Introducing the 2020 Fast 15 class

We are pleased to introduce the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s 12th annual Fast 15 class.

Our editorial staff checked references and sorted through several nominations before narrowing the list to the 15 honorees recognized in this issue.

These young professionals are following their passions with enthusiasm and confidence and have already achieved a level of success. You should know who they are, and we hope you enjoy reading more about them.

And take particular notice of the accompanying photos with each profile. As much as we love bragging on our Fast 15ers, the photos give us an added opportunity to tout their photography skills — they’re “selfies,” taken by the honorees themselves.

Given the current situation with the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, scheduling our honorees for studio photos wasn’t a practical idea. We needed a workaround.

Chloe Ford, our art director, suggested a design theme centered on selfies taken and sent to us by the honorees. Though we missed having the talents of Fayetteville photographer Wendy Dunn as part of the Fast 15 issue as we usually do, we think you’ll agree our socially (and physically) distant Fast 15ers rose to the occasion with their selfie skills.

In addition to the profiles in our annual Fast 15 issue, we typically recognize the honorees at a networking event. Unfortunately, the pandemic forced a postponement of that occasion, but we’re working on a workaround there, too. We’re planning to gather together later this summer to celebrate this year’s Fast 15 class.

Congratulations to the 2020 class of Fast 15 honorees.