Barr to receive 2026 Jack White Community Leadership Award

Michael “Mike” Barr, a third-generation leader of a family-owned manufacturing business in Fort Smith who is active in local, state and national organizations, will receive the 2026 Jack White Community Leadership Award, according to the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Since 1990, the award has recognized community and business leaders who have had a significant impact on the area. The award is part of the Leadership Fort Smith program, with both managed by the Fort Smith chamber. Barr will be presented with the award at the Leadership Fort Smith Commencement event on July 16, at the United States Marshals Museum.

White was an employee of OG&E for 35 years, a U.S. Navy veteran, family man, and lifelong learner. He was highly regarded for his service, leadership, reputation and collaboration to make the Fort Smith a better place, according to the chamber. He died in 1997 at the age of 57. The void he left has since been “filled by the work of other leaders who carry his spirit of servant leadership, hard work, and determination in pushing for progress to get things done to make our region a better place to live,” the chamber has said.

Barr has been president of Fort Smith-based WeatherBarr Windows & Doors since 2011 and has more than 26 years of experience in the window and door industry. He also serves as chair of the board of trustees for the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, is a director for the Arkansas Military Affairs Council, and is a director for the Federal Reserve Bank in Little Rock.

His other contributions have included leadership roles with the Fort Smith chamber, Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, the United Way of Fort Smith Area, and the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He and his wife Greta have two daughters, Emily and Ellie.

“I am truly honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award,” Barr told Talk Business & Politics. “My dad, Tom Barr, had the pleasure of working closely with Jack on chamber matters and spoke of Jack White’s legacy and how important it is for our communities. Jack White’s legacy is one of servant leadership and civic engagement. I am very proud to work hard to fulfill that legacy.”

LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS
Following are previous Jack White award recipients.
1990: Hazel Evans
1991: Nancy Orr
1992: Ross Pendergraft
1993: David Olive
1994: Sandi Sanders
1995: no award given
1996: Robert E. Miller
1997: Ray Baker
1998: Jim Spears
1999: Josie Decker
2000: Joel Stubblefield
2001: Benny Gooden
2002: Robert A. Young III
2003: Carter Hunt
2004: Charles Shuffield
2005: Roland S. Boreham Jr.
2006: Dorothy Rappeport
2007: Don Flanders
2008: Edward “Sandy” Sanders
2009: Mark Rumsey
2010: Sister Judith Marie Keith
2011: Philip H. Merry Jr.
2012: Sam M. Sicard (posthumously)
2013: Melody Trimble
2014: Ivy Owen
2015: Col. Mark Anderson
2016: Steve Clark
2017: Sam T. Sicard
2018: Dr. Jerry Stewart (posthumously)
2019: Jason Green
2020: Trent Goins and George McGill
2021: Charolotte Tidwell
2022: Bill Hanna
2023: Tim Allen
2024: Col. Andrew “Gus” Nash
2025: Eddie Lee Herndon

LEADERSHIP FORT SMITH CLASS
Following are members of the Leadership Fort Smith class:
Laura Asbill: Hampton Inn
Karen Barrera-Leon: ArcBest
Ashley Beasley: The Heritage Group
Jerad Branham: Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club
Natalie Cadena: Waldron School District
Rachel Dahl: Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Alexis Durham-Brown: Harry Robinson
Jennifer Faldon: ArcBest
Ashley Farrar: Landmark CPAs
Jim Garvey: Arkansas Air National Guard, 85th Fighter Group
Stacy Gregory: Simmons Bank
Tony Jones: Fort Smith Public Schools
Jacqui Lyle: Snelling Staffing
Robert McClure: Sebastian County Prosecutors Office
Molly Radhakrishnan: Real Brokerage
Isaac Salazar: Antioch for Youth and Family
Danielle Scheurer: ArcBest
Dr. Heather Scheurer: University of Arkansas at Fort Smith
Kimberly Starr: Fort Smith Public Schools
Maddie Stojanovic: United Way of Fort Smith Area
Becky Stout: Edward Jones
Nicole Swanson: ERC Properties
Stephanie Whitaker: Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
Lori Winesburg: Arvest Bank