Ark Angel Alliance adds two to board, names new chair
by March 23, 2023 8:40 pm 780 views
The Ark Angel Alliance recently announced Amy Hopper Swan, Program Manager for the Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA), as the new board chair for a two-year term.
The Ark Angel Alliance was established in 2020 with a two-fold mission: to educate individuals in Arkansas to make better investment decisions in early-stage companies and spur economic development by aggregating investors to capitalize early-stage companies with the ability to grow well-paying jobs in the state.
Alese Stroud, James Hendren, Bryan Hosto, Jeff Amerine, and Gary Jones are the founding board members for the organization.
“I’m honored to be the new Chair of the Ark Angel Alliance and grateful for the mentorship and guidance of our Chair Emeritus, Alese Johnston. Our organization continues to benefit from her leadership,” said Hopper Swan. “Our lean team, led by Executive Director David Moody, has enabled the investment of approximately $3.2 million into high-growth, high-potential startup companies. Our membership continues to grow – we’re poised to introduce a new generation of Arkansans to angel investing and to the positive economic impact it can have on our communities and state.”
The Ark Angel Alliance also announced Marla Johnson, CEO and Cofounder of LeapXL, and Courtney Little, President and General Counsel for ACE Glass, as the organization’ s newest board members.
“Both Marla and Courtney boast the titles of investor and business owner, representing the two markets that the Ark Angel Alliance serves. This unique perspective has already added value to our organization, and I look forward to their continued positive impact,” said Hopper Swan.
Johnson spent over 20 years deploying pioneering and award-winning work in Internet application development, data design, marketing and digital media in multiple industries as CEO and Cofounder of Aristotle, Inc. She has also launched Smart Media, LLC, and co-founded LeapXL.
Little practiced construction and real estate law until he closed his firm in 2008 when he purchased ACE Glass and was named President and General Counsel.