Forty Under 40: Mel Collier

Mel Collier grew up in the drug store business. At the age of 9, he was working at his fathers pharmacy on Dickson Street, trying to raise money to buy a go-cart.

Mels great-grandfather, M.M. Collier, founded the Red Cross Drug Store on the downtown Fayetteville square in 1917. Mels grandfather, Morris Collier, opened Colliers Drug Store in 1950 at its current location on Dickson Street. The store was later taken over by Mels father, Carl Collier.

Mel did several jobs at the drug store during high school, from delivery driver to cashier. While attending the University of Arkansas, he had a few jobs outside the family business (including a stint as disc jockey at The Skate Place). But after earning his bachelors degree in management in 1994, Mel went back to work for the drug store.

In 1998, Carl Collier officially made Mel the operations manager over the companys six stores, which are throughout Northwest Arkansas.

Theyre not much on titles, but Mel also serves as vice president and treasurer.

Mel said he enjoys the work because its different every day. He usually works seven days a week, arriving anywhere from 5 to 7:30 a.m., depending on what needs to get done.

Mels hobby is drag racing Ford Mustangs.