but he sees ways to get around it. “The escalation of healthcare prices is

George Burks

CORPORATE BENEFITS

a real challenge for groups and individuals to provide comprehensive and affordable healthcare,” Burks said. “There is an ongoing change in the market from traditional, fully insured products to alternative funding arrangements such as balance funding, self-insurance and [individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements]. Supplemental health products will continue to gain in popularity to help cover deductibles and outof-pocket maximums that will continue to increase in the future.” Everett said offering group term life insurance is a way to get around the ever-increasing cost. “Every company should consider group term life insurance as a foundation to its benefit program,” Everett said. “Many working families have little or no SE PT E M B E R 2 026

“One thing our company keeps an eye on is the consolidation within our industry. We have seen a lot of agency consolidation across the country and within the state of Arkansas.” — George Burks, USAble

life insurance outside of work. A group term plan puts meaningful protection within reach of every eligible employee through a simple workplace enrollment process. Our group term program gives employers an opportunity to provide life insurance as a core benefit.” Dorathy agreed that working with someone with extensive knowledge of the field can help prevent costs from rearing their ugly head. “We have seen an increase in employers who are looking at various forms of self-funding, where they cover the cost of employees’ healthcare claims,” Dorathy said, “and a health insurance company simply helps administer the plan. This can offer some savings in certain situations but is not without its own risks.” That can all admittedly sound like ARM ON E YA N D P OL ITIC S.COM

CORPORATE BENEFITS quite a bit to keep in mind for employees and employers alike, which makes selecting the right insurance professionals of the utmost importance. Almost everybody in the benefits business agrees that the days of blind sales pitches are over. Whether approaching an employer or doing an annual enrollment for a company, agents today are trained in mastering all the esoteric details in order to present clients with a variety of options. These days, it is all about listening and educating. The good news is that technology is helping train and retain skilled insurance agents in ways not previously seen. “Agent training has become broader and more detailed,” Everett said. “Agents need strong product knowledge, technology skills, compliance awareness and an understanding of how different benefits work together. They also need stronger communication skills. Knowing the facts is important, but an agent must explain those facts in plain language. Employees need guidance based on their circumstances, not a memorized presentation.” It may sound like a line from a commercial, but doing business with an insurance

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“Agent training has become broader and more detailed. Agents need strong product knowledge, technology skills, compliance awareness and an understanding of how different benefits work together. They also need stronger communication skils. Knowing the facts is important, but an agent must explain those facts in plain language. — Jason Everett, Globe Life

professional who knows the lay of the land coupled with a presence in the community can be of vital importance. More than ever, trust counts. “One thing our company keeps an eye on is the consolidation within our industry,” Burks said. “We have seen a lot of agency consolidation across the country and within the state of Arkansas. This means you are working with less locally owned agencies and working with companies that aggregate agencies via purchase agreements. We are also seeing some consolidation or merging of health companies across the country. This is not as common as it was 10 years ago.” The best insurance agents are the ones that make it their business to know the ins and outs of a workplace and what it can offer employees. If an employer can find the right people in the right place, that is more than half the battle. “We train agents to listen first, identify the need, explain the options clearly remain available after the enrollment,” Everett said. “Long-term service means as much as making the initial sale.”

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CORPORATE BENEFITS

The Power Power of of The

the Perk Robust corporate benefits essential to winning the personnel war By Dwain Hebda

CORPORATE BENEFITS

reg Hatcher, founder of The Hatcher Agency in Little Rock, has built a nationwide reputation on helping companies provide the kinds of corporate benefit packages that help his clients attract and retain the best help available. When it comes to his own employees, Hatcher practices what he preaches not only for the value of the perks themselves but for what they say about how the company values each individual employee. “For us to get good employees and keep them, we feel like we need to offer a really good benefits package,” he said. “I feel like when I hire someone on, that they’re a member of the family. It’s another mouth to feed. It’s another person that I’m supposed to protect. If I were to go cheap and not have disability for them, and then they get cancer and they can’t ever work again, I don’t want to be the one having to tell them, ‘Hey, I’m sorry, we don’t have coverage for that.’” Statistics show that employers who mirror Hatcher’s thinking are strategically better off when it comes to retaining the best help, even though it costs the company more money to do so. For decades, survey after survey has sung a familiar refrain: Workers gravitate to companies that invest in their health and well-being, and particularly coveted are those companies,

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such as The Hatcher Agency, that provide perks looking past an employee’s working life. “I wrote an article years ago called The Employee Security Triangle,” Hatcher said. “When I hire an employee, I put my hands in a triangle, and I say, ‘There’s only three things that can happen to you if you come to work for us. One is you stay healthy and you come to work; we’re going to give you a paycheck. The second is something could go wrong along the way and you get sick or have an accident. If that occurs, I’ve got you covered with disability coverage.’ “Not only do I have them covered with disability; I have them covered with bonus-up disability by which we bonus up their salary by the premium for the disability, and then we tax them, and we take the premium out after tax, which means that now, because they technically paid the premium, their disability benefit is tax free. The third is if they stay here until retirement, they’ll have a retirement plan that will take care of them and protect them. So when I ask them to join the company, join the family, that’s how we protect them and take them to the finish line.” Hatcher said the biggest trend he has seen in the evolution of corporate benefits, besides everything getting more expensive, has been the employees’ demand for flexibility, be it the rise of health savings accounts or wanting more

Greg Hatcher

“For us to get good employees and keep them, we feel like we need to offer a really good benefits package”

— Greg Hatcher, The Hatcher Agency

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specialty coverage than was once available. “I would say the biggest change is that more people are on health savings accounts today than they were before. More people are opting for single versus paying it for the full family because Mom gets it one place; Dad gets it another,” he said. “There’s also a lot more things covered. Ten years ago, we didn’t have GLP-1s. Ten years ago, if you had substance abuse or alcohol abuse or mental health issues and you had to go to a hospital for 30, 60, 90 days, you only had three to seven days’ worth of coverage. Now you have whatever you need. “Ten years ago, you might be on a blood thinner because you had heart arrhythmia. Today, you have an ablation. You have stents now instead of open heart surgery. People are getting hip replacements and knee replacements and having active lifestyles. People with rheumatoid arthritis might have had fingers that were all curled up. Now they live an active lifestyle with the medications. So a lot of differences have come, especially with medications, and with that, the cost goes up, so employers and employees both are paying a little bit more for that.” All companies have to weigh costs when considering a benefits package, but statistics show that overall, companies are offering benefits that are in line with what employees say they value most. According to a Forbes Advisor survey, employees’ top five desired benefits include employer-covered healthcare (67 percent), life insurance (45 percent), pension/retirement plans (34 percent), mandatory paid time off (31 percent) and mental health assistance (23 percent). That same survey found the top benefits provided by employers matched the employee list in 4 out of 5 items, though not necessarily in the same order of preference. The exception was mandatory paid time off, which 31 percent of employees cite as most important to them while employers did not rate it among

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their top five benefits provided, replaced by employee discounts. That alignment suggests employers by and large understand the value of employee benefits and are investing their money in the right categories accordingly. However, benefits wish lists are not static things, and alongside those foundational categories come perks that reflect the times. Forbes Advisor’s list of most-desired fringe benefits among employees include flexible hours (51 percent), work-from-home options (37 percent), professional development (20 percent) and observing a four-day workweek (19 percent). Other benefits that were deemed important, if outside the top five, could be described as related to culture. An employer respecting workers’ work-life balance, building trust through open and honest two-way communication, and taking steps to build team camaraderie were mentioned as important by employees and employers alike. Why all this matters is because of the consistently strong pull that benefits have on employees and the equally strong compunction for workers to leave for greener compensation and benefits pastures. The Forbes Advisor survey found 32 percent of employees said they would quit in pursuit of higher pay, 26 percent would bolt for better benefits, and 22 percent would leave for better advancement. Twenty percent also reported they would leave seeking the aforementioned flexible work-from-home perk, but data is mixed on that. Forbes Advisor reported the desire for remote work cuts sharply along age demographics, and fewer than half of workers across the board preferred to work purely outside the office. However, other sources report remote work on a hybrid model as most preferable to about 55 percent of job seekers. Companies that cannot offer remote work arrangements due to the nature of the business, such as construction, often find

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CORPORATE BENEFITS

themselves leaning into other elements to lure and retain employees. Little Rock-based Lexicon has proven itself a master of this, having grown into one of the nation’s most successful steel fabrication and erection companies and making headlines for its forward-thinking employee benefits. The most recent company headline came in January, when the firm became an employeeowned company through implementation of an employee stock ownership plan. Over the past five years, Lexicon made news for rolling out its Strong as Steel: Building Mental Might mental health initiative and, before that, opened its own health and wellness clinic serving employees and their families. Vice President of Human Resources Kassi Bissell said behind those newsworthy moves are a solid list of practical benefits options, which the company curates regularly to ensure it is offering things employees value and use. “Our broker runs a number of surveys, and our company director of benefits and shared services listens to the feedback over the course of a year and logs that,” she said. “When we’re looking at the different plans each year, we have that feedback collected from employees. We can see if this benefit wasn’t quite enough for this situation, or maybe we need to expand here or we’re not utilizing this one so much, so let’s take what we’re spending there and put it where our employees need it. We look at that every year.” Bissell said the company also seeks to serve the widest range of needs by offering different options within benefits categories. She said equally important to what is offered in the plans is the help that is made available to employees to choose the right option for their situations. “I think we offer a really good portfolio of resources to help employees choose the right plans for their family and their needs,” she said. “For example, Lexicon offers three medical options, from a really premium package to options at a lower cost. We’ve also chosen brokers that have great customer support for our employees when they’re deciding on their medical and dental options because it can get tricky trying to

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figure out what’s best for you and your family.” Bissell said regardless of what they can afford to provide, one thing companies should pay attention to when offering benefits to workers is to communicate what is available and provide someone who can answer questions. She said it is also imperative to educate employees about their total compensation “That’s a hot topic right now,” she said. “Just the other day, we had an employee who was making a salary, and he was going to leave for lower hourly pay to get overtime. We sat him down and took the time to talk about total compensation. He really was blown away. Once he looked at all the numbers, he saw the value, so keeping that total comp in front of people is really important because, unfortunately, in this industry, as competitive as the labor market is now, employees will see a dollar more an hour down the street, and they’ll go without even thinking it through.” Bissell said taking such an interest in an employee often goes further than what is in the pay envelope or come open enrollment season. She said while not every company can offer an ESOP, a formal Strong as Steel program for mental health or reward 20-year employees with a $10,000 bonus the way Lexicon does, there are plenty of things they can do on a smaller scale. Gestures of employee appreciation, formal career mapping, continuing education and training, and even mobilizing workers to support nonprofits and charitable causes in the community are all low-cost ways for companies to invest in their workers and strengthen company culture. “Employees don’t just jump for a few dollars, usually,” Bissell said. “We’re not ignorant that compensation is important, but we also make sure we have leadership development programs and wellness initiatives. Part of Strong As Steel is we have a communication platform, kind of an internal Facebook page, where employees are sharing, ‘This is how I made it through this struggle,’ or ‘This is what I do to relieve stress.’ When we really just stop and share experiences and show care for one another, to me, that’s why people stay.”

Kassi Bissell

“When we really just stop and share experiences and show care for one another, to me, that’s why people stay.”

— Kassi Bissell, Lexicon

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A HOME AWAY FROM HOME Companies are emphasizing comfortable offices, employee perks By Alex Hardgrave

Luxe amenities at Evo Business Environments in North Little Rock include sound-proof booths, wellness rooms and even a speakeasy. (Photos provided by Evo)

t is said people never get a second chance for a first impression. Chris Cerrato, founder and CEO of Evo Business Environments, believes this extends to workspaces, as well. “It’s all about first impressions,” Cerrato said. “A space should make you feel good when you walk in.” Cerrato said many offices are focusing more and more on employee amenities and experience while at work. Evo has been innovating functional and comfortable workspaces since it was founded in 2013. More companies are returning to mandatory in-office days; about two-thirds of U.S. companies implement a formal policy now, according to a study by WTW. The study found that about 27 percent of offices are improving office spaces such as dining facilities and more to keep em-

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ployees satisfied about being in office. These improvements are increasingly being paired with in-office perks to keep employees motivated to come into the office. Evo Business Environments, which provides interior construction and furniture for offices, practices what it preaches when it comes to good-looking and functional office spaces. In February, the company moved into the fifth floor of 1 Riverfront Place in downtown North Little Rock. There, about half the floor is dedicated to a co-working space called Workflow by Evo, while the other half is Evo’s corporate offices. Workflow offers bookable meeting rooms, leasable offices and many comfortable spaces for focusing on whatever work one needs to get done. The space is bright and colorful and offers views of the Arkansas River and downtown Little Rock.

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CORPORATE BENEFITS

Another company in Argenta, architecture firm TAGGART, did not skimp on the bells and whistles when designing its office building at 600 Main St. in North Little Rock. The same can be said for the clients for whom it designs. Established in 1975, TAGGART built a reputation for highquality, functional, budget-conscious architecture that keeps up with modern tastes and demands. The firm is behind many of the new builds around North Little Rock, including the recently completed North Little Rock Conference Center and the atg Pavilion, as well as many other projects throughout the state. “It’s been great to watch Argenta grow around us,” TAGGART managing partner Brandon Ruhl said. The TAGGART office building also offers 360-degree views of the area, including a fourth-floor skydeck where people can

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enjoy the weather on nice days and look out over the city and see all the way to the state Capitol. Ruhl said the skydeck is also ideal for watching fireworks displays on the Fourth of July and concerts in Argenta Plaza. Both Evo and TAGGART’s workspaces are primarily open concept with low cubicle walls separating individual desks. The low cubicle walls allow more natural light to reach employees, as well as letting them enjoy the office windows views. “We’ve watched a lot of beautiful sunsets,” TAGGART managing partner James Meyer said. Both Evo and TAGGART have also equipped the workspaces with adjustable height desks.

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Ceratto said the desks not only allow for standing while working but can also be adjusted lower than a traditional desk, allowing for each employee to find a comfortable height to work and ensuring they are sitting at their desks with good posture. Meeting rooms at both locations serve as places to gather with clients, discuss design plans, hold training sessions or collaborate with other employees. Evo also has noise-cancelling booths people can use to step out of public spaces into a quiet, private area to take video and phone calls. Two private wellness rooms give mothers a place to pump breast milk at work and for anyone to come if they need a break from the workday.

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Another important part of employee satisfaction is the chance to connect with coworkers. At Evo Workflow, the large, open kitchen allows for employees and members to have a space to gather, grab a morning coffee and free snacks. “It’s all about the snacks,” Cerrato joked. He said offices need to have those kinds of spaces to build community both between the Evo employees and the members using the coworking spaces. “It gives them a place to come together and get to know each other,” he said. A favorite spot of both Workflow members and Evo employees on the fifth floor is the secret speakeasy.

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CORPORATE BENEFITS

Ample natural light was a priority at TAGGART Architects’ North Little Rock headquarters, where there is also a skydeck for enjoying the weather. (Photos provided by Taggart)

An inconspicuous door that blends in with a wall transports people to a richly designed bar space ideal for sipping whiskey and wine — off the clock, of course. TAGGART treats its employees to a monthly “thirsty Thursday,” during which the entire staff meets on the rooftop to enjoy the views and sip cocktails Meyer mixes himself. “It’s just a chance to put our pencils down,” Ruhl said. “It’s time to hang out and build community.” Ruhl said it has been great to get to watch Argenta blossom from the windows of the office. “Our work really lives in this neighborhood,” he said. Cerrato said his team has designed offices to fit a wide range of

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tastes for companies big and small. “It’s about making the most of the real estate,” Cerrato said. While all the perks and nice spaces that Evo and TAGGART design are fun and look good, they are also worthy investments for clients to attract and retain employee talent over time. “If you’re going to make people come back to work, you have to provide a space they want to work in,” Cerrato said. “I’ve been sitting at home wishing I was at work. I really enjoy being in my workspace.”

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areers often hit a sweet spot a decade or two down a certain path. Workers are settled in, comfortable, feel as though they have mastered their crafts, but they have more, maybe even much more, to contribute. Arkansas Money & Politics recognizes those business leaders in Arkansas who have hit that sweet spot, who fill the gap between young bucks and a gold watch. Our list of “Achievers in Their Forties” shines a light on those professionals at a midpoint in their careers who have achieved a certain amount of success yet are positioned for much more.

ACHIEVERS IN THEIR FORTIES

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BRIDGE

GENERATION Today’s 40-somethings face workplace transitions, challenges

By Dwain Hebda

ACHIEVERS IN THEIR FORTIES

hey say 40 is the new 30, but a look at the statistics underpinning such idioms indicates otherwise. People in their 40s have always been considered as being in the prime of their working lives and therefore a key bloc of the workforce, and numbers by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics back that up in 2026. The BLS does not separate ages 40 to 50 as a subset but rather uses 35 to 44 and 45 to 54 in its data gathering, so splitting out a number purely within the fourth decade of life is tricky. However, the two age categories far outperform all other groups in workplace participation rate dating back 20 years, at between 80 and 84 percent, with the closest challenger being workers ages 25 to 34. Among men in the age group, participation rates run between 87 and 92 percent, while 74 to 77 percent women in their 40s participate in the workplace, depending on which side of the median age 45 they fall. Notably in 2026, 40-year-olds are split between two sociological categories, those 45 and older being the last remnants of Generation X and 40- to 45-year-olds being older millennials. However, as some Arkansas 40-somethings noted, the development of personal technology and social media was still so nascent during their developmental years that it flies in the face of stereotypes commonly associated with the group. In fact, as Casey Clippinger, program manager with the architectural department of Rogers-based Benchmark Group said, she sees her demographic as the link between analog and digital generations. “I guess I’m kind of that generation that we’re almost like a bridge to some extent between tech and nontech sides,” she said. “I also feel like, and maybe this is just me personally, but I do value work-life balance. Some older generations I’ve experienced, they’re like, ‘You should just work a million hours, and that’s just what it is,’ where the younger generations are very much the opposite, so I think it’s an advantage to be able to sit in the middle of those sides.”

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I would say the biggest advantage that being my age is having developed confidence in my ability and skills. You kind of get to a point at this age where you’re just trying to do your job, do it well, and you’re not as concerned with what others have to say about it. — Casey Clippinger, Benchmark Group 97

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Clippinger, 42, leverages that duality daily at work. Not only is every member of her team younger than she is, requiring her to flex her mentorship muscles, but the team structure is a relatively new approach to client projects. In that sense, she draws upon her diverse wisdom gained through years and successful projects to keep clients informed, all the while tinkering with how to make the new approach more comprehensive and efficient. “I manage a team that’s more architectural based, that focuses on a lot of tenant infill projects, one-off, ground-up-type projects,” she said. “As we start to grow this newer kind of program, we’re continuing to bring on clients where those project types are what they’re wanting to pursue. With that, we’re doing a little bit more of that creative outlet where we’re doing the full design for clients or the interiors or wherever they need additional guidance. “As far as my position, I do a lot of helping to guide the client through projects. Sometimes this is their first build or they’ve only had one other location, and so they need some guidance on getting construction documents together or coordinating with the engineers or working through the city getting building permits, things like that. That’s a high level of

how I help guide the client through the process while, in turn, being the communicator for the team and just bringing it all together cohesively.” Clippinger noted that having been in the workplace for 20 years holds definite advantages for today’s 40-somethings just for having been on the job longer. “I would say the biggest advantage that being my age is having developed confidence in my ability and skills,” she said. “You kind of get to a point at this age where you’re just trying to do your job, do it well, and you’re not as concerned with what others have to say about it. Just with the life experiences that I’ve had, things don’t bother me as much. Things can kind of roll off my back a little bit easier, and I don’t stress about things as much. I think as you get older, you definitely learn those things.” Amanda Kuttenkuler, director of mental and behavioral health initiatives at the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, said having been around to see different seasons of life helps people in roles such as hers in the mental health field to better communicate topics to others. “Life and experience makes it really easy to give advice to people about things,” she

Crack all the midlife crisis jokes you want, but people in their 40s are today’s dominant generation in more ways than just percentage of the labor force which, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is considerable.

ACHIEVERS IN THEIR FORTIES

said. “Once you’ve lived a little and you’ve lost a little, you really see what grief is like or what parenting is like, what being a spouse is like, what being a supervisor is like. You learn through life, especially in my field, talking about addiction and grief and other things nobody chooses to go through; they just do.” Kuttenkuler, 47, said that is particularly true in a role like hers, which educates teachers, healthcare providers, law enforcement and others on an evidence-based concept known as mental first aid. The approach leverages the skills to initially recognize and then address mental health crisis in others using age-appropriate language and strategies. “There’s a version of adult mental health first aid, and then there’s youth mental health first aid, which is for adults that work with youth, and it talks about adolescent development and how quickly [mental health issues] can happen to them. We have 5-yearolds presenting with signs of anxiety,” she said. “Then there is a teen mental health first aid that is used in classrooms with teens that really helps them learn identification and helps them become part of solving the problem, as well. That’s really where we’re headed next is working with teens and how do we make that more available for them?” Kuttenkuler said mental health first aid is one area of healthcare where being in one’s 40s is a definite advantage, generally speaking, representing the sweet spot that combines the best of all possible skills and motivations. “Being in your 40s is a time where you’ve experienced enough that you can give that advice and you can learn, but you also are still young enough that you have the energy to go out there and say, ‘We can still make a difference,’” she said. “I think it’s just being at that age where you have experience to guide you but you also still have passion that’s so strong. “It’s just a great age; it’s probably the best time I’ve had in my life because I have learned that experience makes me stronger while keeping that drive and that determination to continue to lead and want to do this work.” s

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Being in your 40s is a time where you’ve experienced enough that you can give that advice and you can learn, but you also are still young enough that you have the energy to go out there and say, ‘We can still make a difference.’” — Amanda Kuttenkuler, Arkansas Rural Health Partnership 99

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Inspired to Help Forty-somethings share their passion for service to others By Dwain Hebda

ach generation delivers its own spin on the world, and while much has been written and presented on the differences between say, Generation X and millennials, middle age has a way of sanding down a lot of those edges. As statistics show, the two groups — which, in 2026, splits the age group of people in their ��s right down the middle — have much more in common than they have in opposition to one another. Both categories of people place more value on quality of life than baby boomers did, reports Forbes, leading the magazine to recommend employers follow suit to retain the best talent. “Organizations that cling to outdated practices of rewarding those willing to sacrifice their personal lives for promotion risk losing top talent to competitors with more progressive policies,” wrote Dave Barnett. “Forward-thinking companies are shifting to a whole-life talent model that aims to help employees thrive inside and outside of work. This includes better work-life integration and focusing on meaningful work. SE PT E M B E R 2 026

“The nature of work is evolving. While careers are still important, people now view them as part of a broader life ecosystem. Employers must adapt to attract and retain talent seeking purpose and flexibility.” Increasingly, individuals in this age group not only want meaning and purpose to be part of their workplace, and they are seeking out those traits in the jobs themselves. A full 97 percent of millennials say purpose is important to their job satisfaction, reported the Deloitte Global �� Gen Z and Millennial Survey, while Gen Xers lead all age groups in formal volunteering activities, much of it organized through work, Activate Good states. However essential or tangential it may be, purpose and meaning are definitely motivators for people in their ��s, no matter which side of the demographic dividing line they fall. Arkansas Money & Politics interviewed two such individuals, whose work helps ensure agency services are delivered to a clientele that needs them the most, to discover what drives them in their daily mission. 100

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ACHIEVERS IN THEIR FORTIES

Jeremy Jeffery, 46 Jefferson Regional Medical Center, Pine Bluff

Although Jeremy Jeffery’s career in healthcare stretches back 18 years, he said he did not really understand the depth of purpose his industry had until he was promoted into his current role of senior vice president and chief financial officer — two weeks before COVID-�� reached Arkansas via Pine Bluff. Working at the state’s pandemic ground zero cast everything in a brand new light, he said. “I think we had done a good job over the last several years prior to COVID to kind of reestablish a new culture in the organization, one that was centered around accountability and teamwork and really putting the patient first,” he said. “The way you do that is to treat your team like family, essentially. We had already really begun that journey together, and so I think it set us up well [during COVID-��] to communicate across the organization very well and to really see each other as being on the

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same team and in it together. That was absolutely foundational.” Jeffrey said in addition to the yeoman work done by patientfacing personnel, there were also a lot of improvements made by support staff and leadership to help ensure no element of operations slipped through the cracks. “Even in a vacuum of information and a lot of things we didn’t know and a lot of uncertainty, we tried to really manage factors that played out over the next year or two, such as cost escalation and everything related to the clinical aspects of treating COVID,” he said. “We kept our board informed as a result, and when they felt informed, I believe they were very supportive of everything we wanted to do as an organization to try to meet the challenge head on.” Jeffrey said one of the advantages of being in his ��s versus his ��s is the expertise he has gained through problem solving, various work situations and the experiential learning the pandemic shifted into a high gear. While he is not in favor of going through such a period again, there is no denying that the experience of COVID-19 brought out something in the organization that gives him a lot of hope against future challenges, which, in healthcare, are many. “I would say the main thing we learned during that time was just we’re far more resilient than I thought we were as an organization, as an industry and as a society, honestly,” he said. “There were times it just seemed like the night was never going to end, but it did. We all came out of it as best we could and hopefully learned a lot of things along the way. Most of all, I think we all learned resilience.” 101

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Randi Metcalf, 42 CareLink, North Little Rock

One can scarcely imagine a better career fit for Randi Metcalf, chief operating officer at North Little Rock-based CareLink, since her backstory is replete with examples that hinted at her future life in service to the elderly. “Growing up, I lived next door to my grandparents in Brinkley, and I spent a lot of time there,” she said. “My great-grandmother was also living between our houses, so we had three generations on one little stretch of land. I spent way more time with them than I did with kids my age. “I just kind of grew up an old soul with my grandparents who were so supportive, fun, energetic, just socially connected people. That is truly why I have such an affinity for older people.” Metcalf’s empathy for others deepened throughout her youth as her mother moved from Brinkley to central Arkansas and she bounced around among several schools. “I got to see a whole different perspective. I got to be the new kid all the time, the kid that never really settled in,” she said. “I started to feel for other people who might be in that situation. I guess that’s when I developed my bleeding heart. When you go through your own struggles, for lack of a better term, you can be empathetic or you can ignore it and not learn anything from it. “I learned as much as I could. I became very sensitive to other people and their positions in the world and their struggles, and at some point, my empathetic need to help others collided with the fact that I just truly love older people.” Metcalf joined CareLink as a social worker in 2008 and took over her current role six years ago. She said after nearly �� years, the level of need has remained substantial and, with current population shifts, is about to get even greater. It is a challenge she looks forward to tackling. SE PT E M B E R 2 026

“We’re really facing a big change in Arkansas because by ��, � in � Arkansans are going to be over the age of ��, and the ��-, ��-, ��-year-olds are going be almost half of Arkansas’ population. I’m excited about the opportunity for us to serve more people and for us to have a more comprehensive program offering. “I feel very fortunate that we can apply ourselves to that entire spectrum from people our age who are taking care of our grandparents or parents, to people who are looking for options to have a caregiver come in or to get meals delivered to them. I love [CareLink’s] position that we are here to help people through whatever stage of the aging process they’re in.”

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ACHIEVERS IN THEIR FORTIES Angela Rachels Adams

William Buckley

Lekan Ajayi

Sam Carrasquillo

Media Relations Manager Ghidotti

COO Highlands Oncology Group

Ashleigh Bachert Executive Director Fort Smith CVB

Chris Bahn

Founder/Principal C. Bahn Strategic Partners Chris Bahn landed his first reporting job at 18 and learned early the value of “Conversations That Connect.” Three decades later, that lesson remains the DNA of C. Bahn Strategic Partners in Little Rock, the firm he founded in 2025: The right message only matters when it reaches the right audience. Bahn and his team help leaders across higher education, consumer brands, media and economic development build visibility and strengthen reputations through media relations, executive positioning and thought leadership. His daily partnership with Kirkpatrick Creative in Little Rock, where he serves as director of public relations, gives both firms’ clients access to strategic communications, creative, advertising and branding expertise. A Jonesboro native and 1999 graduate of Arkansas State University there, Bahn works across the state with presence in Little Rock and northeast Arkansas.

Tenesha Barnes

Deputy Director Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership

Ryan Bartholomew

VP/Private Wealth Advisor Small Wealth Management When Ryan Bartholomew began his career in financial services at age 23, he quickly realized that financial planning was about much more than investments and numbers. It was about helping people create opportunities for their families, achieve lifelong goals and feel confident about the future. For the past 26 years, Bartholomew has done exactly that for individuals, families and business owners across Arkansas and beyond. As a Certified Financial Planner professional and private wealth advisor at Small Wealth Management in Little Rock, he is known for building lasting relationships, simplifying complex financial decisions and providing trusted guidance through every stage of life. His commitment to serving others extends beyond his clients through his support of organizations that include Ronald McDonald House, Arkansas Children’s and the Arkansas Foodbank.

Matthew Boyd

Cabot Market President/Loan Officer First Security Bank With more than 28 years of experience in banking, Matthew Boyd of First Security Bank is the market president in Cabot. Boyd was employed by First Security since 2018 as vice president/loan officer in Searcy before moving into this position. For more than 19 years, Boyd has been in commercial lending and management and is highly skilled in business development. A 2001 graduate of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Boyd has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management degree, along with attending Commercial Lending Academy at Paul W. Barret School of Banking. He continued his education in banking and attended the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

Managing Partner The Buckley Firm Real Estate Agent iRealty Arkansas

Todd Clark

CMCO Arkansas State University Todd Clark serves as chief marketing and communications officer at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, where he leads the university’s marketing, communications and brand strategy. He oversees the team responsible for public and media relations, marketing, creative services, digital and social media, photography, video, and web development. Since joining A-State in 2006, Clark has held leadership roles spanning alumni engagement, digital media and university communications, helping strengthen how A-State connects with students, alumni and communities across Arkansas and beyond. Clark has complemented his work at A-State with national leadership in the university advancement profession. He previously chaired a five-state district of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and has been named a CASE Laureate for his service to the profession. A two-time A-State graduate, Clark holds degrees in management information systems and business administration. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his wife, Melanie, and their children, Millie and Ross.

Casey J. Clippinger

Program Manager Benchmark Group Casey J. Clippinger is program manager in Benchmark Group’s architecture department, where she brings a strong foundation in interior design, project management and program leadership to a wide range of projects. A licensed interior designer with a Bachelor of Interior Design from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Clippinger has experience in material selections and presentations, full-scale renderings and construction documentation. Her career has included guiding projects from early design through construction administration, as well as serving in project coordinator and project manager roles. With experience across large, multiphase projects and smaller, specialized assignments in retail, corporate, multifamily, tenant buildouts, clinical, banking and hospitality, Clippinger brings a thoughtful, organized approach to managing complex projects. Her ability to balance creative vision with the demands of complex projects has made her a trusted leader within Benchmark Group’s architecture department.

Tara Cobb

Financial Advisor Small Wealth Management Tara Cobb once thought she would become a psychologist — drawn to helping people work through the things that kept them up at night. She found her way into financial advising instead, and with her Behavioral Financial Advisor designation now in hand, she said she ended up doing exactly that, just in a different field than she expected. Cobb joined Small Wealth Management in Little Rock as a paraplanner in 2010, spending 11 years building deep fluency in comprehensive financial planning before transitioning to a full advisor role in 2021. She earned her Certified Financial Planner certification in 2025. Her approach is straightforward: she cannot properly manage someone’s finances without understanding what’s going on in their life. Today she works with an established client base that continues to grow largely through referrals, helping clients navigate retirement, their kids’ futures and the decisions that keep them up at night. 103

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CHRIS BAHN

FOUNDER. PRINCIPAL | C. BAHN STRATEGIC PARTNERS

hris Bahn remembers the exact moment he decided to move beyond telling other people’s stories and start writing his own. “My wife, Rebecca, and I were standing in the kitchen in November of ‘24,” he said. “Starting a business had been a thing we’d been kicking around off and on for a while. She turned and looked at me while we were getting dinner ready and said, ‘Hey, I’m ready when you are.’

“She was all in. She was on board, and that was amazing. I owe her a lot for believing in it and saying, ‘Let’s go make this happen.’” The second push came from his fatherin-law, longtime advertising executive Dan Kirkpatrick. Bahn walked in with a spreadsheet mindset — savings mapped out, retirement accounted for, and a runway of six, 12, maybe 18 months. Kirkpatrick was not interested in the math. “He said, ‘No son, you burn the boats,’” Bahn said. “If you’re going to make a go of this, you have to be all in. You can’t be

starting a business with one foot in, wondering, ‘What if it doesn’t work?’ You’ve got to go all in and be committed to it.” So he did; after decades chronicling other people’s careers, wins and turning points, Bahn launched C. Bahn Strategic Partners, a public relations and strategic communications firm based in Little Rock, and finally put himself in the story. That decision clearly shows in his self-written website, which does not read like marketing copy. It reads like Bahn himself: easy, confident, direct. “I grew up in Jonesboro, proud son of northeast Arkansas,” he said. “I knew from sixth grade on that I wanted to write for newspapers and magazines.” The dream did not wait long to become a reality. By his second semester at Arkansas State University, his advisor, Joel Gambill, had already put him to work as a reporter at The Jonesboro Sun. “To be 18 years old and get to immediately connect into the profession I’d known I wanted since I was 12, that was an incredible foundation for me.” Nearly two years into running his own firm, that same clarity still drives everything. Bahn’s unofficial motto, “We’ll figure it out,” is less a slogan than a personality trait. “I’m wired to help. I’m wired to serve. I’m wired to connect — sometimes to my detriment,” he said. “There have been very few instances where I didn’t know someone who could directly help a person who had a need.” That instinct is the whole business model. Bahn does not sell tactics; he sells relationships — opening doors, earning trust, knowing exactly who can move a project forward and getting them in the room. It is the same philosophy that carried him through a newsroom, just applied at a different scale and with a bigger stake in the outcome. “The scale changes,” he said. “The intent doesn’t.” He traced that instinct back to his maternal grandfather, Ray McClintock, the first entrepreneur Bahn ever knew — long before he had a word for it. “I had no bigger hero as a kid,” Bahn said, “and I’m not sure I have a bigger one now.” Now Bahn is paying it forward. Mentorship is not a side project at C. Bahn Strategic Partners; it is baked into the model with paid internships and real opportunities for college students and recent grads. Their work has fueled the firm’s growth, and C. Bahn Strategic Partners is on pace to grow more than 150 percent this year. None of it happened by accident. Bahn did not just take his father-in-law’s advice — he embodied it, day after day, decision after decision. He burned the boats and built something remarkable on the shore.

By Nicole Capri

The right relationships open doors. THE RIGHT WORDS KEEP THEM OPEN. Public Relations

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Strategic Communications

CONVERSATIONS THAT CONNECT

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Executive Positioning

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ACHIEVERS IN THEIR FORTIES Angie Cooper

President Heartland Forward

Nick Copas

President of Industrial Services Baldwin & Shell Construction Co. Nick Copas serves as president of Baldwin & Shell Construction Co.’s industrial vertical group, where he manages the firm’s industrial work portfolio and self-performed construction services. A 23-year employee, Copas is actively focused on shaping the firm’s strategic growth, diversifying the company’s book of business across multiple market verticals and expanding the company’s footprint into new geographic regions. Copas is equally focused on growing Baldwin & Shell’s people. He believes in empowering those around him, promotes solution-oriented behavior and encourages community in the workplace. Outside of executive leadership, Copas also has a governance position in the firm, serving on the company’s board of directors since 2019, where he currently acts as the company treasurer. He and his wife, Ann, live in Little Rock and are the proud parents of two young boys.

Josh Crawford

Strategic Growth Director Garver Born and raised in Arkansas, Josh Crawford, professional engineer, has spent the last two decades delivering vital infrastructure solutions for communities across the state. The majority of his design and project management career has been spent overseeing improvements at more than 60 airports nationwide and 10 military facilities, supporting more than $1.1 billion in aviation projects. Now Crawford serves as strategic growth director for engineering firm Garver, driving growth initiatives for both the firm’s transportation and field services teams. His impact has been recognized in his induction into the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineering and his being named to Airport Business Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” and Garver’s owners group.

Brande Daniels CEO/Founder Ageless Aesthetics

Mallory Darby

VP, Economic Development Great River Economic Development Foundation

Ginger Burton Duncan

Director of Single-Family Outreach Arkansas Development Finance Authority Ginger Burton Duncan serves as director of singlefamily outreach for Arkansas Development Finance Authority, traveling statewide to educate mortgage lenders and real estate agents about homeownership and down payment assistance programs. A passionate advocate for Arkansas homebuyers, she is dedicated to helping more families achieve their dream of homeownership. She serves on the board of directors for the Mortgage Bankers Association of Arkansas and as president-elect and secretary for her Rotary club. Duncan actively supports chambers of commerce, real estate agent boards and community organizations across Arkansas, including the Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council in Jacksonville. Duncan is an avid Razorback fan and outdoor enthusiast. She enjoys cruising, sports, live music and spending time with friends. Most of all, she treasures making memories with her husband, son and beloved granny.

Michelle Edmonds

Marketing & Digital Media Manager Stone Bank As marketing and digital media manager at Stone Bank, Michelle Edmonds uses her 15-plus years of experience in TV news production and video editing to tell impactful stories across numerous social media platforms with the goal of educating all Arkansans about the importance of financial wellness. She was born and raised in Kansas and is a graduate of Wichita State University but has called Arkansas home since 2006. Edmonds is passionate about community outreach initiatives and supporting local businesses. She serves on the Salvation Army of Central Arkansas Advisory Board and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Envoys Board in Little Rock. She also volunteers with Women & Children’s First’s Peacekeepers group. Her favorite things include going on adventures with her two children, kayaking with her husband, putting together puzzles, coffee shop crawls, and shopping for, reading and just being around books.

Corey Edwards

Director of Architecture Cromwell Architects Engineers Corey Edwards is director of architecture at Cromwell Architects Engineers. A graduate of the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design in Fayetteville, Edwards brings more than 15 years of experience delivering thoughtful, high‑performing designs for educational, civic and community‑focused projects. In addition to his project work, Edwards has been instrumental in advancing Cromwell’s architectural practice by implementing improved design workflows, strengthening technical standards, and championing innovative tools that enhance collaboration and project delivery. He leads internal Design Labs and training sessions, fostering an environment of continuous learning and elevating design quality across the department. Edwards’s commitment to innovation, mentorship and the development of firmwide systems has significantly shaped Cromwell’s architectural excellence and long‑term growth.

Tiffany Fisher

SVP Area Manager Fairway Home Mortgage Tiffany Fisher is a senior vice president area manager at Fairway Home Mortgage and a mortgage industry leader with more than 28 years of experience. She has built her career around helping families achieve homeownership, developing successful teams and creating opportunities for others to grow. Her leadership and impact have earned recognition at both the company and national level, including president’s club and chairman’s club honors, National Mortgage Professional Industry Titan, and Mortgage Woman Magazine Mortgage Star. A certified life coach, Fisher is passionate about mentorship, service and helping people recognize their potential. Beyond her career, she is a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who considers family her greatest success. Her mission is to help people feel valued, create meaningful opportunities, and lead with faith, purpose and heart.

Tina Fletcher

Senior Program Officer Walton Family Foundation

Taryn Echols

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CONGRATULATIONS

RYAN FLYNN!

ON BEING RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF AMP’S ACHIEVERS IN THEIR FORTIES 2026

STOP STRESSING ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND GAIN SOME MOMENTUM!

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Congratulations

congratulations,

AMANDA!

JODIANE TRITT

A POWERFUL VOICE FOR ARKANSAS HOSPITALS

2026 AMP Achievers in their Forties

We proudly congratulate Jodiane Tritt on being named to the 2026 Achievers in their Forties class. Thank you for driving healthcare advocacy forward.

Amanda Kuttenkuler www.arruralhealth.org

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Senior Program Officer, Behavioral Health Initiatives

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JESSICA FORD

PRESIDENT AND CEO | ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

essica Ford has spent more than two decades learning how to bring people, ideas and organizations together. As president and CEO of Arkansas Community Foundation, she is putting those skills to work on an expanded scale, helping Arkansans leverage philanthropy to strengthen local communities. Ford leads the foundation’s statewide strategy, collaborating with its board, staff, donors and community partners

to build charitable resources across the state. She summarized her role with clear enthusiasm: “I believe I have the best job in the state of Arkansas.” Raised in the small town of Redfield, Ford spent a significant portion of her career at Heifer International, where she held leadership positions across marketing, the executive office and board relations. Her earlier career spanned global communications, community development in Peru and victim advocacy. A major career shift occurred when she volunteered for an international deployment with Heifer, relocating to Peru for a year with her then-9-year-old son. “That was a pivotal moment for me and my family,” she said. “It shaped my worldview

and my perspective of the world. It shaped my parenting and changed the trajectory of my life.” The move exposed Ford and her son to different cultures and the stark realities of poverty in a developing nation. Today, her 22-year-old son is fluent in Spanish. Another key milestone arrived when Ford pursued the top leadership position at Arkansas Community Foundation. The move was a bold step for a communications specialist, yet it aligned directly with her career evolution. “Not a lot of communications professionals end up in the C-suite,” she said. “I’m one of the first in the community foundation sector that came through communications.” Prior to taking the helm as CEO, Ford served as the foundation’s chief communications officer, for which she directed crisis and disaster management strategies while unifying messaging across the organization’s statewide network. The foundation, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, recently surpassed $1 billion in assets, a milestone Ford sees as an opportunity to deepen ACF’s impact. With 29 affiliate offices across the state, the foundation works to connect donors with communities and nonprofits that put charitable dollars to work locally. “In a nutshell, we can be described as a bridge, connector or matchmaker between those who want to give and those who need it,” she said. Since its founding in 1976, the organization has distributed $650 million across Arkansas. Ford noted that five decades of operational experience combined with the innate generosity of state residents positions the foundation to tackle some of the state’s most persistent problems. “Arkansas has many challenges,” Ford said. “We are in the top five worst in a lot of lists, but generosity is not one of our challenges. Arkansans give generously even when they don’t have a lot.” Ford said she finds the most rewarding moments in the human stories behind the numbers. At an event in Phillips County, a first-time recipient broke down in tears while holding her check. The woman, a retired law enforcement officer, had recognized a local need for a domestic violence victim advocacy center. “She was crying and holding up her check and said, ‘I made it!’” Ford said. “It was a beautiful moment for her and a great reminder for me that there is still entrepreneurship out there, needs out there and people trying to make a difference.” As she guides the next generation of leaders, Ford looks back on the hard-earned lessons of her own professional path. She said she wishes she had sought out female mentorship earlier in her journey and learned to trust her instincts sooner. “I feel like women empowering each other is this magical secret sauce,” she said. “We need to be better at it.” By Angie Faller

Marshall Saviers | CEO, Principal

CONGRATULATIONS MARSHALL SAVIERS on being named an AMP Achiever in their Forties! Your exceptional leadership, dedication, and impact at Sage Partners and beyond continue to inspire us.

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ARKANSAS DEVELOPMENT

FINANCE AUTHORITY “Proudly serving Arkansans by making the dream of homeownership a reality.”

–Ginger Burton Duncan

Congratulations

GINGER BURTON DUNCAN for being named one of AMP “Achievers in Their Forties” 2026

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ACHIEVERS IN THEIR FORTIES Ryan Flynn

President Network Services Group In 2013, Ryan Flynn was named president of Network Services Group, a company that provides information technology support and voice over internet protocol telephone solutions for many businesses across the state. Under Flynn’s leadership, NSG has grown from 11 employees and a single location in North Little Rock to more than 85 employees and four locations in Arkansas. Flynn also has served as president of the Cabot Rotary Club, two terms on the city council of Cabot, on the Cabot Parks and Recreation Commission, and on the Lonoke County Election Commission.

Jessica Hughes Ford

Nadine Grady

Director of Quality Control Bell & Co. Nadine Grady has been at Bell & Co. since 2007 and became a shareholder in 2024. Grady specializes in attest work, overseeing attest-related projects, training staff, researching and maintaining compliance with standards, and overseeing the firm’s peer review and quality control processes. She also enjoys helping clients with their tax needs and any accounting issues that arise. Grady enjoys working on a variety of client industries, including trucking and contractors. Grady believes there is some enjoyment to be found in all tasks, and she strives to give excellent service. Grady loves a new challenge and finds satisfaction in solving problems, finding answers and learning something new.

President & CEO Arkansas Community Foundation

Kendel Grooms

Chief Strategic Innovation Officer Smiley Technologies

Kelly Hines

VP, Corporate Operations Garrett Excavating Rob Frye joined Garrett Excavating in 2020 and now serves as vice president of corporate operations. His leadership, operational insight and ability to improve companywide processes have helped strengthen efficiency across the organization. Overseeing corporate operational support, human resources, safety, information technology and fleet optimization, Frye plays a vital role in the organization. Before joining GarrettX, Frye served in the military and later received a Master of Business Administration from Trident University International in Arizona. His military background, business education and experience at a Caterpillar dealership have given him a strong foundation in leadership, operations and team development. Outside of work, Frye enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife and children.

Blake Hudson

Branon Fryar Rob Frye

Tina Gabbard

Market VP Cox Communications/Cox Mobile

Adam Gipson Principle Broker Mid South Realty

Kenya J. Gordon

President Southern Bancorp Community Partners Kenya Gordon serves as president of Southern Bancorp Community Partners, a nonprofit loan fund and financial development organization headquartered in Little Rock. As president, Gordon leads the organization’s vision in providing flexible lending options and asset-building strategies to help families and communities build wealth regardless of the zip code or financial history. Prior to joining Southern Bancorp, Gordon practiced civil litigation and family law in Little Rock and Memphis, managed her own law firm and served as “of counsel” at Gill Ragon Owen. Her career also includes a background in finance as a financial advisor and in education as an algebra teacher at Memphis Public Schools. Gordon is a graduate of Tennessee State University, an HBCU in Nashville, and Christian Brothers University in Memphis. She earned her law degree at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law and is active in several local and national community organizations and professional boards.

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Attorney Campbell, Grooms & Spaulding Co-owner Hines Homes

Director of Investigations & Enforcement Arkansas Scholarship Lottery

Jeremy Jeffery

SVP/CFO Jefferson Regional With more than 23 years of experience in healthcare financial management, Jeremy Jeffery serves as senior vice president and chief financial officer at Jefferson Regional in Pine Bluff. He originally joined the organization in 2008 and currently provides executive leadership for many aspects of the nonprofit health system. Before joining Jefferson Regional, Jeffery was an audit manager at HCJ CPAs & Advisors and began his career with BKD in 2003. Jeffery is a lifelong central Arkansas native and resident. He earned his Master of Business Administration and bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Jeffery is a certified public accountant, a fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and a board member for the Arkansas Chapter of HFMA. He was selected as one of Arkansas Money and Politics’ “C-Suite” in 2023 and has been recognized by other local publications.

Jacob Jones

Co-owner Jones & Son Diamond & Bridal Fine Jewelry

Jennifer Jones Owner Stilo Salon

Colin Jorgensen

Advisory Board Member Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership

Harrison Kemp Partner Mann & Kemp

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A Leader for UA Little Rock. An Achiever for Arkansas. Congratulations to Christian O’Neal, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, on being recognized as one of this year’s Achievers in Their Forties. From student to alumnus to university leader, Christian’s commitment to UA Little Rock and the community continues to create opportunities, strengthen connections, and inspire what’s next.

Congratulations, Christian, on this well-deserved recognition.

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FLY HIGH T

ROB FRYE

VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE OPERATIONS | GARRETT EXCAVATING

en years in the U.S. Air Force taught Rob Frye several critical elements that go into the successful completion of a mission. For the past six years, he has applied those long-held lessons as vice president of corporate operations at Garrett Excavating, overseeing human resources, safety, information technology and equipment assets for one of the fastest-growing firms in Arkansas. “The thing I gained from the military

that helps me today is discipline,” he said. “They teach you to be disciplined and do what you’re supposed to do. That’s probably No. 1. “Also, learning to adapt, because things are ever-changing, and being able to deal with that change and getting your people to come along with you is also a key thing that it taught me.” Since joining the company, Frye has found Garret Excavating to be a suitable yet challenging proving lab for the value of such traits. The company’s runaway suc-

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cess brought with it its own set of operational challenges with him at the center of the maelstrom. “It’s been a heck of a journey; it hasn’t been easy. If it was, then everybody would do it,” he said. “When I came on in May of 2020, I think we had, maybe, 65 or 70 employees, and we were concentrated in central Arkansas, Little Rock, Hot Springs, all in that area. Today, we are spread out across the state, with our two main hubs being in northwest and central Arkansas, and we’re at 340 or so employees. Our revenue is four to five times what it was the first year I was here. “The biggest keys to us growing to the point we are and what will allow us to continue that and be successful, first, are our owners and company leaders. They’ve got a vision of wanting to do things the right way and for the right reasons. It’s easy to rally the troops when everyone can see that our goal is to do more for communities and people and really touch lives. Paychecks are important, of course, because people have bills to pay, but when they see they also have a real effect on communities it makes the work more fulfilling.” Frye said this desire to improve lives is also directed inward in the ways the company looks out for its people and helps them build rewarding careers. “Our values and culture are ingrained in our leadership, and we look for ways to continue that growth pattern through those in the midlevel who are ready and waiting for the opportunity,” he said. “As we take the next step as a company, we’ll be able to promote and move people into other positions, people who have our goals and our values and our culture and everything at heart. I think the investment in our people has been the thing that’s allowed us to make it through those tough times of growth and what will lead us through whatever comes next.” A native of White Hall, Frye worked with some current members of Garrett Excavating leadership as co-workers at a Caterpillar dealership. When the time came for a change, he said it was appealing to step into an environment where he already knew the ethics of senior management matched his own. “You have to love and care about each other. You have to want to be there,” he said. “You’re got to have the mindset that [employees] are family, and you want to watch them and help them grow to have that sense of success. I don’t feel success with anything as much as I do when I see one of my people get promoted or get an opportunity to do more and to grow. To me, that’s what winning looks like.” Away from work, Frye is a devoted family man who loves to spend time with his wife, Kristen, and his three children, sons Talan and Ryker and daughter Scarlett.

By Dwain Hebda

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WE BUILD INSPIRING PROJECTS THAT CREATE COMMUNITY VALUE AND SOCIAL PROSPERITY.

Rob Frye

VP of Corporate Operations

(501) 520-5200 | 5500 US-67 Benton, AR (479) 636-5516 | 1008 Beau Terre Dr. Bentonville, AR

ACHIEVERS IN THEIR FORTIES Amanda Kuttenkuler

Senior Director, Community Outreach Programs Arkansas Rural Health Partnership Amanda Kuttenkuler is a passionate mental health advocate, educator and community connector who believes one of the most important things people can do is make mental health support accessible to everyone who needs it. For the past several years, Kuttenkuler has trained thousands of Arkansans in mental health first aid and other mental health and suicide-prevention initiatives, working with schools, healthcare organizations, workplaces, community groups and individuals across the state. At the heart of her work is a commitment to fighting the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use, helping people recognize when someone may be struggling, and giving them the confidence to reach out, listen and connect others to help.

Karen Lamoreaux

Founder/President Safety Before Skill Swim School Karen Lamoreaux has been married to her husband David for 25 years and has three children. In 2009, at age 33, she founded Arkansas’s first private swim school, Safety Before Skill, and one of the first 1,000 swim schools in the United States. The swim school, serving Little Rock and Conway, serves all ages starting at age 4 months. The adult program, Aquatic Attitude is most known for helping adults conquer their fear of the water. During her 40s, Lamoreaux has continued to homeschool, launched a risky, yet successful scale-up endeavor, adapted to and overcame the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdowns, and secured a strategic partnership with Connie and Jeff Raley to form a real estate holding company and purchase a permanent home for Safety Before Skill with a second location for MGC Kids. This year, Safety Before Skill is celebrating its 17th anniversary.

Candice Lawrence

VP, Programs & Partnerships Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA Candice Lawrence serves as vice president of programs and partnerships for the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas and executive director of Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives. She leads statewide programs and partnerships focused on strengthening Arkansas’s business community, workforce and economic development ecosystem. Prior to joining the state chamber, Lawrence spent more than 12 years with a leading global manufacturer of construction and mining equipment. She serves on the Arkansas Workforce Development Board, Junior Achievement of Arkansas State Board of Directors, MAKO Chamber Conference Board and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Early Childhood Business Advisory Council. A former broadcast journalist and University of Arkansas graduate, Lawrence is a graduate of Leadership Arkansas, Leadership Greater Little Rock and is a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Business Leads Fellow.

Women of Impact, Arkansas Money & Politics “Power Women” and Celebrate Magazine’s “Ones to Watch.” Her board and community leadership includes Arkansas PBS Foundation, Arkansas Children’s NW Auxiliary, Chi Omega Fraternity Advisory Board, UA Little Rock’s Workforce Development Board and the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Foundation. She was recently appointed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to the Advisory Commission on National Service and Volunteerism. Lindsey and her husband, Michael, live in Bentonville and are parents to their “why,” Thomas.

Kara Luther-Chapman

Director of Development and Community Engagement Goodwill Arkansas

Bryan Maertens

General Manager Congo Fireplace & Patio

Kal Makan

COO/Director of Operations Makan Hospitality Management

Angela Mann Partner Mann & Kemp

Carla Martin

Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

RJ Martino

President & CEO iProv

Josh Masters

Co-managing Member Landmark CPAs

Daniel McAdoo CFO Hytrol

Courtney McGahhey Partner Wilson Law Group

Nick McGlone

OR Administration/Periop Strategy Baptist Health

Cameron McKay

VP, Operations Boen Kemp Construction

Daniel Menden

Co-owner Menco Construction

Randi Metcalf COO CareLink

Toni Lindsey

Director of Governmental Affairs/ Leadership Arkansas Program Director Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA Toni Lindsey serves as director of governmental affairs/Leadership Arkansas program director for the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, representing Arkansas business interests at state and federal levels. Previously, she spent nearly 17 years with the University of Arkansas Department of Athletics in special events and television production. A graduate of the University of Arkansas and Leadership Arkansas Class X, Lindsey’s honors include Women’s Foundation of Arkansas Top 100 SE PT E M B E R 2 026

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GarverUSA.com

Congratulations, Josh! Garver is excited to celebrate Josh Crawford being named to Arkansas Money & Politics Achievers in Their Forties list. For more than two decades, Josh has helped deliver solutions that connect communities, improve transportation systems, and support long-term infrastructure investment. Today, he leads strategic growth efforts that expand Garver’s transportation, construction, and survey capabilities while connecting clients with the expertise they need to meet their goals. Josh Crawford, PE | Strategic Growth Director, Transportation and Field Services

We advocate for the business matters that matter most

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PLANTING SEEDS OF OPPORTUNITY I

DIRECTOR | BE PRO BE PROUD

ANDREW PARKER

t is hard to talk about workforce development in Arkansas without talking about Andrew Parker. As the State Chamber of Commerce’s government affairs leader and executive director of the Associated Industries of Arkansas Foundation, Parker directs Be Pro Be Proud, a statewide workforce initiative to introduce middle and high school students to high-demand technical careers such as manufacturing, transportation, utilities and

forestry while developing a pipeline of motivated, prepared workers for employers. “A technical career is something that a person can and should pursue as an option of first choice,” Parker said. “In and of itself, it is a valuable, worthwhile thing to do.” Parker’s path to workforce development began in Arkansas politics. He got his start as an aide on Mike Beebe’s campaign for attorney general in 2001, eventually joined Beebe’s gubernatorial staff, and spent three years as a regulatory attorney at the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission. In 2012, Parker was hired by Randy Zook, president and CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA, where Parker’s experience uniquely positioned him to address the state’s emerging workforce challenges. “With [Randy’s] support, we began engaging lots of different groups that ultimately helped us identify a significant is-

sue taking shape in Arkansas — the skills gap.” Be Pro Be Proud launched in 2016 as an initiative to close the skills gap in Arkansas but has since expanded its footprint across the country. South Dakota recently became Be Pro Be Proud’s 10th state, joining Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The organization is best known for its mobile operation stations, made up of 78-foot tractor trailer units outfitted with interactive stations that travel across the country. The rigs visit schools to expose students to the career pathways available through skilled professions. “There are many programs that are similar, but I don’t think there are any that approach it the way we do,” Parker said. “The level of engagement created by our mobile workshop fleet, I don’t think there is anything else like it in the country.” The organization also hosts draft days on school campuses, providing opportunities for seniors to be paired with companies based on their needs and students’ skills and interests. Each draft day offers real interviews for real jobs, creating avenues for students to explore their next professional steps, all while being celebrated the same way college athletes are traditionally celebrated on decision days. “If we do not present these careers in the same positive, aspirational manner that we present traditional post-high school pursuits, we will not overcome the very real influence of peers on what is considered an appropriate next step after high school,” Parker said. Some of the most rewarding moments for Parker have been seeing students find their spark and discover a future for themselves they did not know was possible. “The thing I love most is hearing from students, educators and parents that the message resonated, the experience had an impact, and aspiration was created,” Parker said. “We hear stories about the student who was at risk of dropping out who comes to school the next day for practically the first time because we created that motivation.” Workforce development is ever evolving. While some assume the rise of artificial intelligence will leave technical professions untouched, Parker does not think that’s the case. Through partnerships with robotics companies and major tech players such as Meta, Be Pro Be Proud is proactively exploring how workers can use natural-language commands to interact with their tools. “Imagine a technician putting on Meta Ray-Bans, lifting the hood of a commercial tractor, and using them to help identify and solve a malfunction,” Parker said. “That young person who has the interest and technical know-how becomes immediately more capable. You dramatically increase the productivity of everyone.” Parker said he knows the full impact of Be Pro Be Proud’s work may not be realized for decades. “We’re planting trees knowing that we won’t sit beneath their shade,” he said. “That’s what we do every single day, state by state.” By Patrick Newton

CONGRATULATIONS

ADAM SEITER

ons!

ati Congratul

NADINE GRADY, CPA on being named one of AMP’s 2026 “Achievers in Their Forties!” Nabholz is proud of all you’ve contributed to our people, clients, and communities. Congratulations, Adam, on being named to

2026 AMP Achievers in their Forties. We couldn’t be prouder.

nabholz.com

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ACHIEVERS IN THEIR FORTIES David Miller

General Superintendent James A. Rogers Excavating David Miller is general superintendent at James A. Rogers Excavating in Little Rock, bringing a strong foundation of leadership, discipline, accountability and a commitment to high standards to the excavation industry. While growing up, he spent his summers and school breaks working in excavation, and he began working in excavation full time after graduating high school. At age 21, Miller pursued a longtime goal of entering law enforcement. During his law enforcement career, he achieved numerous professional goals and had the privilege of working alongside exceptional leaders and mentors. Miller’s professional path then led him to James A. Rogers Excavation. From the day he walked through the door, Miller approached the transition as an opportunity to learn, grow and build a successful career in a new industry. With a clear direction, a strong team and an unwavering commitment to high standards, Miller is focused on building an enduring legacy and an organization that continues to raise the bar in the excavation industry.

Justin Minton

Founding Attorney Minton Law Firm

Justin Mitchell Partner Ferndale Market

Tara Norwood

Executive Broker White Stone Real Estate

Christian O’Neal

Vice Chancellor for University Advancement UA Little Rock Christian O’Neal has served as vice chancellor for university advancement at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock since 2016, leading the university’s fundraising and alumni engagement efforts. A first-generation college graduate and proud UA Little Rock alumnus, O’Neal returned to his alma mater in 2002 and has spent more than two decades connecting donors with opportunities to transform students’ lives. Under his leadership, UA Little Rock is nearing completion of its $250 million Centennial Campaign, the largest comprehensive campaign in university history. During his tenure, the UA Little Rock Foundation endowment has grown from approximately $52 million to more than $160 million. O’Neal is a Leadership Arkansas graduate, Rotarian of the Year, Paul Harris Fellow and active community leader.

Derek Owens

Owner Natural State Promotions

Andrew Parker

Director of Governmental Affairs Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA Andrew Parker is director of governmental affairs for the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas, the leading voice advocating for a constructive business climate for Arkansas businesses. In 2015, he became executive director of the Associated Industries of Arkansas Foundation and founded Be Pro Be Proud, a grassroots initiative addressing the skills gap by changing perceptions of high-wage, high-demand technical professions. Previously, Andrew served as regulatory counsel at the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission and spent more than 10 years with the Arkansas attorney general’s and governor’s offices. In 2021, he completed a seven-year term on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. He has a law degree from the UniverSE PT E M B E R 2 026

sity of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in finance from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Parker serves on the Boy Scouts of America’s Natural State Council Executive Board, is a scuba diving instructor and is married with one son.

Steven Person

Director of Technology Clinton School of Public Service

Emily Piechocki

Chief Development Officer Arkansas Foodbank

Dylan Potts

Shareholder/Director Gill Ragon Owen

Bill Ritter

VP, Workforce National Park College For nearly three decades, Bill Ritter has been a driving force in Arkansas’ education and workforce development landscape. The Hot Springs native joined National Park College in 2013 as an adult education instructor and advanced into leadership roles including director of adult education and associate vice president for workforce. Throughout his tenure, Ritter has expanded access to education and workforce training by innovating employer partnerships and developing programs that prepare students for high-demand careers. He has been instrumental in growing short-term credential programs, high school vocational offerings and skilled trades training opportunities that fuel regional economic development. Ritter has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia and is passionate about connecting education with workforce needs to strengthen opportunities for students, employers and the communities National Park College serves.

Dr. Analiz Rodriguez

Director of Neurosurgical Oncology University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

DeWayne Rose

Director of the Office of Emergency Management City of West Memphis DeWayne Rose serves as director of the office of emergency management at the city of West Memphis. As director of emergency management, he is responsible for the safety and preparedness needs of the city of West Memphis and its citizens. Rose interacts daily with emergency response agencies on the local, state and federal levels to address issues related to emergency response planning. Rose serves on the board of directors for the Crittenden County Emergency Communications Center and East Arkansas Family Health Center, where he serves as chair and on the public safety and crime prevention federal advocacy committee. He is chairperson of the Public Safety Advisory Council for the Arkansas Municipal League and a previous state fire prevention commissioner, appointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Rose is a 2010 graduate of the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce’s Crittenden County Leadership program and a proud graduate and class representative of the distinguished Arkansas Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas Leadership Arkansas Class XVI.

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Congratulations Coach Karen Lamoreaux on being named one of AMP ’s “Achievers in their Forties” for 2026.

4701 Sam Peck Rd. | Little Rock 501-940-1287 safetybeforeskill.com SafetyBeforeSkill safetybeforeskillswimschool ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

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A SEAT AT THE TABLE

CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | ARKANSAS FOODBANK

EMILY PIECHOCKI

mily Piechocki has built her career around a simple premise: People genuinely want to make a difference. Sometimes they just need someone to help them figure out how. As chief development officer at Arkansas Foodbank, Piechocki brings nearly two decades of fundraising experience to an organization addressing hunger and food insecurity, two of Arkansas’ most persistent challenges. She oversees fundraising, marketing and communications, and volunteer recruitment to help ensure more Arkansans have access to nutritious food.

“I like connecting people with causes that are important to them, like food insecurity,” Piechocki said. “It is very rewarding to know that a majority of people want to give back. You can help people share the best parts of themselves with others.” Joining the foodbank gave her a better understanding of how widespread and complex food insecurity is in Arkansas. As a result, the mission has become personal. “As a mom of two kids, I really cannot fathom not knowing where my kids’ next meal will come from,” she said. “One in four Arkansas children doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from. If I can be a part of doing something about that, it’s deeply important.”

Piechocki joined the foodbank following 15 years as development director at Ronald McDonald House Arkansas & North Louisiana, where she led fundraising efforts ranging from major capital campaigns and grants to annual giving and marketing. The start of her career came earlier and almost by accident. As a senior at Lyon College in Batesville, Piechocki was student body president when she gave a campus tour to then-Lt. Gov. Bill Halter. When he asked about her plans after graduation, she jokingly said she might work for him if he had an opening. “A few weeks later, he called me and told me he had a job for me,” Piechocki said. “When the lieutenant governor calls you and says they want you to work for them, that’s what you do.” The conversation launched her public service career. She later served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at Our House shelter in Little Rock before establishing the nonprofit fundraising career that has defined her professional life. At the Arkansas Foodbank, Piechocki views her role as more than raising money. The organization serves as a statewide hub, partnering with hundreds of food pantries, schools, shelters and nonprofits to distribute food where it is needed most. She also wants to challenge common misconceptions about who experiences hunger. “There is a lot of judgement and stigma around accessing resources for food insecurity,” she said. “Many of the people we help are working families, elderly adults and veterans.” One in five Arkansans experiences food insecurity, Piechocki said. A medical emergency, sudden unemployment or becoming a full-time caregiver can quickly push a household into crisis. “Food insecurity is so much more prevalent than people know or understand,” she said. “It probably affects people that you know, and you don’t even realize it.” Piechocki’s commitment to the fundraising profession includes more than a decade of being involved with the Association of Fundraising Professionals Arkansas Chapter, serving in numerous leadership roles and mentoring emerging fundraisers. The chapter will honor her as its Outstanding Fundraising Professional this year. “I like the camaraderie of being with people who understand what it’s like to be a fundraiser, and it’s helped me to become a better leader,” she said. Looking ahead, Piechocki hopes her work will help Arkansas move beyond its troubling food insecurity statistics. The U.S. Department of Agriculture ranks Arkansas first in the nation for food insecurity. “Every meal the foodbank provides represents a network of donors, farmers, businesses and neighbors who come together to support each other,” Piechocki said. “Today, we are helping families put food on the table. Hopefully tomorrow, we are helping children be ready for school and strengthening communities across our state.” By Angie Faller

CONGRATULATIONS

Tif f an y F isher SVP

Area

Manager|

NMLS#

193205

870.723.2082 | Tiffany.Fisher@fairwaymc.com

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 AMP Achievers in their Forties! Your hard work and leadership are shaping the future. Here’s to continued success and making a lasting impact!

853 3rd Street, Suite 3, Hot Springs, AR 71913

AgHeritage Farm Credit Services proudly congratulates Blake Swindle, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, on being named one of AMP’s Achievers in Their Forties.

Growing Rural Arkansas

We’re also proud to congratulate our team members Libby Claire Nichols and Lana Stovall on their recognition as AMP’s Women in Banking.

Blake Swindle

Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

AgHeritageFCS.com

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Libby Claire Nichols Agribusiness & Capital Markets

Lana Stovall

Sr Marketing Specialist

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ACHIEVERS IN THEIR FORTIES Marshall Saviers

CEO, Principal Cushman Wakefield | Sage Partners Marshall Saviers, CEO of Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners, brings 25 years of commercial real estate experience and is consistently one of the top brokers in the region with an extensive client list, including many Fortune 500 companies. He has completed thousands of lease transactions across the country that total millions of square feet. Additionally, he has been involved in many of the largest investment sales and lease transactions in the region totaling over $1 billion in the past three years.

Janell Schmidt

CHRO Lexicon Janell Schmidt started at Lexicon in 2024 and serves as the chief human resources officer. With years of industrial HR experience, she excels at elevating and supporting those around her. Schmidt oversees Lexicon’s talent recruitment, employee development and succession planning. Inspired early by female leaders in manufacturing, she champions career paths for women in STEAM and construction. Schmidt is committed to fostering ideal working conditions, resolving workplace conflicts and building strong relationships to support companywide strategic goals.

Vernon Scott

President/Chief Lending Officer Citizens Bank

Adam Seiter

EVP, Operations Nabholz Executive Vice President Adam Seiter first joined Nabholz in 1997 as an apprentice laborer. Since then, he has worked his way up the Nabholz ranks to EVP due to his strong leadership and expertise in the industry. His certifications in first aid, CPR, LEED AP BD+C, and OSHA 30-Hour are valuable tools for clients and an example for others at Nabholz to follow. Outside of his time at Nabholz, Seiter is committed to his faith and community. He serves on the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas State University Construction Industry Advisory Council and the Knights of Columbus. He is also a confirmation catechist for Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Jonesboro. Previously, he served as a Nabholz Carpentry Apprenticeship instructor and served on the St. Monica Catholic Church Building Committee.

Jacob Shy

Director of Planning & Landscape Architecture Halff

Kellie Sinh

CFO Smiley Technologies

Blake Smith

CFO Birch Tree Communities

Sharon Strong

Executive Director Arkansas Scholarship Lottery

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Blake Swindle

EVP/COO AgHeritage Farm Credit Services Blake Swindle serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer at AgHeritage Farm Credit Services. He joined the borrower-owned cooperative lending network in 2001 as a credit analyst. Blake has held additional positions as vice president and senior vice president. In his current role, he oversees retail lending operations, branch managers and the association’s capital markets and agribusiness portfolio. Swindle has both a Bachelor of Science in finance and a Master of Business Administration from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Outside of his professional career, Swindle enjoys spending time outdoors and resides in Benton with his wife and two children.

Jodiane Tritt

EVP Arkansas Hospital Association Jodiane Tritt serves as executive vice president of the Arkansas Hospital Association, leading state and federal legislative and regulatory advocacy. She joined the AHA executive team in 2010 as vice president of government relations before advancing to her current role in 2018. Tritt has a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College in Conway. A recognized leader in healthcare policy, she is a past president of the Arkansas Society of Association Executives and the Arkansas Society of Professional Lobbyists. She is deeply involved in community advocacy, with a current passion for serving on the board of the Children’s Protection Center. She and her husband, Jamie, have three children.

Lance Turner

Account Supervisor Ghidotti

Lee Watson

Founder/CEO Forge Institute

Adam Wells

President Lumber1 Home Center

Morgan Wiles Owner/CEO WinChoice

Desiree Willmuth

Planning Grant Director Ouachita Children, Youth & Family Services

Robbie Wilson

Co-Managing Partner Wilson Law Group

Justin Wittenberg President/Manager Ruebel Funeral Home

Justin Zachary

Partner Denton, Zachary & Norwood

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NICK COPAS BUILT TO LEAD. Baldwin & Shell proudly congratulates Nick Copas on being named one of AMP’s Achievers in their Forties.

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ARKANSAS VISIONARY

DOGTOWN PROUD Scott Landers’ North Little Rock roots run deep By Dwain Hebda / Photo by Jane Colclasure

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he distance between Scott Landers’ office at atg which, for Landers, meant working on weekends and headquarters and where he grew up between summers home from his electrical engineering studies the city’s Park Hill and Levy neighborhoods are at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He never only a short drive from one another, but at first glance, completed the degree, but his intensely curious mind the worlds represented by the two landmarks of his life led him down many early rabbit holes to indulge a fashardly resemble each other. cination with electronics and circuitry that began in As the successful software entrepreneur readily said, middle school. however, all he needed to know in life came from his “You could either say it’s a fault or not, but one of blue-collar childhood enclave, the fifth of five children the things about me is when I get into wanting to learn born to Bill Landers, a railroad worker, and Donna about something, I will go all-in until I know everyLanders, a teacher at a local parochial grade school. It thing I can find out about it,” he said. “In junior high, I was there that Landers first mastered the art of builddid a science fair project with what was called TTL ciring and maintaining relationships; was surrounded by cuitry, creating a machine that counted objects as they the work ethic by which he would build a side hustle went by using a photo sensor. I actually won the state into a nationwide player; and set the roots that would science fair that year with it, and I still have that desire stretch far without ever once pulling out of the to go figure out how things work.” firmament of home. Landers returned home to central “Being in a big family and havArkansas, where his engineering SCOTT LANDERS ON ing siblings, especially being background and familiarity THE LESSONS OF SETBACKS the youngest of five, helps you with computer-aided design “In 2008 and 2009, I learned figure out how to get along, technology landed him a some great lessons about contingency you know?” he said. “It rejob with The Mehlburgplanning, being able to not just plan for ally does give you some er Firm in Little Rock, the next success but be prepared for the next early life lessons on how then one of the oldest step back. I feel pretty proud about how we came to get along with people engineering outfits out of that in the end because that period was and how to work with in the state. He spent very impactful to our industry. The other thing is folks. When you’re the nine transformajuxtaposed to what I believe about having leaders and smallest of five, you tive years there just really trusting them and counting on them to scale don’t pick your fights as the industry and your organization: You also have to be keenly aware right off. That’s an oldthe business world of what’s going on in an organization. You don’t er sibling’s job. in general were turnhave to micromanage it in any shape or form, but “I really credit my ing technological coryou have to be keenly aware of what’s going dad with instilling a work ners that would reinvent on in an organization. When you blindly ethic with us. I always talk American commerce and give trust and you’re not staying on about when we were youngcarry his career right along top of it, not-good things er, my dad worked during the with it. can happen.” daytime for the railroad, and he “When I went to work for the remodeled houses at night. He got off firm, they did not have any computat 3 in the afternoon, and he would come ers whatsoever,” he said. “I was hired on home, and he would get me or one of my brothers, and for a project with the Hot Springs wastewater treatment we would go help him remodel houses in the evenings. plant, and they had a requirement to do it in the CAD I grew up in an environment where work and a sense of systems. I had learned that [technology] in school, and accomplishment were all tied together.” so I was hired to be part of that project. By the time I left Those early experiences had Landers thinking about the firm, we had completely converted to CAD systems, a career in construction coming out of North Little and I was the geek that got everybody trained and netRock “Old Main” High School. In fact, he and his brothworked their computers together.” er formed a homebuilding company right after graduNoticing how other companies were in the same ation, ultimately completing several homes together, boat with digital technology, Landers launched a side

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ARKANSAS VISIONARY a couple of circles on a piece of paper. These objects hustle, moonlighting as information technology exin 3D space became more than just representation by pertise and fomenting the idea of one day owning his lines, arcs and circles. They started to becoming obown shop. jects with data attached to them. “That was really the inspiration,” he said. “I always “We started writing applications and programs that enjoyed working for myself, and I found that I really enwent on top of that. That allowed us to add up how joyed putting computers together and helping compamany doors were in a building, what kind of doors nies convert over to the CAD systems.” were those and what ordering information needed to By 1999, Landers had gone through some major life go with it. That’s really the jet fuel that made us start changes, including a divorce, and the time seemed rapidly expanding across the right for a fresh direction. He formed Complete Computer U.S., taking the information SCOTT LANDERS ON MANAGING Solutions, which initially fowithin the drawings and enGROWTH, SUCCESS cused on hardware and netgineering processes and do“There is definitely an entrepreneur working until 2004. Looking more with it than it just spirit to me, but you find as a business ing to expand, the company being a series of symbols that gets larger and more complex, sometimes then took on another prodrepresented something on a you’ve got to take a step back from your uct line and began selling piece of paper.” first gut instinct and have a more enterprise Autodesk software. Within The company’s booming thought process to it. Our company was six months, sales of software growth and the time period founded in an entrepreneurial spirit, but it’s exceeded that of the other in which it happened might really grown into learning how to manage lines of business, and the have tempted many entreprea large business and, beyond that, how to company soon rebranded to neurs to move to a more techgrow leaders. If you ask me what my job Applied Technology Group, centric part of the country. is today, I’ve got fantastic people in the more recently to atg. Landers would eventually organization that do most of the nuts“There’s always that eleopen another office in Arizoand-bolts operations on a daily basis, and ment of luck, good timing,” na, but the atg headquarters what I’m most proud of is growing them as he said. “I would love to say were destined to stay in his leaders. There’s no doubt about that. that I had the foresight to hometown, he said, for rea“Managing our growth comes down know that the [software] insons beyond mere nostalgia. to learning to rely and learning to trust dustry was just going to ramp “Staying here kept us each other. There is no way one individual up at the time I decided to grounded in what is real,” he can scale an organization without having expand into it, but I have to said. “It is really easy in this folks with them that they can truly trust, claim good luck on that one. industry to go raise fantastic truly integrate into the process. Turning an Either way, we found that we amounts of money to go exemployee into a manager is not effective; had a real knack for selling plore and try new things. Ofturning an employee into a leader is highly software.” ten many of them have a very effective. Having multiple people in an In time, Landers would low chance of success, but organization that are leading different find another gear for the that funding is just so readelements of it is the key to being able to company as atg began writily available, you get a lot of scale an organization.” ing software that would imstartups, a lot of flare-ups prove the CAD user experiand companies that die. ence exponentially. “Being based here, you “In ‘04, when we started selling the Autodesk softdon’t have that choice. You are running a company in ware and helping the engineering firms and archithe technology space that has to pay its bills every day. It tectural firms, there wasn’t a lot of difference [in prohas to think through the consequences of development grams],” he said. “You were still drawing lines, arcs and paths, be judicious in how it spends its money. I think circles to represent what you wanted to build. Then being here in Arkansas has made us a much more rewe started incorporating other software and adding sponsible company in our growth trajectory.” things on to the workflows and processes that they call Today, the Argenta Arts District neighborhood is one parametric design, when a door became a door and a of the more bustling districts in the region, in large part manhole lid was a manhole lid, and it was no longer thanks to Landers and atg. The company is not only lo-

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SCOTT LANDERS ON INNOVATION

“When we first started this, software companies were expected on an annual basis to have an updated release or a new release, and about every three years or so, you would have a major update to the software. That has changed; we’re on a path now where things are hosted in the cloud, where there’s a much broader connection between platforms. It’s a continuous process now. Customers aren’t expecting a new release annually anymore; they’re expecting a continuous flow of updates and new features. That’s changed how we operate as a company. It’s made us more nimble because we’re not bundling together a group of features and waiting for some show or event. We’re able to take the customer’s problems and tailor the software to address those issues on a much shorter cycle. It’s really helped us focus on what best serves the customer in our development cycle.”

not unlike himself, continues to push to the far horizon in new and unexpected ways while still remaining fundamentally solid, still building things from the ground up. “With the advent of artificial intelligence, the way it’s shifting our industry, whoever controls the data wins,” he said. “That’s a really bold statement, but I’ll say it’s even akin to the turn of the century, when the newspaper magnates were winning because they controlled the flow of information. They had amazing power. Today, businesses can’t make decisions at the speed they need to be made without absolute control of their data and information and how to structure their data.

SCOTT LANDERS ON CREATIVITY

“I look at creativity as the problem-solving process. We have a business issue, we have a problem of any sort, how do we go solve this problem? How do we make it have the least resistance to get from where we are to where we need to be? That’s the creative element. It’s just problem-solving skills. It’s knowing that a contractor needs to tie all of his building information to real numbers and then giving him a set of plans that helps him understand what they need to build without someone physically writing in what every door costs and every doorknob and every hinge. That’s where the creative element comes in for us. “Before you can do that, though, you have to have curiosity. One of the best business skills there is that people often underestimate is innate curiosity. You should never, ever stop learning and asking why. I’m as bad as a 3-yearold; I won’t stop asking people why until I fully understand it.”

cated there but is helping make possible the atg Pavilion, to be opened this fall at Argenta Plaza, which will serve as the state’s touchpoint for honoring its musical legends. Just over yonder is Draft + Table, the popular upscale restaurant Landers brought to a vacant pub space on the choicest corner of the neighborhood. Everywhere Landers looks today, he sees the melding of chapters of his beloved hometown, a place that,

SCOTT LANDERS ON PERSEVERANCE

“Building a company is like eating an elephant: You do this one bite at a time, and you’re better off doing this a bite at a time than sitting down in one meal and trying to consume the entire elephant. This is a hard way to put this, but don’t chase dreams. Follow them one step at a time, moving methodically, or you’re going to fall on your face. There are no shortcuts. There’s no ‘get rich quick.’ It is about taking the million-step journey, and that doesn’t happen overnight. There’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears in between.”

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“As atg transforms into this AI-driven world, the focus of that transformation is around data and helping companies to understand their data because without those steps, AI is not really able to help them. AI is taking the pace of change in this industry to a rate that we have never experienced before. That’s really what we’re into today, turning atg from an engineering and architectural company into a data company. It’s a still-evolving transition.”

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In the hour of darkness and peril and need, The people will waken and listen to hear The hurrying hoof-beat of that steed, And the midnight message of Paul Revere. — An excerpt from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s Paul Revere’s Ride

Supporting the Modern-Day

Minutemen Arkansas National Guard Foundation raising money for Camp Robinson event center By Mark Carter | Photos by DeWaine Duncan

he men and women who make up the contemporary National Guard are the nation’s modern-day minutemen. They are citizen soldiers, many with full-time jobs and families, who are ready and willing to put their lives on hold at a moment’s notice — and even sacrifice them, if necessary — to help defend state and country or launch rescue and cleanup efforts following natural disasters and civil unrest. The legacy of the minuteman conjures perhaps one of the most American images ever. The National Guard is the military reserve organization of the U.S. Armed Forces, consisting of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard. The Guard is based in each of the 50 states, in addition to the District of Columbia and U.S. territories Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands. SE PT E M B E R 2 026

The Arkansas National Guard dates back to the creation of the state’s Territorial Militia in 1804, and the Arkansas National Guard Foundation exists to support Guard members, veterans and survivors while improving the overall readiness of the Guard itself. The foundation operates around six project initiatives: • Survivor services support • Education, scholarships and professional development • Medical and dental readiness of the force • Military family emergency relief trust • Youth engagement and recruitment • Legacy preservation Randy Lann, executive director of the foundation, said the initiatives boil down to one purpose — supporting Guard members and their families. At a recent fundraising dinner held at 128

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The 1836 Club in Little Rock, Lann said the foundation is working to raise $12 million for a new event center at Camp Robinson, home base for the state’s Army National Guard. “So many people don’t know what we are doing,” he said. “We are trying to make sure people know they can give back and support the National Guard.” Currently, about 120 Arkansas Guardsmen from the 1st battalion, 114th Security and Support Aviation Regiment are deployed to the southern border in Texas, while 250 ANG members were assigned to the District of Columbia and another 40 to Little Rock, Fayetteville and Fort Smith to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, mostly in clerical and transport capacities. One hundred and thirty members of the ANG’s 142nd Field Artillery Brigade are deployed to at least four countries in southeast Asia to assist partner countries in the Middle East with artillery support, logistics and other training. As of late August, six ANG pilots and six crew chiefs were deployed along with two Black Hawk helicopters to Union County to help fight wildfires. Lann said it is important for those back home to remember the sacrifice these men and women are making every day. The foundation’s six project initiatives help guardsmen and their families in many ways, he said, such as providing college scholarships, emergency relief assistance or even helping a struggling family financially. “Our mission is to support their needs so they can keep supporting us,” Lann said. The Arkansas National Guard has about 8,600 members — 6,700 in the Army NG and 1,800 in the Air NG — representing all 75 counties. About 80 percent of the membership is made up of true part-time citizen soldiers. Guardsmen are required to drill at least one weekend a month and two weeks per year. The ANG is supported by approximately 1,800 federal military employees and 500 full-time state civilian employees. Brig. Gen. Olen “Chad” Bridges, the state’s 55th adjutant general, said soliciting support through the foundation is crucial. ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

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Scenes from the 1836 Club: Randy Lann, shown on the right in second photo from top next to Gen. Olan Bridges, hosted a fundraising dinner for the Arkansas National Guard Foundation, which plans to build a $12 million event center, top, at Camp Robinson.

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Randy Lann

“It’s encouraging to be a part of a military organization in a state where a lot of people support the military,” he said. “We are well supported. We have great people conducting great missins but we can always do better in telling our story. There are so many great stories of service.” The sacrifice and service of these citizen soldiers deserve community support, Bridges added. “These people want to be a part of something bigger than themselves,” he said. “The Guard gives them the opportunity to wear the uniform of their country and serve their country and state.” Bridges shared an anecdote about a young Arkansas woman who was hesitant to join the Guard but ultimately did. “She told me it was one of the best decisions she ever made,” he said. ‘She told me, ‘I learned that I’m a badass, that I can do whatever I want to do.”

“These people want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. The Guard gives them the opportunity to wear the uniform of their country and serve their country and state.” — Brig. Gen. Olen “Chad” Bridges

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Do All the

Good

You Can

Goodwill Industry of Arkansas’ Gala for Good shapes futures, changes lives

By Dwain Hebda | Photos provided by Goodwill Arkansas

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hristine Porter’s hands shook as she picked up the cell phone, her breath burning a hole in her chest. A long, bitter custody battle was coming to a head today, and this call would inform her if she had been successful in winning her son back, a son she lost while in the grips of addiction and caught in the revolving door at the county jail. A lot of ground had been covered between that version of Porter and the one that stood here today. She had completed rehab and sober living, got her life together, and demonstrated over and over again that she had turned a corner or was preparing to. That included completing the transitional employment opportunity program offered by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, a program aimed at helping the previously incarcerated get back on their feet. Through that, she took a job working in Goodwill’s warehouse and poured into everything her assigned reentry specialist said. “I can literally talk all day about what Goodwill has done for me,” she said. “Goodwill is so incredibly unique. It’s so incredibly

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NONPROFIT amazing because of the atmosphere and the type of people that they employ and how the mission — what we call our ACE culture, Amazing Customer Experience — is not just something in an employee handbook. It’s really a way of life in this company.” If it were just another Main Street firm, Goodwill Industries of Arkansas would be one of the most celebrated business headlines in the state, mentioned in the same sentences as Arkansas’ other wild-beyond-their-dreams success stories. According to the organization’s latest annual report, the organization generates $85 million in revenue, the vast majority of which comes through its 35 retail locations. Goodwill represents a $93.3 million economic impact to the state, part of which is shelling out more than $25 million in projected annual wages to nearly 1,400 employees across Arkansas. Those business metrics, impressive though they are, barely scratch the surface of what makes the nonprofit one of the most important and impactful forces for good in the Natural State. Ultimately existing to serve those seeking a second chance in life — be it through educational opportunities, job training or employment readiness — Goodwill served nearly 22,000 individuals in fiscal years 2023 through 2025. That includes the 6,000 professional credentials awarded over that time via the group’s job training program, dubbed The Academy. The program’s two locations in Little Rock and Springdale deliver certification training in four of the state’s top business sectors: healthcare, information technology, skilled trades and business/administration, resulting in about 2,100 people finding work over the past three years alone. Perhaps even more impressive, Goodwill’s Excel Center continues to shape lives and improve families by offering individuals 19 and older the chance to earn their high school diplomas. The program, which has expanded to two campuses in Little Rock and Springdale, has graduated more than 300 individuals in its history and nearly 120 last year alone and is arguably the most impactful of everything Goodwill does. The group reports statistics that those with a GED or no high school diploma earn less than $16,000 per year on average, but

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To have someone know the truth about you and celebrate you anyway, that’s what Goodwill gave me, and it’s a phenomenal feeling that’s so hard to put words to. — Christine Porter

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the center’s graduates, more than half of whom are first-generation high school graduates, more than double that annual income. “Every day in Arkansas, someone is standing at a crossroads, unsure of their next step, their future, or their chance to begin again,” said Brian Marsh, president and CEO, in a message written for the 2025 annual report, “[but] here’s the truth: The landscape is changing for Arkansans, and they need us more than ever before.” Indeed, one glance at the company’s report bears out Marsh’s comment. The number of people Goodwill served overall has increased each of the past three years, and certificates and credentials awarded also jumped year over year. Meanwhile, Excel Center graduates in 2025 outnumbered those from 2024 and 2023 combined — all that while maintaining the same number of retail stores, which generate 90 percent of the group’s revenue. Such an equation would likely be unsustainable without additional sources of income, which is where Gala for Good comes in. The group’s annual fundraiser, set for Oct. 24 at the North Little Rock Event Center, is critical to Goodwill Industries of Arkansas’ continued ability to reach those looking to turn the corner to a more productive life. Kara Luther-Chapman, director of development and community engagement, said the group’s successful programs have made the Arkansas organization’s reputation, so much so that she was excited to join the group, coming from its Oklahoma counterpart where she worked for five years. “Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is known for so many things,” she said. “The main thing is our two adult high schools, and then after that are the academy programs. Workforce training is just inherently Goodwill everywhere you kind of go, but the emphasis on making sure people have a high school diploma was one of the reasons I wanted to come here. “I also saw myself fitting into building stronger partnerships, building

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NONPROFIT the community that leads to a career. We’re working closer with a couple of those partners, such as Arkansas Children’s and CARTI, training people to be medical assistants, and from there, they can get an even better job or take advantage of a tuition program that’s going to pay for someone to become a nurse. Our big goal here is a job, a better job, a career.” The fourth annual Gala for Good, recognized as AY About You’s 2025 Best Charity Event, helps pay for all of these efforts and more. The 2026 event, themed “Rooted in Purpose,” will feature food, crafted spirits, entertainment, a silent auction and some other attractions still being finalized at this writing. Encouraged attire is Western chic, which explains the whileyou-wait custom Western hat station that will operate during the evening. The event, for which AY Media Group is presenting media sponsor, will also feature several awards presentations. Graduate of the Year recognizes an outstanding Goodwill graduate and Achiever of the Year honors someone who has overcome significant barriers to reach meaningful professional milestones. Also being handed out will be the Values in Action Award recognizing an individual who brings to life Goodwill’s ICARE values — integrity, collaboration, attitude, respect, explore — and the Partners in Purpose Award showcasing a

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Here’s the truth: The landscape is changing for Arkansans, and they need us more than ever before. — Brian Marsh, president & CEO

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business or community partner whose support expands Goodwill’s impact across Arkansas. In addition, attendees will be treated to some inspirational testimonials from individuals who have benefited from the organization’s programs and services, of which LutherChapman has many to choose. Stories of hope and renewal abound at the Goodwill campus, tales of lives changed, families strengthened and brighter futures, people who have stumbled but refused to fall and those who have fallen but refused to stay down — people like Christine Porter. “Addiction didn’t just make me lose the physical sense of everything. I really lost who I was as a person. I truly believed that there would never be a day that I wasn’t a user,” she said. “I remember telling my family once, ‘Just leave me in [jail] because when I get out, I’m just going to do the same thing. I’m going to die over this.’ They were like, ‘Absolutely not,’ and they worked it out to where I could get out and get the help that I needed. “When I was accepted into the TEO program at Goodwill, it was a means to an end. Like honestly, I just needed something, anything. It turned into a way that I could finally contribute to society rather than taking away from it and taking away from my family. For the first time in a long time, I felt proud, you know?” As for that fateful phone call, Porter, who had been promoted to receptionist and now serves as office manager at Goodwill’s Excel Center, got the ruling she had waited so long for, allowing her son to move back in with her in time to start his senior year of high school. It was the first time, she said, that she felt the future was not foretold by her past mistakes, destined to be repeated. “I found out he was going to come home to live with me while I was at work,” she said. “I was surrounded by my coworkers, and I just fell to my knees. I was like, ‘I got him. He’s coming home,’ and every single person at Goodwill, my managers, my reentry specialists, they just fell on top of me, hugging me and celebrating with me, and you know what? It was the day that I turned a year sober. “To have someone know the truth about you and celebrate you anyway, that’s what Goodwill gave me, and it’s a phenomenal feeling that’s so hard to put words to. It’s just amazing.”

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(Photo by Jane Colclasure)

FEATURE

Beauty ‘n’ Boots MEET THE UNSINKABLE MARSHA MARTIN, A BONA FIDE ARKANSAS SUCCESS STORY By Dwain Hebda

or someone who does not do a lot of interviews, Marsha Martin is getting a lot of attention these days. Thanks to a flamboyant sense of style and some strategically placed courtside seats at Razorback basketball games, Martin is recognized nearly everywhere she goes. While no shrinking violent, she is constantly surprised by the recognition. “It’s pretty interesting,” she said. “When we were in Portland at the basketball games last year, people from California, everywhere, came up to me and went, ‘You’re the Blonde in Boots!’ I’m like, ‘What?’ “We just went to the Bahamas to the ball games, and we were laughing about it. People came up to me, and they were like, ‘Can we get our picture made with you, please, please?’ I’m like, ‘Of course you can.’ I’m thinking, ‘I’m just an ordinary person, right? I’m no different than they are — except I’m the Blonde in Boots now.’” There are many adjectives by which one may try, futilely, to describe Martin to the outside world. Subtle is not one of them. The Missouri native makes a statement wherever she goes, favoring bright colors and flashy footwear in her attire, crowned by a 24-carat smile and all tied up with a bow of signature blonde tresses. Yet what speaks louder than all of that is her presence, a sonic boom of confidence and personality that lays waste to anything within her field of

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vision, especially negatively, excuses or a hint of the idea that she is being underestimated. A self-made phenomenon, hers is the kind of entrepreneurial success story all dream of writing, but few have the sand to jot the first sentence. In a word, whenever Martin walks into a room, success follows. “Growing up, I was in Girl Scouts, and I stayed in Girl Scouts all the way through high school,” she said. “Selling those cookies, I was really competitive. I wanted to sell the most cookies because if you sold a certain amount of cookies, you got to go to camp, and I wanted to go to that two-week camp. At that point, I learned you’ve got to get out, you’ve got to meet people, you’ve got to give them a sales pitch, and you’ve got to earn your way. “My parents encouraged us. If we wanted to try it, they were happy to let us try it. My dad would take me down to the courthouse, drop me off, and I’d go around and sell Girl Scout Cookies. I learned really early on that your success depended on what you put into something.” Martin’s parents not only encouraged these qualities in their seven children, of which she falls squarely in the middle; they lived lives that quashed most excuses their brood might have otherwise hid behind rather than succeed. “Both of my parents were very strong. There was

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FEATURE nothing they couldn’t do,” she said. “My dad had one arm. He lost his arm in a sawmill when he was 14 years old, and he played baseball with Mickey Mantle and went to the Boston Red Sox training camp, which is where he got his money to go to college. He later became a politician. “My mother was equally strong willed. She had seven children, was married to a politician, and she worked full time for 40 years at a job. When my grandparents had their 50th wedding anniversary, they’re putting it all together, and my mother’s like, ‘Well, those cakes are just too expensive for us to buy,’ so she made this massive cake, like a wedding cake, and all the sheet cakes that went with it. She just sat down and learned how to make the frosting roses that go on the cake — never did it before, just figured it out. After that, people started calling her to make wedding cakes, and so my mother’s now in the cake business.” Martin’s upbringing invested in her a certain confidence and expectation for success that was not always given to girls

cafeteria we all ate in, and when I say cafeteria, that room was not more than probably 12 feet wide by 20 feet long where we went to eat a lunch that we brought from home. You know, he wasn’t Sam Walton, the icon that we know today. He drove an old pickup truck. He talked to everybody and was encouraging to everyone. “The thing I remember most is he was passionate about the business, and that passion really spilled over into everyone who worked for him. You had to be accountable. The store associates were important, and everything was about helping those store associates because, ultimately, they were selling the merchandise, so it was about making sure you took care of all of your associates no matter what their job was.” Unbeknownst to her at the time, the lessons she learned during her Walmart days were staking down the skills that would prove essential to her as-yet unrealized career turn as an entrepreneur. That chapter opened when her husband, Marty, came home one day from his job at a beauty distributorship.

I had to give myself permission to succeed from the very start because the beauty industry was predominantly controlled by men. — Marsha Martin of her generation. Small wonder, then, that she walked right off the high school graduation stage and straight south across the Missouri border to the door of a promising retail operation in Arkansas called Walmart. “I was going to go to Kilgore, Texas, and be a Kilgore Rangerette, and the plans changed,” she said. “My dad said, ‘Just sit out, and you can go to the University of Missouri next semester,’ My business teacher called me when she found out and said, ‘Why don’t you go to Walmart’s corporate office and see my husband? He runs HR there.’ I went to see him, and he put me to work in the buying office. “It was a really small place back then. That was in 1977, and I don’t even remember the store count. It was small, nothing like it is today, but anyway, I went to work there, and I fell in love with retail, and I ended up staying.” Of course, the job did more than pay the bills and feed her soul; it also put her in direct contact with one of the greatest business minds the world had ever known, founder Sam Walton. Asked what it was like to have such unfettered access to the man himself, Martin shrugged, saying she remembered him as more Sam than Sam Walton. ‘He was just an ordinary guy,” she said. “He ate in the same

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“He said there was a gentleman who came to the office and he wanted to sell his product to Walmart and other retailers, but he didn’t know how,” Martin said. “He also needed help with packaging because he sold to salons, and it was, like, things you just pick up in the beauty supply store that didn’t peg on the wall. He said, ‘Would you help the guy?’ and I said, ‘Sure,’ so I started working with a local graphic designer, helping the gentleman with his packaging, then took it to Walmart and got 4 feet of product in.” All seemed poised for success until the man called Martin to say he did not have the money for raw materials and therefore could not meet the production schedule to fill the space she had secured. “I was like, ‘Oh, no, no. You have to ship. We have a reputation there. We’re not going to let you ruin it,’” she said. “I called our attorney, Sam Hilburn, and said, ‘We have a situation.’” Martin and her attorney, now deceased, caught a plane to the West Coast to iron out the matter in person, only to discover they had just scraped the tip of the iceberg. “We get there, and the IRS is padlocking his doors,” she said. “Sam, being the good ol’ boy from Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, talks the IRS agent into giving us 120 days because we had the Walmart

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FEATURE orders, and we promised that we would try to get them paid if we could make a deal, whereas if they locked the guy up, they were going to get nothing. So now we’ve got past the IRS, we got into the building, and we’re going to negotiate with the guy.” At that, Martin pumped the brakes on what was undoubtedly the most colorful part of the story. Suffice it to say, the Arkies played hardball. “I really can’t tell you what happened,” she said, “but when we departed three days later, I owned a nail care company. That’s all I’m going to say.” Guided by her own retail instincts and a bone-deep commitment to succeed, Martin drove Onyx Brands into an unqualified success story. She had spent nine months at cosmetology school while pregnant with her eldest child, and that orientation gave her the ability to speak the language of the beauty consumer, as well as ask questions that helped her learn what she did not know. The rest of it just came down to plain and simple grit. “I had to give myself permission to succeed from the very start because the beauty industry was predominantly controlled by men,” she said. “My husband worked with me in the business, and I will tell you, there were men at times who would call my husband, and he would say, ‘You need to talk to her.’ Really early on in the business, I had to fight my way through. “I had these big companies in New York, and they had their attorneys who were like, ‘This is just a little girl in Arkansas. We’ll knock her product off, and she’ll be gone,’ so I realized, as a female, I really had to push to be taken seriously and earn respect. I was fortunate that Sam [Hilburn] was right there. He was a fighter for me, but if you’re trying to build a business, it’s about you. The days are long, and you’ve got to be strong.” By the time Martin sold a majority stake in the company in 2021, Onyx Brands had become a leading supplier of branded beauty and personal care products sold through Target, Meijer, Dollar General, TJ Maxx and, of course, Walmart. Success has rewarded Marsha and Marty handsomely, and they, in turn, have given back to numerous charitable causes, as well as the athletics program at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. In 2023, they donated $5 million, an unrestricted gift that had

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coaches throughout the department scrambling over it, which ultimately secured naming rights to the University of Arkansas Basketball Performance Center. That brings the story back to the Blonde in Boots, a character that grew out of head basketball coach John Calipari calling with a proposition. “Coach Cal called me up and said, ‘Hey, I’m going to do these courtside seats, and they’re going to be different than the courtside seats you have on the other side,’” she said. “I was like, ‘Coach, I like the seats I have. There’s nothing wrong with them.’

Marsha and Marty Martin courtside in Bud Walton Arena. (Arkansas Athletics)

He was like, ‘No, you don’t understand. You’re going to be right on the court, and you’re going to sit next to the opposing coach, and I want you to intimidate them.’ I was like, ‘Got it.’ “Well, I wore boots because I like boots, and once I got on camera, that’s where the Blonde in Boots got started. Marty laughs about it. He says ‘She’s so famous, we need to get her her own security.’” Martin’s courtside experience further demonstrates the very different world in which she circulates, one largely of her own creation, built on a refusal to be just one of the herd. Be it managing her real estate portfolio, her latest career venture, or needling opposing coaches, she proves there is no hill too tall to climb, provided one has the right shoes for it. “It’s been interesting down there, courtside,” she said. “I will say, you get to hear everything the players are saying and the coaches are saying. You’re literally in the game. It’s a great place to be. “One time, I won’t say which coach, but a coach asked me, ‘What’s in your cup?’ and I said, ‘Champagne.’ He said, ‘Can you get me a Scotch?’ After halftime, we were beating them significantly, and he said, ‘Can you make it a double?’ I was like, ‘I don’t know. Let me ask.’ It’s been a lot of fun.”

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needed its own flag and, maybe on certain days, its own state. I was kidding, obviously, but there was truth behind the joke. Bentonville feels like its own world. There is an energy and a confidence about the place that is difficult to explain until you have experienced it. People do not walk around wondering whether something great might happen next; there is an expectation that something great will happen next. That fascinated me because Bentonville is not located near an ocean. It does not have mountains towering over downtown. It was not handed some natural geographic advantage that destined it to become one of America’s most talked-about small cities. This happened in Arkansas, and if it happened here, I wanted to understand why. The bigger question is not what Bentonville has accomplished; the bigger question is what the rest of Arkansas can learn from it. Of course, we have to begin with Walmart and the Walton family because trying to explain modern northwest Arkansas and all that has happened there without mentioning them would be impossible. Walmart created extraordinary economic opportunities, attracted talent and businesses from around the world, and helped establish an economic engine with an influence that reaches far beyond Arkansas. As the family behind the remarkable company, the Waltons’ investments and philanthropy have helped transform the region through art, trails, outdoor recreation, education and quality-of-life initiatives that would be remarkable in a city many times Bentonville’s size. Yet even after giving that element its due — and make no mistake, investment is key — I kept coming back to one central thought: Money cannot possibly be the entire answer. There are wealthy families all over America. There are wealthy people throughout Arkansas. There are cities with major corporations, foundations and significant resources that

BENTONVILLE’S

BLUEPRINT What the home of Walmart taught me about believing bigger By Heather Baker

have traveled all over Arkansas, and after nearly three decades in the media business, I have had the privilege of meeting some of the most successful, interesting and influential people in our state. I have watched communities reinvent themselves, businesses grow from ideas into institutions and leaders change the trajectory of entire cities. There is plenty to be proud of, to be sure, but every time I go to Bentonville, I leave asking myself the same question: What in the world are they doing differently? Is it Walmart? Is it the Walton family? Is it the money? Is it Crystal Bridges, the trails, the restaurants, the art, the architecture, the entrepreneurs and the seemingly endless investment? Or is there something happening beneath all of that, something you cannot necessarily put on a balance sheet but can absolutely feel when you walk down the street? On my most recent trip, I joked that Bentonville almost

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have not experienced anything resembling Bentonville’s transformation. Money can purchase land and construct buildings, but it cannot manufacture pride. It can fund a museum, but it cannot guarantee people will feel connected to it. It can build a trail, but it cannot create a culture. At some point, somebody has to take resources and turn them into a shared vision. That is how my conversation with Kalene Griffith, president and CEO of Visit Bentonville, changed the way I looked at the story. Griffith told me that 20 years ago, people outside northwest Arkansas often reduced Bentonville’s success to one word: Walmart. While there is no question Walmart and the investments of the Walton family and Walton Family Foundation fundamentally changed the region, she said what outsiders sometimes miss is the growth of the past two decades was not passive. It was intentional. Investments were deliberately made in trails, art, outdoor recreation and quality-of-life experiences because there was a belief that the people working there deserved an extraordinary hometown to come home to. That is a fundamentally different philosophy than simply saying, “We created jobs.” It is saying instead, “We are going to create a place where people want to build their lives.” Think about the difference: A paycheck can bring someone to a city. Quality of life can make them stay.

Heather Baker and her goldendoodle Charlie Brown. (Photo by Ryan Parker)

That idea may explain more about northwest Arkansas than any economic development statistic ever could. Young professionals began seeing the region not simply as somewhere they could find a job but somewhere they could imagine a future. Success started attracting success, and investment started attracting investment. Eventually, momentum became part of the culture itself.

The Walmart Museum on the downtown square, left, and the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. (Photos provided by Visit Bentonville)

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Mayors, city leaders and When you widen the lens delegations from beyond Benacross the country are tonville, you begin to see an coming there specifically entire ecosystem. Walmart to study what is transformed retail. J.B. Hunt happening. helped transform

transportation and logistics. Tyson Foods grew from Arkansas roots into a global food company. Suppliers came, entrepreneurs followed, restaurants opened, artists arrived, startups launched, and families relocated. Another resource, aptly applied by Bentonville, also cannot simply be purchased: people who know how to work together. Griffith described it in a way I have not stopped thinking about: Bentonville’s organizations — the city, Visit Bentonville, the chamber, schools, private investors, corporations, nonprofits and foundations — are essentially riding on the same bus, where everyone has a seat. Sometimes one organization drives; sometimes another does. The seats change depending on the initiative, but the important thing is that the bus keeps moving in the same direction. For more than 20 years, community leaders have gathered

regularly, weekly for much of that time and now twice a month, to discuss what is happening, what is coming and where support is needed. Bentonville’s strategy even became the framework for regional success as other communities followed suit internally and with each other. A win for one became a win for all, That sounds simple until you consider how uncommon it can be. How many communities have talented people doing great work while everyone operates independently? How many opportunities are lost because organizations compete for recognition instead of collaborating for results? How many transformative ideas never happen because someone is more interested in whose name appears at the top than what actually gets accomplished? Sam Walton understood the power of teams when he built Walmart, and the principle is just as powerful when applied to communities. Individuals can accomplish extraordinary things, but aligned people can transform places. That alignment is evident in the way Bentonville tells its story too. Griffith and her teammate Alison Nation, who helps lead that storytelling and marketing effort, are not simply selling hotel rooms or promoting attractions; they are communicating an identity. When I asked Griffith what she wants visitors to feel before they leave Bentonville, she did not give me a tourism statistic. She said she wants them to feel genuinely welcome, to recognize the pride residents have in what they built, and to leave with an experience they still talk about months later. Apparently, people are talking. Mayors, city leaders and delegations from across the country are coming there specifically

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, left, and Oven and Tap. (Photos provided by Visit Bentonville)

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to study what is happening. Griffith told me Bentonville has hosted representatives from six cities already this year and more than 30 visiting communities over the past several years. They study development, programming, placemaking and storytelling, trying to understand what pieces they can take home. That might be one of the greatest compliments any city could receive. People are not simply visiting Bentonville anymore; they are studying it. Griffith told me something else that struck me: A glowing visitor review is wonderful, but that is not necessarily the ultimate measure of success. The real victory comes when leaders leave Bentonville inspired enough to return home and attempt something bold in their own communities. Bentonville did not set out simply to become a great destination; it became a place capable of making other communities believe they can do it too. As I listened to Griffith speak, the narrative stopped being a Bentonville story. I realized it was an Arkansas story. Arkansas has wealth. Arkansas has corporations. Arkansas has foundations. Arkansas has successful entrepreneurs, family businesses and individuals who have accumulated tremendous resources. We also have communities desperate for investment, young people searching for reasons to stay, downtowns waiting for another chapter and entrepreneurs waiting for somebody to believe in them. That makes me wonder what could happen if more successful Arkansans began asking a different question. Instead of asking, “What can I get from the community where I live?” what if we all asked, “What can I leave behind?” What could you build today that would still matter 50 years from now? Could you help revitalize a downtown block? Invest in entrepreneurs? Create a park? Support public art? Help build trails? Preserve a historic building? Mentor a young business owner? Invest in education? More holistically, what if each of us worked to create something so compelling that talented 25-year-olds decide they do not have to leave Arkansas to build the life they want? That is the part of Bentonville’s story I want every leader in Arkansas to think about. I am not suggesting Helena-West Helena should become Bentonville or that Little Rock, Jonesboro, El Dorado, Fort Smith, Pine Bluff or Hot Springs should try to mimic everything that exists in north-

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west Arkansas. They should not. Every Arkansas community has its own history, assets, personality and opportunity. Arkansas does not need another Bentonville. Arkansas needs every community to become the very best version of itself. Every community in this great state can absolutely borrow Bentonville’s belief system: Think bigger than the next quarter; invest in quality of life as aggressively as economic development; collaborate instead of competing for credit; and understand that sometimes your organization drives the bus, and sometimes your job is to sit in another seat and help while someone else drives. That is leadership. Perhaps the most important thing Bentonville taught me is that transformation does not begin when the money arrives. Transformation begins when enough people agree that something better is possible and then decide they are willing to build it together. The money matters. The companies matter. The philanthropy matters. The foundations matter. The civic leaders matter. The entrepreneurs matter. Yet for all that, what makes those ingredients most powerful is alignment: People investing in the same place, believing in the same possibilities and understanding that someone else’s success does not diminish their own. I left Bentonville inspired but also a little challenged. Once you have seen what is possible, it is difficult to accept the argument that things simply have to remain the way they have always been. Somewhere in Arkansas right now is a community with incredible potential. Somewhere is an entrepreneur with an idea that could change a downtown. Somewhere is a business leader capable of making an investment that could affect generations. Somewhere is a mayor trying to convince people to believe bigger. Most importantly, somewhere there is a young Arkansan deciding whether his or her future lies here or somewhere else. Maybe that is why Bentonville matters far beyond northwest Arkansas. It gives us proof: proof that investment matters, proof that quality of life matters, proof that collaboration matters, proof that leadership matters, and proof that when enough people believe in a place and are willing to put their time, talent, resources and reputations behind that belief, a community can change its trajectory. Arkansas does not need 100 Bentonvilles; it needs 100 communities willing to believe they can become extraordinary in their own way. It starts with something as simple — and as difficult — as getting everybody on the same bus. That is why I no longer ask why Bentonville is different. I am asking a much bigger question: Who is next?

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For All Seasons

Baldwin Empire Services invests in keeping people comfortable By Doug Crise

obby Baldwin was more than ready to forge his own path. “I worked for Tyson Foods for 10 years and learned industrial refrigeration,” Baldwin said. “I had roughly 18,000 hours of refrigeration experience before they shut the plant down.” Baldwin had other offers on the table that would allow him to continue with the company at different locations, but he also had a lifetime’s worth of experience already under his belt, which left him wondering if he could do better. “I decided to pursue my own HVACR refrigeration license,” said Baldwin, who did just that in December 2023. As soon as he saw his test results, Baldwin made a beeline for home and his wife, Rebekah — not necessarily to celebrate but to plot his next move. He had an idea he could not shake. “I told Rebekah we were starting an HVAC company,” Baldwin said. “That was almost three years ago.” It is safe to say Baldwin’s plunge into running a business of his own has paid off. Based in North Little Rock, Baldwin Empire Services has wasted little time in establishing itself as a leader in a crowded field of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration installations and repairs. What began as an idea and a risk has, over three short years, blossomed into a full offering of residential and commercial HVAC solutions, along with irrigation services and even certified reduced pressure zone, or RPZ, testing, which helps prevent drinking water backflow contamination

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Rebekah Baldwin

and ensures compliance with state water regulations. With Rebekah working alongside him as an office manager — “My wife is the best decision the company ever made,” Baldwin said — Baldwin has assembled and grown a staff that possesses the proper credentials plus so much more. One must only step outside on practically any day in Arkansas to appreciate the importance of proper temperature control. Whether it is a homeowner whose air conditioning suddenly fails during the summer, a business needing heat on a winter day or even a restaurant needing immediate refrigeration help, Baldwin’s highly trained technical staff is there to properly fix the problem with a sense of urgency and respect. After all, when something like air conditioning breaks down, time can be of the essence. “Customer service always comes first with us,” Baldwin said. “It’s just showing up, communicating clearly, identifying the problem, coming up with a solution fast, and explaining options and doing our job.” All those factors harken back to the center of Baldwin’s philosophy: Do the job right the first time, and fix the core problem the first time. Allowing an issue to continuously persist is a shortcut to ensuring plenty of repeat customers, but it is a practice that can do lasting damage to a company’s reputation. Like most any business owner, Baldwin loves longtime customers, but if a problem can be fixed more or less permanently, that will always be the Baldwin Empire Services way of doing things. “I think it’s about transparency,” Baldwin said. “We approach all of our customers like we’re building a relationship, to leave them with some kind of value.” When Baldwin issues those kinds of edicts, he does not do so from the comfort of a desk and a closed office door. He is much more comfortable as someone who leads and teaches by example. Even if they are already certified in their areas of expertise, technicians who work for Baldwin go through rigorous in-house training to make sure they are ready for any sort of job, and that includes the people aspect. “I train all of my technicians firsthand,” Baldwin said. “It starts with me. It’s leading by example. How can I create that atmosphere that I strive for with our business? Customer service 144

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BALDWIN’S PHILOSOPHY:

is the top priority in our training within the first 90 days. We go over leadership programs. We have a weekly meeting on what we can work on, what we can do better and what we’re best at. What we do is, we find our technicians’ best attributes, and we place them in the right position where they will stand out the best and work the best.” With that foundation laid, Baldwin turns to another key aspect of his business, equipment and technology. Befitting someone with 18,000 hours of refrigeration experience, Baldwin likes to know what sort of emerging technology can make jobs easier and more efficient for his technicians. If plowing company profits into new materials means problems get fixed quicker and better, Baldwin is all in. “The industry is changing daily as far as technology and

• Do the job right the first time. • Fix the core problem the first time.

The Baldwin team. (Photo provided by Baldwin Empire Services)

tools,” Baldwin said. “I’m a big proponent of all the top tech tools that make our guys’ jobs easier. We pay the [higher] price for that, of course, but it also helps us give quality solutions.” Yet some of the best solutions, Baldwin has found, have little to do with what new tools may be on the market. It starts with simply picking up the phone. Baldwin Empire Services hangs its hat on communication, and customers are promised immediate contact with a real person upon calling. That may sound like a little thing, but a customer dealing with something like a faulty heater is likely already having a rough day. Getting direct support and communication, even before a technician arrives at the worksite, goes an incredibly long way in establishing trust and credibility. Because of that, Baldwin admitted that he keeps a particular ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

eye on his company’s growth. Most entrepreneurs love scaling up, and Baldwin is no exception, but he wants to keep Baldwin Empire Services nimble enough that customers and employees can see the person behind the name. After all, Baldwin is still the same person who spent so many years working as a refrigeration technician. He said he still enjoys an active part of the process, and he cannot imagine a future in which he oversees Baldwin Empire Services from a comfortable distance. “With a lot of these bigger refrigeration or HVAC companies, [customers] don’t get to see the owner,” Baldwin said, “but with me personally, in this smaller business, they get to see Baldwin. They get to see Bobby. I introduce myself whether I’m handing their account off to an account manager or a lead technician. It doesn’t matter. They know me. They know who we are.” 1 45

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Family ties bring Argentine gin from Spanish shores to Arkansas stores By Mak Millard

ownward trends in alcohol consumption paired with high prices shredding the average consumer’s budget have made an even tighter squeeze for labels attempting to capture attention and sales. That is to say nothing of the market for gin in a Southern state with a traditional preference for whiskey. Now imagine being a new-to-theUSA brand attempting to make headway almost exclusively in Arkansas. For Buenos Aires Gin, a London Dry formulated in Argentina and distilled in Spain, the Natural State seemed like an unlikely landing spot. Indeed, it was not data, marketing strategies or emerging customer trends that got the internationally acclaimed spirit to the United States. It was born-and-raised Arkansan, Tom Jones. “The only reason that I’m involved with Buenos Aires Gin at all is my son-inlaw makes it,” he said. Jones is an unlikely gin hawker. Retired from a 30-year career in environmental services, Jones had no alcohol industry expertise to speak of, virtually no sales experience and a negative opinion about gin besides. His daughter, Elizabeth, met her husband-to-be, Agustín García, during a college study-abroad trip to Buenos Aires. The pair later moved from Argentina to Valencia, Spain, and García was asked by his friends, Buenos Aires Gin creators Bruno and Franco Moretti, to help bring their award-winning product to the European country. “That was in 2019, which was an even worse year to start anything, right at the start of COVID[-19],” Jones said, “so we did not see Elizabeth and Agustín for two and a half years. They could not get out; we couldn’t get in.” By the time the couple were finally able to visit the United States again in 2022,

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García had gotten the distillery’s Spanish operations up and running. There was still one problem, however. Jones’ son-in-law wanted him to actually try the stuff. “I told my wife, ‘How am I going to tell him I don’t like his gin?’ [and] she said, ‘Oh, you’ll figure it out,’” Jones said. “Before he left, he’s got me drinking it on ice with a little squeeze of lime.” It certainly helps that Buenos Aires Gin is no run-of-the-mill spirit, as evidenced by Jones’ conversion experience. He explained that part of the secret to the gin’s ability to convince skeptics lies in its citrus finish. He has even gotten to try his hand, during a visit to his daughter and son-in-law going the other way, at peeling some of the Valencia oranges used at the Spanish distillery. “It’s a great product,” Jones said. “That’s what sells it.” Buenos Aires Gin got its start in 2016 as a side project for the Argentinian Moretti brothers. Bruno was an engineer by day, while Franco was a molecular biologist, and both were musicians and artists by night. Distillería Moretti was one of the South American country’s first microdistilleries. While the Morettis’ gin stays true to the unmistakable juniper notes that characterize a London Dry, it does not overpower the other carefully selected botanicals helping it stand apart from the lineup of more juniper-forward drinks. “Those two guys didn’t set out really to do anything with their gin,” Jones said. “They had their careers going, they played in a band that they had, and they decided they wanted to make some gin one day, so they got a still and fiddled around until they got a formula they liked.” That formula has already proven a great success outside of the United States. The gin took bronze at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2019 and was named Best Contemporary Gin at the 2020 World

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SMALL BUSINESS the liquor store — and especially going into a big liquor store, Gin Awards. 2024 saw the gin earn silver both from the World [where] they’re going to buy 25 cases of Tito’s and 25 cases of Jack Gin Awards — making it the second-best-rated London Dry gin Daniel’s and all this stuff — I’m not pushing one case of gin, in Spain — as well as from USA Spirits Ratings. right?” Jones said. “It took me a while to learn that.” “It’s a good product, so that’s the greatest thing about it,” Jones Maumelle Wine & Spirits was the first liquor store in the said. “I could talk to you in my nicest, kindest voice and tell you state to buy Buenos Aires Gin, Jones said, and three years on, wonderful things about it, but if you don’t like it, you’re not gohe estimated the product is in 22 liquor stores ing to buy it.” throughout central Arkansas and seven resBack in 2022, having been persontaurants across Little Rock. ally sold on the quality of Buenos AiSomehow, I got the “I started reading as much as I could read res Gin, Jones inquired of García about about it, trying to figure it out, talking to peothe brand’s potential ambitions in the most diligent federal ple,” Jones said. “I really had a lot of help from United States, but there was nothing employee of all time the distributor level. Those guys have been concrete at that point. Jones then contacted an attorney friend with industry — and luck counts — great in that they’ve helped me out and they’ve taken our product. I’m not a blip on their radar know-how, curious about how long but on Jan. 3, 2023, screen as far as sales go, but their it might take someone to get an imI get an email that salespeople have been good. porter’s license. The expert’s answer: It The people that have really would be an arduous, 18-or-so-month says, ‘Hey, helped me the most have process with myriad hoops to jump you have an been the store owners and through. importer’s the restaurateurs.” Still, with time on his hands and a He has been working family connection to boot, Jones dedilicense.’ the northwest Arkansas cated to give it a shot. — Tom Jones market, as well, where “eight “I was literally sitting at home on or nine” liquor stores sell Dec. 14, 2022. I don’t know what I was Buenos Aires Gin and, most doing, but I thought, ‘OK, I’m just gorecently on the restaurant ing to get online and look at the webfront, 21c Museum Hotel in site,’” he said. “I got on there, and they had a little form that you Bentonville. fill out. I filled it all out and sent it in that same day, not really “It’s much harder to get in a thinking much about it. restaurant than a liquor store,” “Somehow, I got the most diligent federal employee of all Jones said. “A liquor store can buy a bottle and put it on their time — and luck counts — but on Jan. 3, 2023, I get an email that shelf, and somebody may come by and pick it up, may not. The says, ‘Hey, you have an importer’s license.’” restaurant’s got to make money every drink they pour. There were still plenty of details to hammer out both before Thanks to other connections, Buenos Aires Gin has also and after those first 100 cases of Buenos Aires Gin landed at the made its way to two spots south of the Arkansas border, Cuban port in Houston. Various hurdles included getting the labels and Liquor & Wine Co. in Shreveport, Louisiana and L’Auberge Caformula details cleared with federal regulators, as well as learnsino & Hotel in Baton Rouge. ing at the very last moment about yet one more certification “As far as grandiose plans, I don’t have any grandiose plans,” needed before Jones could store the liquor in an Arkansas wareJones said. “We haven’t conquered Arkansas yet.” house. Eventually, Jones was able to connect with longstanding While tasters from South America to Europe have long enLittle Rock outfit Moon Distributors. joyed the handiwork of Distillería Moretti, the path to sipping “I’ve never had to sell anything in my life, and it’s just been stateside still runs through Arkansas, all thanks to a fateful colfun to have to learn something completely new, picking up a lege romance, a pioneering pair of brothers and an invested brand-new skill,” Jones said. father-in-law spreading the word one pour at a time. The initial shipment arrived in September 2023. While the “I’ve gotten to meet some really cool people,” Jones said. “You backing of the team at Moon Distributors has been crucial for can’t tell by what the person looks like, by what clothes they getting through the many doors, much of the business has been have on, by their mastery of the King’s English, whether they’re drummed up by Jones himself. He typically spends hours on going to buy gin or whether they’re not. I’ve had guys that came Fridays and Saturdays doing tastings at different liquor stores, in straight off of the road crew try the gin and like it. I’ve had not to mention trying to get in front of the right people at restauthem take their bottle of bourbon back and buy the gin, which rants and bars throughout the week. is always really cool. You never know, so anybody that walks by “I would say that most of it is me going into the store and sellme when I’m in a liquor store, I’m trying it all.” ing it because if I’m the brand rep or the salesperson going into

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Out of NWA Growth Emerges —

A DODO NFL’s Cooper Kupp attached to region’s latest coffee enterprise By Mark Carter | Photos provided by Dodo Coffee Co.

orthwest Arkansas has emerged over the past quarter-century as one of the nation’s consistent hot spots for growth. Its status as home to several Fortune 500 firms, led by the big three of Walmart, Tyson Foods and J.B. Hunt, has helped fuel remarkable growth. From a regional population of roughly 137,000 in 1970, when travelers wishing to visit Fayetteville from points south had to choose from a pair of two-lane, serpentine slithers of asphalt snaking through the rugged Boston Mountains, northwest Arkansas now is home to more than 620,000 people. Projections call for the region to overtake central Arkansas in population by 2050. Much of the growth has been fueled by Walmart vendors setting up shop in Bentonville — and the addition of a four-lane interstate connecting Fayetteville and Alma did not hurt. Expats from California, the Midwest and beyond have descended on northwest Arkansas in droves, and the cultural amenities necessary to make them feel right at home have followed. Dodo Coffee opened its first standThat includes coffee. The region had already launched a challenger alone location recently in Fayetteville. to Starbucks in 7 Brew, as well as the renowned Onyx Coffee Lab, and

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now a relatively new player in town, Dodo Coffee Co., has opened a flagship Fayetteville location off Wedington Drive near the intersection with Interstate 49. Part of what sets Dodo apart is its ownership team includes NFL all-pro receiver Cooper Kupp of the Seattle Seahawks. Kupp and his wife, Anna, are natives of Washington state, but Anna’s parents, Veronica and Nathan Croskrey, and Anna’s sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Isaiah Ojeda, live in northwest Arkansas. Dodo, which was indeed named for the extinct bird, launched in 2024 out of a location on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near the University of Arkansas campus, but an imminent domain issue forced the founders to give up the location after about a year. However, a customer base had been created, and demand never abated. The popularity of Dodo’s mobile coffee trailer kept the company going. The recently christened flagship store and roaster, which entails about 700 square feet of dedicated barista space and 1,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space for customers with two wood-burning fireplaces, is located at 2568 W. McMillan Dr. next to Cross Church. Opened in late August, its hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dodo, which prides itself on its Pacific Northwest-style coffee, offers nationwide shipping of its beans, as well as a subscription service called the Flock, which delivers coffee to customers across the region — plus, of course, the region-roaming trailer. Kupp, meanwhile, is in Seattle preparing to help the Seahawks defend their Super Bowl LX title. Arkansas Money & Politics caught up with the two-time Super Bowl champ, all-pro and NFL Offensive Player of the Year via email to visit about the flagship store.

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Arkansas Money & Politics: Was northwest Arkansas always a focal point for the launch? Cooper Kupp: Dodo Coffee Co. had already existed in the NWA ecosystem for over two and a half years in one form or another. We love our community in NWA and always knew we wanted a flagship location where our story began. It has been a labor of love, and we can’t wait to see the ways it will serve our community. AMP: What distinguishes Dodo in a market that seems to really be growing? Cooper Kupp Kupp: The coffee industry is such a fun space to be a part of. It’s truly an industry where uniqueness is celebrated, and we all get to see each brands’ autonomy come to life, while the love of coffee holds us all together. At Dodo, we hold ourselves to an extremely high standard in all that we do. We are intentional about where we are sourcing our beans and approach roasting each lot with a curiosity of how that specific bean will shine best. It allows our community to experience coffee in a way that they may not have before while still being extremely approachable. AMP: Where are your farmers located? Kupp: The location of each bean is specified on its product page on our website and on the respective packaging. AMP: Which is harder — being an NFL receiver or an entrepreneur? Kupp: Passion is passion. I am fortunate to be able to experience both with amazing people by my side all working towards the same goal. AMP: Is coffee a business you always wanted to do? Kupp: My wife and I have always loved coffee. Our college years were fueled by niche coffee roasters in the Pacific Northwest [both attended Eastern Washington University], and that culture has stuck with us. AMP: Is Dodo the best coffee you have tasted? Kupp: Undoubtedly. Next question. AMP: What has been the biggest challenge and biggest reward for you in this endeavor? Kupp: Losing our initial building to imminent domain and pivoting to operating out of a trailer for a year and a half. It was amazing to watch the growth that was able to happen because of our ability to pivot and the mobility that our trailer gave us. AMP: What is next for Dodo? Kupp: Total world domination. AMP: Will the Seahawks repeat? Kupp: That’s the goal!

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WIRED DIFFERENTLY Cost, customer service key for Electrical Solutions of Central Arkansas

“We have five major suppliers we deal with, and what we do is we go and try to get at least three good prices, like anybody should for anything, and we negotiate the price as low as we can go,” he said. Although the company has grown at a rapid pace, he added that he works to keep overhead low by making as many calls as possible with minimal staff. The current headcount is eight. “I think we’ve got a good group of guys,” Isom said. “We try to hire only the best.” Welch said the staff are responsible for “99.9 percent” of the company’s success. “My staff sees more people a day than I would ever be able to see, so therefore, they are an extension of me and Blake, and we are very proud of our staff,” he said. “Our staff’s values and our values very much align, so we’re able to pass that along to the customer.” He added that he teaches staff members to listen to customers instead of telling them what their needs are to provide better service. Another key principle is safety before sales tactics.

By Sarah DeClerk // Photos by Jacob Slaton

hen a house needs electrical work, there is one question that runs through pretty much any owner’s mind: “How much is this going to cost?” Nathen Welch, co-owner of Electrical Solutions of Central Arkansas in North Little Rock with Blake Isom, said his company is focused on “providing a service, not a heart attack.” “Our goal was to offer superb service without the superb cost,” he said. “We’ve worked at large companies and decided that we were trying to lower the cost to the consumer.” The company started five years ago and serves residential and commercial properties across central Arkansas as far as Benton, Bryant, Hensley, Cabot, Ward, Austin, Vilonia and Conway. SE PT E M B E R 2 026

“We started this because we felt like we could do it better,” Isom said. “The price of everything nowadays, people can’t afford hardly anything. We want to give them good, quality work. I wouldn’t want to overpay for electrical work.” Rather than using a flat-rate system or price book, the company checks the price of everything, Welch said, which helps keep costs low for customers.

Blake Ison, left and Nathen Welch are co-owners of Electrical Solutions of Central Arkansas in North Little Rock. 150

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“Let’s stay if it was another company, they’re going to come in and say, ‘OK, I’m going to give you the ‘good, better, best option,’ right? We don’t do that. We just try to give them the best option at a lower price,” he said. “Some people use safety tactics as scaremongers to their customers to say, ‘Oh, well, you need to do this. This is dangerous.’ If we see something dangerous, we’re going to address it. We’re not going to walk away from it, but we’re not going to try to sell them something that’s not important at that time.” That is not to say that Electrical Solutions of Central Arkansas cannot equip homeowners with the latest bells and whistles. Welch said Arkansas has been slow to pick up on the smart home trend, largely because of the time and cost involved with the upgrades, but it is a growing market. “The world is moving at a constant pace, so it’s hard to settle in and say, ‘OK, I’m going to spend $5,000 to put smart devices all throughout my home,’” he said. “A lot of what we’ve done to help curb that is we build plans for them and say, ‘OK, here’s our base where we need to start.’ A lot of customers are like, ‘Hey, I’d like to go ahead and do this room and that room,’ so we’re able to help automate their home but not do it all at once. They can do it in bits and pieces, and I think that is what has helped in that aspect.” He added that safety standards have increased since he got into the business in 2000, including new methods of wiring and enhanced breaker systems. “Breakers have changed dramatically over the years. We now have breakers that are smart that can see safety issues way faster than the old, standard breakers could,” he said. “Our products have innovatively changed. We have better products from 26 years ago to now. The quality of products has changed dramatically.” After only five years in business, the company has already made an impression on its customers, this year being named Best Electrical Company by AY About You readers in “AY’s Best of 2026” ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

“Our goal was to offer superb service without the superb cost.” –Nathen Welch, co-owner Electrical Solutions of Central Arkansas

The team prides itself on maximizing value for customers while delivering top-notch service.

in June, as well as being included in “AY’s Innovative Home Awards” this month. The company was also nominated by Arkansas Money & Politics readers for “AMP’s Best of 2026,” the results of which will be published in November. Welch said the reason for the company’s success can be summed up in one word: honesty. “We’re honest. We’re not perfect. Everybody makes mistakes, right?” he said. “What we do is we try to give them the best option without any fluff. Really, we’re just a bunch of good guys who are trying to give people good service. We’re a service company, and without our customers, we don’t have a company. We treat everyone with respect.” The company gives back to the industry by nurturing young professionals through Associated Builders and 151

Contractors and helps out the community by assisting with food and clothing drives. That is in addition to the small ways staff work to make a difference for customers every day. Welch said that in five years, he would like to double the number of staff members to have an even greater impact on the community. He added that he also hopes to start a trend among electricians of prioritizing customers, whether at large corporations or mom-and-pops. “I think value can still be given with large companies, seeing that that’s where I came from,” he said. “My goal is to put customers first, not profit first.” Isom said his goals for the next five years are simple. “I just want to get into as many houses as possible and help as many people as I can,” he said. SE PTE M B E R 2026

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BACK AGAIN for the FIRST TIME

Brad Bolding (Photo by Jane Colclasure)

Brad Bolding returns to North Little Rock a changed man By Doug Crise

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rad Bolding was still young when he realized the sort of stakes he was really playing for. It was 1999, and once again, all the right doors were opening for him. He had landed at Greenwood High School as a defensive coordinator — a plum gig at one of Arkansas’ top football schools, right as then-coach Ronnie Peacock was running a no-back passing attack that would help revolutionize offensive football in Arkansas. Away from the field, at the urging of Peacock and his wife, Martina, Bolding had asked a bubbly former Greenwood cheerleader named Jana out for a movie date — Star Wars: Episode 1-The Phantom Menace — and the two quickly became an item. He burned with twin desires: the need to make his players better and the need to keep climbing the coaching ladder. A phone call made to Peacock, right in the midst of two-a-day practices under a blazing sun, ren-

dered every one of Bolding’s ambitions close to meaningless. Ryan Young, a well-liked member of the foot-

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ball team whose parents were active in the community, had taken his own life. Peacock and Bolding rushed to Ryan’s home. With his parents out of town, the two coaches were the first nonpolice personnel to walk inside. As the police went about their business, Bolding was struck by how so much chaos and so much pain could be roiling inside a young person without anyone ever catching on. Like many connected to such an event, Bolding fell into a maze of second guessing. Had he done enough? Had he made every effort to connect with the young man away from the football field? “That was the first thing in my mind when I was told,” Bolding said. It would be tidy and hopeful for Bolding to then say that his priorities for life and football were transformed — and they were, at least for a while — but time has a way of bevelling the past’s sharp edges, making what was once urgent and life changing little more than a memory. Sixteen years later, Bolding was a winning head coach at North Little Rock, one of Arkansas’ largest high schools, and while the awfulness of that afternoon in Greenwood never left him, it had made room for other things. Chief among them, Bolding said, was pride. “There was a time in my life,” Bolding readily admits now, “where I thought I was the guy who invented football. I thought, well, I’m just the greatest of all time.” Bolding knows that is the part that springs to the minds of some when his name pops up. At 57, he knows now what most learn eventually — pride often makes a messy exit when it leaves. “It’s amazing how that works,” Bolding said, “because I got fired.” Fired, bankrupt and divorced only to return to North Little Rock High, remarry Jana and refocus on becoming the sort of coach and sort of man who can be there for kids like Ryan, Bolding talks often about using football as a means of helping young people, so much so that it can sound disingenuous until one notices just how consistent he is with it.

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It is why he delivered a nonnegotiable order to his assistant coaches upon returning to North Little Rock: All coaches must schedule time to talk to their players about anything but football. It is why he retains the help of professional counselors who can be available to work with North Little Rock’s players on their mental health. “Personally, I have a father in my life,” said Priest Simpson, a junior linebacker/tight end/punter with the Charging Wildcats, “but Coach Bolding is a father figure and a strong male presence in the lives of a lot of young men. He’s not just teaching football. It’s life skills. It’s discipline. It’s brotherhood, communion.” So much has happened since that day in Greenwood, yet it is the day Bolding keeps replaying in his mind. “He’s had kids that he’s lost,” Jana Bolding said. “I saw how that had an impact on him, and it really emphasizes the fact that football is just a game, and the time you have with these kids is fleeting.” How did Bolding end up at a roofing supply company, spending two years wondering what had become of his life? Ego had a lot to do with it — his and others’. Hurt feelings and resentment? Check. But Bolding wants to make one thing clear: The fear of never coaching again did not hit him when he began the roofing gig. It hit him the very day he cleaned out his office and left North Little Rock for what surely was the final time. Coaches like to adopt a false modesty, claiming ball is all they know, but for Bolding? His hall-of-fame father, Buzz, coached at Magnolia, Cabot, Little Rock McClellan and others before a long tenure as Conway High School’s director of athletics. His older brother, Bobby, took three separate schools to the state championship game, one of only two Arkansas coaches to do so. The concept of a life outside football rarely occurred to Brad until it was too late. Bolding comes from a football family. (Photo by Jane Colclasure) SE PT E M B E R 2 026

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“The gym in Conway is named after my dad,” Bolding was for expenses incurred at the U.S. Army Allsaid. “He kind of set the standard of how we’re going to do American Combine Camp. Two days later, Peterson things as a family and as coaches. I learned early on how sent a second letter, claiming the check was actuimportant it was to be in the business for the right reasons.” ally for his expenses as a volunteer with the footIt began with a $600 check. In January 2013, Montez ball program. Peterson, the stepfather of blue-chip wide receiver KJ Bolding received a letter of termination under the Hill, joined the North Little Rock program as a volunteer Arkansas Teacher Fair Dismissal Act on Jan. 30. One and shortly thereafter, as is now a matter of public reweek later, North Little Rock announced it would forcord, received the $600 from feit more than 30 football the North Little Rock Athletic and basketball games from Foundation. Receipts showed the 2013-2014 academic purchases made at Hoggs year, including a boys It’s so much more to me Meat Market and Catering in basketball Class 7A state about the kids and how North Little Rock, along with championship. tires from Mayden Tire Co. in Bolding filed a lawsuit they end up being fathers Sherwood. One month later, in against the North Little or husbands. What are you March, Hill transferred from Rock School District the Bryant to North Little Rock, following April, alleging going to do in this society? eventually signing with Ohio the district delayed his terThat’s the stuff we really State. mination hearing in violaAlmost one year later, the tion of the fair dismissal harp on. I’m still old school. Charging Wildcats fell 42-10 act. A judge ruled Bolding I still coach hard, and you to Bentonville in the Class 7A failed to meet the burden semifinals. The following day, of proof, throwing out the can do that as long as they Nov. 29, 2014, Bolding wrote a suit and recommending know you care about them. Facebook post decrying what he reimburse the district he felt were disadvantages in for the $33,879 incurred in —Coach Brad Bolding the North Little Rock program court costs. Bolding’s marcompared to Bentonville and riage buckled under the other schools in northwest Arstress of lost finances and a kansas. Bolding said he took the post down 15 minutes very public court battle. With his coaching reputation later, but the damage had been done, and on Dec. 15, he damaged, he went to work for a roofing company in an received a letter of reprimand from the North Little Rock attempt to keep financially afloat. School District. Bolding said he was not looking to go down swingShortly thereafter, in January 2015, Bolding intering; he simply wanted to be transparent about what viewed for the head coaching position at Class 4A had happened. Nashville. Though Nashville carries the reputation “In this business, if you get fired for something and as one of Arkansas’ top small-school programs, roupeople don’t even know, they just assume it has sometinely competing for state championships, the inthing to do with a student or you did something horterview put further strain on Bolding’s relationships rific,” Bolding said. with his superiors. That same month, the North Little What Bolding underestimated was the public appeRock School District received notice of potential viotite for the story. Newspapers and local television alike lations for the use of an ineligible athlete, although covered his attempts to get his job back, and the Boldthat athlete was never formally identified. Meanwhile, ings’ three children, Anna, Kate and Brady, were old Peterson told the district in a letter that the $600 enough to know something had gone wrong.

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“It was hard,” Jana Bolding said. “I think Anna might ter Mitchell’s postchampionship departure, and the have been in fifth grade, and Kate was in third grade. You Charging Wildcats bottomed out at 0-10 in 2024. know, when most people go through a difficult time at When the call arrived from North Little Rock, Boldwork, no one else knows about it except maybe immediate ing was torn. He liked the school’s new director of family. It’s not something that everybody and their brother student-athlete development and academic engageand your community knows about.” ment, Wes Bilon. Anna and Kate had stayed on at The reminders of what he had and what he lost kept North Little Rock and were recent graduates, and coming. The Boldings had moved into a North Little Rock Brady was in seventh grade. On the flip side, Parkview subdivision in 2007, almost close enough to see the stadiwas reloaded, and Bobby Bolding had joined the proum lights on Fridays. Now it was just another example of gram as a defensive coordinator the season before. a life Brad hoped to get back. North Little Rock had meanHe had been worn down from years of serving both while convinced Coach Jamie Mitchell at Starkville High as a head football coach and athletic director at other School in Mississippi to make the move to Arkansas, and schools, and working for his brother recharged his two years after Bolding’s firing, football batteries. Mitchell won the state championJana was a bit more cirship Brad never could. cumspect. The two years afThat is when the call came from ter Brad’s firing were painful Little Rock’s Parkview High School. ones, even for someone who The Patriots had hardly made naturally sees the glass as half Coach Bolding is a father news since winning the 1978 state full. Anybody who had played title and had not made the playoffs a role in Brad’s dismissal had figure and a strong male since 2009. As Parkview’s basketeither left the school or retired, presence in the lives of a ball teams began regularly racking but Brad was also sitting on a up state championships under legperennial state champion that lot of young men. He’s not endary coaches Charles Ripley and showed few signs of slowing. just teaching football. It’s Al Flanigan, the football program “You’ve got to remember, toiled on a shabby practice field we just won three state chamlife skills. It’s discipline. It’s tucked in next to the school alongpionships in a row,” Jana said. brotherhood, communion. side a run-down fieldhouse. There “It’s really fun to be married to was no home stadium. a football coach when you’re — Priest Simpson, junior, To Bolding, it was like oxygen, winning.” Charging Wildcats and over the next eight seasons, Bolding’s hiring was anParkview would play football on nounced by the North Little a level rarely seen by a Little Rock Rock School District on Jan. public school. The Patriots would roll to three consecutive 17, 2025, and he quickly put the football team on notice. state championships starting in 2022. College coaches began “It was an immediate culture change,” Simpson making their way to Parkview at a rate never before seen, said. “There were polarizing differences between the and four players from Bolding’s 2024 season alone commitculture here and what he expected of us and what he ted to Power 4 schools. expected from the coaching staff. The standard was At times, Bolding was a tornado of activity, blowing raised as soon as he walked in the building.” through the Parkview program and improving the fieldThere were mentions of Bolding’s unceremonious house and practice facilities, inking a deal for the team to exit eight years before — but not as many as one would play home games at nearby War Memorial Stadium and suspect. All parties had truly moved on to other things, lavishing his players with new, flashy uniforms. North and Bolding’s unimpeachable run at Parkview cementLittle Rock, meanwhile, struggled to find an identity afed his reputation as one of the state’s best. Bobby, reju-

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Bolding and Wildcat players are ready to begin Chapter 2 in North Little Rock. (Photo provided)

venated after a season with his brother, stayed at Parkview to become the next head coach. Jana, who now appears on Brad’s phone with the ID “My One And Only,” fell back in love with North Little Rock, especially after Brad backed the 2025 team into the playoffs with a 3-8 record. All of that leaves Brad Bolding exactly who he was in the first place. Yes, there are more bells and whistles, including new football facilities and gorgeous new powderblue football uniforms with “Dogtown” in script just below the neck. Screens by the locker room flash with guides for proper diet and hydration, no aspect of the program left untouched. Bolding’s name is no longer tied to a court dispute — it is tied to wins, so much so that he is careful when discussing the outlook for the 2026 Charging Wildcats. “People are always asking how fast this turnaround is going to be,” Bolding said, “and it’s a great question. It’s a million-dollar question. I have to say, because of the unknown, I’m not God. I think that we’re going to make this happen faster than before.” If the new uniforms, new facilities and winning culture convince a kid to give football a try, even if it means rarely seeing the field, so be it. Bolding, though still manically

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competitive, has settled into being the kind of coach he had always planned to be after getting that phone call about Ryan. He thinks of him often. In the intervening years, Bolding has lost still more kids. “A lot of my kids have seen people murdered,” Bolding said. “They’ve not even lived a quarter of their life yet. Yeah, that bothers me. The streets are undefeated. They don’t lose.” Perhaps the best man to stand before all the risks and temptations facing kids is a man who understands loss, perhaps even embarrassment, a man who knows something they do not teach in school — that no matter how hard we strive to be the best version of ourselves, we can fail, sometimes spectacularly so. And sometimes the greatest act of heroism can simply be the rebuilding of a life. “It’s so much more to me about the kids and how they end up being fathers or husbands,” Bolding said. “What are you going to do in this society? That’s the stuff we really harp on. I’m still old school. I still coach hard, and you can do that as long as they know you care about them.”

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DIGS OF THE DEAL

Heights U.

her of Morris ll, left, and anot Ha ris or M of A postcard a 1920s. Byrne halls, circ Fitzgerald and

Before LRU and UA-Little Rock, there was Little Rock College By Mark Carter | Photos and images courtesy of DOLR and CALS

any central Arkansas residents likely know that the University of Arkansas at Little Rock existed as Little Rock University prior to it joining the UA system in 1957. Fewer likely know that the school was founded as Little Rock Junior College by the Little Rock School District in 1927. Fewer still likely know that for 23 years, from 1908 to 1930, the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock operated Little Rock College, a private, four-year institution of higher learning. Today, the site of the LRC campus — now known as St. John Catholic Center — serves as the diocese home. The Catholic college was established downtown but moved in 1916, along with DOLR’s Seminary of St. John the Baptist, to what was then known as Pulaski Heights, then its own incorporated city and Little Rock’s first suburb, sitting at the end of the city’s streetcar line, which ran along what is now West Markham Street and Kavanaugh Boulevard.

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The same year the diocese began establishing a new campus on 40 wooded, hilltop acres, Pulaski Heights was absorbed into the city of Little Rock. The prominent neighborhoods of Hillcrest and the Heights now make up what was once the city of Pulaski Heights. The downtown campus was bounded east to west by 25th — now Roosevelt Road — and 26th streets and north to south by Gaines and State streets. The move to the ‘burbs was initiated by Bishop John Morris, the college founder, to accommodate growth. A 2000 article in the DOLR’s Arkansas Catholic newspaper described the property as a “complete wilderness of pine, hickory and oak.” The first three buildings on campus were designed in the Gothic Revival style by noted national architect and Little Rock resident Frank M. Blaisdell, who also designed the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol. Still in use today, they were named for the diocese’s first bishops — Morris, Andrew Byrne and Edward Fitzgerald. Morris Hall still houses the grounds’ main chapel. Later buildings included a gymnasium, later turned into a dining hall; Fletcher 158

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DIGS OF THE DEAL Hall, originally used as a dormitory; and the McDonald Center, which now houses Catholic Charities of Arkansas. The college’s original course catalog listed courses in liberal arts, mechanics, chemistry, electricity, mineralogy, geology and astronomy. More courses were added after the move to Pulaski Heights, including philosophy, architecture and a premed program, as well as the U.S. Army’s Student Army Training Corps and ROTC programs. The picturesque front gate, also designed by Blaisdell, helps the grounds retain a distinct collegiate feel. “There are very, very few dioceses that have anything like this,” said Greg Wolfe, the diocese finance director. “They might have an office building; maybe they have an office building and a retreat center, if they’re really lucky. To have a former college campus available not just for the diocesan offices but for the

The original Little Rock College seal still adorns the front of Morris Hall; its inscription is Latin for, “Seal of Little Rock College, Little Rock, Ark.,” top; The 1924 Little Rock College Eagle track team, bottom right; Fitzgerald Hall, as were all the college’s original buildings, was built in the Gothic Revival style, bottom left.

people to use, I mean, I always say it’s a gift from another generation.” The school even fielded football, basketball, track and tennis squads called the Eagles, bearing the school colors of dark purple and white. (Lostcolleges.com reports that the Arkansas Gazette finally referred to LRC teams as the Eagles instead of the Catholics in 1928.) The Encyclopedia of Arkansas records events surrounding a 1916 football game in Pope County between the Little Rock College Eagles and the “Russellville Aggies” from the Second District Agricultural School, better known these days as Arkansas Tech University, at which accounts of local fans harassing LRC players and officials by locals were alleged. The Eagles were then coached by legendary Arkansas prep coach Earl Quigley of Little Rock Central fame. According to Lostcolleges.com, LRC eventually competed in the Arkansas Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the forerunner to the old Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference. The LRC Eagles won the conference basketball tournament title in 1928. LRC also sponsored an orchestra, college band, jazz band and debate club, and students put on an annual minstrel show to support the athletics teams. The school published a student ARM O N E YA ND P O L I T I C S .COM

newspaper, The Pebble, and a yearbook, The Aquila. The college originally admitted males only with women not allowed to enroll until 1928. Including those in its preparatory school — which became Little Rock Catholic High School for Boys — LRC enrolled several hundred students at its peak. Like many institutions, the promising Little Rock College could not survive the challenges of the Great Depression, and the school was closed in 1930. The Heights campus, now known as the St. John Catholic Center, became the home of the diocese, and the old downtown campus was where today’s Catholic High was launched. Though part of the original campus in the Heights was sold to developers, St. John continues to resemble a college campus. The center’s oval remains a popular walking spot for neighborhood residents. “I’ve always thought it was a very beautiful campus because of all the green space and how the gothic features were incorporated into the buildings,” the late Monsignor Richard Oswald, who first attended seminary classes at St. John in 1957, told Arkansas Catholic, “A lot of universities would call it a quad, but in our case, it’s an oval, and the beautiful gate — it’s just an impressive place.” 1 59

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LAST WORD

THE HOUSE OF THE MOUTH OF THE SOUTH

By Mark Carter er name may not ring as many bells any more, but Martha Mitchell was as famous an Arkansan as there was in the Western world for a few years in the late 1960s and early

1970s. Martha Beall Mitchell was a child of Pine Bluff at a time when the notion of “Southern woman as Scarlett O’Hara” still rode shotgun inside the cultural station wagon. She became famous as the sometimes-controversially outspoken socialite wife of John Mitchell, the U.S. attorney general under then-President Richard Nixon. She was, in a sense, the original Steel Magnolia, her Southernfused propensity to call things as she saw them during the Watergate investigation helping bring down a presidential administration. Before her husband resigned in 1974 in the wake of the Watergate scandal, in which she is now credited as an early whistleblower, Martha Mitchell — dubbed “The Mouth of the South” by D.C. media — was a regular on the talk-show circuit and even adorned the cover of Time magazine. Her renown experienced a huge boost in 1971, after she refused to bow before Queen Elizabeth II on a trip to London with her husband. Sadly, most locals younger than 50 recognize her now only as the namesake for the expressway that connects downtown Pine Bluff to Interstate 530. Her 1887 childhood home, which sits at 902. W. Fourth St. and was built by Martha’s maternal grandparents, is now the Martha Mitchell House & Whistleblower Museum. It was built close to and facing the railroad tracks so occupants could see “who’s coming and going,” said Jennifer Louviere, owner of the house and curator of the museum. The house was owned by Mitchell until 1978, when she sold it to neighbor and local business legend Bob Abbott and his wife, Vanya — before dying from multiple myeloma a few weeks later, that is. Realizing its historical significance, the civicminded Abbotts renovated and restored the home to its 1920s glory, even securing many of the house’s original furniture pieces, including Martha’s teenage bedroom suite. Louviere purchased the home from Abbott in 2022 with designs to turn it into a full-fledged museum and help kickstart downtown revitalization efforts. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, the first home in the city to receive the designation, the house includes many period pieces, such as a working windup Victrola and one of the first electric refrigerators, and its rooms are staged just as they would have appeared when Mitchell was living there as a child during the 1920s and ‘30s. History-buff and native Louisianan Louviere said she was motivated to purchase the house in part by her desire to help properly recognize Mitchell’s status as a whistleblower and the role she played in the scandal, which cost Nixon his job and sent many of his political allies, including John Mitchell, to prison. SE PT E M B E R 2 026

“She was completely blackballed because she wasn’t afraid to the speak the truth to what she was seeing and experiencing,” Louviere said. “This is a way to honor her legacy while encouraging active community involvement and attracting visitors to Pine Bluff.” Louviere said she wants to host etiquette classes and other community events at the house, which she envisions as something

Martha Mitchell House

like an historical community events center. Indeed, Mitchell’s role got her blackballed from D.C. high society. She was made the butt of jokes by operatives looking to minimize the damage from Watergate and ultimately kidnapped to keep her from speaking publicly about what she knew of her husband’s dealings and painted in the media to be delusional. The “Martha Mitchell effect” was coined by the psychiatry industry to identity a therapist who mistakenly or willingly diagnoses a patient’s extraordinary but true claims as delusions. “If they really gave Martha a fair shake, the world would be a better place,” Louviere said. A bust of Mitchell erected outside Pine Bluff Convention Center bears a plaque reading, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Nixon even told interviewer David Frost in 1975 that without Mitchell, the Watergate scandal never would have played out. A wreath at Mitchell’s 1978 funeral in Pine Bluff was adorned in white chrysanthemums spelling, “Martha was right.” 160

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