Pollack, Dickinson to be honored by UALR College of Business

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business has selected Mark Pollack for this year’s Distinguished Alumni of the Year award, and named Thomas Dickinson, a 2007 graduate of the UALR Executive MBA program, winner of the Dean’s Award for Excellence.

Pollack and Dickinson will be honored during the 2016 College of Business Distinguished Alumni Award Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at the downtown Little Rock Marriott, 521 President Clinton Ave.

Pollack, founder and president of Affirmative Risk Management, has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. He is a former member of the UALR College of Business Advisory Council, a member of the UALR Foundation Fund Board and a longtime supporter of the university. Pollack received his bachelor’s degree in administration from UALR in 1988.

Affirmative Risk Management handles claim-related matters in all 50 states as well as in 12 Canadian provinces and territories and in London, England.

A 1970 high school graduate of Ft. Eustis, Va., Pollack got his start working as an auto parts salesman in North Little Rock at Moore Ford. After serving in the United States Army, active duty, and in the National Guard, from 1969-75, Pollack joined HC Inc, a heavy equipment repair facility, where he worked his way up from parts procurement to senior vice president of the organization.

While working, Pollack enrolled at UALR to pursue a business degree. He graduated magna cum laude in 1988 from the UALR College of Business.

Pollack and his wife of 45 years, Patti, have one daughter Chantal Roberts who is an equity partner with ARM.

Dickinson, general manager for McGeorge Contracting Co., was born in Little Rock. He graduated in 1996 from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va. A double major at Southern Methodist University, Dickinson received bachelor’s degrees in economics and history in 2000.

After graduation, Dickinson got his start with McGeorge Contracting as he developed a site in Bryant. During his time with McGeorge, he enrolled in the Executive MBA at UALR. Dickinson graduated with a master’s degree of business administration from the UALR College of Business in 2007.

Dickinson is a former member of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Alumni Board, a current member of Rotary Club 99, a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Arkansas, the treasurer and vice president of the Arkansas Chapter of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) and a board member of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Board of Visitors.

Dickinson and his wife, Anna, have two daughters, Evelyn, 5, and Mary Harmon, 3.