Hope Cancer Resources names Chuck Hyde as president, CEO

Executive leadership coach Chuck Hyde has been named president and CEO of Springdale-based nonprofit Hope Cancer Resources, according to a Thursday (Aug. 1) news release. He starts Aug. 15.

In March, President and CEO Brian Holt announced his retirement to conclude a 31-year career helping cancer patients in Northwest Arkansas. Hyde was selected to fill the position after a search process led by a nine-member committee of existing and former Hope Cancer Resources board members.

“Identifying Brian Holt’s successor was certainly a tall order,” said Stephen Dacus, search committee member and board vice chair for Hope Cancer Resources. “Brian is a pillar of our community, and we have been incredibly fortunate to have his steadfast, wise leadership all these many years. As our organization looks to the future and grows to meet the region’s ever-growing needs, Chuck is the ideal leader for Hope Cancer Resources. His exceptional background, proven leadership and work ethic, and mission-driven focus will serve us well for many years to come.”

Over the past 15 years, Hope Cancer Resources has served thousands of people and provided more than $7 million in financial assistance to cancer patients in the area. The organization’s staff have traveled more than 3 million miles to transport people to their appointments in Northwest Arkansas.

In 2023, Hope Cancer Resources connected with more than 5,000 patients and provided $725,970 to assist with rent, mortgage, travel, gas cards, car payments, dental care, prescriptions and utilities. The organization also provides counseling services and support groups. Hope Cancer Resources has 45 employees.

Hyde will be responsible for the organization’s leadership, including overseeing the planning and implementation of major initiatives and policies. The organization provides comprehensive support services and education programs to cancer patients at no cost. To support a smooth transition, Holt will work alongside Hyde for a period of time.

“I couldn’t be more excited about joining the team at Hope Cancer Resources,” Hyde said. “The organization has clearly established itself as doing vitally important work and doing it extraordinarily well. So many families have a cancer story, including mine. I know the difference having support can make as families walk that road, and I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of a team that can provide that support.”

In 2017, Hyde founded C3 Advisors, a Northwest Arkansas firm focused on executive development and talent optimization. Previously, he spent 12 years in the consulting industry with Milestone Leadership, formerly Soderquist Leadership, in Siloam Springs. He joined the nonprofit in 2005 and assumed a leadership role in 2008 before becoming CEO in 2010. He also worked at Kimberly-Clark, where he spent eight years in manufacturing plants and four years in staff roles supporting them.

Hyde is a frequent contributor to the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal and released his first book, “Seasons in Leadership,” in 2023. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from John Brown University in Siloam Springs and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Arkansas. He serves on the boards of the Children & Family Advocacy Center and the Siloam Springs Public School Foundation. He and his wife reside in Siloam Springs and have two sons.

“I am very pleased that our board has selected Chuck to succeed me as president/CEO of Hope Cancer Resources,” Holt said. “Chuck brings a skill set ideal for leading this organization into the future. And just as important, he has demonstrated a wholehearted commitment to meeting the organization’s mission of serving cancer patients and this community. It does my heart good to know that Hope Cancer Resources will be in the hands of someone like Chuck Hyde for the foreseeable future.”

Holt joined Northwest Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute (NARTI) in 1993 and later became president and CEO. NARTI merged with H.O.P.E. Inc. in 2009 to become Hope Cancer Resources, where Holt continued as president and CEO.

Looking forward to retirement, Holt said he plans to spend more time with his nine grandchildren who all reside in Northwest Arkansas, travel with his wife and volunteer. He expects to be retired by the end of this year.

“I’ll be 67 at the end of the year,” Holt said. “From a personal standpoint, this is good timing for me. And I think from an organizational standpoint, it’s a good time to have somebody new come in and take over.”