Monday Kudos: Poultry Federation’s Childers Earns Industry Leader Award

Endorsements, awards and promotions dot the Kudos landscape after the holiday weekend.

CHILDERS NAMED POULTRY INDUSTRY LEADER
Marvin Childers, President of The Poultry Federation (TPF) was named the “2013 Industry Leader of the Year” by The Poultry Federation during the 54th Annual Poultry Festival.

The award has been presented since 1955 and recognizes the outstanding achievements of poultry and egg executives and their contribution to the industry.

Childers was recognized for his industry work, including the construction of the new Federation headquarters in Little Rock, his multi-state government relations work, and his attention to detail in the association’s accounting processes.

Childers served as an Arkansas State Representative from 2001 to 2006 and has practiced law with Friday, Eldredge & Clark since 2000.

NANOMECH EARNS R&D HONOR
The editors of R&D Magazine announced NanoMech’s TuffTek as a winner of the coveted R&D 100 Award. The award places TuffTek in an elite class of innovative products and recognizes it as one of the most technologically significant products introduced in the marketplace of the past year.

“2013 has been an excellent year for NanoMech,” Chairman and CEO Jim Phillips said. “The company continues to gain momentum and receiving the ‘Oscar of Innovation,’as the award is commonly referred to in the industry, is a tremendous honor for the NanoMech team.”

TuffTek involves a coating process using nanotechnology. It is used in the cutting tool industry, for instance, and has significantly improved the heat resistance of the tools as well as their precision and wear resistance.

Springdale-based NanoMech is the only Arkansas company on the 2013 Top 100 list.

STATE CHAMBER ENDORSES WOOD FOR SUPREME COURT
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas (State Chamber/AIA) has endorsed Judge Rhonda Wood for the Arkansas Supreme Court, Position 3.

Wood is currently a judge on the Arkansas Court of Appeals, District 2. The Supreme Court seat she is seeking is currently held by Cliff Hoofman.

“We believe that Judge Wood’s judicial philosophy is fair, consistent and rooted in the rule of law,” stated Randy Zook, president & CEO of the State Chamber/AIA. “Businesses across Arkansas would benefit from the experience and judicial temperament that Judge Wood would bring to the Supreme Court. We look forward to supporting her candidacy and helping ensure her election as one of the next justices on the Arkansas Supreme Court.”

Wood received her B.A. from Hendrix, magna cum laude, and her juris doctorate from the Bowen School of Law, with highest honors, as well as receiving the top score on the Arkansas Bar Exam.

ASU PROMOTES PENRY TO VICE CHANCELLOR FOR ADVANCEMENT
Dr. Jason Penry of Jonesboro has been promoted to vice chancellor for university advancement at Arkansas State University.

The Office of University Advancement is responsible for creating awareness, building relationships, and generating financial support for the teaching, research, and public service mission of Arkansas State.

“Jason is a rising star in higher education and has already proven himself to be a leader and innovator in multiple areas on campus,” said ASU Chancellor Tim Hudson. “He has stellar fund-raising credentials with a record of success and growth. After consulting with individuals within the Arkansas State community and around the country, it became clear that he’s an ideal choice for this key position.”

Penry, who has been interim vice chancellor for university advancement for the past month, joined Arkansas State in August 2012 as Chief of Staff after serving as chief fundraising officer at Angelo State University, which is a member of the Texas Tech University System. He has worked with Hudson and his leadership team to establish university priorities, provide strategic leadership and support for university initiatives, and develop policy recommendations.

As vice president for development and alumni relations at Angelo State, Penry oversaw the school’s capital campaign to raise $25 million — a goal met nearly two years earlier than projected.

Before joining Angelo State, Penry worked as the executive director of POSSE, the official fundraising arm of Oklahoma State University Athletics. From 2004-07, he served with the 12th Man Foundation for Texas A&M as development officer for major gifts, where he assisted with the completion of a $50 million dollar capital campaign for athletics.

Penry holds his Ph.D. in higher education administration from Texas A&M (2008). He earned a Master of Science in Sport Management in 2002 from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from LSU-Shreveport.