Profiles

A directory of Profiles for Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Awards

Fast 15: Edgar Mora

Edgar Mora has always loved soccer and other sports. In middle school, he dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player, but that morphed when he got into high school. A…

Fast 15: Joseph Leidy

Joseph Leidy was 19 when he joined water technology company Xylem. He’s worked his way up through six positions, gaining experience in the water and wastewater industry. He was named…

Fast 15: Ashley Calderon

Ashley Calderon believes a true leader chooses to serve others over themselves, and “if you put people first, success will always come.” One of Walmart’s youngest managers in global supply…

Fast 15: Bryan Harmon

The path into the world of construction was cemented later in Bryan Harmon’s life. He didn’t grow up in a construction family, and no one in his family ever worked…

Fast 15: Mahonry Jaen

When Mahonry Jaen was growing up he wanted to be an astronaut. There was only one problem. He was living in Mexico, and the prospects of going into space seemed…

Fast 15: Cole Brothers

Springdale native Cole Brothers joined Springdale-based Core Brewing & Distilling Co. as an intern in early 2018. He wasn’t necessarily seeking a job in the beer industry but wanted to…

Fast 15: Allen Deaver

As a kid, Allen Deaver wanted to be a park ranger. In school, he gravitated toward his math and science classes. Soon he merged those interests, and the idea of…

Fast 15: Natalie Pridmore

Natalie Pridmore was born in South Florida and moved to Fayetteville as a freshman in high school. Her parents wanted a fresh start, and a Google search for best places…

Fast 15: Colby Carlson

Colby Carlson made a quick jump into a successful career in real estate. He oversees more than $30 million in managed real estate assets through his company. “I attribute my…

Fast 15: Leigh Anne Robinson

Leigh Anne Robinson makes an impact on the lives of those around her, whether it’s in her job of improving public health for Arkansans or mentoring those early in their…

Fast 15: Mallory Files

Mallory Files had many career paths she thought about pursuing. There was a time when she wanted to be a lawyer, a teacher, a neurosurgeon, and she even had a…

Rausch Companies

John Rausch and Buddy Coleman founded Rausch Coleman Homes in 2002 and sold the company to Lennar in February 2025. John Rausch founded Rausch Enterprises, doing business as Rausch Companies,…

Onyx Coffee Lab

Jon and Andrea Allen formed Onyx Coffee Lab in 2012 after spending time from high school and beyond in the coffee business. They met working as baristas at Arsaga’s Coffee…

Emery Sapp & Sons

Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS) was founded in 1972 by Billy Sapp, who named the company after his father. ESS began with one employee and a single piece of construction…

49 Financial

49 Financial began inside a Fortune 500 company before it became an independent, registered investment advisor (RIA) firm in 2019. It was founded by Travis Penfield, Hunter Lloyd and Kyle…

The Stitt Group

The Stitt Group began as a DIY home project in 1975 when Orlo and David Stitt installed a solar water heating system on their home in suburban Montreal, Canada. This…

PodcastVideos.com

Eric Howerton had an idea. In recent years, podcasts and YouTube videos have become extremely popular, and many people want to get into the space. There are several obstacles they…

Miller, Boskus and Lack

Three men had a vision to start an architectural firm in Fayetteville. Steve Miller, Roger Boskus, and Audy Lack opened Miller, Boskus and Lack in 1998. When they first opened,…

Allegiance Title of Arkansas

Patrick Curry and Brian Blackman had many years of experience in the insurance industry. The two men thought they could streamline processes and make the process more efficient. In 2021…

mejo

In 2018, Ryan Sheedy decided to become a stay-at-home dad. He and his wife had recently welcomed twin sons. One of the boys has a rare genetic disorder. Soon Sheedy…

ASU System Board of Trustees approves $402.6 million budget for next year

Car-Mart hires investment firm, appoints board member as it evaluates ‘strategic alternatives’

Arkansas metro job growth moderates in April, NWA beats the trend

Sam’s Club names new chief operating officer