2018 Arkansas Business Hall of Fame inductees named

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) 1,193 views 

Jim Bottin, from left, John Correnti, Herbert McAdams and Kirk Thompson make the 2018 class of the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame.

Four business leaders who have made significant contributions to an array of Arkansas industries make up the 2018 class of inductees for the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame.

The Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas and the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame Board announced the class Tuesday (Oct. 17) and they will be added to the list of 78 distinguished members of the Hall of Fame during a gala event on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018:

  • James “Jim” A. Bottin, founder and chairman of the software company ABC Financial Services, tailored to the fitness industry
  • the late John D. Correnti, former chairman and chief executive officer, Big River Steel
  • the late Herbert H. McAdams II, former chairman and chief executive officer, Citizens Bank of Jonesboro and Union National Bank of Little Rock
  • James “Kirk” Thompson, chairman, J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.

“Arkansas is more productive and stronger today because of these outstanding business leaders,” Walton College Dean Matthew A. Waller said in  a news release. “They transformed our state’s steel, banking, transportation and fitness industries. Each created jobs, built successful businesses and made Arkansas shine.”

The Arkansas Business Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. The Arkansas Business Hall of Fame is permanently housed in the atrium of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development at the Walton College on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville.

Ann Bordelon, Walton College alumna and chief financial officer of Mitchell Communications Group, chaired the selection committee of nine business and community leaders who reviewed nominations from throughout the state and chose the inductees. Criteria for selection included: the significance of the impact made as a business leader, the concern demonstrated for improving the community and the display of ethics in all business dealings. In addition, living inductees must be over the age of 60.

The list of previous inductees into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame, as well as information about tickets and event sponsorships, is available at this link.