Connections: Clifford, NWA Council to receive economics awards

Economics Arkansas, a Little Rock-based educational nonprofit that promotes literacy statewide, will honor Ed Clifford and the Northwest Arkansas Council with the 2025 Excellence in Free Enterprise Awards on April 8.

The awards luncheon will take place at Embassy Suites in Rogers. The Excellence in Free Enterprise Awards recognizes people, families and organizations “whose entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen have empowered the lives of countless people across the region, the nation and the world,” according to a news release. “The award honors those who have contributed to and promoted success in the free enterprise system.”

Clifford was formerly president and CEO of the Jones Center in Springdale, served as president and CEO of the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce and spent 17 years as a Walmart Inc. executive.

“The Northwest Arkansas Council has been instrumental in transforming the region into a thriving hub for business, education and community development,” the release noted. “Founded in 1990 by regional business leaders, including Sam Walton, Don Tyson, and J.B. Hunt, the council seeks to advance job opportunities, talent recruitment, physical infrastructure, health care and quality of life for its surrounding communities.”

NEW HIRES
Health Care
Michael Bogatch
Fayetteville
Employer: The Orthopedic Center at Northwest
Title: orthopedic surgeon
Previous employer: Baptist Health Medical Center
Previous title: orthopedic surgeon

Ryan McDonough
Springdale
Employer: Arkansas Children’s Northwest
Title: chief medical officer
Previous employer: Children’s Mercy
Previous title: chief medical informatics officer, senior medical director

Joseph Salyer
Fayetteville
Employer: Washington Regional Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Clinic
Title: physician assistant
Previous employer: Access Medical Clinic
Previous title: physician assistant

Nonprofit
Ethan Hayman
Bentonville
Employer: Water for Good
Title: vice president of donor relations
Previous employer: The University of Oklahoma
Previous title: senior director of advancement

Kyle May
Fayetteville
Employer:
Walton Arts Center
Title: senior director of corporate partnerships
Previous employer: Arkansas Edge
Previous title: executive director

PROMOTIONS
Architecture
Bridgett Whitman
Huntsville
Employer: Cromwell Architects Engineers
Title: director of marketing
Previous title: lead marketing proposal coordinator

Banking
Eileen Jennings
Fayetteville
Employer: Arvest Bank
Title: senior director, small business division
Previous title: director of community lending and investments

Nonprofit
Becky Brink
Fayetteville
Employer: Walton Arts Center
Title: vice president and chief development officer
Previous title: vice president of development

Retail
Chris Lesso
Fayetteville
Employer: Harps Food Stores
Title: director of information systems
Previous title: senior programmer analyst

APPOINTMENTS
Banking
Mark Bailey
Fayetteville
Employer: Gehl Food and Beverage
Title: director of sales
Appointment: board of directors
Organization: Legacy National Bank

Michael Slone
Bentonville
Employer: Superior Automotive Group
Title: president
Appointment: board of directors
Organization: Legacy National Bank

Nonprofit
Ryan Dagley
Bentonville
Employer: Signature Bank of Arkansas
Title: Rogers market president
Appointment: board of directors, treasurer
Organization: Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter

AWARDS
Art
Tram Colwin
Siloam Springs
Employer: Creative Social Retreat
Title: co-owner
Award: 2025 Artist Award
Organization: Arkansas Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts

Software
Daniel Palmer
Bentonville
Employer: Engine
Title: senior vice president of data science
Award: Innovation of the Year Award
Organization: Category Management Association