Forty Under 40: Melanie Arterbury, 38

For Arkansas native Melanie Arterbury, each day brings new client problems — and she loves solving them. At least that’s how it’s been for more than 12 years.
In 2000, the Arkansas Tech University graduate returned home from a two-year stint as sales manager for SouthTrust Bank in Alabama to become training and development manager for United-Bilt Homes in Springdale. While at UBH, she also earned a master’s in leadership and ethics from John Brown University.
By 2007, she created her own company, Arterbury Consulting and Training LLC. From the start, she formed contract relationships with Mitchell Communications Group, preparing her to eventually step in as senior manager in late 2009.
Although time restraints forced her to quit her own brainchild, she found that expanding client relationships at MCG motivated and excited her.
There, she focuses on business training, executive strategies and customized curriculum development.
“I like seeing the change in people as they polish skills in their own organizations, or seeing the light bulb come on for someone just learning a skill,” Arterbury said.
Her advice to up-and-comers is to “strive to be a lifelong learner.”
“Look for people that can mentor you and then volunteer to mentor when you have those skills,” she said.