The 2010 Class of Forty Under 40

Each year the editorial board of the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal scours the 200 or so nominations for 40 of the best-in-class professionals under the age of 40 who do business in our six-county area.

We make no claims that the class is everyone who deserves the honor, but the cut-off point is self-explanatory. Each year, tough decisions are made. Each year, pains are taken to include a wide array of professions and industries while also holding the individuals to a high standard.

After our board has made a person-by-person selection, we back off, look at the class as a whole and ask, “Is this group representative of the finest in this market?”

This year, like the 13 before it, we’re proud to present just that: Forty men and women who’ve made their mark on Northwest Arkansas; who with every daily ethical decision and every small personal interaction, persistently move themselves, their companies and Northwest Arkansas toward greatness.

The honorees include a former NFL player, a biochemist, entrepreneurs and a contractor for the Department of Defense.

Several work in the global marketplace. At least three in this year’s class were born and raised in other countries. There are 12 women and 28 men. The average age is 35-and-a-half and all but two are married. 

Most of the 40s volunteer their time and expertise to worthy causes and have done everything from building homes in Haiti to working on Horses for Healing projects.

Twenty-two are Arkansas natives and most of the class members hail from small towns, though their careers and experiences bear a definite metropolitan flavor. 

While the graphics on the following pages give some insight to their collective opinions, we noticed a minor inconsistency. Nineteen of the honorees said they think the economy is improving now, another 11 said it would in 2011. But most of the 40s lack confidence in the same economy. Only 11 ranked their confidence above six (on a one to 10 scale) and 13 were at five or below.Nearly half said they’re thinking about making a major purchase while prices are low.

More than in years past, the class was less enthusiastic about strict political affiliations. Most are Republican, but more moved into the Independent and “Other” category than before.

We think you’ll agree this group of professionals is representative of the marketplace in Northwest Arkansas. They’ll be responsible for raising the bar for years to come.  

Read individual profiles about the honorees here.