Forty Under 40: Scott Dillard, 36

Scott Dillard is charged with the task of producing innovative ideas to sustain the viability of his company.

Central Research, a service-disabled, veteran-owned business founded in 1999 by Dillard and his father, Dr. Johnny Dillard (a retired veteran), is a government contractor offering a wide range of services.

What the company focuses on, though, is the development of internal databases to help clients identify deceased or incarcerated individuals, reducing fraud and abuse.

The company holds multiple prime contracts and sub-contracts with multiple government agencies. One of those is a sub-contract with the U.S. Department of Education, which Dillard said is the largest collections contract in the federal government.

“We’re a pretty niche company,” he said.

Dillard cites an excellent working relationship with his father as a reason for success. Today Dillard oversees about 60 employees, and the company is on pace to reach $5 million in revenue this year.

Dillard holds a 1998 marketing and management degree from Arkansas Tech and a 2000 MBA from Webster University in Fayetteville. Before going to work for Central Research full time in 2003, he spent five years as a project manager for J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.

Dillard, an active member of Cross Church in Rogers, is involved in several community programs including Toys for Tots.