Profiles

A directory of Profiles for Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Awards

Fast 15: Lizzie Johnson

A few minutes with Lizzie Johnson can transform one’s perception of fundraising. The work is incredibly rewarding when you’re seeking money for something you believe in, Johnson said. For six…

Fast 15: Michael Iseman

Michael Iseman felt almost lied to after graduating college and joining a big technology company in his native Kansas City, Mo. Iseman was told it was the place to go…

Fast 15: Shane Hartzler

Shane Hartzler grew up in a small town north of Kansas City, Mo., in a household with three sisters. “Me and my dad are very close,” he joked. It’s probably…

Don’t tell Josephine Hardy an introverted English literature major from Australia can’t make a great American retail technology marketer. The 28-year-old founder of InboundMate finds her background fitting — after…

Fast 15: Jordan Hale

He was laid off after 11 months with his first job. And of his first time to meet the person who would become his wife: “We did not get along…

Fast 15: Eric Gilreath

Eric Gilreath is a self-taught IT director who advises up-and-comers to be prepared to get a lot wrong before getting it right. “Don’t be afraid to break the wheel,” Gilreath…

Fast 15: Andrew Gibbs-Dabney

Andrew Gibbs-Dabney looks to create durable outdoor clothing for people who want to own less and get the most out of their belongings. In late 2017, he developed plans for…

Fast 15: Katie Duke

Katie Duke received the experience she needed to be successful after spending more than four years at public relations company Mitchell in Fayetteville. In her time there, she primarily worked…

Fast 15: Jenny Button

One of the state’s largest commercial real estate and property management firms had no problem entrusting one of its greatest assets to a rookie property manager. Sage Partners combined with…

C-Suite: Jim Tull

Achievements: Tull has worked at Crafton Tull for 25 years, seeing it expand to a regional firm with seven offices throughout Arkansas and Oklahoma and 30 owners, from six equal…

C-Suite: James W. Smith

Achievements: Recognized by several industry publications as one of the state’s most prominent attorneys in the area of mergers and acquisitions; holds an AV ethics rating from Martindale Hubbell (the highest…

C-Suite: Brian Shaw

Achievements: Oversees brokerage operations of a firm that manages more than 4 million square feet of commercial real estate; has led development of more than $150 million in commercial real…

C-Suite: Erica Preston

Achievements: Leads retail team at Chambers Bank; chair of Northwest Arkansas Business Women’s Conference; incoming Junior Achievement of Northwest Arkansas board chair; co-chair of the Sunshine School and Development Center…

C-Suite: Eric Pianalto

Achievements: Member of Mercy’s leadership team for more than two decades, and was named chief executive in 2013; prior to that, he was chief operating officer of Mercy Clinic in…

C-Suite: Michael Paladino

Achievements: Growth from two to 60 employees in the first five years at RevUnit and 90% year-over-year revenue growth; serves as vice chairman of SAKE, a student-run nonprofit at the…

C-Suite: Matt Mawby

Achievements: Mawby has worked for the company since its founding in 1986; became president and part owner in 1996, and the sole owner in 2010, leading the business through a…

C-Suite: Lisa Bridgers

Achievements: Bridgers implemented progressive HR practices at Rockfish; co-creator and emcee for the Women in the Workforce conference; member of the Executive Advisory Council for the Inseitz Group’s Women’s Empowerment…

C-Suite: Aaron Bleidt

Achievements: Created two successful businesses, both centered on showcasing the virtues of the NWA region: CitiScapes magazine, where he served as publisher/editor and owner from 2000 to 2010; and marketing…

C-Suite: Clinton Bell

Achievements: In business for 17 years, creating a place where his more than 20 employees can work, play, research, study, laugh and grow. What is it that drives you in…

Forty Under 40: Aaron Wirth

Aaron Wirth remembers how strong the real estate market was before the recession. “We were literally hanging the sign at [Fayetteville subdivision] Salem Heights when we had people asking to…