Gray Matters Promotes Four, Launches Events Division

Darin Gray, majority owner of Gray Matters LLC of Springdale, has promoted four employees and launched a corporate events division.

Gray Matters publishes the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal and four other niche publications in addition to serving as manager of the Tulsa Business Journal.

Gray, who was previously publisher, assumed the role of CEO and president of the company on Feb. 3. At the same time, he announced the following promotions:

• Jeffrey Wood, executive editor, was promoted to vice president and publisher.

• Ronie Sparkman, creative director, was promoted to associate publisher/creative director.

• Jonathan Adams, account executive, was promoted to Business Journal sales manager.

• Krystal Gilbert, account executive, was promoted to special publications sales manager.

“It was time for this company to make these changes in order to better serve our customers and our readers, especially as it relates to our presence in Tulsa,” Gray said.

Gray Matters also launched a corporate events division, and Christina Hinds moved from the position of company sales manager to director of corporate events and marketing.

“That’s primarily to handle our Gray Matters events as well as provide a service for our business-to-business clients with their corporate events,” Gray said.

Also, Gray Matters recently hired two account executives: Ashley Ward for the Business Journal and Sarah Mhoon for the company’s special publications division.

In addition to the Business Journal, Gray Matters operates Northwest Arkansas Family magazine, Northwest Arkansas Guest Guide, Northwest Arkansas Newcomers Guide and the Northwest Arkansas Book of Lists.

Gray Matters announced on Jan. 1 that it was partnering with Community Publishers Inc. of Bentonville to manage the Tulsa Business Journal and two other business publications in that city acquired by CPI in December.