Profiles

A directory of Profiles for Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Awards

Forty Under 40: Chris Woodard

Chris Woodard is an entrepreneurial-type who happens to have a law degree. As the co-founder of a transactional law practice with his wife Jenna, Woodard is licensed to practice law…

Emma Willis’ career has spanned from marketing to financial services to business strategy and thought leadership, focusing on higher education savings plans and resources. Willis recently was named chief operating…

Forty Under 40: Adam White

Adam White believes servant leadership is being both “a working manager and a servant manager, so you’re not afraid to get in the trenches and support the staff when needed…

Forty Under 40: Allisha Watkins

Allisha Watkins went to college to become a physical therapist. She realized quickly, though, that the thing she loved most was understanding human behavior. That curiosity has served her well…

Forty Under 40: Kendall Wagner

Kendall Wagner felt called to medicine in sixth grade when he lost a close friend to cystic fibrosis. His sister then successfully underwent surgery for a brain tumor. Wagner began…

Forty Under 40: Mailena Urso

Mailena Urso pursues what brings her meaning to her life, and as a result, she owns two diverse businesses with bright futures. Urso helps companies with website development, branding, and…

Forty Under 40: Jennifer Travis

When Jennifer Travis joined Tyson Foods as a University of Arkansas student, the Springdale native didn’t think she would have remained with the company for 18 years. Travis started with…

Forty Under 40: Crandall Streett

Crandall Streett graduated with honors from the University of Central Arkansas in 2003 with a public relations degree and moved to Fayetteville a year later, intent on earning a master’s…

Forty Under 40: Aron Shelton

After presenting ideas to its former and existing leadership on communicating the region’s story, Aron Shelton joined the Northwest Arkansas Council in July 2017. Recently, the Fayetteville native spearheaded the…

Forty Under 40: Seth Runser

Seth Runser believes a leadership role isn’t about taking the credit. “It isn’t about what you do,” he said. “It’s about how you develop your people and what results they…

Forty Under 40: Niketa Reed

As a Black woman in media, Niketa Reed is passionate about media representation for diverse audiences. As a journalism and strategic media professor at the University of Arkansas, she specializes…

Forty Under 40: Laura Poe

Laura Poe was a college senior and in sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma when she began at B-Unlimited, which focuses on custom collegiate apparel. Free sorority T-shirts appealed to her. Poe…

Forty Under 40: Ross Phillips

Ross Phillips grew up in Greenland and attended the University of Central Arkansas. He never imagined returning to Northwest Arkansas after graduating college, but that attitude softened over time while…

Forty Under 40: Dalton Person

Since he was about 5 years old, Dalton Person knew he wanted a career in which he could read, write and make a difference in the community. The Fort Smith…

Forty Under 40: Mary Mickel

Mary Mickel worked in restaurants in her hometown of Little Rock from age 15. “I loved the culture and work and found restaurants and hospitality fascinating.” Transferring that love into…

Forty Under 40: Conner McNair

Growing up in Fayetteville, Conner McNair always thought he’d go to law school, then maybe practice, maybe not. “But if I did [practice], it would be in the business realm,”…

Forty Under 40: Johann Komander

Johann Komander worked almost a decade on the Wall Street trading floor before returning to Northwest Arkansas to change pace. The Greenwood native became interested in working in New York…

Forty Under 40: Ryan King

Ryan King’s employees say he’s a great boss, but more importantly, a good man with a heart for people and a sincere, direct business model. King joined Guardian Payment Systems…

Forty Under 40: Lindy Janes

Lindy Janes has worked in commercial real estate for more than 15 years. The Springdale native manages a portfolio of more than 600,000 square feet of office space, has more…

Forty Under 40: Emily Ironside

Emily Ironside is a model of collaboration, encouragement, mentorship and proficiency as the director of development at Crystal Bridges. While securing major gifts to support, expand and endow both Crystal…