Profiles

A directory of Profiles for Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Awards

Fast 15: Joshua Montanez

Josh Montanez wants to make an impact. As a financial adviser, he helps his clients make some of the “most important decisions of their lives.” Growing up in Little Rock,…

Fast 15: Kristy Meinzer

Kristy Meinzer was 11 when she started her first job driving a combine harvester during wheat harvesting season. Meinzer was raised on a 2,000-acre farm of mostly wheat in Meade,…

Fast 15: Brit McKenzie

Brit McKenzie grew up wanting to work in politics. With parents active in civic life in Rogers, “civic duty and responsibility and love of the political system,” were natural for…

Fast 15: Zack Kifer

Springdale native Zack Kifer became interested in the real estate industry while working as a bank teller. He would meet with brokers and liked their work. He found out about…

Fast 15: Zach Hocker

Zach Hocker’s work ethic paid off in his four years as a professional football player. That continues in his work in commercial real estate. “Nothing comes easy,” he said. “I’m…

Fast 15: Caroline Currier

Caroline Currier is known as “the fixer” to many of her elderly clients. In her practice as an elder law attorney, she helps seniors get their financial and personal affairs…

Fast 15: Tristin Bolton

Tristin Bolton’s job as a family consumer science agent with the Crawford County office of the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service involves spending a lot of time in area schools teaching…

Achievements: Smith launched his executive search firm 25 years ago, credited with building customer teams for hundreds of Walmart supplier offices in Northwest Arkansas and filling thousands of high-paying jobs….

C-Suite: Adam Rutledge

Achievements: A third-generation banker, Rutledge has led the $5.6 billion bank’s interests in Washington, Benton, Sebastian, and Crawford counties since 2013. He is a board member of LifeSource International, WorkMatters…

C-Suite: Nelson Peacock

Achievements: Peacock has led one of the region’s most influential nonprofits since July 2017, most notably working to address infrastructure, healthcare and entrepreneurship improvements. He previously worked in the California…

C-Suite: Aaron Marshall

Achievements: Marshall started at BCS (formerly Baker Computer Services) as an hourly worker on the shop floor. He was named CEO in 2010. Under Marshall’s leadership, the IT services company…

C-Suite: David Kimball

Achievements: Kimball leads one of the largest engineering and architectural firms in Arkansas. He was named president in 2018 and has practiced mechanical engineering for more than 25 years. He…

C-Suite: Kelly Johnson

Achievements: Johnson has served as XNA airport director since 1996. She was promoted to chief operating officer in 2018. Previously, she worked for the city of Fayetteville for more than…

C-Suite: Gary Head

Achievements: Head started his banking career in 1983. He was president and CEO of Arvest Bank’s Fayetteville market in 2004 when he resigned to launch Signature Bank, which opened in…

C-Suite: Greg Fogle

Achievements: Fogle has worked in commercial construction for 37 years, starting with summer positions as a laborer. He has since held multiple leadership roles including project manager, executive vice president…

C-Suite: Steve Clark

Achievements: Clark has led the chamber for 10 years. Previously, he was the longest-serving attorney general in Arkansas, chief of staff for Gov. David Pryor, and assistant dean of the…

C-Suite: Mary Beth Brooks

Achievements: Brooks has been director of the center for more than a year. She previously worked in banking for 30 years and was president and CEO of The Bank of…

NEA Women in Business: Sandra Collins

Residence: Osceola Education: Studied business management at Mississippi County Community College (now Arkansas Northeast College) Professional background: Collins has worked in housing property management. What was your dream job as…

NEA Women in Business: Diana Davis

Residence: Jonesboro Education: B.S. Journalism, University of Kansas Professional background: Davis celebrated her 30th year at KAIT as a news anchor and reporter. Before that, she worked as a general…

NEA Women in Business: Gina Gomez

Residence: Jonesboro Education: Bachelor of Psychology, La Sabana University, Bogotá, Colombia. Professional background: As the executive director of the El Centro Hispano (The Hispanic Center), Gomez and the center provide…