Forty Under 40: Thomas Dunlap

Thomas Dunlap earned a history degree from Southern Methodist in 1996, and has always been interested in the details and strategy of public policy.

He just doesn’t seek any of the credit. “I’m much better behind the scenes,” he explained.

Dunlap deals in the details on multiple fronts, making him an important behind-the-scenes player in Benton County.

A Little Rock native, Dunlap moved to Rogers, his wife’s hometown, from St. Louis 10 years ago. He was a classroom teacher after graduating SMU, but a career change introduced him to human resources.

“I got really curious about it,” he said.

In 2006, Dunlap developed a wellness-based insurance program that reduced deductibles for employees who met individual health goals.

It was unique to the public sector, featured on the “CBS Evening News” and cut the county’s cost for claims in half in two years.

Dunlap also authored state legislation this spring — as legislative affairs director for the Arkansas Society for HR Management — to provide private employers with a more compliant method of including veterans in their hiring practices.

Dunlap, who is an Eagle Scout, also coordinates the Watchdog Dad program at Eastside Elementary in Rogers and is a volunteer coach at the Rogers Activity Center.