Wednesday Kudos: Crystal Bridges Adds More Staff

CRYSTAL BRIDGES ADDS IRONSIDE, LYLE

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has recently hired two new staff members: Emily Ironside is the museum’s new membership program manager, and Bill Lyle joins the museum as executive chef of Eleven, the museum restaurant. Both are from Fayetteville.

Ironside joined Crystal Bridges’ Advancement Team on August 1 as the membership program manager. She has worked previously at the Walton Arts Center, the University of Arkansas, Walmart, and YMCA.

At Crystal Bridges, Ironside will oversee all aspects of the museum’s membership program, including recruitment and member services.

Lyle joined Crystal Bridges as the new executive chef of Eleven, the museum restaurant. Lyle has been part of the Northwest Arkansas food community in Fayetteville for several years, not only through his work as executive chef at Ella’s Restaurant on the campus of the University of Arkansas, but also through hosting the annual Winemaker’s Dinner at Walton Arts Center’s Art of Wine Festival, and previously serving as sous chef at Bordino’s restaurant in downtown Fayetteville.

ASU PROMOTES TORRES
Henry Torres has been promoted to chief information officer (CIO) for Arkansas State University after serving the past six months as A-State’s interim CIO.

Torres brings technology experience from a long career in industry and education to his new position at A-State, where he has been part of the faculty and staff since 2002.

He will lead a team of more than 60 professionals in the Department of Information Technology and will continue to serve as an adjunct senior lecturer in computer and information technology in the College of Business.

Torres is a key member of a team that created Rural Sourcing, Inc., a software outsourcing company, developing it to $1.6 million in annual sales in two years. He has also held executive positions with Walmart, Neiman-Marcus, CSK Auto, and Frederick’s of Hollywood.

DELTA DENTAL DISTRIBUTES GRANTS
The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation approved over $200,000 worth of grants to be awarded to dental clinics and organizations across the state.

The grants include:

• Baptist Health Foundation – $20,000
• Community Dental Clinic – $20,000
• Good Samaritan Clinic – $12,000
• Harmony Health Clinic – $14,459
• Hope Cancer Resources – $7,500
• Lonoke County Christian Clinic – $20,000
• Northwest Arkansas Free Health Center – $6,326
• Pulaski Technical College Foundation – $20,000
• River City Ministry – $21,000
• River Valley Christian Clinic – $5,000
• Share Foundation – $2,510
• Shepherd’s Hope Neighborhood Health Centers – $3,000
• UALR Children International – $15,000
• University of Arkansas at Fort Smith – $5,633.22
• Washington Regional Medical Foundation – $30,000

SIMMONS FIRST PROMOTES TWO
Simmons First National Bank recently announced the officer promotions of E. Wayne Bishop to Information Technology Officer and Karla D. Dial to Operations Officer.

Bishop holds the position of Manager of IT Computer Operations. He has nearly 6 years of experience with Simmons First and previously held the position of Network Administrator.

Dial holds the position of Bank Card Operations Supervisor in the Specialty Banking Group. She has been a part of the Simmons First family for the past 8 years where she began as a Payment Processor for the Bank Card Department.