Forty Under 40: John Sampson, 32

Mexico native John Sampson vividly recalls the day his mother sent him, herded like cattle, to a chili pepper farm to fill buckets under the sweltering sun for a dollar apiece.
That was all it took for the once-recalcitrant youth to abandon future struggle and aspire to “leave a footprint in life.”
Sampson received his bachelor’s in public relations and mass communications from the University of Central Arkansas in 2001. Before starting with Cox Communications in 2007, he was Hispanic market executive for First Security Bank and assistant vice president and branch manager for Metropolitan National Bank.
In both roles, he gained crucial experience in customer service, business development and marketing for a multi-cultural clientele.
Now, he builds a positive image for Cox Communications as a bilingual public relations specialist, managing communication strategies and assisting in community relations programs emphasizing the public and private school sector.
With a big heart for the Hispanic community, he serves on the board of the Benton County Boys & Girls Club, mentors and translates for Hispanic students with Springdale Partners in Education, and is an active member of Northwest Arkansas United Way.
“Never sell yourself short,” Sampson advises emerging leaders.