Connections: Arkade forms startup support advisory board

Arkade, a Bentonville-based commercial growth platform supporting retail and supply chain technology companies, recently formed an advisory board.

Following members include leaders across venture capital, enterprise strategy, legal and retail innovation: Rick Heitzmann, managing director of Firstmark Capital; Rebecca Hurst, managing partner of Smith Hurst PLC; Jen Lee Koss, founding partner of Springbank; Nate Purdum, director of Koch Disruptive Technologies; Jim Smith, founding partner of Smith Hurst PLC; Heidi Solomon, vice president of global strategy at Tyson Foods; Are Traasdahl, founder and CEO of Crisp, and founder and CEO of Spring Capital; and Dr. Matt Waller, professor and dean emeritus of Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas.

According to a news release, the advisory board will provide guidance, connections and credibility as Arkade expands its membership and programs in 2026.

Unlike a traditional accelerator, Arkade works with a rolling group of 10 to 12 startups at any given time. It has one full-time employee and a part-time intern. Arkade’s parent company, Spring Capital, is also involved in daily operations.

NEW HIRES
Architects & Engineers
Alex Jackson
Bentonville
Employer: Cromwell Architects Engineers
Title: business development
Previous employer: pb2 architecture + engineering
Previous title: public relations

Entrepreneurs
Chris Erhardt
Bentonville
Employer: Endeavor Heartland
Title: director, 412 Angels
Previous employer: Chris Erhardt Consulting
Previous title: management consultant

Health Care
Eric Bready
Fayetteville
Employer: Washington Regional
Title: interventional radiologist
Previous employer: Radiology Associates P.A.
Previous title: interventional radiologist

PROMOTIONS
Architects & Engineers
Shaun Cormack
Fayetteville
Employer: Cromwell Architects Engineers
Title: regional engineering director for Northwest Arkansas
Previous title: senior mechanical engineer

Cynthia Hawkins
Springdale
Employer: Cromwell Architects Engineers
Title: principal, regional director for Northwest Arkansas
Previous title: principal, director of interior design

Michael Whitten
Rogers
Employer: Tatum Smith Welcher Engineers Inc.
Title: senior project manager
Previous title: project manager