Hinds Focuses on Building Relationships, Giving Back

Steven Hinds enjoys variety in his life. He appreciates opportunities to interact with all kinds of people and get involved in a wide array of organizations.

In his role as executive director of public relations and marketing at Northwest Arkansas Community College, where he has worked about two years, Hinds is presented with those sorts of opportunities every day.

“I’m one who wants to make sure the community, client, or group I’m serving — which right now is our students, prospective students, faculty, staff, donors and our board of trustees — are supported and have what they need,” Hinds said. 

He was also able to work with an assortment of students, administrators and groups as treasurer of the Associated Student Government during his undergraduate career in the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas.

He took the role seriously, treating it like his job, he said, and was elected to the position three times.

Hinds went on to join the master’s program in higher education administration at the UA, where he was the chosen graduate assistant for the associated vice chancellor and dean of students.

During that time, he experienced first-hand what it meant to work in a college and, after earning his degree, took an open position at the UA as assistant director of admissions, a position he held until he switched gears in 1995.

Growing up with a mother who worked in banking for many years, he had always been interested in that industry.

“I really liked the role where you got to go to a lot of events and sometimes give out checks to organizations,” Hinds said. “I thought that sounded like a fun job.”

So, he took a position as vice president of marketing and public relations at what was then McIlroy Bank & Trust and later became Arvest — where he worked when named to Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 in 2001.

“I enjoyed everything about it,” Hinds said, especially the relationships he built. To Hinds, that is the bedrock of success.

He only quit Arvest after 10 years when he was given the opportunity to lead the local branch of Little Rock-based Paschall Strategic Communications, which was tasked with branding the soon-to-open Signature Bank of Arkansas, headquartered in Fayetteville.

And, in February 2007, he started his own firm, Hinds Consulting.

He considers the endeavor a valued learning experience on how to run a business.

Hinds also enjoyed working with a variety of clients and has maintained relationships with many of them since. However, he always missed being part of a larger organization.

When he heard of the open position at NWACC, his interest was piqued. Friends and colleagues told him, “My name was written all over it.”

At NWACC, he appreciates the emphasis on supporting and helping the students.

One successful project is Hinds’ effort to significantly grow the school’s social media presence. The school now boasts more than 6,000 followers on Facebook, and Hinds says his office uses the tool to interact with students and promptly answer questions and resolve issues.

He also has a strong focus on the community. That’s why he plans for the celebration of the school’s 25th anniversary next year to have an emphasis on thanking donors and the voters who approved the millage to build the school.

When he is not at work, he is often getting involved throughout the region. “Giving back and supporting community organizations is fun,” he said.

He is on the Arkansas Alumni Association board of directors and served as president of the Northwest Arkansas chapter.

He has served on the dean’s alumni advisory council for Walton College several years — as chairman at one time.

Hinds has been involved with his fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha, on the board for the alumni association, as chapter adviser and at one time as house corporation president.

He serves on the Washington Regional Foundation Board of Directors and has led the Washington Regional Gala Committee for several years. 

Hinds’ wife, Christina, is also dedicated to community support, as senior director of social events/consulting at the American Heart Association.

The couple has one son, Blake, who is a senior at Fayetteville High School, playing in the band and on the football team. He plans to attend the UA.