Profiles

A directory of Profiles for Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Awards

Fast 15: Derek Stout

It was not a giant leap for Derek Stout to enter construction. Even at a young age, he said he appreciated how things are built. Before he was 10 years…

Jasmine Smith was connected to the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith before graduating high school. A Mansfield native, she participated in the Western Arkansas Technical Center program through UAFS…

Fast 15: Megan Rich

At age 20, Megan Rich studied engineering at Golden West Community College in Huntington Beach, Calif., and worked as an in-process inspector at AAE Aerospace when she had an epiphany…

Fast 15: Whitney Parker

UAMS hired Whitney Parker in the fall of 2019 as an administrative analyst, but she quickly demonstrated her aptitude and personality as a leader. A quick learner, Parker now manages…

Fast 15: Martin Ojeda

Martin Ojeda learned work ethic and servant leadership as a carhop at his family’s Sonic restaurant in Pensacola, Fla. His parents did not graduate from high school but achieved success,…

Fast 15: Michael McGill

Michael McGill is part of a new generation of leaders in the oldest law firm west of the Mississippi River. In March, Little Rock business law practice Rose Law Firm…

Fast 15: Adam McFain

Adam McFain has dreamed of owning a company since he was a kid, buying candy boxes at Sam’s Club and selling them to his friends. Growing up in Greenwood, McFain’s…

Fast 15: Megan Iseman

Megan Iseman grew up in the Kansas City, Kan., metro and attended college at the University of Arkansas. She earned bachelor’s (2014) and master’s (2016) degrees in accounting and an…

Fast 15: Beckie Irvin

When Beckie Irvin is passionate about something, she wants to share it with everyone. That includes outdoor education. “It’s what my career and passions are rooted in,” she said. Irvin…

Fast 15: Megan Heckes

Megan Heckes’ journey to her work at the United Way started with a degree in accounting from Harding University in 2017. After graduation, she became a business analyst in Walmart’s…

Fast 15: Corbin Foster

Things didn’t turn out exactly as planned for Corbin Foster after moving to Northwest Arkansas to attend the University of Arkansas. Growing up, the Little Rock native thought she’d move…

Fast 15: Kelsey Boote

With a fondness for math and an affable personality, Kelsey Boote (pronounced “boat”) earned an industrial engineering degree from the University of Arkansas in 2015. “I had a lot of…

Fast 15: Manuel Barrantes

Nine years ago, Manuel Barrantes emigrated from Managua, Nicaragua, the second-poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. “Growing up wasn’t always easy,” he said. “We didn’t have a lot, but my…

Fast 15: Megan Arroyos

Megan Arroyos was 16 when she joined Serve2Perform as an intern. She had the opportunity to work in operations and information technology before landing in marketing and branding. “I love…

C-Suite: Denise Thomas

Fast Fact: Thomas joined WTCA in 2007 and was director of Africa, European and Middle East trade before being promoted to her current role in July. If you weren’t in…

C-Suite: Bethany Stephens

Fast Fact: Stephens has led Soapbox Influence since its inception in 2014. She previously spent more than 15 years in marketing, communication, public relations, development, strategy and leadership roles across…

C-Suite: Bill Rogers

Fast Fact: Rogers started working for the Springdale Chamber of Commerce in 1998 and became its president and CEO on Jan. 1. What’s the most interesting thing about you that…

C-Suite: Allan Peretz

Fast Fact: Peretz has helped Bold Strategies, an e-commerce marketer, to a revenue growth rate of 1,781% from 2017 to 2020. If you weren’t in your current profession, what would…

C-Suite: Chris Lyle

Fast Fact: Lyle has led research and development at Pel-Freez for more than six years and was promoted to his existing role in June. What is the best business advice…

C-Suite: Craig Lile

Fast Fact: Lile played golf at the University of Arkansas and owns the school record for most career tournament wins (5). If you had $1 million to give, what would…