Connections: Lapovations promotes Nhiem Cao to COO

Medical device startup Lapovations LLC of Fayetteville promoted Nhiem Cao to chief operating officer. He will have the primary responsibility for day-to-day administrative and operational functions at the company.

Cao joined the company in 2018 as director of operations. He was previously co-founder and CEO of another Fayetteville-based startup, cycleWood Solutions Inc., a company that developed a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic bags.

Lapovations creates a platform of products to improve laparoscopy (minimally invasive abdominal surgery). The company is the most successful startup competition team in University of Arkansas history, winning seven state, regional and national business plan competitions in 2018, placing second in two others, and earning more than $305,000 in cash and investment prizes.

NEW HIRES
Consumer Goods
Emily Patrick
Springdale
Employer: Harvest Group
Title: recruiting manager
Previous employer: Walmart Inc.
Previous title: project specialist

Transportation
Jose Socorro
Centerton
Employer: Central States Manufacturing Inc.
Title: transportation supervisor
Previous employer: J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.
Previous title: capacity procurement representative

PROMOTIONS
Education
Charles Robinson
Fayetteville
Employer: University of Arkansas
Title: provost and executive vice chancellor for academic and student affairs
Previous title: interim provost and executive vice chancellor for academic and student affairs

IT Services
Christine Tan
Fayetteville
Employer: SupplyPike
Title: chief operating officer
Previous title: senior director of operations and administration

Legal
Isabel Thoma
Fayetteville
Employer: Friday, Eldredge & Clark
Title: associate; mergers and acquisitions practice
Previous title: clerk

Newsmaker submissions: Notices of executive promotions, new hires or appointments may be sent to Paul Gatling, [email protected]. Submissions may include a photo, which will be used on a space available basis.