NEA Regional Leadership Accelerator Academy class selected

Twenty professionals from counties across Northeast Arkansas have been selected to be part of the first class of the NEA Regional Leadership Accelerator Academy.  

The men and women who make up the class, which met for the first time earlier this week, are from eight counties in Northeast Arkansas.  

“The 2026 class of the NEA Regional Leadership Acceleration Academy represents the strength, talent, and potential of our region,” said Andrea Allen, executive director of the A-State Delta Center for Economic Development.  

The group represents the counties of Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Greene, Jackson, Mississippi, Phillips and Poinsett.  

“This diverse group of professionals brings a shared commitment to leadership, service and collaboration, and we are excited to support their growth as they work together to shape the future of Northeast Arkansas,” she added.  

“I extend a huge welcome to the 2026 NEA Regional Leadership Accelerator Academy cohort,” said Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch. “I am looking forward to the powerful leadership lessons we will share with one another this year to benefit everyone in Northeast Arkansas.

Members of the Accelerator Academy will attend six sessions for the program, which is designed to build practical skills, foster collaboration and strengthen leadership capacity across the region. The six sessions will be held on Tuesdays every other month starting in January, with graduation from the program taking place in November.
 
Following are those selected.
Henry Burrell of Jonesboro, founder and executive director of the Jonesboro Business Association
Katie Collier of Jonesboro, manager at St. Bernards Medical Center
Lynette Hirsch of Jonesboro,  marketing and outreach coordinator for the City of Jonesboro
Erika Krennerich Chudy, vice chancellor for advancement at Arkansas State University
Scott McDaniel of Jonesboro, vice president of Ramsons, Inc.
Casey Pearce of Jonesboro, director of external relations and marketing at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Cody Slater of Jonesboro, vice president of programming at the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce
Ashley Spencer of Jonesboro, a physical therapist assistant at St. Bernards Sports Medicine
Dylan Tedder of Brookland, education coordinator at UAMS Northeast
Christy Valentine of Jonesboro,  manager of academic and philanthropic programs at Hytrol Conveyor Company, Inc.
Beth Wilson of West Memphis, the economic development director for the city of Marion
Bevin Hunter of Wynne, president and CEO at Wynne Economic Development Corporation
Cecily Graham of Beech Grove, a patient advocate at A Safe Place For You Foundation
Lindsey Partlow Smith of Paragould, regional project delivery manager and national account manager for Terracon Consultants
Jackson County Judge Jeff Phillips of Newport
Kennedy Baker of Manila, the programs director at Studio and Company
Blytheville Mayor Melisa Logan
Tammy Winstead of Blytheville, CEO of TrueLove Designs
Lynn Hawkins of Lexa, chief operations officer at Arkansas Rural Health Partnerships