Author: Talk Business & Politics staff

Talk Business & Politics staff

Forty Under 40: Matt Hicks

Matt Hicks began his career in banking by accident. After graduating with a sports management degree from Arkansas State University in 2004, he needed a job but wasn’t sure what…

Forty Under 40: Addam Hardy

Addam Hardy started computer programming in middle school but didn’t see it as a challenge, so he joined the Army and studied linguistics. The Siloam Springs native spent about a…

Forty Under 40: Nick Griffin

Nick Griffin stumbled into a career in civil engineering as a computer major in college who decided he didn’t want to sit in front of computers all of his life….

Forty Under 40: Louis Graham

Louis Graham is passionate about problem-solving. When he became frustrated with shaving while running late for a meeting, he invented a product to improve the process. In June 2018, he…

Forty Under 40: Dusty Graham

As much as anyone over the past 15 years, Rogers architect Dusty Graham has left his fingerprints throughout Northwest Arkansas. A high school course in landscape drafting piqued his interest…

Forty Under 40: Rep. Megan Godfrey

Megan Godfrey earned a degree in 2006 from the University of Arkansas in Spanish and Latin American studies. Within two months, she was in California working for the nonprofit Teach…

Forty Under 40: Brock Gearhart

Brock Gearhart earned a financial management degree from the University of Arkansas in 2004. He had long had his sights on beginning his professional career in New York City, so…

Forty Under 40: VaShonda Eason

As a kid, VaShonda Eason loved Lifetime movies based on true stories. She always wondered how the characters healed, what changed in their lives and who helped them after the…

Forty Under 40: Tyler Dees

Tyler Dees leads the Walmart and Sam’s Club team at Siloam Springs-based poultry producer Simmons Foods, selling $100 million in retail products annually. The Siloam Springs native fell in love…

Forty Under 40: Tyler B. Clark

Growing up in Springdale, Tyler Clark’s parents modeled philanthropy. “I thought that’s what everyone did,” he said. “Little did I know it was rare.” Reflecting on his parents’ hard work…

Forty Under 40: Kevin Butzlaff

Kevin Butzlaff describes the work he does for the world’s largest company as being pretty awesome. It also leaves a significant and lasting impact on the environment. Most notably, he…

Forty Under 40: Ben Buergler

Ben Buergler lived in New York City and worked in global corporate investments when he decided 2018 was the time to return to Northwest Arkansas and work for a bank…

Forty Under 40: Buckley Bridges

Buckley Bridges has the opportunity to help Northwest Arkansas grow through his work at Waco Title. Buckley said the company “greases the wheels of real estate” to keep transactions moving….

Forty Under 40: Bailey Brandon

A summer job in 2009 blossomed into a satisfying career for Bailey Brandon, who serves as assistant to the three top-producing brokers at Sage Partners in Rogers. Brandon graduated from…

Lauren Blanco merged her many eclectic interests into a blossoming career manufacturing chocolate. She maintains a focus on supporting cacao farmers through fair and environmentally sustainable practices. Her bean-to-bar enterprise,…

Forty Under 40: Kassidie Blackstock

One year after stepping into a newly-created role for the Razorback Foundation, Kassidie Blackstock is considered a “communications quarterback” and trusted senior adviser by her boss, Scott Varady. Blackstock’s early…

Forty Under 40: Andrew Barker

Andrew Barker was a University of Arkansas student with a passion for aviation when he started as the first employee of autopilot maker TruTrak Flight Systems in 2000. “I just…

Forty Under 40: Max Avery

Max Avery earned a general contractor’s license after overseeing several construction projects and being frustrated with the quality of work and the communication he received. He established Bolding Construction in…

Forty Under 40: Joshua Allen

Joshua Allen is an expert in risk and crisis: making plans to avoid risks and managing dire situations when they arise. He honed these skills in the military and applied…

Forty Under 40: Austin Albers

Austin Albers has increased revenues 150% for the Buffalo Outdoor Center since taking over for his father-in-law, founder Mike Mills, eight years ago. The $10 million river outfitter offers a…