Connections: Fayetteville Public Schools announces general counsel

Mary Claire Hyatt joined Fayetteville Public Schools on Sept. 20 as general counsel for the school district.

“We are very happy to welcome Mary Claire Hyatt to our administrative team,” Superintendent Dr. John L. Colbert said. “She comes to us with impressive credentials, especially in education law, and we are confident that she will be an excellent addition to our team.”

Hyatt previously worked for the Arkansas Department of Education, where she was an attorney supervisor. She was also an attorney for the department. Before that, Hyatt was an attorney for Legal Aid of Arkansas.

Hyatt earned her bachelor’s degree in American studies from Hendrix College. She graduated magna cum laude from the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

NEW HIRES
Banking & Finance
Natalie Bartholomew
Prairie Grove
Employer: Citizens Bank of Edmond (Okla.)
Title: chief impact officer
Previous employer: Grand Savings Bank
Previous title: vice president and chief administrative officer

Chad Happersett
Bentonville
Employer: Grand Savings Bank
Title: mortgage lender
Previous employer: KHBS/KHOG 40/29
Previous title: general sales manager

Garrett Lewis
Rogers
Employer: First National Bank of NWA
Title: community lender/commercial loan officer
Previous employer: KFSM-TV Channel 5
Previous title: chief meteorologist

Human Resources
Tyler Masters
Bentonville
Employer: Butterfield Trail Village
Title: director of human resources
Previous employer: J.B. Hunt Transport Services
Previous title: associate HR business partner

Legal
Sharri Bell
Springdale
Employer: Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC
Title: associate attorney
Note: Bell graduated in 2021 from the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Sarah Breeding
Rogers
Employer: Friday, Eldredge & Clark
Title: attorney
Note: Breeding graduated in 2021 from the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Marketing & Advertising
Jennifer Cook
Fayetteville
Employer: University of Arkansas
Title: director of communications, College of Engineering
Previous employer: Mercy Northwest Arkansas
Previous title: senior media relations and communications specialist

Susie Nicholson
Fayetteville
Employer: Sells Agency
Title: director of strategic services
Previous employer: Arkansas Tech University
Previous title: NCAA compliance officer and deputy Title IX coordinator

PROMOTIONS
Education
Amy Fisher
Siloam Springs
Employer: John Brown University
Title: chief human resources officer
Previous title: director of human resources, risk management and government relations

Julie Gumm
Siloam Springs
Employer: John Brown University
Title: chief marketing and communications officer
Previous title: director of university marketing and communications

Ted Song
Siloam Springs
Employer: John Brown University
Title: chief diversity officer
Previous title: coordinator of diversity and innovation

AWARDS
Building Materials
Don Willard
Bethel Heights
Employer: ABC Supply Co.
Title: managing partner
Award: Ken Hendricks Award