Connections: Podcast host, senator join library, foundation

Two prominent Northwest Arkansas men recently accepted roles supporting the Fayetteville Public Library. Sen. Greg Leding, D-Fayetteville, was recently named chief development officer for the Fayetteville Public Library Foundation, the library’s philanthropic partner.

“As I wrap up these coming final 13 months in the Arkansas Senate — the final 13 months of what will (inexplicably) be a 16-year career in our state legislature — I get to go champion the Fayetteville Public Library, the best public library in the country, one of the last bastions of democracy at an alarming moment,” Leding said.

Randy Wilburn, host of podcast “I Am Northwest Arkansas,” recently joined the library as director of communications. He’ll remain host of the podcast, while also continuing to oversee onboardnwa.com and finditnwa.com.

“I am bringing a lot of what I have done in the community through ‘I Am Northwest Arkansas’ to the communications and marketing team here at the library,” Wilburn said. “Making money is great, but working here at the library hits on a different level when you think about the impact you can make in our community especially as it pertains to literacy and access to tools and resources that help us all be the best version of ourselves.”

APPOINTMENTS
Health Care
Jeff Hunnicutt
Bentonville
Employer: Highlands Oncology Group
Title: CEO
Appointment: board of directors
Organization: Community Oncology Alliance

AWARDS
Nonprofit
Sydney Lowe
Fayetteville
Employer: Heartland Forward
Title: senior manager of events
Award: 20 in Their Twenties
Organization: Professional Convention Management Association

Real Estate
Mary Claire Ryan
Rogers
Employer: Colliers Arkansas
Title: brokerage coordinator
Award: Economic Impact Award
Organization: CREW Network Northwest Arkansas

January
• 9 — First Friday Coffee
Sponsor: Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce
Time: 7:30-8:45 a.m.
Location: Adult Development Center, Siloam Springs
Contact: 524-6466