Leadership Crawford County class of 2012

The 2012 Class of Leadership Crawford County has been named.

Dr. Hon Q. Chung
Hon Chung is an optometrist and the owner of Crawford County Eye Care in Van Buren.  Chung is a graduate of Fort Smith Northside High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University, a Master of Science degree in Finance from the University of Michigan, and his Doctor of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. Chung was a former Financial Analyst for Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan before changing careers and returning home to the River Valley.  Chung is a member of the Rotary Club of Van Buren and the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce.  He is a provider of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation providing eye exams to local disadvantaged children. Chung is a member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Smith and the Vietnamese Gospel Baptist Church.  He is a resident of Fort Smith, married to Hang Dinh Chung and has two young children.

Elaine M. Crawford
Elaine Crawford is a Realtor for Jimmy Bell Real Estate Company in Van Buren.  Crawford is a graduate of Paris High School and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Central Arkansas. Crawford spent 25 years building a successful optometric practice with her late husband. She is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Van Buren, recently traveling out of the country on a mission trip. Crawford is a resident of Van Buren and has two grown children.

Cindy L. Faldon
Cindy Faldon serves as the Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Van Buren.  Faldon is a graduate of Van Buren High School. As the director of the Boys and Girls Club of Van Buren, Faldon has gained notoriety as a non-profit leader, implementing several new programs for local youth. She is an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Van Buren and a member of the Boys and Girls Club American Professionals Association. Faldon is a resident of Van Buren. She and her husband, Dwight, have two grown children and two grandchildren.

Melanie A. Farmer
Melanie Farmer is employed by Entertainment Fort Smith magazine as their Senior Salesperson. Farmer is a graduate of Van Buren High School and attended the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith studying both journalism and graphic design.  Farmer has been active in the River Valley serving as a member of the Fort Smith Jaycees, Young Emerging Leaders, the American Cancer Society and the Great Fort Smith Home Builders Association. She and her husband, Cody, live in Van Buren and have one young son.

Jason H. Gilmore
Jason Gilmore serves as the Administrative Pastor of Butterfield Assembly of God Church in Van Buren. He is a graduate of Fort Smith Christian School and was ordained at Global University were he studied Biblical and Pastoral Studies. Gilmore’s role of Administrative Pastor places him in many active roles with his church and in their community outreach programs. Gilmore is also an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Van Buren, serving the past two years as President. In 2008 he was recognized as New Kiwanian of the Year. Gilmore and his wife, Shelly, reside in Van Buren with their two young children.

Kelton L. Inge
Kelton Inge is an Agent Aspirant with Bill Gregory State Farm Agency in Van Buren. He is a graduate of Alma High School and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. Inge was an active member of College Group Bible Study, the Sales Prosess Group and the UA-Fort Smith Intern Group. He is also a member of the UA-Fort Smith Alumni Association.  Inge is single and resides in Alma.

Jessica P. Jones
Jessica Jones is the employed by Car Corner Auto Sales in Alma. Jones is a graduate of Van Buren High School and attended Arkansas Tech University and the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville where she studied Business. Jones has built her career in sales and office management now serving as Vice President of Car Corner. She and her husband, Eddie, live in Alma. They have one young son.

Aspasia D. Kontoyianis
Aspa Kontoyianis is the Senior Human Resources Manager for Experian Consumer Direct in Van Buren.  Kontoyisanis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications and Business Management from Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland. She also attended Cornell University where she received her certification in Equal Employment Opportunities. Prior to moving to Arkansas last year Kontoyianis was involved with the Youth Adult League in Maryland. She taught Sunday School and served as a volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club. Kontoyianis is a member of the Society of Human Resource Managers. She is single and lives in Fort Smith.

Jeffrey R. Lambert
Jeff Lambert is the Assistant Executive Director for Bost, Inc. in Fort Smith. Lambert attended the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, Arkansas Tech University, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management from John Brown University. He was elected to the Van Buren School District Board of Directors in 2010.Lambert shares his time as a Special Olympics coach, as well as a Little League coach. He is a member of the Arkansas Waiver Association, Arkansas Advocates of Equal Access and he is a certified CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) Surveyor. Lambert and his wife Angelisa have two children and live in Van Buren.

Peter J. Lee
Peter Lee is the President of Continental Poultry Service in Van Buren. He graduated from Lamphere Madison Heights High School and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from Michigan State University. Lee is a proven business leader with the growth of his company Continental Poultry. Lee serves on the Korean Commission of North West Arkansas and on the Deacon Committee for First Baptist Church of Fort Smith. He is a resident of Van Buren along with his wife, Ann, and his two daughters.

Stacy L. Little
Stacy Little is a 6th Grade Math Teacher at Central Middle School in Van Buren. Little is a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s Academy in Little Rock. She attended the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Western Governors University in Utah. Little is the Teacher Liaison for the Central Middle School PTA, a Committee Chairman for Delta Kappa Gamma, and the Committee Chairman for PEO. She has also served as a team co-chairman for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Little is both a Sunday School and Bible School teacher at First Baptist Church in Van Buren. She and her husband live in Rudy and have two grown children.

Donna S. Morgan
Suzanne Morgan is employed by Fort Operating Company of Fort Smith as their Business Manager. She is a graduate of Mesquite High School and attended Jacksonville Baptist College. Morgan earned her associates degree from Eastfield College. She is actively involved at First Baptist Church in Van Buren serving in a variety of roles including Wedding Coordinator, College Career Adult Leader, and the Crossroads Class Social Chairman. Morgan has also served as the decorations chairman and the President of the Van Buren Project Graduation Organization. She and her husband Scott have three grown children and live in Van Buren.

Lisa-Marie Norris
Lisa-Marie Norris is a staff attorney for the U.S. District Court in Fort Smith. Norris is a graduate of Alma High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in History from the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville and her Jurist Doctorate from the University Of Arkansas School Of Law. Norris is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association and has served as a delegate for the Bar Association House of Delegates. She and her husband, Ryan, live in Alma with their two young children.

Amanda S. Osborne
Amanda Osborne is a Supervisor for BancorpSouth in Alma. She is a graduate of Fort Smith Southside High School and attended the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.  Osborne is a volunteer for the Alma Gators Swim Team, the United Way, and for the American Cancer Society. She is a member of the Lions Club of Alma and a member of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life BancorpSouth Team which won special recognition for their efforts at the event. Osborne and her husband, Bobby, live in Van Buren with their young daughter.

William D. Pendergrass
Dean Pendergrass is an Regional Account Executive with Downey Publishing Company of Southlake, Texas. Pendergrass is a graduate of Cedarville High School. Pendergrass can be found volunteering his time throughout the region on many projects. He has served as an active member of the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce Ambassador program assisting with both the Annual Banquet and the Annual Golf Tournament. Pendergrass resides in Van Buren and has three children.

Janet M. Petty
Janet Petty is the Membership Services Coordinator for the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce. She is a graduate of Dover High School and attended Capital City Business College. Petty has served with Van Buren Project Graduation Organization. She is an active member of First Baptist Church of Van Buren where she volunteers as the 8th Grade Sunday School Teacher, and has served as both a Vacation Bible School Leader and Director. Petty and her husband, Jim, live in Van Buren and have two children.

Nancy E. Rhodes
Nancy Rhodes is a Math and Science Teacher and serves as the Science Department Chairman of the Alma High School. Rhodes is a graduate of Greenwood High School.  She attended the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Math/Education from Arkansas Tech University. Rhodes holds a Master’s of Science degree in Physics from the University of Virginia. Rhodes is a member of the National Science Teacher Association. She is an active member of Cavanaugh Free Will Baptist Church volunteering in the Wee Worship, the Choir, as a Women’s Ministry Events Team Leader, and as a Children’s Camp Counselor. Rhodes as also served as the official record keeper for the Alma Basket Ball program. She lives in Alma and has four grown children.

Stephanie A. Riffle
Stephanie Riffle is employed by US Bank as the Assistant Vice President and District   Manager of West and North Arkansas. Riffle graduated from Lakeside High School in Hot Springs. She attended the University of Arkansas – Little Rock where she earned an Associate’s Degree in Business. Riffle is a member of the Van Buren Education Foundation Board and served on the Van Buren School District Facilities Committee.  She is the secretary of the Scott Farm Property Owner’s Association. Riffle has served as both the Vice President and President of the US Bank Employee Development Network and received the Pinnacle Award as top manager within US Bank 2005-2010.  She and her husband, Jeremy, reside in Van Buren and have twin daughters.

Debbie K. Stewart
Debbie Stewart is the School Nutrition Specialist for the Alma School District. Stewart is a graduate of Valley Springs High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Central Arkansas. Stewart is an active member of the Arkansas School Nutrition Association serving as the Nutrition Committee Chairman, Historian, President-Elect, and President of the organization. Stewart served on the advisory committee for the Commodity Distribution program from 1995-2010.  Stewart has also been recognized for her outstanding work in school nutrition; receiving the Thelma Flanagan Gold Award for service and the Arkansas and Southwest Region Outstanding Director of the Year from the School Nutrition Association. She is an active member of Heritage United Methodist Church serving as a lay leader and a Sunday School teacher in both the adult and children’s programs. Stewart and her husband, Wayne, live in Alma with their two children.

John G. Symonds
Grant Symonds is a draftsman for HSA Engineer Consulting, Inc in Fort Smith. He is a graduate of Van Buren High School. Symonds is an active member of Heritage United Methodist Church. Symonds serves as a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Assistant and a Life Group Leader.  He has volunteered with the Heritage United Methodist Church Food Pantry and seen substantial growth in that program. Symonds and his wife, Becky, reside in Van Buren.

Cathy S. Wasko
Cathy Wasko serves as the Assistant Vice President for Citizens Bank and Trust Company in Mountainburg. Wasko is a graduate of Mountainburg High School and attended the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. Wasko is a member of the Crawford County Library Board and has served as Vice President. She is also a member of the Friends of the Mountainburg Library where she serves as Treasurer. Wasko is an active member of the Pigeon Creek Freewill Baptist Church where she is the Assistant Treasurer and has volunteered as a Sunday School Teacher. A resident of Mountainburg, she and her husband, Steve, have two children.

Pamela J. Wells
Pam Wells is the Crawford County Coroner and the co-owner of Wells Investigation. She is a graduate of Greene County Tech in Paragould. She attended the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith and the Fort Smith School of Real Estate and became a licensed agent. Wells is also a graduate of the American Board of Medico legal Death Investigators. Wells has been a member of the Crawford County Board of Realtors and the Arkansas Realtors Association. She is a member of the Arkansas Coroners Association where she has served as Secretary. She is also a member of the Women’s League of Crawford County and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary serving as both a Trustee and Madam President. Wells and her husband, Charlie, live in Alma. They have three grown children.

Tyler T. Whitley
Tyler Whitley is an Agent with Shelter Insurance in Van Buren. Whitley graduated from Fort Smith Christian School and attended the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. Whitley is an active member of Rena Christian Church where he serves as the Sunday School Superintendent. Whitley has also been a member of the Home Builders Association and served on the Associate Council. He and his wife, Katy, are residents of Van Buren. They have one young daughter.

John M. Yardley
Mark Yardley serves as the Public Works Director for the City of Alma. He is a graduate of Channelview High School and attended Centenary College. Yardley is a member of the Water Environment Federation and the Frontier Metropolitan Planning Organization. He is a Board member of the Fort Smith Regional Economic Development Alliance. Yardley is a member of the Alma Rotary Club and on the Rotary Foundation Board. He is a member of the Alma Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and serves on the Economic Development Committee. In 2007 he received the Alma Area Chamber Business Person of the Year Award and in 2010 he was recognized as the Alma Area Chamber Community Leader of the Year. Yardley is a member of the Arkansas Water Managers Association and has served that organization as the 2nd Vice President, the Vice President and President. In 2010 he was awarded the Arkansas Water Manager of the Year Award. Yardley is a member of the Concord Baptist Church in Alma serving as a Deacon, and as the Budget and Finance Committee Chairman. Yardley lives in Alma with his wife, Donna. They have two children.

Mack D. Young
David Young is an Agent with JMR/PFP Insurance in Fort Smith. He is a graduate of Van Buren High School and attended the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith and the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville. He is a former member of the Alma Area Chamber of Commerce where he served on the Board of Directors and as President. Young also served as a Commissioner of the Alma Advertising and Promotions Commission. He is the past president of the Spinach Capital Sertoma. Young served as the Chairman of Clear Creek Ducks Unlimited for three years and was recognized for the most increase in membership in Arkansas. Young and his wife, Dee, live in Van Buren.