Connections: Northwest Technical Institute appoints Chicas new board president

Carlos Chicas is the new board president of Northwest Technical Institute in Springdale. His one-year term began Sept. 15.

“It is a great way to start off Hispanic Heritage Month, and I am honored to continue working with NWTI, and am dedicated to their mission of providing quality hands-on education to a truly diverse group of people,” Chicas said.

Chicas is a high school counselor at Fayetteville Public Schools and the Hispanic “Voice of the Razorbacks.” He takes over for previous board president Derek Gibson.

NEW HIRES
Banking & Finance
Jené Huffman-Gilreath
Rogers
Employer: Arvest Bank
Title: private banking manager
Previous employer: Rogers Water Utilities
Previous title: shared services manager

Healthcare
Mike Mudd
Employer: Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas
Title: chief operations officer
Previous employer: Rochester (N.Y.) Regional Health
Previous title: COO of service lines

Nonprofit
Natalie Fernandez
Bentonville
Employer: Symphony of Northwest Arkansas
Title: music education director
Previous employer: Bentonville School District
Previous title: beginning band director; Ruth Barker Middle School and Bright Field Middle School

PROMOTIONS
Accounting & Taxes
Hannah Peeples
Fayetteville
Employer: HoganTaylor
Title: assurance senior
Previous title: assurance staff

Jessica Elliott
Fayetteville
Employer: HoganTaylor
Title: assurance manager
Previous title: assurance senior

Healthcare
Mike Matherly
Fayetteville
Employer: Washington Regional Medical System
Title: director of nutrition services
Previous title: production manager

Legal
Taylor Kelley
Fayetteville
Employer: Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC
Title: associate attorney
Previous title: law clerk