Connections: Outdoor Cap receives supplier award

Bentonville headwear retailer Outdoor Cap Co. recently received the Silver Pyramid Award in the Supplier Decorating — Supplier/Distributor Collaboration category as one of 53 companies recognized in the 2025 Pyramid Awards.

Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) presents the awards, honoring creative excellence and innovation in the promotional products industry.

Outdoor Cap received the Silver Pyramid Award for its collaboration with Graph-itti Inc. The two companies collaborated on a headwear project for Hootie & the Blowfish’s 2024 tour. Outdoor Cap has about 400 employees.

NEW HIRES
Education
John Matsko
Fayetteville
Employer: University of Arkansas College of Engineering
Title: senior director of development
Previous employer: University of Cincinnati Foundation
Previous title: associate vice president of development and senior associate athletic director

Erin Thomas
Fayetteville
Employer: University of Arkansas College of Engineering
Title: associate director of development
Previous employer: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma
Previous title: director of development

Health Care
Joy Bogart
Fayetteville
Employer: Northwest Health
Title: family nurse practitioner
Previous employer: Arkansas Children’s Northwest
Previous title: registered nurse

Legal
Brooke Leddon
Fayetteville
Employer: Tracy Law PLLC
Title: attorney
Previous employer: J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.
Previous title: employment litigation and regulatory counsel

PROMOTIONS
Architects & Engineers
Cannon McNair
Fayetteville
Employer: HFA
Title: chief strategy officer
Previous title: director of brand + marketing

Kevin Hall
Bentonville
Employer: CEI
Title: director of technical services
Previous title: survey department manager

Food & Beverage
Michael Miner
Farmington
Employer: Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co.
Title: senior director of sales execution
Previous title: director of sales execution

Legal
Alexa Mizer
Rogers
Employer: Friday, Eldredge and Clark
Title: partner
Previous title: associate

Nonprofit
Madeline Doran
Fayetteville
Employer: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas
Title: director of marketing and digital strategy
Previous title: community engagement manager

Heather Patitucci
Cave Springs
Employer: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas
Title: director of corporate partnerships
Previous title: development coordinator

APPOINTMENTS
Entrepreneurs
Jeff Amerine
Fayetteville
Employer: Startup Junkie Consulting
Title: founder and managing director
Appointment: chairman
Organization: Ark Angel Alliance Board of Directors

Nonprofit
Ash Bhumbla
Fayetteville
Employer: senior vice president and chief financial officer, chicken segment
Title: Tyson Foods
Appointment: board member
Organization: Peel Compton Foundation

Kathleen Coughlin
Bella Vista
Employer: New Engen
Title: vice president of retail social commerce
Appointment: board member
Organization: Peel Compton Foundation

Tommy Coughlin
Centerton
Employer: Grand Savings Bank
Title: regional president for Arkansas
Appointment: chairman
Organization: Children & Family Advocacy Center Board of Directors

Michael Parker
Rogers
Employer: Nabholz
Title: president of central operations
Appointment: chairman
Organization: Rogers Lowell Chamber Board of Directors

Keith Bowles
Bentonville
Employer: Arvest Bank
Title: executive vice president, sales manager
Appointment: board member
Organization: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas

Andrew Melsness
Bentonville
Employer: Walmart
Title: vice president, central operations — Walmart sourcing
Appointment: board member
Organization: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas

Tasha Tandy
Bella Vista
Employer: Walmart
Title: vice president, merchandising
Appointment: board member
Organization: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas

Tourism
Eric Heaney
Bentonville
Employer: Motto by Hilton Downtown Bentonville
Title: general manager
Appointment: commissioner
Organization: Bentonville Advertising & Promotion Commission