The Pros and Cons Of

THE STATE’S BUSINESS NEWS AUTHORITY. Taking Initiative Political foes both seek fairness in the process for getting Arkansas proposals on the ballot. [P9] The Changing of the Guard Longtime editor Roy Ockert reflects on the sale of the Business Batesville Daily Guard. [P20] UPDATED DAILY: ArkansasBusiness.com VOL. 35, NO. 24 JUNE 11-17, 2018 $1.50

SPOTLIGHT: Law The Pros and Cons of

Exec Q&A Tort Reform With Robyn Proposal caps damages, shifts court Allmendinger rule-making power to legislators Th e fi rst woman to By Mark Friedman lead the Rose Law [email protected] Firm talks about its long tradition, her With less than five months before the goals and breaking the November vote on capping attorney’s fees and damages, groups for and against glass ceiling. [P26] tort reform in Arkansas are making their case with money. Supporters and opponents of The List [P15-17] Issue 1 have raised more than $3.5 million to push or fight the The Largest Law proposed amendment, which voters Firms in Arkansas will decide on Nov. 6. It’s a wide-ranging Whispers [P3] proposal that would: w Limit damages in personal injury and Bankruptcy adds to wrongful death cases. The amendment would former agent’s woes restrict monetary awards for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering to $500,000 Brad Hendricks, a Little Rock and punitive damages, which punish wrong- Carl Vogelpohl supports Issue attorney, opposes the proposed ful conduct, to $500,000 or three times the 1 and says it will bring jobs to ARKANSAS BUSINESS tort reform amendment. Arkansas. PUBLISHING GROUP TORT REFORM CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 [PHOTOS BY KAREN E. SEGRAVE] RV Case Awards Defy Precedent, Appeal Says By Gwen Moritz tort and contract law. ages and attorneys fees when [email protected] w Holding a party liable for they would previously have conversion even though the sought only one or the other. Doug Boydston died while money in question was being “I’m personally opposed to cleaning up debris after a 2014 Court to review the Arkansas held by the court — and even Issue 1 for numerous reasons,” tornado destroyed property that Court of Appeals’ affirmation of though the trial court had previ- said Kent Walker, the North his tenant had allegedly under- the trial court’s decision, argu- ously recognized a “good faith” Little Rock attorney who rep- insured, leaving his widow to ing that it shakes up decades of effort to settle the dispute. resented Brown before Pulaski prevail in a $1 million civil dis- legal precedent in two areas: If the ruling is allowed to County Circuit Judge Mackie pute over the coverage. w Awarding both punitive stand, Brown’s attorneys predict Now the tenant, Danny W. damages ($230,000 in this case) that civil complaints across the PUNITIVE DAMAGE Brown, and his attorneys are and attorneys fees ($200,000) in state will be crafted in hopes of CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 asking the Arkansas Supreme a case that has elements of both extracting both punitive dam- Last Chance to Purchase Tickets to the 40 Under 40 awards ceremony! www.ArkansasBusiness.com/40Lunch LAST CHANCE TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT! WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE 2018 CLASS

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erated $3.2 million in gross revenue in 2015. That amount fell to $2.87 million Arkansas in 2016 and $2.9 million in 2017. It also Seven-Digit Construction reported having $588,000 in revenue this Sixth Floor Renovation . . . . .$1,606,431 Business year. Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield Moore didn’t return a call for com- 601 Gaines St., Little Rock ment. Baldwin & Shell Construction Co. Little Rock Whispers Seven-Digit Deals Target Remodel ...... $1,116,275 For daily news, register at ArkansasBusiness.com/Enews Adjoining hotels in Conway and land 501 Elsinger Blvd., Conway for an emergency hospital in Cabot pro- Crossland Construction Co., Insurance Troubles of Batesville, which has already sued vide this week’s edition of million-dollar Columbus, Kansas We can add bankruptcy to the list of Bishop and Alliance, also has an unse- real estate transactions. problems facing former insurance agent cured claim of $200,000. w Central Arkansas Lodging Inc., led Berry Bishop and his agency. Back in April, Bishop and Alliance by Kantilal Patel, sold the Candlewood The paper is advertising for a reporter Bishop’s Alliance Insurance Group of were stripped of their insurance licens- Suites at 2360 Sanders St. and Comfort to cover its premier business beat for Arkadelphia Inc. filed for Chapter 7 bank- es in an emergency action by state Inn & Suites at 2370 Sanders St. for $5.7 a third time in four years after Robbie ruptcy protection late last month and Insurance Commissioner Allen Kerr. In million. Neiswanger gave notice to accept an listed $8.2 million in debts and $5.5 mil- that order, he said Bishop had diverted to Buyers: Sophia Hospitality LLC and unspecified Walmart job, several current lion in assets. Most of the debt, $6.2 mil- personal use some $1.7 million in premi- Aarya Hospitality, both led by Chintu and former Democrat-Gazette employees lion, is owed to creditors holding unse- um received from clients and defrauded Magan. told Whispers. Neiswanger had been cov- cured claims. (Bishop hasn’t filed for Bank of Prescott with more than $1 mil- w PND Cabot LLC, an affiliate of Perlis ering Walmart, the world’s largest com- personal bankruptcy.) lion in phony premium finance loans. Realty of Cordele, Georgia, purchased pany with some $500 billion in annual The Bank of Prescott is listed as an The Insurance Department also in 4.3 acres near the northwest corner of sales, for about two years. unsecured creditor and had sued Bishop April granted an agency license to a new Willie Ray Drive and West Main Street for A former Stephens Media sports- in April to collect on 21 different loans agency created by Bishop’s son-in-law more than $1.8 million. writer, Neiswanger joined the Little that totaled $2.14 million. That law- and vice president of Alliance, Nathan Seller? Anchor Realty Investments LLC, Rock paper in 2015 and was based in suit is expected to be put on hold while Price. The new agency is called Price & Co. led by David Bubbus. Springdale; he succeeded Chris Bahn as Alliance’s liquidation makes its way of Arkadelphia. Its Facebook page reads, the Democrat-Gazette’s Walmart writ- through U.S. Bankruptcy Court. “We’re a team of real people with real er in 2016. Bahn, now a publisher at Other banks that were stung by experience and real knowledge and we Walmart Reporter Joins Walmart Arkansas Business Publishing Group, had Alliance were Southern Bancorp of want to provide you with real insurance You may have heard that the Arkansas inherited the Walmart beat in 2014 from Arkadelphia, which has secured claims solutions! Call us today!” Democrat-Gazette is seeking a new Cyd King, now communications direc- that total nearly $976,000, and Simmons The bankruptcy filing by Alliance’s Walmart writer, but did you know that’s tor for the American Heart Association in Bank of Pine Bluff, which has an unse- attorney, J. Brad Moore of Wetzel & Moore because the latest reporter is going to cured claim of $400,000. Citizens Bank of Little Rock, shows that Alliance gen- work for Walmart Inc.? WHISPERS CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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Fayetteville. More than a dozen applicants from around the country have responded to an ad the Democrat-Gazette placed June 1 on JournalismJobs.com, insiders say. The ad noted that the beat “generates INNOVA T ION a steady stream of byline stories, many for the front page.” The advertisement, EXPE R IENCE which gave no salary range for the position, said the job will also involve cover- ing Crystal Bridges Museum of American SOL U TIONS Art, “founded by Walmart heiress Alice VI S ION Walton.” Community Bakery News The rumor provoked immediate S T RATEGY interest: A former Dillard’s employee had bought Community Bakery, a Little Rock institution. We are a 92-attorney corporate law firm providing strategic, Joe Fox, Community Bakery’s owner, laughed. No, he said, he hasn’t comprehensive legal services to help clients achieve their sold the bakery, at 1200 Main St., but goals. We provide trusted counsel. Valuable insight. Effective he has brought on a partner, John Brandenberger, who Fox hopes will be solutions. Learn more today. his successor. Brandenberger lives in the neighborhood and was previously store manager for Dillard’s at Park Plaza. “He’s acquiring an ownership position as a partner,” Fox said of Brandenberger, now the bakery’s chief operating officer. “And we’ll see where it goes.” “I’ve been trying to identify a successor for a long time,” Fox said. “And I hope he’ll be that person and I think that’s what he hopes as well.” Brandenberger’s wife, Julie, is the Little Rock | Rogers | Jonesboro | Austin daughter of Little Rock architect John Jarrard and his wife, Anne, long-time MitchellWilliamsLaw.com Quapaw Quarter residents. Julie’s “dad used to ride bikes with her here to the bakery when she was a kid, and that was before I bought it — and I bought it 35 years ago, so that was a while ago,” Fox said. Brandenberger “is “very conscious of building the brand,” Fox said. “I think it’s time for new energy, new blood, and I’m Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C. enjoying working with him.” It’s hard to envision Community 425 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 1800 | Little Rock, AR 72201 Bakery before Fox bought it in 1983, but he’s actually the third owner. Ralph R.T. Beard, III, Managing Director Hinson started the bakery in 1947 in the Rose City neighborhood of North Little Rock and sold it to Agnes Bargiel, the bakery’s chief cake decorator, in the late 1970s. Fox bought it from her. Arkansas The bakery moved from North Little Rock to a site near 14th and Main streets Business in 1952. Community Bakery moved to DO YOU ISSN: 1053-6582. USPS Number 730-650 www.iabcarkansas.com the renovated Cohn Building at 12th and Vol. 35 Number 24, June 11 - June 17, 2018. Arkansas KNOW A Business is published weekly for $64.95 per year, $94.95 per Main in 1993. year out of state, 6 months in state for $39.95, 6 months out Although Fox owns 90 percent of the 20-SOMETHING of state for $69.95 and $194.95 foreign per year (including bakery, 20 employees own fractions of WORTH Canada) by Arkansas Business Publishing Group, 114 stock in the enterprise. Scott St., Little Rock, AR 72201, P.O. Box 3686, Little Rock, In addition to Brandenberger, WATCHING? AR 72203, (501) 372-1443, facsimile (501) 375-7933; Periodical postage paid at Little Rock, AR. Postmaster, send Community Bakery has a new general address change to Arkansas Business, P.O. Box 3686, Little manager, Tammy Ward, who started at ArkansasBusiness.com/20 Rock, AR 72203. Copyright 2018 Arkansas Business Limited the first of the year. “So between John Partnership. and Tammy, I’m looking forward to them kind of steering and keeping the whole DEADLINE TO Subscribe Today: thing going,” Fox said. “It’s going to take NOMINATE: 501-372-1443 some time for me to get to where I have JUNE 30 888-322-6397 some free time, which I don’t right now. arkansasbusiness.com/store But that’s my goal.” WHISPERS Arkansas Business June 11, 2018 5

husband, Cesar Bordon, to bring their get a sampling of the best craft beer in The restaurant, at 2,500 SF, will seat Harassment Allegations interpretation of “Latin American street Arkansas, you’d have to go to a lot of dif- between 60 and 70 diners. Dos Rocas will A former “Twin Peaks Girl” — her offi- food” to the SoMa neighborhood — ferent places to try those,” Sundell said. also have a pool table. cial title — alleged in a lawsuit filed last carne, chorizo and other versions of They plan to offer them under one roof. Bordon, from Paraguay, is the Root week that she was sexually harassed by tacos, empanadas and pupusas, along “We’ve been menu-testing for months kitchen manager and has been at the customers and supervisors at the Little with vegetarian options like nopales now,” Sundell said. “The food is incred- restaurant since it opened in 2011. The Rock breastaurant. salad (a kind of cactus) and vegan dishes ible. It’s a great balance of traditional chef will be Luis Vasquez, who grew up Chanci D. Gallegos of Pulaski County as well. Latin American street food — things that in Honduras and is currently a breakfast filed a lawsuit last week against the res- They’re “trying to make sure we have you would almost have to leave the coun- chef at the Root. taurant and her supervisors, alleging something available for everybody,” Jack try to find — but also accessible, well- “I just think it’s a unique opportu- that throughout her employment the Sundell said. prepared versions of dishes that people nity to bring a quality and type of food 26-year-old “was subjected to several The bar will offer homemade mar- will recognize, favorites from Mexican to downtown Little Rock that isn’t here acts that were unwelcome and sexual in garitas and will have 16 taps offering the restaurants like queso and guacamole right now,” Sundell said. n nature.” best Arkansas craft beer, as well as Latin and salsa and things that will appeal to It was filed in U.S. District Court in American beer in cans. Mexican Cokes everybody.” Little Rock by attorneys Victoria Leigh and Fantas will also be available. There will be children’s options as and Breean Walas, both of North Little “There are enough breweries now well. The partners want it to be a family- Rock. in Arkansas that if you want to really friendly establishment. Gallegos, who was hired in October 2016, said in the lawsuit that she received “unwanted sexual advances and sexual harassment by the general manager, Darren Paxton,” starting in November 2017. She alleged that she also was harassed and bullied by another supervisor, Assistant Manager William Furlough. Both supervisors are named as defendants in the lawsuit. Gallegos said she reported the harassment by customers to Furlough and Paxton. “They did nothing, and the customers were permitted to remain in the Twin Peaks’ Little Rock location,” the lawsuit said. Instead, Gallegos said, she was retali- ated against by being denied plum table sections in the restaurant. Gallegos said she filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in February and received a “Right to Sue” letter in March. She was fired in April. She is suing for sex and gender dis- crimination, sexual harassment and retaliation and is seeking an unspecified amount of damages. An email message left with Twin Peaks’ public relations firm, Champion Management of Addison, Texas, wasn’t immediately returned Thursday after- noon. A message left at the Twin Peaks restaurant for either Paxton or Furlough also wasn’t immediately returned.

Dos Rocas, Si The owners of Dos Rocas Beer & Tacos are wisely hesitant about giving a target date by which their Latin American- flavored restaurant at 1220 S. Main St. will be open, but they’re hoping for late summer. The owners of the Root, Jack Sundell and his wife, Corri Bristow-Sundell, are partnering with Adelia Kittrell and her

Correction One of Arkansas Business’ 40 Under 40 honorees, Jessie Bennett, was crowned Miss Arkansas in 2001. A June 4 article stated that she was a former Miss Arkan- sas contestant. n 6 June 11, 2018 Arkansas Business

Legal Work Average Arkansas Wage ArkansasWeekly The annual mean wage for lawyers in Arkan- i.e., the average annual wage.) sas in May 2017, the latest figures available, Arkansas employed 2,730 lawyers as of May Business was $99,100, according to the U.S. Bureau of 2017; 628,370 were employed nationwide. Labor Statistics. That’s a 4.7 percent decline In May 2016, Arkansas employed 3,040 law- from May 2016, when the annual mean yers; 619,530 were employed nationwide. Report wage for lawyers in Arkansas was $103,980. The bureau’s Occupational Employment For daily news, register at ArkansasBusiness.com/Enews The annual mean wage for lawyers Statistics program conducts a semiannual nationwide in May 2017 was $141,890, a 1.4 mail survey to produce estimates of employ- percent increase over May 2016, when it was ment and wages for specific occupations, Legal $139,880. (The annual mean wage is the about 800 of them. Data from self-em- estimated total annual wages of an occupa- ployed people aren’t collected and aren’t Cranford Pleads Guilty tion divided by its estimated employment, included in the estimates. n Annual Mean Wage of Lawyers To Bribing Legislators By state, May 2017

WA Former lobbyist Milton Russell “Rusty” tors said. ME Cranford of Rogers pleaded guilty in a The guilty plea is the latest in a still- MT ND VT Missouri federal court Thursday to brib- unfolding scandal involving bribery and MN OR NH ing Arkansas elected officials in what GIF dollars in Arkansas. Federal prose- ID SD WI NY MA prosecutors called a “multimillion-dol- cutors in Missouri have accused multiple CT WY MI lar scheme.” Preferred Family executives of embez- PA IA NJ Cranford, 57, pleaded guilty before zling money from the nonprofit, which NV NE RI IL OH MD David P. Rush UT IN DE U.S. Magistrate Judge in is largely supported by Medicare and DC Springfield to one count of federal pro- Medicaid. They have elicited guilty pleas CO WV VA CA KS MO KY gram bribery. Cranford was an execu- from former Arkansas Rep. Eddie Cooper NC tive at the nonprofit Preferred Family of Melbourne and Wilkins. TN Healthcare Inc. AZ OK AR of Springfield (formerly Wilkins’ guilty plea referred to two NM SC Alternative Opportunities Inc.) and over- unnamed lawmakers, “Senator A” and MS AL GA saw its operations and lobbying efforts “Senator B,” saying they helped pass leg- TX in Arkansas. islation sought by Wilkins and Cranford. LA By pleading guilty, Cranford admitted Jeremy Hutchinson, an Arkansas state sen- AK FL that he and other Preferred Family execu- ator and a nephew of Gov. Asa Hutchinson, wages tives paid bribes to former Arkansas Sen. matches the description of “Senator A.” It Jon Woods, former Sen. Henry “Hank” didn’t accuse Hutchinson of wrongdoing $136,790-$189,560 Wilkins IV, a person identified in court and he has not been charged. $117,640-$136,190 documents as “Arkansas Senator A” and According to prosecutors, Cranford HI $104,300-$115,520 others, to “provide favorable legisla- and related entities and clients paid $72,970-$102,040 tive action for Cranford, his clients, and “Senator A” $500,000 in “cash; checks; Preferred Family Healthcare,” according wire transfers; retainers; and attorney’s Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s fees” from 2012 to 2017. Cranford also office in the Western District of Missouri. provided “Senator A” with hotel rooms In turn, the legislators “steered and tickets to Major League Baseball Arkansas General Improvement Fund games and the 2013 World Series, accord- Agribusiness (GIF) money to Preferred Family ing to the information in the case. Healthcare and other Cranford clients; Reached by the Arkansas Democrat- more consumers want options for fresh, held up agency budgets; requested leg- Gazette on Thursday, Jeremy Hutchinson Tyson Buys Seller organic food that fits their lifestyles,” said islative audits; and sponsored, filed and had not issued a response by Arkansas Eric Schwartz, Tyson’s chief marketing voted for legislative bills that favored the Business’ press time. Of Organic Meat; officer of poultry. “The Smart Chicken charity and Cranford clients,” prosecu- — Arkansas Business Staff brand is a leader in this key organic cat- Will Sell 2 Brands egory, and the category’s growth makes this acquisition a strategic fit... .” Telecommunications Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale Tyson said organic fresh chicken sales announced last week that it has acquired grew more than 8.5 percent from 2016 Dedman to Lead operator while attending Arkansas State Tecumseh Poultry LLC of Waverly, to 2017, and Tecumseh’s Smart Chicken University, and worked in operator ser- Nebraska. brand is USDA-certified organic. AT&T Arkansas vices and marketing before becoming Terms of the acquisition were not Tecumseh chills its fresh chicken prod- external affairs director in 1995. announced. Tecumseh, founded in 1998, ucts with air rather than water, which it AT&T has named Ronald “Ronnie” Dedman was the first black chair- sells organic poultry products, including says better preserves the chicken. Dedman president of AT&T Arkansas. man of the board of directors for the its Smart Chicken brand. The announcement came just days He will lead all of the company’s North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, “This is a well-run company with after Tyson had said that it had reached external, government and public affairs and was appointed by two former gov- a solid customer base that’s earned an agreement to sell its Sara Lee Frozen efforts in the state. Dedman succeeds Ed ernors, Mike Huckabee and Mike Beebe, consumer loyalty,” said Tyson Poultry Baker and Van’s brands to Kohlberg & Drilling, who served as president of AT&T to the Pulaski Technical College Board of President Doug Ramsey. “We’re excited Co., a private equity firm in Mount Kisco, Arkansas for 17 years. Drilling is now Trustees. He has served on the Little for Tecumseh to continue to produce New York. Tyson announced in April it senior vice president of AT&T National Rock Chamber of Commerce Executive quality chicken while providing the busi- was trying to sell the brands, in addition Regulatory External Affairs, managing Committee, the Arkansas State University ness the scale and resources it needs.” to Kettle. It sold Kettle for $125 million; state regulation issues nationwide. Foundation board, Little Rock Boys & Girls Tyson said it would operate Tecumseh terms of the Sara Lee & Van’s deal were Dedman, a Tuckerman native, has Clubs board, American Lung Association as a separate subsidiary. Tyson plans to not announced. Tyson acquired Sara Lee worked for AT&T in Arkansas for 40 years, of Arkansas board and the Big Brothers keep Tecumseh’s 600 or so employees and Van’s when it purchased Hillshire starting as an intern at then-Southwest- Big Sisters board, among many others. and two production plants in Nebraska. Brands Co. in 2014. ern Bell. He was a directory assistance — Arkansas Business Staff “Consumers want choices; more and — Marty Cook WEEKLY REPORT Arkansas Business June 11, 2018 7 Education Gleason, Thompson to Headline Executive Academy Emerging leaders from business, non- Executive Leadership Academy for the CEOs, presidents or executive directors Little Rock. profit and policy sectors have an oppor- state’s rising stars with assistance from — and Arkansas’ small-business owners Insight Leadership Group of tunity this fall to learn from some of Insight Leadership Group of Northwest and entrepreneurs — are encouraged to Northwest Arkansas has conducted the most successful and rec- Arkansas. apply. The Arkansas Business Executive leadership training for Tyson Foods, ognizable business names “We have developed the Leadership Academy launches in August Metova and St. Joseph Health, among in Arkansas as part of the Arkansas Business Executive and will offer a dynamic learning experi- other companies across the United Arkansas Business Executive EXECUTIVE Leadership Academy with ence that includes personal strengths States. Insight Leadership Group is Leadership Academy. the state’s next-generation assessment, one-on-one coaching, prob- developing a custom curriculum for Bank of the Ozarks CEO LEADERSHIP leaders in mind,” said Chris lem solving and mentorship. participants and will provide Total SDI George Gleason, J.B. Hunt ACADEMY Bahn, publisherAcademy for busi- Class size is limited and high-poten- strengths assessments and one-on-one Transport Chairman of the ness special publications at tial candidates and business owners can coaching for class members. Board Kirk Thompson, Sage Partners Arkansas Business Publishing Group. “We apply until July 15. Nominees will then For additional information on the Principal Mark Saviers, Cameron Smith have access to some of the best busi- be selected to participate in the academy, Arkansas Business Executive Leadership & Associates CEO Cameron Smith and ness minds in the world right here in which consists of five Friday sessions Academy or to nominate someone from former Tyson Foods CEO Donnie Smith Arkansas, and we are thrilled to have between Aug. 17 and Oct. 26. your company, visit ArkansasBusiness. will serve as featured speakers for the them play a part in this unique learning Tuition for the program is $3,250. com/Leadership. Questions can be sent academy’s inaugural year. experience.” Sessions will be held at Heifer to [email protected]. Arkansas Business is launching the Those poised to be the state’s next International headquarters in downtown — Arkansas Business Staff

Education

been responsible for similar legislative and external Gillam to Join UCA as Chief Lobbyist duties, “will continue to assist Gillam on occasion.” “I am extremely excited about the opportunity to The University of Central Arkansas has hired state “The hiring ... is an important addition to our leader- be a part of another leadership team that strives to House Speaker Jeremy Gillam as its director of govern- ship team as we seek to advance our university and its improve the lives of Arkansans,” Gillam said. “The mental affairs and external relations. mission,” UCA President Houston Davis said. “Speaker University of Central Arkansas has a forward-thinking Gillam, who is wrapping up his second term as Gillam brings a knowledge and understanding of criti- vision for higher education.” speaker, will resign from the House on Friday and begin cal issues and relationships within Arkansas that will Gillam, elected to the House in 2010, became speak- duties at UCA the next day, the university said in a news ensure UCA is an active leader in advancing our state.” er in 2015. He represents District 45. release. His salary will be $130,000. UCA said Chief of Staff Kelley Erstine, who also has — Arkansas Business Staff

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10800 Financial Centre Parkway, 1001 Technology Drive, 10816 Executive Center Drive, Little Rock, AR Little Rock, AR Little Rock, AR Available space: 425 - 18,317 SF Available space: 7,629 SF Available space: 784 - 9,120 SF Justin Bentley, CCIM Casi Runnells, RPA Greg Joslin, CCIM, SIOR 501 372 6161 501 372 6161 501 372 6161 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 8 June 11, 2018 Arkansas Business WEEKLY REPORT Health Care 6 Startups Named to Join Health InnovatAR Lineup Winrock International, Arkansas Heart has invented a laparoscopic surgery Hospital, the University of Arkansas for device designed to use existing operat- Medical Sciences and BioVentures hosted ing room wall suction to lift and hold the a reception at AHH in Little Rock last abdominal wall more reliably and less week to announce the six startups that invasively than current alternatives. have been selected to participate in the w Macro-eyes of Seattle, a predictive inaugural Health InnovatAR health care scheduling application designed to cut accelerator. revenue loss due to no-shows with a The Arkansas Economic Development seamless add-on to existing scheduling Commission has awarded a $250,000 systems. grant to Winrock for the five-month w Medical Informatics Corp. of Houston, $550,000 program. It will be managed by a clinical intelligence platform that Jeff Stinson, who works transforms patient data into information with the Innovate in a single, unified dashboard. Arkansas team at Lapovations was one of 18 Arkansas Winrock and serves as startups that applied for the program, executive director of and the hospital partners are working the Fund for Arkansas’ now to develop a program that parallels Future, which is the the accelerator for some from that group, state’s largest angel Stinson said. He said companies that are investment fund. Jeff a good fit and that can benefit from the Say Goodbye to The program must Stinson hospitals and offer the hospitals some- reapply for the grant every year, he said. thing in return will be chosen for the Stinson also told media that the grant parallel program. will support overhead costs to admin- The six companies were selected from Costly Hourly Bills ister the program while 10 investors, hundreds of applicants in 20 countries. including himself, are providing an Together, they have 46 full-time employ- Trammell-Piazza is an experienced contingent fee firm willing upfront seed investment of $50,000 to ees and have raised $15 million. Stinson to share in the risk with you. We get paid if we win your case, each of the six companies. They may also said at the event that 16 percent of jobs receive back-end investments. in Arkansas are in health care and the or achieve the results you desire. We o er flexible fee The participants are: industry here has a $2.8 billion payroll w Day Zero Diagnostics of Boston, and an $11.4 billion economic impact. structures a ording your business a better way to fight. Our which seeks to use genome sequenc- He described the program as a “win” ing and machine learning to modernize for everyone involved. Hospital partners motivation is to get results eciently and cost-e ectively, infectious disease diagnosis and treat- get access to innovative technologies, the putting skin in the game with you. ment. companies get access to them, and the w Ejenta of San Francisco, a platform investors get access to companies they with remote monitoring and patient can invest in. He said the accelerator engagement applications designed to strikes a good balance between investor The Right Team improve the lives of patients with chron- and state interests, which don’t always ic health conditions. align. Backing Your Business w Explorer Surgical of Chicago, a work- The goal of the program is to help par- flow management tool with an interac- ticipants progress rapidly from concept M. Chad Trammell; Melody H. Piazza; Virginia C. Trammell; tive surgical playbook for live use during to product development and customer operations. acquisition. Olivia Sheppard; John Odom, Of Counsel; Eric T. Bishop, w Lapovations of Fayetteville, which — Sarah Campbell-Miller Of Counsel; Kimberly Norris, Of Counsel; Deborah Truby Energy Riordan, Of Counsel on Tuesday, “would mark the first time a SPP Set to Offer single entity has served in this capacity in both the East and West,” SPP spokesman Reliability Services Derek Wingfield told Arkansas Business. Reliability coordinators “act as air To Western Grid traffic controllers overseeing the inter- connected operations of the power grid,” Southwest Power Pool of Little Rock, Wingfield said. They keep a wide view the regional power grid operator, is now of the grid’s status and calculate future Texarkana offering its energy reliability coordina- needs, ensuring a reliable flow of power. 418 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, AR 71854 PH: 870-779-1860 TF: 888-989-1860 tion expertise on a contract basis to utili- SPP announced its intent to serve ties in the Western United States. as a reliability coordinator in letters Little Rock The electric grid and energy market to the Western Electricity Coordinating 1501 N. University Ave., Little Rock, AR 72207 overseer has been certified for 20 years Council and the North American Electric PH: 501-371-9903 TF: 888-989-1860 by the North American Electric Reliability Reliability Corp., known as the NERC. Corp. as a reliability coordinator for the The company said 28 Western utilities Trammell and Piazza both Rated AV 5.0 / 5.0 Martindale-Hubbell Eastern Connection, as its part of the grid have expressed written interest in its reli- is known. But the reliability services, ability services. announced by the nonprofit corporation — Kyle Massey SPOTLIGHT: Law Arkansas Business June 11, 2018 9

Assembly to create a system ensuring Arkansans have a clear and fair process to amend the constitution and place ini- Political Opponents Seeking tiatives on the ballot.” Cox said he is troubled by the way the initiative process has changed in the past seven years or so, but that has more Fairness in Initiative Process to do with how outside organizations are spending money to participate. He said By Marty Cook Attorney General that when he ran his signature drives, [email protected] Leslie Rutledge he used a volunteer army to collect sig- accused the state natures — in the case of the marriage David Couch and Jerry Cox are per- Supreme Court of proposal, his group collected 200,000. haps the strangest bedfellows in the state muddying the waters Couch uses paid canvassers — of Arkansas. regarding initiative allowed by state law — to collect the sig- Couch is a self-proclaimed liberal standards. [PHOTO BY natures needed and said he may spend lawyer and Cox is the head of the con- DANIEL MOODY] $1 million on signatures for his casi- servative Family Council in Little Rock. no and minimum-wage proposals that They rarely agree on anything, but they Rutledge approved May 23. do agree on citizen-led ballot proposals. “I fully support the initiative process Under Arkansas law, citizens are able where the people can propose a law and to draft amendments or initiated acts to on their own put that on the ballot and appear on election ballots. The propos- bring it to a vote,” Cox said. “If you’re als’ popular name and title are submitted willing to pay people that much per sig- to the state’s attorney general, and once nature, you could just about get anything the name and title are approved, the peti- on the ballot. If you have enough money tioner has to publicize the proposal and democracy, the system grants two elect- certifying these proposals in an exercise you can do enough deceptive advertis- obtain an adequate number of signatures ed politicians — the state attorney gen- of caution to ensure Arkansans are given ing to trick a lot of people into voting for to put the proposal on the ballot. eral and the secretary of state — almost an opportunity to put these measures on something that is not good for them or Couch was the author of the Medical supreme power to stop or dramatically the ballot.” for the state. Marijuana Amendment, which reached hinder the process. Couch said the law on the language of “I think the spirit of the initiative the ballot and was approved by voters by Couch said Rutledge’s repeated rejec- proposals hasn’t changed and Rutledge process was more in the direction that a 53 percent to 47 percent margin in 2016. tions of proposals shortens the timeline was seeking to deflect responsibility for enough citizens would be concerned Cox led the effort to pass an amend- that he and other petitioners have to her decisions. Rutledge, before the court about an issue that a grassroots move- ment in 2004 that defined marriage as secure signatures in order to reach the pressure, had rejected more than 60 con- ment would rise up; people would vol- between a man and a woman. ballot. The law requires signatures — for secutive submissions since 2016. untarily circulate the petitions and bring “It’s pure democracy,” Couch said of the 2016 medical marijuana amendment “You just want a fair shake,” Couch the measure to a vote. We’re not seeing the ballot process. “It’s a check and a Couch needed nearly 68,000 — to be said. “Does the ballot title accurately very many volunteer petitions anymore.” balance for the General Assembly. The turned in to the secretary of state for reflect the sum and substance of the Couch said Rutledge has made the people have an idea, you write your law, certification. amendment and does it leave out any- process adversarial rather than collab- circulate your petition and people give it a thumbs-up or thumbs-down. “That’s how our [same-sex marriage ban] amendment got on the “You just want a fair shake. Does the ballot title accurately reflect Constitution,” he said. “At that time, the Democrats were in charge, and they the sum and substance of the amendment and does it leave out didn’t pass anything that would ban anything that would give a reasonable voter cause for concern? same-sex marriages and couldn’t have passed anything. The Family Council That’s it.” got together and passed an amendment that did that.” [DAVID COUCH, LAWYER] The citizen-ballot process has hit a roadblock in recent years, though. In Cox said that in 1988, when he sub- thing that would give a reasonable voter orative; the attorney general’s job is to 2016, several approved proposals were mitted signatures for a proposal that cause for concern? That’s it.” work with petitioners on their proposals. stricken from the ballot by the Arkansas would ban public funding of abor- The citizen proposals are needed, Couch said that if he were attorney gener- Supreme Court — one medical marijua- tion in the state, Secretary of State Bill Couch said, when the Legislature doesn’t al — and he certainly does not want to be na proposal was struck after early voting McCuen rejected the signatures. Cox want to deal with issues that may alienate — he would work with Cox or anyone else had started. said McCuen, who died in 2000, insisted their donors or interests. Medical mari- on proposals he found personally awful. The ballot process has attracted much his group had to have precinct numbers juana would never have been approved Cox said he would like to see changes attention recently after Attorney General for each signature; Cox said his group by the Republican-controlled General but said he doesn’t know exactly how the Leslie Rutledge repeatedly rejected citi- of volunteers was able to scramble to Assembly and Gov. Asa Hutchinson, just changes could be made without interfer- zens’ proposals to prevent their reach- acquire those in time. as an abortion funding ban wouldn’t ing with the purity of the process. ing the ballot. Couch, whose proposal to “That is how they can jerk you have succeeded in a Democratic govern- “I’m not ready to throw the baby out raise the minimum wage was repeatedly around,” Cox said. ment. with the bath,” Cox said. “It’s not real- rejected, filed a lawsuit and the Supreme When Rutledge approved the four ly about somebody putting something Court ruled May 23 that Rutledge had proposals after the court ruling, she on there that I don’t like; we need a three days to approve the proposal or released a statement criticizing the Need for Clariﬁ cation system that works fairly for everybody. offer substitute language. Supreme Court. In her statement May 23, Rutledge Everybody knows what the rules are. Rutledge then approved Couch’s pro- “[T]he Arkansas Supreme Court has also called on the state Legislature to “There needs to be some kind of filter posal and three others she had previ- once again muddied the waters on these clear up the confusion. and screening process but it needs to be ously rejected. standards by offering no insight in its “The Arkansas Supreme Court’s one that works fairly.” n decision requiring me to certify or sub- failure to include clear standards and stitute language of a ballot title that I had reasoning has only exacerbated the Hand at the Spigot previously rejected,” Rutledge said. “In confusion surrounding ballot title sub- Couch and Cox both say that while light of the Arkansas Supreme Court’s missions,” Rutledge said. “As I stated ballot initiatives are a form of pure failure to put forth clear standards, I am last week, I am calling on the General 10 June 11, 2018 Arkansas Business SPOTLIGHT: Law

But what of cases, like DWB the attorneys fees and punitive Punitive v. D&T, that are hybrids of both damages could go away.) contract law and tort law? Pat James, the Little Rock Damages: “It is actually rather com- lawyer who won the case for mon for both contract and tort Toni Boydston, disagrees, natu- claims to arise from the same rally. He points out that breach RV case tests set of facts,” said Joshua M. of contract accounted for six of Silverstein, professor of law at the eight claims for which dam- precedents the University of Arkansas at ages were awarded to Boydston, Little Rock’s Bowen School of supporting the award of attor- Continued From Page One Law. neys fees — as the lease contract What’s more, Silverstein contemplated in the first place. Pierce. “But I can see how this said, “There are certain special (“Both the trial court and opinion would empower people circumstances in which the the court of appeals found to be for it to limit punitive dam- parties have to engage in what that the action was primarily ages and attorney fees through is called ‘election of remedies,’ in contract,” Brill noted, which double recovery.” (For more on where you do have to choose was the basis for awarding the Issue 1, see Page 1.) Mayflower R.V. in October 2011 (top), before a devastating tornado, and in May between tort and contract. It $200,000 in attorneys fees.) Brown’s attorneys also argue 2014, after the storm. A case being appealed to the Arkansas Supreme Court is possible that this election of James also thinks his cli- that the ruling sets a new prec- hinges on a contract involving insurance on the property. [PHOTOS PROVIDED] remedies applies in this case.” ent was due the punitive dam- edent for concerning a routine Walker and Andy Taylor of ages because Brown insisted technique for settling disputes punitive damages on the tort winning party in a contract Little Rock, the appellate lawyer on a condition — that Doug out of court known legally as aspect of the case,” Brill said in dispute to seek attorneys fees, who filed Brown’s request for Boydston not seek more money “accord and satisfaction.” (See an email to Arkansas Business. which Doug Boydston’s widow, a review by the state Supreme — before he would turn over glossary, Page 11.) “Either alone can easily be justi- Toni, did on behalf of their trust. Court, believe DWB v. D&T the insurance proceeds that After reviewing the Court of fied and supported. Combining With a few exceptions spelled is just such a case, and they both parties agreed belonged to Appeals decision, Howard W. them in a single case presents out in law, attorneys fees are not argue that it is primarily a tort Boydston. Brill, the University of Arkansas unique policy considerations.” allowed in tort cases — which is case because the portion of the “They don’t get a pass on tor- School of Law professor who why, for example, personal inju- verdict that applied to the tort tious conduct by having a con- wrote a book on Arkansas law ry lawyers take their fees out of question was greater than the tract in the case,” James said, regarding damages, agreed that Contract Law 101 the damages awarded to clients. portion that applied to the con- and Pierce and the three-judge Brown’s appeal raises a worthy As always, the details of the Those damages can include tract question. Court of Appeals panel agreed. question. case styled DWB LLC v. D&T punitive damages, which are (They also argue that the Silverstein, the Bowen “I am not aware of any cases Pure Trust are unique. The legal intended to punish bad behav- judges have decided that tort School professor, agreed that where the court has awarded questions, however, are fairly ior on top of making the win- question incorrectly. If the parties are not entitled to dou- fees on a contract claim and basic. Arkansas law allows the ning party whole. Supreme Court agreed, both ble recovery. But punitive dam-

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Little Rock | 111 Center Street, Suite 1900 | Little Rock, AR 72201 501-379-1700 Northwest Arkansas | 4100 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 310 | Springdale, AR 72762 www.QGTLAW.com 12 June 11, 2018 Arkansas Business SPOTLIGHT: Law Tort Reform: Backers, foes “It’s definitely of ballot item a more open process make cases “If you give than seven Continued From Page One me control members of amount of the damages award- of the rules, the Supreme ed to the plaintiff for an actual I’ll win every Court loss. As it stands, the Arkansas Constitution prevents limits on game.” making a damages. w Limit contingency fees [BRAD HENDRICKS, decision that to 33.3 percent for lawyers. ATTORNEY AND affects the Currently, in some cases, attor- FOUNDER OF neys can receive 40 percent of LIBERTY DEFENSE entire state.” the judgment or settlement for NETWORK LLC] [CARL VOGELPOHL, ] taking complex cases. CAMPAIGN MAN- w Allow the Arkansas AGER, ARKANSANS Legislature to change court FOR JOBS & rules regarding pleadings, JUSTICE] practices and procedures of the courts, which are currently decided by the Arkansas PHOTOS BY KARENPHOTOS E. SEGRAVE

Supreme Court. [ The amendment has broad support from business groups according to Ballotpedia, an ment passes, there would stroke, that child has no income only thing by any stretch of any- such as the state Chamber of online encyclopedia that cov- be nothing stopping the and so there are no economic body’s imagination, but it is cer- Commerce, the Arkansas ers American politics and elec- Legislature from making rule damages to collect,” said Jerry tainly a key part of the factors Hospital Association, the tions. changes that are retroactive, Cox, the president of Family that are considered,” Vogelpohl Poultry Federation and the Hendricks said he fears that impacting current cases. Council of Little Rock. said. Arkansas Trucking Association. if the amendment passes, lob- Carl Vogelpohl, the cam- Vogelpohl said the idea for The proposed amendment Supporters have raised more byists will push legislators to paign manager for Arkansans the proposed amendment was also doesn’t place a cap on than $1.6 million to pass the change court rules. For exam- for Jobs & Justice, which sup- sparked after the Arkansas compensatory damages, which amendment. ple, he said, as a practical mat- ports the amendment, said a Supreme Court rolled back the are awarded for circumstances These groups say passage ter Arkansas doctors don’t tes- rule change would have to go “advances that were made” such as lost wages and medical of the amendment will lead to tify against other Arkansas phy- through the legislative process when the Arkansas Legislature bills, Vogelpohl said. more jobs because Arkansas sicians, resulting in attorneys and be passed with 60 percent passed the Civil Justice Reform He agreed that a human life could better compete with sur- in medical malpractice cases of the vote by the Arkansas Act in 2003, which capped dam- is priceless, “but juries put a rounding states that have tort having to go outside the state House and Senate. ages meant to punish the defen- value on it every day in our cur- reform. to find an expert doctor willing “It’s definitely a more open dant at $1 million. rent system and will continue to “Companies also believe that to testify. process than seven members of That legislation also elimi- do so under this system.” Issue 1 provides predictability A lobbyist for the medical the Supreme Court making a nated the theory of joint and Jodiane Tritt, vice president to businesses and industry in industry, however, could ask decision that affects the entire several liability, meaning the of government relations for the Arkansas with the caps on dam- legislators to change the court state,” he said. plaintiff could no longer recover Arkansas Hospital Association, ages,” said Marvin Childers, rules so only an Arkansas phy- Attorneys opposed to the all the damages from any of the agreed that tort reform could president and chief lobbyist for sician could testify as an expert amendment also argue that the defendants, regardless of the help recruit health care profes- the Poultry Federation. in medical malpractice cases, legislation isn’t needed because individual liability. sionals to the state. Groups opposed to the Hendricks said. judges prevent meritless law- Over the years, however, the Hospitals would expect amendment have raised more “Boom. All the medical mal- suits from advancing very far. Arkansas Supreme Court has fewer lawsuits to be filed than $2 million and include the practice cases are over,” he said. Defendants also can ask a judge declared portions of the legisla- against them if the amend- Arkansas Bar Association and “That’s just one example.” to punish attorneys who file tion unconstitutional. ment passes, she said. “As you the Family Council. The United States has a sys- meritless cases, which can lead In 2017, Arkansas legislators might imagine, we have a lot of tem of separation of powers in to the attorneys losing their law voted to put a proposed amend- expenses in defending things “which the three branches are licenses. ment for tort reform on the bal- where we didn’t have anything Changing the Rules at least supposedly co-equal,” A judge or an appellate court lot in November. to do with” the allegation of All elements of the proposal Hendricks said. “And the lob- also has the power to reduce a “A coalition of folks finally wrongdoing. concern attorneys, but allowing byists don’t like that because jury verdict. came together and said it’s Hospitals are dragged into state legislators to change court they can’t control one of those time for us to put together lawsuits as defendants just rules poses particular problems branches. And so the whole some meaningful tort reform because they are perceived to regarding the bedrock concept point of this is to reduce the Placing a Value on Life in Arkansas to help our state have “deep pockets,” an inac- of the governmental separation power of that one branch that The Family Council Action be more competitive when we curate perception, Tritt said. of powers. they can’t control.” Committee — a separate politi- recruit doctors and go out and Nevertheless, they have to “If you give me control of Tony Hilliard, president of cal arm of the Family Council — do economic development,” spend money defending the the rules, I’ll win every game,” the Arkansas Bar Association, supports tort reform, but not the Vogelpohl said. suits. “Expenses that don’t go said attorney Brad Hendricks also said he’s opposed to allow- proposed amendment, because The surrounding states have to direct patient care are waste- of Little Rock, who founded the ing the Legislature to change it places the value of a life at some sort of tort reform, and ful,” she said. Liberty Defense Network LLC to the rules of the courts. “That’s $500,000 for those people who when businesses are looking Childers, of the Poultry fight the proposed amendment. the real threat to our legal sys- don’t have an income. to relocate, one of the metrics Federation, said the poultry Hendricks himself has donated tem,” he said. “If a day care leaves a child in they consider is the civil justice industry gets its “fair share of more than $600,000 to fight it, And, he said, if the amend- a van and the child dies of a heat climate, he said. “It’s not the litigation where mistakes have Arkansas Business June 11, 2018 13 been made. … Others are just be worth more than $500,000. If frivolous lawsuits. We believe Financial Reports for Groups Supporting or Opposing Issue 1 they worked, it would” be worth Arkansas is due for common more. sense reform like we had in 2003 Total Monetary Total Gallagher, a Republican who with the passage of the Civil Support Contributions Received Expenditures Made worked with Mike Huckabee Justice Reform Act.” Arkansas Trucking Association $49,000 $49,000 when he was governor and dur- Arkansas Medical Society $258,879 $258,879 ing his runs for president, said Arkansans for Jobs & Justice $1,212,690 $242,231 he supports economic develop- ‘This Isn’t a Solution’ Arkansas Health Care Association $100,000 $100,000 ment, but “this isn’t a solution Hendricks, a lawyer for 38 Arkansas Hospital Association $0 $300,000 in my view.” years whose practice area Total $1,620,569 $950,110 He said if legislators want tort includes personal injury, said reform they could target attor- that he knows he might not be Oppose neys who repeatedly file mer- the best person to speak on Defending Your Day in Court $62,298 $53,565 itless lawsuits that are thrown defeating Issue 1 because he Protect AR Families $1,491,506 $230,892 out. and his firm have a financial Liberty Defense Network $522,780 $262,537 Cox, of the Family Council, interest in the outcome. Family Council Action Committee $75,850 $692 said he supports tort reform, “I could have walked away Total $2,152,434 $547,686 but not the way Issue 1 seeks to from this,” he said. “I had no accomplish it. other reason to do this other Source: Most recent financial reports on file as of June 6 with the Arkansas Ethics Commission He, too, would like to see than I believe it’s what’s right more attorneys penalized if for the state, and it’s right for the they file lawsuits that have little citizens of Arkansas. And ulti- fee. Bringing a medical mal- dant. “So many valid claims “Do you really want the doc- merit. He also mately it’s what right for busi- practice case to trial could cost present a situation where there’s tors in Arkansas who come here would like ness.” between $50,000 and $250,000, no recourse for the claimant,” because they can kill people for to examine Hendricks said tort reform making cases too expensive to he said. only $500,000?” medical mal- won’t bring jobs to Arkansas, try unless a catastrophic injury Tré Kitchens, an attorney Placing a value on a life also practice insur- but if it passes, it will hurt jobs is involved. who works with Hendricks at concerns Chad Gallagher, a ance rates to in his field. “It has frozen jobs He often is forced to tell the Brad Hendricks Law Firm campaign adviser for To Protect see if doc- in the legal profession,” he said. potential clients that he thinks in Little Rock, criticized sup- AR Families, which is opposed tors are get- “I don’t know of anyone who is they have a claim, but bring- porters of the amendment to the amendment. ting gouged. hiring right now.” ing the case wouldn’t be worth who tout tort reform as a way He said that in cases involv- “Something Hendricks’ firm handles the expense, Hendricks said. to attract doctors to the state. ing the wrongful deaths of chil- like that might help our good medical malpractice cases and And even if a case makes it to a “They say we need to recruit dren, stay-at-home mothers or doctors, so they wouldn’t feel most of those cases are accepted jury, more than 80 of such cases doctors to Arkansas and that’s the elderly, they don’t have lost compelled to support this type on the basis of a contingency result in a ruling for the defen- what this will do,” he said. wages, so their lives “can never of tort reform,” Cox said. n

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Clark, Starns George received joined PPGMR in 2008 and has a general faculty development. She became the Join CGWG Firm his bachelor’s degree law practice. Feilke joined the firm in school’s first associate dean for faculty Alexander Clark has been hired in political science 2010 after working as a staff attorney for development in 2010 by Cross Gunter from Arkansas State the National Agricultural Law Center in Beiner earned a B.A. at the University Witherspoon & Galchus University in 1995 Fayetteville, and his practice focuses on of Virginia and then studied at PC in Little Rock as an and his Juris Doctor agriculture, business and litigation. Northwestern University School of Law, associate attorney, and from the University of An open house and ribbon-cutting graduating cum laude in 1989. Before Kate Starnes was hired Robert Arkansas School of Law ceremony will be held June 21. becoming a professor, Beiner practiced as marketing adminis- George in 1998. civil litigation as an associate attorney trator. for a San Francisco law firm after passing Clark earned his law New Law School Deans the bar in 1991. Alexander degree at the University Williams Reappointed Begin Work July 1 DiPippa, who joined the Bowen fac- Clark of Arkansas at Little To Judicial Commision Both of Arkansas’ law schools will ulty in 1983, served as dean from 2008 Rock’s Bowen School of Law last year, and Thomas G. Williams, a managing mem- have new deans when the 2018-19 aca- to 2012 and has been interim dean since will be practicing in the areas of civil litiga- ber of the Quattlebaum demic year begins July 1. July 1, when Michael Schwartz returned tion, employment and wage and hour law. Grooms & Tull firm in Theresa Beiner, currently associ- to teaching. Starnes, who graduated from the Little Rock, was reap- ate dean for academic While Beiner is the Bowen School’s University of Central Arkansas with a pointed last week affairs, will succeed first female dean, Sova McCabe is the degree in business management and to the state Judicial John DiPippa as dean third consecutive female dean at UA. administration, has worked in banking, Discipline & Disability of the Bowen School of Sova McCabe joined the University of higher education and sales, and taught Commission by Lt. Gov. Law at the University of New Hampshire faculty in 2007 and has business writing at Arkansas Blue Cross Tim Griffin. Arkansas at Little Rock. been a tenured full professor since 2012. & Blue Shield for two years. Thomas Williams has been Margaret Sova She served as associate dean for academ- Williams practicing law since McCabe, a professor at ic affairs from 2014-17 and as associate graduating from the University of Theresa the University of New dean for academic administration and George Leaves Tyson Arkansas School of Law in 1988. Beiner Hampshire School of special projects from 2012-14. For Friday Firm Law, will succeed Stacy A graduate of Bard College, Sova Robert W. George has been hired as Leeds as dean of the McCabe earned her law degree from senior counsel by Friday Eldredge & Clark PPGMR to Open University of Arkansas the University of Maine School of Law LLP at the firm’s Rogers office, where he Stuttgart Oﬃ ce School of Law in in 1995. Before her academic career, will specialize in commercial litigation. PPGMR Law has announced the open- Fayetteville. she served as an attorney for the New George most recently worked as vice ing of a new office in Stuttgart’s Arkansas Beiner joined the Hampshire Department of Safety and president of litigation and regulatory County Bank Building. Bowen School in 1994 practiced privately. Her predecessor, affairs for Tyson Foods Inc., and before R. Scott Morgan, a longtime Stuttgart and has held numerous Leeds, was named interim vice chancel- that worked at regional and national law resident, and Patrick B. Feilke, a native of Margaret positions there, includ- lor for economic development at UA in firms. Stuttgart, will lead the new office. Morgan Sova McCabe ing associate dean for 2017. n

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Ranked by licensed attorneys in Arkansas Firm Name Address Phone, Fax, Website No. of Other Locations Lawyers Managing Partner(s) Sample Client List/Services Friday Eldredge & Clark LLP 85 J. Shepherd Russell Business and corporate matters, employee benefits, healthcare, labor 400 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 2000, Little Rock 72201 and employment, litigation, public finance, taxation 1 (501) 376-2011, (501) 376-2147, www.FridayFirm.com Fayetteville, Rogers Mitchell Williams Selig Gates & Woodyard PLLC 73 Rick T. Beard Strategic counsel to clients in business, litigation, regulated entities 425 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 1800, Little Rock 72201 and insurance regulatory matters 2 (501) 688-8800, (501) 688-8807, www.MitchellWilliamsLaw.com Rogers; Jonesboro; Austin, TX Wright Lindsey Jennings 68 Stephen R. Lancaster Exxon Mobil Corp., First Arkansas Bank & Trust, Nabholz Construction, 200 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 2300, Little Rock 72201 The Price Companies, Baptist Health 3 (501) 371-0808, (501) 376-9442, www.WLJ.com Rogers Kutak Rock LLP 54 Terry W. Pool Agribusiness, banking, compensation and employee benefits, 124 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 2000, Little Rock 72201 construction, environmental and more 4 (501) 975-3000, (501) 975-3001, www.KutakRock.com Fayetteville, Rogers, 16 offices nationwide Rose Law Firm PA 35 Robyn P. Allmendinger Acxiom Corp., Bank of the Ozarks, Mountain Valley Spring Co., Pat 120 E. Fourth St., Little Rock 72201 Salmon & Sons Inc., Stephens Inc. 5 (501) 375-9131, (501) 375-1309, www.RoseLawFirm.com Fayetteville Barber Law Firm PLLC 31 Managing Members CNA Insurance Companies, Zurich Insurance, Cincinnati Insurance, 425 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 3400, Little Rock 72201 Federated Insurance 6 (501) 372-6175, (501) 375-2802, www.BarberLawFirm.com Quattlebaum Grooms & Tull PLLC 31 Managing Members Arkansas REALTORS® Association, Entergy Corp., J.B. Hunt 111 Center St., Suite 1900, Little Rock 72201 Transport, Inc., Dillard's Inc., Simmons Bank, USAble Corp. 6 (501) 379-1700, (501) 379-1701, www.QGTLaw.com Springdale Rainwater Holt & Sexton PA 31 Mike Rainwater Personal injury, defective products, drug injuries and nursing home 801 Technology Drive, Little Rock 72223 Bob Sexton abuse, Social Security disability and more 6 (501) 888-8888, (501) 868-2505, www.CallRainwater.com Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs, Fayetteville Legal Aid of Arkansas 26 Lee Richardson Low-income people residing in Arkansas 714 S. Main St., Jonesboro 72401 (870) 972-9224, (870) 910-5562, www.ARLegalAid.org 9 Springdale, Helena-West Helena, West Memphis, Newport, Harrison, Little Rock

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MEET OUR NEW ATTORNEYS Adam Franks focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury defense litigation, insurance coverage, and appellate advocacy. He is a member of the firm’s Civil Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Coverage, Products Liability and Appellate Advocacy practice groups.

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FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE | 501.372.6175 | 425 WEST CAPITOL AVENUE, SUITE 3400 | LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS | BARBERLAWFIRM.COM 16 June 11, 2018 Arkansas Business The List Largest Law Firms

Ranked by licensed attorneys in Arkansas Firm Name Address Phone, Fax, Website No. of Other Locations Lawyers Managing Partner(s) Sample Client List/Services Gill Ragon Owen PA 24 Matthew B. Finch American Electric Power/SWEPCO, Arkansas Teacher Retirement 425 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 3800, Little Rock 72201 System, Flake and Kelley Commercial, Arvest Bank, Heifer Project 10 (501) 376-3800, (501) 372-3359, www.Gill-Law.com International Inc. Center for Arkansas Legal Services 23 Jean Turner Carter Low-income individuals and families, including veterans, senior 1300 W. 6th St., Little Rock 72201 citizens, domestic violence victims, abused or abandoned children 11 (501) 376-3423, (501) 376-3664, www.ARLegalServices.org and persons with disabilities El Dorado, Fort Smith, Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, Russellville Wilson & Associates PLLC 21 Jennifer Wilson-Harvey Turnkey bundled services in the real estate default legal market; 400 W. Capitol Ave., Little Rock 72201 judicial and nonjudicial foreclosures, bankruptcy representation for 12 (501) 219-9388, www.Wilson-Assoc.com creditors, deed-in-lieu, loss mitigation and more Little Rock, Fayetteville; Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, TN; Jackson, MS Dover Dixon Horne PLLC 20 Cal McCastlain ArkBest Corp., Associated Industries of Arkansas, CenterPoint Energy, 425 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 3700, Little Rock 72201 Randy L. Bynum Companion Insurance Co., Nucor 13 (501) 375-9151, (501) 375-6484, www.DDH.Law Matthew Boch Taylor King Law PA 20 Taylor A. King Personal injury and wrongful death resulting from automobile and 320 Main St., Arkadelphia 71923 motor cycle accidents, nursing home abuse and neglect, Social 13 (800) 227-9732, www.TaylorKingLaw.com Security disability, premises liability, traumatic brain injuries North Little Rock, Springdale, Jonesboro, Fort Smith, Little Rock Hilburn Calhoon Harper Pruniski Calhoun Ltd. 18 By Committee Centennial Bank, Arkansas Federal Credit Union, Deere & Co., Erwin- 1 Riverfront Place, North Little Rock 72114 Keith Inc., Kroger Co. 15 (501) 372-0110, (501) 372-2029, www.HilburnLawFirm.com Cross Gunter Witherspoon & Galchus PC 16 Richard A. Roderick Employment law, labor relations, employment-related immigration, 500 President Clinton Ave., Suite 200, Little Rock 72201 Cynthia W. Kolb health care law, construction law and more 16 (501) 371-9999, (501) 371-0035, www.CGWG.com Springdale Sanford Law Firm PLLC 16 Josh Sanford Employment and labor law, civil litigation, bankruptcy law, debt 650 S. Shackleford Road, Suite 411, Little Rock 72211 collection issues, probate, wills and estate planning, and more 16 (501) 221-0088, (888) 787-2040, www.SanfordLawFirm.com Russellville Williams & Anderson PLC 16 By Committee Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Association of Pawn Brokers, 111 Center St., 22nd Floor, Little Rock 72201 LISA Academy, Ceco Concrete Construction, Southwest Power Pool 16 (501) 372-0800, (501) 372-6453, www.WilliamsAnderson.com Munson Rowlett Moore & Boone PA 15 Tim Boone State Farm, Catholic Health Initiatives, Community Health Systems, 400 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 1900, Little Rock 72201 Richard Shane Strabala Tyson Foods, QBE 19 (501) 374-6535, (501) 374-5906, www.MRMBLaw.com Sarah Greenwood

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Our firm has used PC Assistance since 2001. After implementing IT Assurance in 2005, our network went from Good to Exceptional. Not long after changing to a proactive 24x7 managed model, we promptly saw enhancements and stability and continue to run with maximum uptime and efficiency today. We utilize PC Assistance for our full Help Desk support for our entire office staff. They are highly professional, responsive and they provide me with the peace of mind that allows me to focus on managing the firm’s IT needs now, and into the future. PC Assistance is our choice as a trusted IT partner. Simply put, we sell businesses. It is clear that we have made the right decision. Strategic M&A Advisors works with the owners of lower middle market companies to uncover and maximize the value of their Contact Ted Clouser to find out how IT Assurance can be the right decision for your business. businesses so they can sell for the highest possible price and

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Ranked by licensed attorneys in Arkansas Firm Name Address Phone, Fax, Website No. of Other Locations Lawyers Managing Partner(s) Sample Client List/Services Conner & Winters 13 Todd Lewis Health care and employment law, transportation and logistics, real 4375 N. Vantage Drive, Suite 405, Fayetteville John Elrod estate, banks, construction and more 20 (479) 582-5711, www.CWLaw.com Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Houston, Washington, D.C. Hyden Miron & Foster PLLC 13 Philip Miron Tax law and IRS/State tax controversies, mergers and acquisitions, 200 Louisiana St., Little Rock 72201 Lyle Foster estate planning, creditor protection, trust and estate administration 20 (501) 376-8222, (501) 376-7047, www.HMFLaw.net and more Conway, Hot Springs Village Matthews Campbell Rhoads McClure & Thompson PA 13 By Committee Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield, AEP/Swepco, Arvest, Crystal 119 S. Second St., Rogers 72756 Bridges Museum of American Art, school districts in Northwest 20 (479) 636-0875, (479) 636-8150, www.MCRMT.com Arkansas PPGMR Law PLLC 13 Julie D. Greathouse Murphy Oil Corporation, Arkansas Development Finance Authority, 101 Morgan Keegan Drive, Suite A, Little Rock 72202 Delek US Holdings Inc., Brookshire Grocery Company, Cadron Capital 20 (501) 603-9000, (501) 603-0556, www.PPGMRLaw.com Partners El Dorado Taylor Law Partners LLP 13 Tim Myers Criminal defense, family law, civil litigation, divorce law, personal 303 E. Millsap Road, Fayetteville 72703 injury 20 (479) 443-5222, (479) 443-7842, www.TaylorLawPartners.com Anderson Murphy & Hopkins LLP 12 Mariam T. Hopkins State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Co., Arkansas Mutual Insurance 400 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 2400, Little Rock 72201 David A. Littleton Co., The Doctors Company, The Medical Protective Co., Allstate 25 (501) 372-1887, (501) 372-7706, www.AndersonMurphyHopkins.com Jason J. Campbell Insurance Co. Bassett Law Firm LLP 11 Woody Bassett St.Paul Insurance Company, Cincinnati Insurance Company, Travelers 221 N. College Ave., Fayetteville 72701 Tod Bassett Insurance Company, Tyson Foods Inc., Simmons Industries Inc. 26 (479) 521-9996, (479) 521-9600, www.BassettLawFirm.com Davis Wright Clark Butt & Carithers PLC 11 Jack Butt Washington Regional Medical System, Ozark Orthopaedics, Arkansas 19 E. Mountain St., Fayetteville 72701 Farm Bureau, Travelers Ins. Co., CNA Ins. Co. 26 (479) 521-7600, (479) 521-7661, www.Davis-Firm.com Springdale The Brad Hendricks Law Firm 11 Brad Hendricks Personal injury, medical negligence, social security, bankruptcy, 500C Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock 72227 general practice 26 (501) 221-0444, (501) 661-0196, www.BradHendricks.com Waddell Cole & Jones PLLC 11 Ralph W. Waddell St. Bernards Healthcare, ProAssurance Indemnity Co., Con-Way P.O. Box 1700, Jonesboro 72403 Truckload, Riceland Foods, Hytrol Conveyor 26 (870) 931-1700, (870) 931-1800, www.WCJFirm.com Sources: the firms Researched by Roxanne Jones

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Lakewood Exxon at 2501 McCain Blvd. [GOOGLE MAPS] NLR Pharmacy Prescribed Following $2.2M Site Sale

A CVS Pharmacy development in North Little Rock is in motion after a $2.25 million transaction. CVS 10975 AR LLC, an affiliate of CVS Pharmacy of Woonsocket, Rhode COREY PIERCE JULIE MATHEWS NMLS# 1631603 NMLS# 445258 Island, purchased the Lakewood Exxon at 2501 McCain Blvd. The seller is C&E Investments LLC, led by Jimmy and Vanessa Crossfield. Offer of credit is subject to The 0.92-acre development previously credit approval. was tied to a January 2009 mortgage of $1.6 million held by Keltner Marketing LITTLE ROCK 4900 Kavanaugh Blvd. 501-502-0192 • 8201 Ranch Blvd. 501-319-6338 Corp., led by Ronald Keltner. C&E bought the project from Keltner Real Deals Marketing more than nine years ago for $1.6 million. George Waldon [email protected]

Multifamily Purchase project for $319,000 in June 1991 from A 20-unit apartment complex in Carson and Janet Harris. Jacksonville tipped the scales at $1.25 million. DJJS Thaddeus Properties LLC, led Dental Acquisition by Daniel Gray, acquired Foxcroft A 2,487-SF dental office in west Little Apartments at 900 Madden Road from Rock rang up a $635,000 sale. Bradley H. Medlock Ltd. Montgomery and Kelli Heathman pur- The deal is financed with a five-year chased the 12501 Cantrell Road project loan of $1 million from First Arkansas from Walter and Debbie Jines. The deal is Bank & Trust of Jacksonville. funded with a five-year loan of $414,641 Medlock purchased the 2.19-acre site held by Arvest Bank. for $65,000 in June 2001 from David and The 1.11-acre development previously Robin Chamblee. was tied to a September 2017 mortgage of $249,000 held by Simmons Bank of Pine Matt Jones, JD, CFP ® Jason Prather, JD, LLM Bluff. Downtown Storefront The location was bought for $50,000 Attorneys | Certified Financial Planners™ | Estate Planners | Investment and Insurance Experts An 8,000-SF building in downtown in May 1996 from Sam Peck & Associates Little Rock drew an $800,000 transac- Inc. tion. How will you invest in your Legacy? Soma Storefronts LLC, led by Rusty Thompson, bought the Piano Kraft proj- Hum’s Home Sale When it comes to wealth management, our professionals have the ability ect at 1222 Main St. and the adjoin- A 14,211-SF warehouse showroom in to offer you the personal attention of a locally owned firm with national ing parking lot. The seller is South Main North Little Rock changed hands in a resources. We take the time to get to know you, your values, your family, Properties, led by Fred Gray. $400,000 deal. and your goals. The result is a fully integrated financial plan, tailored to The deal is backed with a one-year The seller is Hum’s Hardware & you, so you can focus on the things that really matter. loan of $700,000 from First NaturalState Furniture Inc., led by Bruce Hum, who Bank of McGehee. sold Hum’s former quarters at 4210 E. our business is personal. The 0.32-acre development previously Broadway. The buyer is Kim Properties 800.372.4484 was linked with a November 2005 mort- LLC, led by Grace Chae-Kim. gage of $131,276 and an April 2018 mort- The 1.92-acre property was assembled Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Neither Kestra IS nor Kestra AS offer tax or legal advice. Legacy Capital gage of $250,000 held by Arvest Bank of in three buys totaling $33,000. The sell- Group Arkansas, LLC is a member of PartnersFinancial. Kestra IS and Kestra AS are not affiliated with Legacy Capital Group Arkansas, LLC or any other entity listed. Fayetteville. ers were Edward and Vera Ray, $8,000 in South Main Properties acquired the May 1967 and $10,000 in May 1974, and Arkansas Business June 11, 2018 19

Julius and Ava Scott, $15,000 in October loan of $665,000 from Arvest Bank. The 1982. residence previously was linked with a July 2012 mortgage of $417,000 held by Fly Smarter. Fly Charter. Centennial Bank of Conway. Riviera Space The Carfagnos bought the property Commercial space in Little Rock’s for $660,000 nearly six years ago from Sporting Events Vacations Business Travel Riviera Building sold for $258,625. Robert and Charlene Hicks. Blaney Properties LLC, led by Patrick and Natalie Blaney, bought 1,722 SF on the ground floor at 3700 Cantrell Road. Heights Residence The seller is Heartland Properties A 3,938-SF home in Little Rock’s Corp., led by Larry McCraw. Country Club Heights neighborhood The deal is financed with a five-year changed hands in a $625,000 deal. loan of $326,900 from Arvest Bank. MJH Trust, led by Merritt and Lauren Heartland acquired the 2.13-acre Dake, acquired the house from the Joyce development for $3.1 million in March W. Logan Revocable Trust. Hassle Free Travel 1990 from Riviera Apartments, led by The deal is funded with a $565,875 Land Closer to Your Destination Sidney Weniger. loan from IberiaBank of Lafayette, Travel on Your Schedule Louisiana. Arrive Relaxed & Ready The Logan family purchased the Woodlands Manor property for $250,000 in May 1995 from for Business or Leisure A 4,522-SF home in west Little Rock’s Frank and Mary Hiegel. Pets Fly Free and Safely with You Woodlands Edge neighborhood weighed in at $1.01 million. Siobahn and Paul Hruby purchased Woodlands House the house from Randy Wright Builders A 3,971-SF home in west Little Rock’s LLC. The deal is backed with a 30-year Woodlands Edge neighborhood sold for loan of $959,500 from SunTrust Mortgage $550,000. Since 1939 Inc. of Richmond, Virginia. Nathan and Maegan Waldrip bought The residence previously was linked the house from Cory and Amy Cress. The ® with a May 2017 mortgage of $794,750 and deal is financed with a 30-year loan a December 2017 mortgage of $50,000 of $375,000 from Bank of Little Rock held by First Security Bank of Searcy. Mortgage Corp. Contact Charter Today The location was bought for $166,000 The residence previously was tied to 975.9329 / [email protected] in May 2017 from Rocket Properties LLC, an August 2017 mortgage of $424,100 led by Lisenne Rockefeller. held by the mortgage company. The Cress family acquired the prop- 2 3 0 1 C r i s p D r i v e | L i t t l e R o c k | A r k a n s a s | 7 2 2 0 2 | c e n t r a l . a e r o erty for $550,000 10 months ago from Prospect Home Matthew and Michelle Barden. A 4,811-SF home in Little Rock’s Prospect Terrace is under new ownership after an $885,000 deal. Wellington Home Lee and Pamela Jackson acquired the A 4,034-SF home in west Little Rock’s house from Vivian Penick. The deal is Villages at Wellington neighborhood is funded with a 30-year loan of $565,000 under new ownership after a $530,000 from Regions Bank of Birmingham, deal. Alabama. The Rebecca Elaine Gwatney Revocable The residence was purchased for Trust purchased the house from the $700,000 in June 2005 from the John Laurie Lamb Revocable Trust. The deal is James Truemper Jr. Revocable Trust. backed with a 30-year loan of $200,000 from Regions Bank. The residence was bought for $446,000 Deauville House in August 2005 from Bateman & Kuhn A 6,100-SF home in the Deauville Professional Builders PLLC, led by Robert Place neighborhood of west Little Rock’s Bateman and Todd Kuhn. Chenal Valley development drew an $800,000 transaction. Purushottam and Sushma Thapa Overlook Abode bought the house from KHC Design Inc., A 3,583-SF home in Little Rock’s led by Keith Hardin. The deal is financed Overlook Park neighborhood drew a with a 15-year loan of $550,000 from Ark- $510,000 transaction. La-Tex Financial Services LLC of Plano, Lyndsey and John Allen V acquired the Texas. house from Paul Ward and Laura Lamps. The residence previously was tied to a The deal is funded with a 30-year loan March 2017 mortgage of $750,000 held by of $285,000 from Bank of Little Rock Central Bank of Little Rock. Mortgage. The location was acquired for $120,000 The residence previously was linked in May 2014 from Dale and Shirley Jones. with an April 2015 mortgage of $202,000 held by Simmons Bank. The property was purchased for Hillcrest Dwelling $415,000 in December 2002 from Mark A 3,198-SF home in Little Rock’s and Anna Stanley. n Hillcrest neighborhood rang up a $775,000 sale. Owen and Jennifer Kelly purchased the house from Jeffrey and Lori Carfagno. The deal is backed with a 30-year 20 June 11, 2018 Arkansas Business The Changing DAILY ONLINE NEWS Of the Guard ArkansasBusiness.com Roy Ockert recalls standing in the With You On the Go January cold in 1981, helplessly watching the Batesville Daily Guard burn to the ground, set ablaze by teenage vandals. Ockert had been the editor of Independence County’s biggest newspaper for more than five years at that time, steadily building a staff and improving local news and sports coverage. But after the fire, he wondered if the paper would survive under its family ownership. The daily was underinsured, and its resources were never the same. But to Ockert’s surprise, the Jones family, the paper’s owners for nearly nine decades, Outtakes managed to resist buyout attempts. After several more years as editor in Kyle Massey Batesville and some time in academia, [email protected] Ockert went to work for Paxton Media Group of Paducah, Kentucky, editing its leadership, but it’s a hefty private chain Publisher Editor Online Editor Print/Digital Reporter papers in Russellville and Jonesboro of nearly 40 dailies, a television station before retiring in 2012. and numerous weeklies operating in 10 Mitch Bettis Gwen Moritz Lance Turner Sarah Campbell-Miller In the wake of the death this year states, with an estimated revenue of $340 @mitchbettis @gwenmoritz @LT @ArkNewsGirl of Dr. O.E. Jones, the Guard publisher, million a year. Ockert was unsurprised to hear that Ockert saw Paxton as a likely suitor Paxton acquired the paper June 1. Jones’ for The Guard long before the sale. Along Most Read Stories of the Week family had published the 7,000-circula- with The Jonesboro Sun and Russellville ArkansasBusiness.com’s most popular stories for the week ending June 7: tion paper since the Depression, and for Courier, Paxton owns the nearby Searcy 46 years he left the practical running of Daily Citizen and the Paragould Daily Press. the business to his wife, Pat Jones, who Ockert figured Paxton could econo- retired last month as general manager. mize by printing The Guard in Jonesboro, Skip Rutherford tweeted that the sale as it does the Paragould and Searcy claimed the last family-owned daily papers. Sun Publisher David Mosesso paper in Arkansas. Rutherford, dean confirmed on June 4 that Paxton had of the Clinton School of Public Service done just that and a Batesville boy who worked for the “We printed our first edition here in paper as a teen, got a quick reply from Jonesboro last night,” he said. Ron Fournier, the former Little Rock and Dr. Jones was a light-touch publisher, national reporter who went on to become but he was deeply dedicated to the paper. publisher of Crain’s Detroit Business: “The He had helped his mother, Josephine Dem-Gaz is no longer family-owned?” Phillips Carroll Jones, modernize opera- Fournier, who was referring to the tions after his father’s death in 1949, and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, is president he was on board years later as Ockert led 1. Arkansas Business Presents the 40 Under 40 Class of 2018 of Truscott Rossman, the Michigan PR it into the computer age. The best of the best in business, nonprofi ts and politics, culled from 300 nominations. firm he joined after leaving journalism “O.E. was not a full-time newspaper- 2. AT&T Names New Arkansas President a few months ago. His question is a good man,” Ockert wrote in a January remi- With the company for 40 years, Ronnie Dedman gets called up. one, but the answer is not clear-cut. niscence. “He was a dentist whose office 3. Roach Manufacturing Accuses Accountant of Embezzling $4.5M Democrat-Gazette Publisher Walter was next door to the Guard building, but Conveyor systems company says longtime friend took money for 10 years. Hussman Jr., chairman of Wehco Media as one of three principal owners (with his 4. UAMS’ Turbulent Year Was Years in Making Inc., oversees a privately held conglom- mother and sister), he had a strong inter- Institution’s troubles simmered for years before bubbling over last fall. erate of two dozen newspapers, 13 cable est in the newspaper’s success. O.E.’s dad TV and internet service providers and and older brother had been career news- 5. Help Wanted: New Chancellor at UAMS Looking for New Administrators about 1,900 employees at operations in papermen, but both died young. His goal Cam Patterson comes aboard aiming to fi ll several vacancies. six states. was to avoid the same fate … .” “It became apparent that corrective action needed to be Still, he’d argue that the Little Rock Ockert knows from experience that taken fairly quickly to keep it from ballooning out of daily is family-owned. Wehco, which has Paxton is a good company, he says. “That control, and a lot of hard choices had to be made and an estimated $250 million in annual rev- being said, there’s a difference work- made fairly quickly.” enue, is based in Little Rock. Hussman ing for a family-owned and a corporate- lives in town, and his corporation’s roots owned newspaper,” Ockert told Outtakes. — C.C. “Cliff ” Gibson III of Monticello, go back to the chain his grandfather, “I’m not going to say one is better than a University of Arkansas System trustee. Clyde E. Palmer, built early in the last the other, because I saw good things century in south Arkansas. and bad things with both, and the trend The Guard, by contrast, fits the classic away from locally owned businesses and image of a family paper with its small- into corporate ownership is certainly not town office and newsroom and advertis- confined to the newspaper business.” ing staff of about a dozen. The Joneses’ But he says he’ll never forget his spe- son Ross is an art and computer special- cial kinship with The Guard. “Most of all, ist at the paper, and their daughter-in- I remember the family atmosphere — law, Lua Jones, is online administrator. picnics, team sports and games, parties Paxton is also a family-owned corpo- at the Jones house, laughing and some- ration, with generations of Paxtons in its times crying together.” n Arkansas Business June 11, 2018 21 Feltner Trio To Branch Out To Tontitown CONGRATULATIONS Tontitown is poised to be the second MERRITT DAKE location of Feltner Brothers Burgers, with Arkansas Business more planned after that. That’s what Travis Feltner, one of 40 UNDER 40 the three brothers who founded the Restaurants Class of 2018 first Feltner Brothers restaurant in Fayetteville in 2009, told us last week. Jan Cottingham The Feltner name is well known to [email protected] many Arkansas diners. Travis’ grandfather Robert Feltner founded Feltner’s They did know they wanted to work Whatta-Burger in Russellville in 1967. for themselves and that they wanted However, the Feltner brothers — Travis the flexibility to spend time with their and his twin, Chase, and their younger families. Their parents had attended all brother, Grant — have no role in Feltner’s the brothers’ athletic and other events, Whatta-Burger, which is owned by their and the brothers thought, “We want to aunt and uncle. And none of the Feltners be able to do that with our own families. is associated with Whataburger (notice Time is more important than the mon- the different spelling), a chain based in etary side,” Feltner said. San Antonio. So far, he said, it’s working out. Travis Feltner said the brothers are hoping to open the Feltner Brothers Burgers restaurant at 992 E. Henri De PopUp Stone’s Throw Tonti Blvd. by Aug. 1. The 1,600-SF space A PopUp in the Rock event will be the will seat 55-60. And starting in 2019, occasion for Stone’s Throw Brewing to set although there’s no timeline — “I think up in Little Rock’s Stifft Station neigh- everything just happens when it’s sup- borhood for a few weeks to test interest posed to,” Feltner said — the goal is to in a possible outpost in the area. open one a year. Stone’s Throw, at 402 E. Ninth St., The choice of Tontitown for their sec- will be creating the pop-up taproom for ond site, an investment costing about the PopUp Stifft Station event June 16 $350,000, was carefully considered. through July 7. “We’re going to see how Northwest Arkansas may be booming, that goes and kind of gauge interest in but competition for diners’ dollars is the local neighborhood for a more per- fierce. “We’re always looking for those manent presence based on that,” said outer-lying areas,” Feltner said. Ian Beard, an owner of Stone’s Throw. “There are a lot of folks in these The pop-up taproom will be keeping smaller towns who want a ‘better burger’ Thursday through Sunday hours for the burger joint,” he said. “I don’t see some duration of the PopUp, Beard said. of these big corporate joints being in Real estate investor Brian Teeter of these smaller areas. We kind of thought Little Rock is excited about the PopUp. we could be the better burger option in Teeter just bought two Stifft Station these smaller areas.” properties for $435,000, the 3,760-SF In addition, Feltner said, “the small- Buice drug store building at 3011 W. town people know our name more than Markham St. and the adjacent 1,650-SF in Springdale and Bentonville. Those building at 3015 W. Markham, which are transplants. These folks in these housed the now-closed Sandalwood smaller areas, they know.” Forest gift shop. Though the brothers have Teeter plans to remodel the no business relationship property and make the old with the Whatta-Burger in Buice location the headquar- Russellville, they knew, when ters for his company. As for the they decided in 2009 to part- 3015 W. Markham building, ner to open a business, that he’ll be leasing that out. the Feltner name might be an A number of businesses attraction. Yes, the economy was down have expressed interest in the space, and it might be hard to get a loan, but Teeter said, and as part of the PopUp Stifft they thought, “I bet with our last name Station, several enterprises will be setting and our family history, we could slap up for a limited time in both properties. ‘Feltner’ on the sign and bring customers The Stone’s Throw pop-up taproom in. Our dad said, ‘You don’t know what will be located at 3016 W. Markham St., you’re doing.’ Of course, we didn’t pay former home of Unity Martial Arts. much attention to that,” Travis Feltner Stone Throw’s brewing permit allows said. “Looking back now, he was right on it to have two additional satellite tasting the money.” rooms. A Stifft Station/Hillcrest outpost The brothers had no restaurant expe- “would be a little neighborhood pub,” rience, but their father had owned an Beard said. “We could also do beer-to-go athletic store in Russellville and they out of there, of our beer, so we could fill came from a family of entrepreneurs. growlers.” n 22 June 11, 2018 Arkansas Business

Picking Arkansas Easy Winners Business Listening or someone so late to the game, And Losers I have in the past year become a Views Fpodcast fiend. In the months since EDITORIAL I last used this space to recommend a Arkansas Business’ Opinion Page few, a coworker introduced me to what may be the most educational one in all of he presidential thinking went like The companies — Bekaert Corp., cyberspace: “What Trump Can Teach Us this: Kiswire America and Tokusen USA — About Con Law.” Editor’s Note T “Our peaceful trading partners make tire cord, which requires a kind of TrumpConLaw — that’s actually the are not our enemies; they are our allies. wire rod that they say is unavailable in the website, but it makes a handy short- Gwen Moritz We should beware of the demagogues who United States, forcing them to import it hand for such a long title — is hosted [email protected] are ready to declare a trade war against from foreign steel-producing companies. by Roman Mars, who also hosts “99% our friends — weakening our economy, But the Trump administration has placed Invisible,” a podcast about things you precedence over personal liberty — even our national security, and the entire free tariffs on steel and aluminum from the probably never thought about. Mars is religious freedom. world — all while cynically waving the European Union, Canada and Mexico. clearly not a fan of President Trump, If that’s completely at odds with what American flag. The expansion of the inter- “If they can’t get access to the import- but TrumpConLaw is not an exercise in you thought you knew, it’s because the national economy is not a foreign inva- ed steel they need, the companies say Trump-bashing. Supreme Court reconsidered just three sion; it is an American triumph, one we they will close their operations,” the Instead, Mars refers to himself as a years later — three years in which worked hard to achieve, and something Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported “fellow stu- Jehovah’s Witnesses were persecuted central to our vision of a peaceful and last week. “Together, they employ 1,500 dent,” hav- across our country for refusing to recite prosperous world of freedom.” people at four plants in Arkansas.” ing enlisted a the pledge (which did not yet include the Of course, that was 30 years ago, The companies have sought exclusion constitutional words “under God”). Three members of when Ronald Reagan was the president from the tariffs, but a trade organization law profes- the original majority changed their votes doing the thinking. This is now, a now of U.S. producers of wire rod has objected sor to explain and joined with the original dissenter in which the United States’ trade policy to the request, saying the wire rod the issues that have and a couple of new justices for a 6-3 shifts with President Donald Trump’s companies need can be sourced in the arisen dur- decision that overturned the first deci- moods. His prevailing mood is a protec- United States. ing the Trump sion. tionist one, one that threatens the jobs We don’t know who is right. We do administration “If there is any fixed star in our con- of 1,500 Arkansans. That is the message know that government shouldn’t be, as through the lens of constitutional lan- stitutional constellation,” Justice Robert from three companies with facilities in the saying goes, in the business of pick- guage and Supreme Court precedents. Jackson wrote for the new majority, “it Arkansas. ing economic losers and winners. n Elizabeth Joh, from the faculty of is that no official, high or petty, can pre- the University of California, Davis, scribe what shall be orthodox in politics, School of Law, clearly knows how to nationalism, religion, or other matters teach. She takes complex subjects of opinion or force citizens to confess by STAFF DIRECTORY — travel bans, threats of libel suits, word or act their faith therein.” building a border wall, talk of nuclear TrumpConLaw treats President Mitch Bettis SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FLEX360 Publisher war, NFL protests, etc. — and explains Trump’s quixotic quest for a massive wall Editor Gwen Moritz Editor, Little Rock Soirée WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT Art Director Wayne DePriest Jess Ardrey Executive Director of Custom Solutions them clearly and dispassionately. Joh on the southern border as a constitu- Editor, Little Rock Family John Tucker (“Joe”) does an amazing job of antici- tional question of eminent domain, not a EDITORIAL Alexis Crowe Director of Flex360 Robert Blake pating questions or confusion, a skill public policy debate. And the episode on Managing Editor Consumer Publications Editor Director of Software Development Jan Cottingham I admire because I’m still trying to attorney-client privilege starts with an Lindsay Irvin Jonathan Peoples Online Editor Lance Turner master it as an editor. event of special interest in Arkansas: the Sales Manager, Little Rock Family Web Developer Aaron Jacobi Senior Editors Robin Tucker I’m sure I was already as knowledge- suicide of Vince Foster. Senior Web Designer able about the Constitution as the aver- Mark Friedman, George Waldon Senior Account Executives Lance Corder *** Assistant Editors Brandy Hubener, Heather Smith Project Manager Amanda Potter Cole age non-lawyer, and I have learned a tre- Marty Cook, Kyle Massey Account Executives Digital Marketing Specialists mendous amount from TrumpConLaw. I nother of my favorite podcasts, Business Special Pubs Publisher Betsy Smith, Linda Vint Molly May, Aly Smith already knew, as I mentioned last week, Malcolm Gladwell’s “Revisionist Chris Bahn DESIGN ADMINISTRATION that the First Amendment protects us History,” is back for a third sea- Managing Editor, Business Special Pubs A Production Manager Todd Traub Accounting Manager Hal Lammey only from government action, not person. The first episode of the new season April Scott Deputy Online Editor Tre Baker Accounting Supervisor Kim Clark sonal consequences. I knew President taught me something else I didn’t know: Senior Art Director Human Resources Bill Page Trump might say, as he did in an inter- Texas, unique among states, has the legal Print/Digital Reporter Irene Forbes Executive Assistant Kristen Heldenbrand Sarah Campbell-Miller Art Directors view that month, “You have to stand right to divide into as many as five sepa- Researcher Roxanne Jones Erin Lang, Dean Wheeler proudly for the national anthem,” but rate states. SALES & MARKETING Senior Designers he can’t actually make you do it. He can If quintupling Texas’ two seats in the Vice President of Business Sales Omar Alonso, Vince Palermo say that football players who don’t stand U.S. Senate sounds like a great idea to Bonnie Jacoby Digital Operations Specialist ARKANSAS BUSINESS PUBLISHING GROUP for the anthem “maybe ... shouldn’t be in you, you might need to listen to the pod- Marketing Director Devan Elbert Rebekah Eveland the country,” but he can’t actually expel cast. Senior Account Executives CIRCULATION Chairman & CEO Olivia Myers Farrell them. Rosemary Bruton, Scott Haggard *** Circulation Manager President Mitch Bettis But before TrumpConLaw, I didn’t Account Executives Dana Wade Consumer Publications Publisher Elizabeth Haman, Myles McDougal, Senior Circulation Coordinator Rachel Pitre know that the U.S. Supreme Court had do need to make a correction to last Alicia Sandage, Payton Sledge, Terry White Shannon Ponder Little Rock Soirée Publisher ruled that public schools — government week’s column. In it I said that judges Operations Specialist Circulation Assistant Mandy Richardson agencies — could require students to say Iin the United States can gag only law- Jessica Pridmore De’Jarnette Johnson the Pledge of Allegiance. The 1940 deci- yers, in contrast to British judges, who Advertising Coordinators sion in a case of two Jehovah’s Witnesses can actually limit what can be reported Maddie Brodell, Bethany Johnson SUMMER INTERNS children in Pennsylvania, who refused about a legal proceeding. I should have Events Manager Alex Howland Marketing/Ad Coordinating Christina Tell to pledge the American flag just as said that our judges can gag the parties to Marketing & Events Assistant Business Sales Nate McKenna 114 Scott St., Little Rock, AR 72201 Witnesses in Germany had refused to a case, including court staffers. n Kelli Roy (501) 372-1443 Fax: (501) 375-7933 Business Editorial Jordan Johnson salute the Nazi flag, wasn’t even close Advertising Assistant Jessie Smith ArkansasBusiness.com ● abpg.com Consumer Editorial — 8 to 1. Justice Felix Frankfurter (real- Gwen Moritz is editor of Arkansas Brock Walker Graphic Design Lexie Lane © Copyright 2018 Arkansas Business Limited Partnership Photography Angelo Felix ly) wrote for the majority that the goal Business. Email her at GMoritz@ABPG. of fostering “national unity” could take com. VIEWS Arkansas Business June 11, 2018 23

politics into the court system in the worst The Bait and Switch of Issue 1 way. You can be certain that lobbyists and special interests will be applying his November, voters will Currently, the Arkansas Supreme pressure to modify court rules regarding decide to pass or reject Issue 1, Court has exclusive authority to promul- how and when cases may be brought to Tan amendment to the Arkansas gate rules of pleading, practice and pro- court, how evidence may or may not be Constitution. Issue 1 contains three sep- cedure. These court rules are the result offered, when or if certain matters may arate provisions, but the first two get of exhaustive discussion and review. be appealed, and when and how a judge the most attention. They are: 1) a cap on I have had the privilege to serve on makes his or her rulings. attorneys’ contingency fees and 2) a cap the Arkansas Supreme Court Committee Can you imagine the negative effect on noneconomic damage awards. on Civil Practice for the last four years. on access to justice if the American rule, With regard to these two provisions, The Civil Practice Committee is made where each party generally pays its own there will be substantial funds spent to up of judges, lawyers, court clerks and attorneys’ fees, were changed to a “loser demonize lawyers and lawsuits in the law professors. As a group, we spend pays” format that exists in other parts of effort to sway voters to vote in favor of hours discussing the impact of a rule the world? The Arkansas Bar Association the amendment. When the Arkansas Bar change, studying how changes may have stands in opposition to this transfer of Association decided to oppose Issue 1, Commentary been applied in other jurisdictions, and judicial authority to the Legislature. that decision was not based on either of arguing about how changes in wording In 2014, voters passed Issue 3, a con- these two provisions. Suzanne G. Clark may be interpreted and applied. This stitutional amendment characterized as The power, and danger, of Issue 1 is [email protected] committee is an integral part in the rule- ethics reform. After its passage, there in the third provision — the one that making process, but it is only a part of were outcries because many voters were is not exciting cocktail conversation. A discussion of court rule-making, the process. The committee itself has no not aware that Issue 3 also expanded The third provision of Issue 1 shifts the civics and separation of powers can authority. term limits and legislative pay. This courts’ rule-making authority from the induce yawns. I expect there are a few When rules drafted or modified by the November, don’t fall for the bait. The Arkansas Supreme Court to the Arkansas now! But hang in there, because we need committee are submitted to the Supreme switch in Issue 1, the provision the propo- General Assembly. It is a power grab voters to understand why they should Court, the court performs a review, and nents do not want you to pay attention to, by the Legislature, seeking to further vote no on Issue 1. if the rules are approved, they are then concentrates substantially more power dilute the authority of the judiciary. The There is no pithy sound bite that can published for public comment. Only in the hands of the General Assembly separation of the branches of govern- explain how destructive the Legislature’s after sufficient time for review of all sug- and diminishes the judiciary’s ability to ment that we all studied in grade school, power grab is to the rule of law and fair- gestions and concerns, and perhaps fur- protect your day in court. n middle school and high school is foun- ness in the judicial system. Shifting court ther modification and additional review, dational and critical to our democratic rule-making from the deliberative process will the court formally adopt a rule after Suzanne G. Clark, an attorney with the society. The judicial branch, charged that currently exists to one that may be months, or even years, of review and Clark Law Firm PLLC in Fayetteville, will with defending the Constitution and modified every legislative session based deliberation. be sworn in as president of the Arkansas upholding the rule of law, should not be on the whim of special interests may have Placing the rule-making authority in Bar Association on June 15. Email her at subservient to the Legislature. disastrous results for our system of justice. the hands of the Legislature introduces [email protected].

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Learn more at www.jaark.org or call 501-840-1345 to speak with Tonya Villines. 24 June 11, 2018 Arkansas Business Business & Real Estate Marketplace COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LAND FOR SALE

DOCTORS BUILDING NOTICE OF TIMBERLAND SALE Bid Date: July 12, 2018 @ 10:00 A.M. Harris Timberland Management, Inc., acting is primarily upland. Property has direct access to as agent for Seller is offering for sale a tract of land Highway 425 and Highway 11. Tract has access to located in Lincoln County, Arkansas. Tract will be electricity and rural water - excellent for recreation sold on a sealed bid basis. and investment. Tract is unique in that it consists of 1,951.6 The property has been managed for timber contiguous acres. It is located 1 mile northeast production. There is a mixture of pine logs, of Star City, Arkansas. There is approximately 4.9 hardwood pulpwood and pine pulpwood on the n n Leasing Brokerage miles of roads on the property. Terrain is flat and tract with much of the area in need of thinning. n n Management Consulting For more information: contact Don Harris at 870-313-2197 or 870-352-2061 Jeff Yates | 501.396.9714 | [email protected] www.ARKcire.com 100 South Main • P.O. Box 711 • Fordyce, AR 71742

For advertising information contact Bonnie Jacoby at (501) 455-9308 or [email protected]

Arkansas Business CFO OF THE YEAR 2018

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® Arkansas Business June 11, 2018 25

Arkansas Super Mover Business A closer look behind a prominent promotion This Week: Tom Williams, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, University of Central Arkansas

Movers+Shakers New Position: Tom Wil- liams has been named dean Submit news items to ArkansasBusiness.com/Movers of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. He will Construction assistant vice president and commercial oversee the college’s six Jeff Sharp has been hired as mar- lender for Anstaff Bank at the Mountain departments: English; history; keting coordinator by Home branch. Adams, who graduated languages, linguistics, litera- CDI Contractors LLC in from the University of Arkansas with a tures and cultures; philosophy Little Rock, where he Bachelor of Science in business admin- and religion; political science; will design and pro- istration, worked for 12 years as trea- and sociology, criminology duce bid proposals surer for the Ozark Mountain Region Inc. and anthropology. He will and develop marketing board and the Mountain Home Youth start in his new position on materials. Sharp gradu- Baseball board. July 2. ated from Ouachita Jeff Baptist University in Background: Williams is Sharp Arkadelphia. Health Care currently the associate dean Dr. Sharon Little and nurse practi- of the School of English, tioner Laura Pace have Communication, Media & Energy been hired as health Languages at Morehead State Flint Richter has been hired as busi- care providers at Mercy University in Kentucky, and ness development executive for Entegrity Clinic Primary Care- was previously the chair of the in Little Rock, and Connor McWilliams Chaffee Crossing in English department at More- has been hired as project manager. Barling. They join six head. He has also held faculty Richter owned Richter Solar Energy other providers at the positions at the University in Fayetteville, which was acquired by clinic, which opened of Houston-Victoria in Texas, Williams will oversee the six departments of UCA’s College Entegrity in May. Richter has 20 years of Sharon last year. Little, who Arkansas State University in of Liberal Arts. [PHOTO PROVIDED] experience as a certified PV installer and Little previously worked Jonesboro and the University instructs for Solar Energy International. in family medicine in Bartlesville, of Wisconsin-Green Bay. He graduated from master’s in English at Ohio State University McWilliams once worked as an ener- Oklahoma, received her medical degree Ashland University in Ohio with a bachelor’s and earned his Ph.D. in creative writing and gy engineer for Cromwell Architects at Oklahoma State University’s College degree in creative writing, received his literature at the University of Houston. n Engineers in Little Rock and is a licensed of Osteopathic Medicine. Pace received professional engineer and LEED Green her Master of Science in nursing at the Associate. University of Arkansas for Medical for the Preparedness & Emergency eography experience, including as a focus Sciences and has several years of experi- Response program and associate direc- puller for Food Network’s “Chopped,” ence in critical care at CHI St. Vincent in tor for science at ADH’s Center for Health and Tucker previously worked as an Engineering Little Rock. Protection. Nelluri, who earned his med- e-commerce writer for Dillard’s Inc. Dr. Paul Williams has been hired ical degree from Gandhi Medical School Payton Morein has been hired as an as a physician at the Baptist Health in Hyderabad, India, has 36 years of phy- account planner for Gastroenterology Clinic in Little Rock, sician experience. Nelluri has completed Communications Group which opened in April. Williams residencies in plastic and reconstructive in Little Rock, where received his medical degree from UAMS surgery, as well as fellowships in hand she will work with the and completed a gastroenterology fel- and microsurgery. He is currently a hand firm’s government- lowship at the University of Texas Health surgeon at John L. McClellan Memorial to-consumer clients. Science Center. Williams has 25 years of Veterans Hospital in Little Rock. Morein previously Adam Caroline experience as a physician at Little Rock worked as a market- Osweiler Fox Diagnostic Clinic. Payton ing associate, then as Adam Osweiler, Dr. Kenneth Tonymon has joined Law Morein marketing and public Caroline Fox and Edwin the Sparks Clinic Neuroscience Center in Larry Watkins has been hired as coun- relations manager, for United Way of Hankins each earned the Fort Smith as a neurosurgeon, joining sel by Mitchell Williams Southeast Louisiana. She graduated from Leadership in Energy & two other neurosurgeons at the center. Selig Gates & Woodyard Louisiana State University with a bach- Environmental Design Tonymon, who has been in practice for PLLC at the firm’s Little elor’s degree in mass communication. Green Associate cre- 30 years, received his medical degree Rock office. Watkins, a dential from the U.S. and completed his neurosurgery resi- construction attorney Green Building Council, dency at UAMS, and previously prac- with experience in pub- Nonprofi ts Edwin which rates buildings ticed at Essentia Health-Fargo in North lic-private partnership Duane Jackson has been appointed Hankins on their environmental Dakota and at HSHS St. Vincent in Green projects, is also a pro- artistic director of the impact. All three work at McClelland Bay, Wisconsin. Larry fessor of construction Weekend Theater in Consulting Engineers Inc. in Little Rock. Dr. William L. Mason and Dr. Pramod Watkins law at the University of Little Rock, and Zachery Curtis Osier has been appointed K. Nelluri have joined the Arkansas Arkansas at Little Rock’s Bowen School Ingersoll has been branch manager of the Springdale Foundation for Medical Care in Little Rock of Law, where he received his law degree named assistant artis- branch of Building & Earth, which he will as associate medical directors. Mason, in 2012. tic director. Jackson manage in addition to the Little Rock who received his medical degree from has worked with the branch. Osier managed the Little Rock UAMS, worked as a flight surgeon in Weekend Theater as branch for four years, and took over the the U.S. Air Force before completing a Media & Marketing Duane both an actor and Springdale branch early this year. residency at UAMS in internal medi- Jonah Serfass has been hired as chief Jackson director for 20 years. cine and a fellowship in pulmonary dis- videographer and editor for Kirkpatrick Ingersoll, a senior at the University of ease. From 2002-2018, Mason worked Creative in Little Rock, and Monica Tucker Arkansas at Little Rock, previously held Financial Services for the Arkansas Department of Health has been hired as chief copywriter. a directing internship with the Arkansas Spencer Adams has been named the as medical director and branch chief Serfass has eight years of freelance vid- Repertory Theatre. n 26 June 11, 2018 Arkansas Business This Week: Robyn P. Allmendinger Arkansas Managing Member of the Rose Law Firm of Little Rock Business a genuine sense of pride among our attorneys and staff to be a part of Bio: Robyn P. Allmendinger this establishment. We have survived Background: Allmendinger is a transac- Exec Q&A the peaks and valleys over almost tional lawyer at the Rose Law Firm two centuries and continue to remain with a varied practice in the areas of To submit questions or interview suggestions, email [email protected] a thriving law fi rm with an excellent real estate, corporate and securities, reputation, not only in our commu- commercial fi nancing, and mergers and acquisitions. Allmendinger nity, but nationally. Prominence also Allmendinger has been practicing with the Rose Law Firm, which traces recently was elected as the fi rst its origin to 1820, since 2002. opens the door for public scrutiny and female managing member of the media attention, whether it is posi- Rose Law Firm. She is a ranked We’re slowly reaching the point fi rm? Any change in direction tive or negative, both of which our lawyer in real estate by “Cham- where “fi rst female” honors are or anything new? Expansion? fi rm has weathered over the years. bers USA” and is featured in “The less rare, but still, you’re the Since taking this role four months ago, Best Lawyers in America” for her fi rst female managing member I have started to take an in-depth look Why did you enter the law? work in securities and capital of an almost 200-year-old law at our fi rm and its operations. I truly During my sophomore year at the markets. fi rm. What are your thoughts am excited about our fi rm’s leader- University of Arkansas, I signed up Education: Allmendinger on that distinction? To set this ship and the direction we are heading. for a business law class. This class received her Juris Doctor with high precedent for our fi rm shows the Our recent expansion into northwest steered me toward law school. I honors from the University of Arkan- tremendous progress within the legal Arkansas coupled with hiring a very really enjoyed the case studies we sas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law in 2002. n industry. I was completely over- talented marketing and business would do on how the law applies whelmed at the response I received development director, Heide Harrell, in the real world to businesses every when the fi rm announced me as the are two great examples of how we are day. new managing member. The signifi - executing strategic growth initiatives. cance of this historic moment was Collectively, we are also taking a What do you know now that [PHOTO BY JASON BURT] not lost on me, but I was humbled global look at our fi rm to identify and you wish you’d known earlier to receive so many well wishes from prioritize a number of opportunities. in your career? 1) “This too shall area of the law and become the time developing relationships where, friends, colleagues and even parents pass.” The slow times come and go, expert, making yourself invaluable hopefully, one day the business will of young women who expressed how What are the advantages and and likewise, those crazy busy times to your fi rm. 3) Start networking come naturally. Keep in touch with their daughters were excited and disadvantages to a law fi rm when you want to pull your hair early on. Successful careers are your classmates because in just a few encouraged by this announcement. having a lot of history and a out come and go as well. 2) Learn built on your relationships. It’s not years, your friend who just started as prominent profi le? Our fi rm has new things. If you are an attorney, about handing out business cards a bank teller may become the bank What are your plans for the a long and rich history, and there is spend the time to invest in a new and shaking hands. Instead, spend president. n WE’RE GROWING

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