Connections: McMillanDoolittle hires Scott Benedict

Scott Benedict of Cave Springs has joined Chicago-based retail consulting firm McMillanDoolittle as an affiliate partner. He will lead the company’s digital first merchandising initiatives.

Benedict has more than 35 years of experience, including merchandising leadership roles at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Best Buy and Groupon.

Most recently, he was vice president of partnerships at Rogers marketing agency WhyteSpyder, a member firm of the Ascential Digital Commerce Group.

Previously, he was an executive professor and the director of the Center for Retailing Studies at Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School.

NEW HIRES
Banking & Finance
Sonya Hall
Springdale
Employer: First Security Bank
Title: trust officer
Previous employer: First National Bank of Fort Smith
Previous title: trust officer

Communications
Kelly Hellbusch
Lowell
Employer: Walmart Inc.
Title: senior manager II, global communications
Previous employer: Tyson Foods Inc.
Previous title: communications manager

Human Resources
Sarah Fletcher
Pea Ridge
Employer: NWA Children’s Shelter
Title: director of human resources
Previous employer: Kennametal
Previous title: HR manager; field services

Legal
Anna Cunningham
Rogers
Employer: Mitchell Williams
Title: litigation associate
Previous employer: Walmart Inc.
Previous title: legal extern

Nonprofit
Ashley Enslow
Bentonville
Employer: NWA Children’s Shelter
Title: director of youth services
Previous employer: Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas
Previous title: director of client services

Retail
Tony Katzer
Rogers
Employer: Wayfair
Title: head of retail real estate and construction
Previous employer: Sam’s Club
Previous title: senior director; real estate

PROMOTIONS
Banking & Finance
Alana Girard
Rogers
Employer: Generations Bank
Title: chief operations officer
Previous title: director of operations

Legal
Abby Hart
Rogers
Employer: Mitchell Williams
Title: litigation associate
Previous title: law clerk

Real Estate
Bryan Gibson
Rogers
Employer: Waco Title Co.
Title: commercial division manager
Previous title: commercial office manager and attorney

NEWSMAKER SUBMISSIONS
Notices of executive promotions, new hires or appointments in Northwest Arkansas or Fort Smith may be sent by email to [email protected]. Submissions may include a photo, which will be used on a space-available basis.