Central Arkansas

Bank OZK’s Susan Blair joins DDF Consulting

Susan Blair, who has a 40-year career in bank marketing and communications, has joined DD&F Consulting Group in Little Rock as a principal of the firm, the company announced Monday…

Sam Walls III named CEO of Arkansas Capital Corp.

Longtime Arkansas Capital Corp. executive Sam Walls III has been named CEO of the financial nonprofit effective Jan. 1, 2022. Walls has worked as Arkansas Capital’s president and COO since…

Rep. Lowery exits Secretary of State’s race, will seek Treasurer’s post

State Rep. Mark Lowery, R-Maumelle, said Friday (Jan. 21) he would leave the Secretary of State’s race and would instead seek the Republican nomination for Treasurer of State. Sen. Mat…

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker announces for re-election

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker said Thursday (Jan. 20) she would seek a third term on the state’s highest court. Baker has served two terms as a Supreme Court…

Bank OZK posts record annual earnings

Little Rock-based Bank OZK on Thursday (Jan. 20) reported higher net income for the quarter and the year as its real estate services group (RESG) performed extremely well in multiple…

Home Bancshares reports record net income of $319 million in 2021

A solid fourth quarter capped a record year for Home Bancshares, parent company to Centennial Bank, and with its pending entry into the Texas market, the future looks bright. The…

Garver names new aviation director, creates business development role

North Little Rock-based engineering firm Garver has appointed Frank McIllwain as director of aviation and Mike Griffin as aviation development director, which is a new role, according to a Tuesday…

Governor appoints Steven Anthony to Arkansas Racing Commission

Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed Steven M. Anthony to the Arkansas Racing Commission on Friday (Jan. 14). He replaces Butch Rice whose term expired. Anthony was born in Fayetteville and grew…

Arkansas-based Splash Car Wash nears opening of 12th location

Splash Car Wash, an Arkansas-based business, is planning to open its 12th location later this month. Commercial real estate firm Colliers Arkansas, a development partner, made the announcement Thursday (Jan….

Little Rock to host 50th annual Miss Gay America pageant next week

The city of Little Rock will host the 50th annual Miss Gay America pageant starting next week, the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau said Thursday (Jan. 13). The pageant…

Arkansas Cinema Society adds new members to board, Christina McLarty Arquette to serve as president

The Arkansas Cinema Society board of directors elected a new slate of officers for 2022. Producer Christina McLarty Arquette will succeed Larry Stone as board president. Stone served in the…

Governor: $3 billion steel plant will help Arkansas attract auto manufacturer

The announcement by U.S. Steel that it will build a $3 billion plant in Osceola will make Mississippi County the nation’s leading steel-producing county and sets the stage for Arkansas…

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra unveils plan for $9 million music center

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra (ASO) announced Wednesday (Jan. 12) plans for a new $9 million, 20,000-square-foot music center in Little Rock’s East Village. The state-of-the-art facility will be named the…

ICBA 2022 ThinkTECH Accelerator program launches at Venture Center

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) in partnership with The Venture Center, and the state of Arkansas officially unveiled its fourth annual ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator cohort during a virtual…

Sen. Trent Garner becomes 8th State Senator not running for re-election in 2022

The 35-member Arkansas State Senate is about to get a full facelift. State Sen. Trent Garner, R-El Dorado, became the eighth sitting senator to announce he would not seek re-election…

Beavers appointed as first Fellow for diversity, equity, and inclusion at UA Little Rock

Dr. Melvin Beavers, assistant professor in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing, has been selected as the inaugural Chancellor’s Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the University of…

St. Louis Fed Little Rock branch announces board of directors changes

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has announced the following changes to its Little Rock Branch board of directors, effective Jan. 1: Millie A. Ward, president of Stone Ward…

Hydco Construction names Jeremy Hyde as president

On Tuesday (Jan. 4), Hydco Construction named Jeremy Hyde as president of the firm and Jarred Dulski as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Roger Marlin has been acting president…

Encore Bank promotes Nikki Pfleger

Encore Bank promoted Nikki Pfleger to executive vice president, director of business banking solutions, the bank announced Monday (Jan. 3). Pfleger joined Encore Bank in April 2019 and was responsible…

LR Port Authority lands $3 million federal grant

The Little Rock Port Authority will receive $3 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s port infrastructure development program. The money will be used to replace 15…