Rumsey to receive Jack White leadership award

Mark Rumsey, president and CEO of Zero Mountain Inc., will receive the 2009 Jack White Leadership Award presented by the Leadership Fort Smith Alumni Association.

The Jack White award recognizes the contributions of an individual whose consistent and humble leadership have resulted in community improvements. Jack White came to Fort Smith in 1987 as the Arkansas manager for OG&E. His natural leadership abilities were quickly recognized and he honored most requests to serve in leadership roles with numerous community organizations. After his untimely death in 1996, the leadership award was named to honor his service.

Rumsey began his career in 1982 with Zero Mountain, a $50-million plus cold storage
operation with more than 250 employees and operations in Fort Smith, Johnson, Lowell and Russellville, according to information provided by the Leadership Fort Smith program.

Rumsey’s service to numerous organizations is well-known in the Fort Smith region. (Rare editorial note inserted into a story: The City Wire is surprised Rumsey was not already a recipient of the Jack White award.)

Just a few of the groups with which Rumsey has contributed generous amounts of time and/or money include: Endowments at the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith; U.S. Marshals Museum Foundation board; Fort Smith Symphony; United Way of Fort Smith Area; Fort Smith Art Center; Family Enterprise Center at the UAFS; Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House; and the Fort Smith Public Schools’ Partners In Education program.

The LFS Alumni Association also recognized six other leaders under its Community Leadership awards program.

Seven citizens have been named as recipients of the Leadership Fort Smith Alumni Association’s 2009 community leadership awards.

• Community Leadership-Business:
John McFarland, chairman and CEO of Baldor Electric Co.

• Community Leadership-Non-profit:
John Furness, executive director, Comprehensive Juvenile Services

• Community Leadership-Healthcare:
Margaret F. Tremwel, M.D., chief quality officer, Sparks Health System

• Community Leadership-Education:
Pam Siebenmorgen, principal, Beard Elementary School

• Community Leadership-Government:
Shirl Page, Sebastian County Drug Court coordinator
Community Leadership-Religion:
Ken Hamilton, Arkansas director, Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Rumsey and the other leadership award winners will be formally recognized at the June 4 graduation of the 2009 Leadership Fort Smith class.

Leadership Fort Smith, offered through the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, is now in its 22nd year. The program provides an issues-oriented education to 25 participants with the goal of educating them about community needs, community resources and how they can get involved.

The public is invited to the June 4 banquet. For ticket information, call the LFS office at 788-7740.