ANNUAL REPORT 2009

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 1 An Arkansas Quality Products Company Of From A Quality National Renown Workplace Today, Allens is one of the largest We provide a well-organized, privately owned vegetable companies quality work environment to help in the nation. In addition to canned our fellow workers achieve the vegetables, in 2006 we acquired the highest level of job effectiveness Birds-Eye non-branded frozen vegetable business and and satisfaction. Employee input began producing an extensive line of frozen vegetables and suggestions are always encouraged at every level and breaded products. The company name then of our business. Many procedures that result in greater became Allens, Inc. time saving, economy, efficiency and safety have come With six frozen vegetable plants and from the insight and expertise of our associates. seven canning facilities across the To hire the best people and keep them, Allens offers country, Allens now produces more attractive pay scales that compare favorably nationally than 180 varieties of vegetables to the rest of the industry. Yet Allens associates earn and specialty foods for retail, more than a good wage. They earn a position in our foodservice and industrial markets workplace that rewards their ability and commitment — featuring well-known brands with growing opportunities for advancement and such as Allens®, Popeye® and greater responsibility. ® Veg-All , plus several popular regional brands. Allens has always given priority to promoting and Allens supplies vegetable ingredients to other food hiring from within. Our current employees receive manufacturers as well, including the makers of first consideration in advancing to new positions for DiGiorgo, California Pizza Kitchens and which they’re qualified. Our leaders of tomorrow will Tombstone pizzas. Allens products are sold come from the ranks of our associates today. in all 50 states, and the company’s Allens also provides for the welfare international business is of our employees and their families expanding from Canada in other valuable ways — including and the Caribbean to a comprehensive benefits package Europe available to employees and their and Asia. families. In addition, Allens helps provide for our associates’ retirements with a 401k program for which every employee is eligible. For more information, phone Allens, Inc. at 1-800- 234-2553.

2 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Table of Contents

Our Leadership...... 4 – 6 Governmental Affairs ...... 8 – 12 Committees ...... 13 Continued Success and New Initatives in 2009...... 14 – 19 Marketing/Sales/Outreach ...... 20 – 23 Leadership Arkansas...... 24 – 27 Pinnacle Program Members ...... 28 – 29 New Members ...... 30 Thanks to Our Sponsors ...... 31 Governor’s Quality Award Program...... 32 – 33 Affiliate Organizations...... 34

State Chamber/AIA Staff

Randy Zook Kenneth R. Susie Marks, CCE Angela DeLille Jeff Thatcher President & CEO Hall, J.D. Senior Vice Director Director Executive President - Programs of Governmental of Communications Vice President Affairs

Deb Mathis Bill Watson Marcus Turley Sue Weatter Joanne Douglas Manager, Scheduling Membership Membership Executive Director, Administrative & Events Development Development Governor’s Quality Assistant Representative Representative Award Program

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 3 Our Leadership

Executive Committee

Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Officers Associated Industries of Arkansas Officers

Chairman of the Board: First Vice Chairman: Chairman of the Board: Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Randy Wilbourn Ed Drilling Ray C. Dillon Michele Bond Russell Bragg Cranford Johnson AT&T Arkansas Deltic Timber Tyson Foods, Inc. OK Industries Inc. Robinson Woods Corporation

Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Phillip Baldwin Maggie Sans Steve M. Cousins Bill Hannah Bill J. Reed Southern Bancorp, Inc. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Lion Oil Company Nabholz Construction Riceland Foods Inc. Corporation

Vice Chairman: Treasurer State Chamber/AIA: Past Chairman George Wheatley Gary Head of the Board: Waste Management Signature Bank of Arkansas Benny Baker of Arkansas International Paper Container Division

Ex-Officio

Past Chairman of the Board: Hugh McDonald Entergy Arkansas, Inc.

Bob Lamb Raymond M. Burns Bob Lamb Consultant Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce

4 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 2010 State Chamber 2010 AIA Board of Directors Board of Directors

Jeff Standridge Duff Wallace Joshua C. Allen Glenn Woods Acxiom Corporation Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Allens, Incorporated Lockheed Martin Missiles Paul Chodak Company of Arkansas, Inc . Dave Ring & Fire Control AEP Southwestern Electric Sam Sicard American Greetings Corporation Graham Huff Power Company First National Bank of Fort Smith Dan Haygood Martin Sprocket & Gear Inc . Grady E. Harvell Mike McFarland Arkansas Steel Associates Thomas Maxwell AFCO Steel, LLC First Security Bank Roger Hartsough Maxwell Hardwood Dick Horne Reynie Rutledge Austin Powder Company Flooring Company American Insurance Association First Security Bank John McFarland Melissa Smith Hank Henderson Michael S. Moore Baldor Electric Company McKee Foods Corporation America’s Car-Mart, Inc . Friday Eldredge & Clark Ron Keeneth Bill Stobaugh Mark White Steve Edwards Bridgestone Americas Murphy Oil Corporation Arkansas Blue Cross GES Inc ./Food Giant Tube Business John Goodwin and Blue Shield Roger Collins Larry Lynn Nice-Pak Joyce Judy Harps Food Stores, Inc . Central Moloney Inc . Samuel E. Commella Arkansas Employees Benny M. Koontz Danny Games Nucor Steel-Arkansas Federal Credit Union Koontz Electric Company Inc . Chesapeake Energy, Inc . W. Scott McGeorge Ewell Welch Charles Mazander Tommy Smith Pine Bluff Sand Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation Mazander Engineered Clearwater Paper Corporation & Gravel Company E. Kearney Dietz Equipment Stephen Weaver W. Kent Ingram Arkansas’ Independent Mel Coleman CMC Steel - Arkansas/ Razorback Concrete Company Inc . Colleges & Universities North Arkansas Southern Post Charles P. Rink Michael J. Callan Electric Cooperative Bob Coleman Remington Arms Company Inc . Arkansas Oklahoma Eric Jackson Coleman Dairy Doyle Thresher Gas Corporation Oaklawn Jockey Club John Bodart Rheem Air Conditioning Division Robert Evans MaryJane Rebick Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Trish Henry Arkansas State University System OCE/Copy Systems James Vealey Russellville Steel Company Inc . Dennis Smiley Rob Ratley Custom Direct Guy Veilleux Arvest Bank OG+E John Parke SGL Carbon, LLC Ed Coulter Walter Kimbrough Democrat Printing Alan Stubblefield ASU Mountain Home Philander Smith College & Lithographing Co . Southwestern Energy Company Mac Bellingrath Leon Philpot Tammy Waters Scott Anderson Automatic Vending of Arkansas Rich Mountain Domtar Industries Inc . Superior Graphite F. S. Stroope Electric Cooperative Inc . Larry Miller Ken Monroe Boat World Inc . David Bartlett FedEx Freight - East The Trane Company Karl Connor Simmons First National Corp . Danny Glass Leon Hall BP America, Inc . Troy Keeping Firestone Building Timex Corporation Kathleen Carey Southland Park Gaming & Racing Products Company Patrick Mathieu CardinalHealth Marcus Wallace Mark J. Feldman Unilever Walter Bryant State Farm Insurance Flexsteel Industries Inc . Dan Caspall CenterPoint Energy Frank Thomas David Baker V & B Manufacturing Company John Dreher Stephens Inc . FutureFuel Chemical Company Scotty Bell CenturyLink Sam Walls Roland E. Garlinghouse Virco Manufacturing Corporation Richard Arnold The Arkansas Capital Gar-Bro Manufacturing Company James D. Walcott Conway Corporation Corporation Group Karen Dickinson Weldon Williams & Lick Inc . John Cooper Jeff Fox Georgia-Pacific Corp . Matt Williams Cooper Communities Inc . The Circumference Group, LLC Haskell L. Dickinson Weyerhaeuser Company Frank Adams Richard Hudson Granite Mountain Quarries Randy Hopper Cossatot Community University of Arkansas Brian Hastings Wood Manufacturing Company/ College of UofA Paul Beran Hiram Walker-Pernod Ricard USA Ranger Boats Len Pitcock University of Arkansas - John Pownall Christina Yarnell Cox Communications Fort Smith Kimberly-Clark Corporation Yarnell Ice Cream Company Teresa Oelke Michael Shelley Robert E. Langston Crossland Construction Company USBank Langston Companies Inc . Ed Choate Steve Smith Tom Siebenmorgen Delta Dental of Arkansas Inc . Verizon Wireless- Leisure Arts Incorporated Gary Beasley South Central Region E .C . Barton & Company Carlton E. Davis Van Tilbury Warren Bank & Trust Company East-Harding, Inc . Cheryl Martin Gary Voigt Washington Group International Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Tad Bohannon Wright Lindsey & Jennings LLP

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 5 State 2010 Chamber Ex-officio Lifetime Board Board Members Members Sammie Cox AEP Southwestern Electric Power Oral Edwards Luke Gordy GES Inc ./Food Giant Arkansans for Education Jack Meadows Reform Foundation Meadows Enterprises Inc . Lydia Carson Balm Innovations, LLC Russell Gunter Cross Gunter Witherspoon AIA & Galchus P .C . Lifetime Michael O. Parker Board Dover Dixon Horne PLLC Paul Means Members Entergy Arkansas Tom Kennedy W.C. “Buddy” Coleman Entergy Arkansas, Inc . Coleman Dairy Jim Davis Bert Parke Georgia-Pacific Corp . Democrat Printing Stephen W. Jones & Lithographing Co . Jack Nelson Jones Jiles Dan Woods & Gregory Timex (Retired) Greg Nabholz Albert Yarnell Nabholz Properties, Inc . Yarnell Ice Cream Company Kurt Knickrehm Regions Insurance Robert D. Smith Robert D . Smith, III Archie Schaffer III Tyson Foods, Inc . Lynn Tatum Tyson Foods, Inc . Max Koonce Wal-Mart Stores Inc-CMI

6 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 7 Governmental Affairs

State Chamber/AIA Continues all are loaded with potentially adverse unintended Leadership Role Against Union consequences,” the letter said. “We believe better reform can be accomplished by taking incremental, Card Check Effort manageable steps as opposed to wholesale, difficult- The State Chamber/AIA continued its leadership to-measure changes. role during 2009 throughout Arkansas against “Reducing the cost of healthcare must be a priority proposed federal Union Card Check legislation. and this can be done without the major changes in Spearheading the coalition, Arkansans For The the current proposals. Many companies … are currently Secret Ballot, the State Chamber/AIA continued getting good results. Their costs are not out of holding meetings with members, making control. On the contrary, they are achieving reductions presentations to organizations across the state, in costs and increased satisfaction levels with their meeting with editorial boards and sending letters to employees. There are many innovative programs like members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation theirs that Congress should nurture and encourage.” urging opposition to the so-called proposed As this publication was going to press, final “Employee Free Choice Act.” legislation had not been agreed to by the House and The bill is expected to be re-introduced in Congress Senate and signed into law. in 2010. If this legislation becomes law, unions can be formed in any business by simply obtaining the Recap of 87th General Assembly signature of more than half of a recognizable group During the 2009 Legislative Session, the State of employees on a card. If a contract is not reached Chamber/AIA was successful in its role as the business within 90 days, then the matter goes to binding community’s voice before Arkansas’s elected officials. arbitration. The unions have one year to collect the Following the direction of a legislative agenda adopted signatures and the law eliminates the use of secret by our general membership which was developed in ballots – only the signed cards are used to determine the months prior to the session, we were successful if a union will be formed. in accomplishing the agenda’s four priorities: to lead the effort to pass a sales tax exemption for energy Federal Healthcare Reform used in industry and manufacturing, to protect the Legislation Efforts education reforms passed in 2003-04, to protect the During 2009, federal healthcare reform legislation legal reforms enacted by Act 649 of 2003 and to was introduced in both the House and Senate. The protect the workers’ compensation reforms enacted House passed its version of the bill in November by Act 796 of 1993. We also worked to both pass and and the Senate passed its version on Christmas Eve. block legislation in a manner to enhance the economic The State Chamber/AIA took a leadership role in climate in Arkansas. attempting to influence our Congressional Delegation Through the State Chamber/AIA’s leadership to slow down and rethink the process. and with the cooperation of several key legislators, We also joined 20 other state chambers in a we were able to further reduce the sales tax that coalition, Employers for Quality Health Care, which manufacturers pay on energy costs. This measure has provided information and a grassroots organization the potential to save manufacturers millions for our members to use on this issue. of dollars. In November, we sent a letter to Senators Lincoln Finally, we were successful on several other issues and Pryor asking them to vote against cloture and that impact the business climate such as taxes, the Senate bills that were then being considered. energy efficiency and climate change, unemployment “We agree that America needs some reform insurance, protecting the popular vote election of the of its healthcare system, but all of the U.S. President, constitutional amendments to enhance current Congressional proposals are, in our economic development, immigration, animal cruelty opinion, too much, too soon, too costly and and a statewide trauma system.

8 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Tax Issues To accomplish our goal of achieving a sales tax exemption for energy used by manufacturers during the 2009 Legislative Session, we balanced our analysis of the session’s political environment with the desire of all manufacturing members of the State Chamber/ AIA. First, we filed a bill that would have created an exemption for all fuels used by all manufacturers in Arkansas. FURTHER REDUCING THE SALES TAX MANUFACTURERS PAY ON UTILITY COSTS – Governor Mike However, it was very Beebe signs into law Acts 691 and 695, which further reduced the rate of the excise tax on utilities used by evident that such an manufacturers from 4 percent to 3 .25 percent effective July 1, 2009 . Passage of the legislation was a priority for the State Chamber/AIA during the 87th General Assembly . Looking on behind Beebe are (front row left exemption was not in the to right) George Wheatley, Rep . David Dunn (D – Forrest City), Sen . Jimmy Jeffress (D-Crossett), Kenny Governor’s budget nor was Hall, Sen . Barbara Horn (D- Foreman), Angela DeLille, Gary Sams and Tammy Waters, and (back row left there sufficient political to right) Randy Lann, Randy Wilbourn, Rick Heis, Randy Zook, Steve Cousins, Johns Suskie, an unidentified will among legislators to individual and Benny Baker . pass such an exemption in 2009. We then shifted our focus to extending the 2 percent reduction we recommendation from the Senate Revenue and gained in 2007 on electricity and natural gas used by Taxation Committee on the tax payer bill of rights, SB manufacturers in NAICS codes 31, 32 and 33. 769 by Sen. Larry Teague and Rep. Keith Ingram. Then We worked closely with House Revenue and we were able to negotiate an agreement with DFA Taxation Committee Chairman John Lowrey, House on SB 769 that changed the standard of proof in tax Joint Budget Committee Chairman Bruce Maloch, Rep. appeal cases from beyond a reasonable doubt to clear David Dunn and Sen. Barbara Horn who negotiated and convincing evidence. SB 769 is now Act 755. We with the Governor’s office and helped build legislative also reached an agreement with DFA on SB 770 that support inside the Capitol. We also organized and clarifies the existing exemption on dies and molds. SB managed a group of manufacturing lobbyists who 770 is now Act 1208. worked to gain legislative support. Eventually we agreed upon a three-fourths percent reduction in the sales tax paid by manufacturers in NAICS codes 31-32- Mike Parker of 33 on their electricity and natural gas. Our agreement Dover Dixon Horne was contained in identical bills, HB 1624 and SB 875, PLLC discusses which became Acts 691 and 695. the tax impact for In addition to the sales tax reduction for the reduced rate on manufacturing manufacturing, we were also able to pass two utilities, which was additional tax bills. Early in the session, our lowered during the Tax Committee developed a bill to clarify the 2009 legislative exemption for machinery/equipment and tools/dies session, during a joint meeting (SB 770) and a taxpayer’s bill of rights to address of the Tax and tax appeals (SB 769). Unemployment These bills were held until the sales tax reduction Committees . Parker for manufacturing was completed, which was in the serves as special tax counsel for the State latter weeks of the session. The state Department Chamber/AIA . of Finance and Administration (DFA) was strongly opposed to SB 769 and SB 770. We met with DFA multiple times trying to resolve our differences but got nowhere until we obtained a Do Pass

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 9 Workers’ Compensation Energy Efficiency HB 1362 by Rep. Mike Burris, Rep. Rick Green, and Climate Change Sen. Jerry Taylor and Sen. Joyce Elliott contained the As the bill filing deadline approached in early March, agreement negotiated between the State Chamber/ most of the bills related to energy efficiency, climate AIA and the AFL-CIO on workers’ compensation change and other issues arising from the Global issues. This bill simply exempted workers’ individual Warming Commission were filed. The State Chamber/ disability policies that they paid for from the workers’ AIA Task Force on Energy identified about 30 bills compensation benefit offset requirements, clarified related to these issues, but only seven required the responsibility for second injury claims, allowed opposition. Of the bills that we were either neutral on certain claims to move from the Second Injury or favored, about 10 became law. Trust Fund to the Death and Permanent Disability Our opposition efforts focused on two bills: HB Trust Fund and strengthened the proof of insurance 1851 by Rep. Kathy Webb and HB 1903 by Rep. requirements for certain contractors. Joan Cash. We worked with a large coalition of our We ran into some unexpected opposition from industrial and utility members to stop these two legislators responding to concerns by small contractors bills. HB 1903 would have required electric utilities to and had some legislative drafting issues that achieve energy efficiency recommendations by 2013 complicated the contractor issue even more. However, but would have allowed the utilities to pass the cost we worked with the labor leaders and legislators of the programs on to rate payers. Our estimates were as well as kept constant grass roots pressure on that these programs could cost Arkansas rate payers legislators to honor the negotiated agreement between as much as $72 million per year. HB 1851 would have the State Chamber/AIA and the AFL-CIO. The bill required Arkansas’s public utilities to purchase at eventually passed and is now Act 327. least 2 percent of their energy from renewable electric During the session, about a half dozen workers’ generation facilities. Our information indicated that compensation bills were filed in addition to our such purchases could cost between 20 cents and 50 agreed bill. Four were held or withdrawn in honor of cents per kilowatt hour while we currently pay about the agreement between the State Chamber/AIA and 7 cents per kilowatt hour. We opposed both of these the AFL-CIO. The other two passed. One was a simple bills because of their cost impact on our member attempt to deal with volunteer firefighter training, businesses. HB 1903 was pulled down by the sponsor SB 872, which also expanded workers’ compensation without a vote and HB 1851 did not receive approval coverage to include volunteers who do not fight fires. from the House Insurance and Commerce Committee. The State Chamber/AIA and AFL-CIO testified against We also applied grass roots pressure and worked the bill in the Senate Committee but it was obvious with a coalition of organizations and businesses to the legislature did not see this bill having a strong defeat HB 1968 by Rep. Kathy Webb. We feared this impact on the overall workers’ compensation system. bill would have created a chilling effect upon people’s It is now Act 808. willingness to serve the state through participation in Rep. John Edwards filed HB 1403, the Uniform boards and commissions that address the environment Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act. This or any other issue by expanding the conflict of interest bill was designed to help Arkansas attract medical laws including an impact on family members and the professionals to assist in the case of an extreme addition of criminal enforcement. We believe that emergency. After the bill was filed, the State Chamber/ many people participate on boards and commissions AIA and the AFL-CIO studied the bill and determined because of their expertise and experience, and we that it would provide a positive impact on the quality could see this bill causing such expertise to disappear. of life for all Arkansans and amended our agreement to include HB 1403, which is now Act 432. This Health Care bill will allow out-of-state medical providers to be declared state employees for the purpose of The State Chamber/AIA worked with the Arkansas receiving Arkansas workers’ compensation Employers Healthcare Coalition (AEHC) on a few benefits if they are injured while working in healthcare-related issues in this session. In the first Arkansas. The state of Arkansas’s workers’ half of the session, the big issue was pharmacy benefit compensation trust fund agreed to accept management (PBM). SB 460 by Sen. Percy Malone such claims, which facilitated management and HB 1601 by Rep. Allen Maxwell were bills that and labor’s ability garnered our attention but were less troublesome than to include this bill in PBM legislation filed in previous sessions. Eventually a our agreement. deal was struck on SB 460 which is now Act 769.

10 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 investment and employment limits (currently $500 million in capital and 500 new employees), as well as the upper limit on the amount of bonds issued, for funding economic development projects. The Governor and the General Assembly would maintain control of which projects would be considered. HJR 1003 would remove the interest rate limits on bonds issued by governmental units and loans made to governmental units. This pro-economic development proposal would also help student loans. HJR 1004 would make the same changes in interest rate limits as HJR 1003. In addition, it would adjust interest rate limits to assist businesses that make consumer loans. SJR 6 was originally filed to make savings from performance-based efficiency projects revenue under the revenue bond statutes. Quinn Grovey of Home Depot (left) and Tom Parker of the Arkansas At their first joint meeting, the House and Senate Petroleum Council share a laugh during the Washington State Agencies Committees voted to refer SJR 3 by Congressional Dinner . Sen. Steve Faris to the 2010 General Election ballot. This would establish a state constitutional right to Late in the session our attention was drawn to three hunt and fish. The committees then voted to refer bills that would have mandated coverage for autism HJR 1007 to the ballot. Both of these joint resolutions (SB 913), hearing aids (HB 1930), and reconstructive were subsequently adopted by the full House and surgery (SB 940). We applied grass roots pressure to Senate. Meanwhile there was quite a bit of work these bills while coordinating with members of the done by the legislature and many interests on the AEHC who were conducting in-Capitol lobbying and third and final ballot referral. Eventually the original working with each bill’s sponsor. Our opposition to all proposals of HJR 1003, HJR 1004 and SJR 6 were all of these bills was based upon the fact that all would blended into HJR 1004, which received the approval increase healthcare costs. The reconstructive surgery of both chambers and will be on the November 2010 bill was never considered in committee, the hearing- ballot. The State Chamber/AIA will form a coalition to aid bill was amended from mandating coverage to support passage of HJR 1007 and HJR 1004. being a mandated offering and the autism bill cleared the Senate but failed to gain approval from the House Immigration Insurance and Commerce Committee where the In the interim period between the 2007 and sponsor pulled the bill down and referred it to 2009 sessions, there was much discussion about interim study. immigration legislation coming up in the 87th General Assembly. However, there were fewer than a half Constitutional Amendments dozen bills filed. The most notable immigration bill Each legislative session the legislature can refer was HB 1093 by Rep. Bill Sample. We joined with the up to three proposed amendments to the state Farm Bureau and the Poultry Federation in reviewing this bill and found it to be similar to legislation Constitution. During the 87th General Assembly, there were about 25 proposals filed by legislators and the adopted in Oklahoma that was strongly opposed by State Chamber/AIA supported four: HJR 1003 by Rep. similar interests as ours. Representatives of these Bruce Maloch, HJR 1004 by Rep. Eddie Cheatham, HJR three organizations met with Rep. Sample to discuss 1007 by House Speaker Robbie Wills and SJR 6 by Sen. our concerns and Rep. Sample was very receptive Shane Broadway. to our comments. The bill was never brought up for HJR 1007 would modify Amendment 82, the consideration. Our organizational position is that Super-Project Amendment, to make it more broadly immigration is a federal issue. applicable to projects in more areas and allow Arkansas to better compete with neighboring states for new businesses. Specifically, it would remove the

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 11 Tort Reform and Education We monitored all legislation to identify attempts to weaken the civil justice and education reforms we helped pass in 2003 and 2004. Only three bills required any effort and all three were defeated. Animal Cruelty Agriculture’s strong impact on the Arkansas economy has put the State Chamber/AIA in the middle of battles over animal cruelty legislation in previous legislative sessions. However, prior Bill Reed of Riceland Foods (left) visits with Frank Thomas of Stephens Inc . prior to the 50th Annual Washington Congressional Dinner in April . to this session, representatives of the Attorney General’s office, the Farm Bureau Federation, the Poultry Federation and multiple animal rights Post Session Follow-up: groups worked out differences. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel presented an agreed bill, SB 77 Unemployment Insurance by Sen. Sue Madison and Rep. Pam Adcock, at a Trust Fund press conference the first week of the session. The Throughout 2009, the issue of the state’s State Chamber/AIA endorsed the agreement and Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund growing debt participated in the press conference. SB 77 is became a frequent topic of discussion by State now Act 33. Chamber/AIA staff at the State Chamber/AIA Door-to- Door meetings. Trauma System The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services In our legislative agenda we indicated support for (DWS) staff projected a negative balance in the the development of a trauma system in Arkansas. Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund ($228.3) million We identified the bills that formed this system and at the end of 2009 and were on target with their kept our members apprised of their development projection. As of the end of 2009, the DWS staff and eventual passage. We also expressed an opinion projected negative Trust Fund balances of ($350.3) directly to the members of the General Assembly million by the end of 2010 and ($380.6) by the end about the three funding options they proposed. We of 2011. opposed the use of insurance premium tax dollars to The legislative change that the Council made fund the system and were neutral on the tobacco tax in 2009 in regard to quits and discharges is now increase and increases in certain fines. projected to save the UI Trust Fund $38 million instead of $20 million as projected prior to the 2009 legislative session. The change in UI laws required by the federal stimulus (alternative base period) is now projected to cost the state about $6 million annually, which is up some from the original projections during the 2009 legislative session. At the national level 30 states including Arkansas were receiving Title XII Advances (loans) from the U.S. Government for unemployment insurance. The State Chamber/AIA staff advised our members in the Door-to-Door meetings that we would study the issue and present options for rebuilding the Trust Fund balance in negotiated and/or proposed legislation for the 2011 session. Businesses were warned that their unemployment insurance costs could double over the next three to five years.

12 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Committees Play Vital Role in State Chamber/AIA’s Success

Comprised of business leaders from member National Issues Committee companies across the state, issue committees meet Chairman: Ray Bracy, Wal-Mart Stores throughout the year to help identify and develop key Co-Chairman: Archie Schaffer III, Tyson Foods issues that are critical to the future of Arkansas. The committees provide the State Chamber/AIA governmental affairs team guidance in understanding Tax Committee complex topics that often require a great deal of Chairman: Tom Kennedy, Entergy Arkansas specific expertise. This equips our lobbyists with Co-Chairman: Jim Davis, Georgia-Pacific insights and knowledge about an issue’s potential Legal Counsel: Michael O. Parker, Dover impact on our member companies and our state. Dixon Horne, PLLC The committees and their leaders include: Unemployment Insurance/ Education Committee HR Committee Chairman: Luke Gordy, Arkansans for Education Co-Chairmen: Daniel H. Woods, Timex (retired) Reform Foundation and Russell Gunter, Cross Gunter Witherspoon Co-Chairman: Greg Nabholz, Nabholz Properties & Galchus Governmental Workers’ Compensation Affairs Committee Committee Co-Chairmen: Sammie Cox, AEP Southwestern Chairman: Lynn Tatum, Tyson Foods Electric Power, and Robert D. Smith, III, Attorney Co-Chairman: Max Koonce, Wal-Mart Stores Health Care Committee Arkansas Small Business Council Chairman: Stephen W. Jones, Jack Nelson Jones Jiles Chairman: Lydia Carson, Balm Innovations & Gregory Co-Chairman: Al Hodge, Arkansas Capital Co-Chairman: Kurt Knickrehm, Regions Corporation Group Insurance Group

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 13 Continued Success and New Initiatives in 2009

The State Chamber/AIA continued its success and dinner meetings with members growth during 2009 and branched out with a number of the Arkansas Congressional of new initiatives. Our membership continued to Delegation, which were hosted climb with 205 new members joining our ranks. In by the Jonesboro Regional addition to the increase in membership, the State Chamber, the Little Rock Chamber/AIA attained new member income of Regional Chamber, the Fort $173,700 and sponsorship and advertising income that Smith Regional Chamber, the exceeded $393,000. Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber, There were many other significant accomplishments and The Economic Development during the year including: Alliance of Jefferson County . Mack McLarty, president Special thanks to the Arkansas of McLarty Associates, Chamber of Commerce Leadership Classes III and IV was the master of Executives who hosted the Seventy-six members of the third Leadership ceremonies for the 50th Annual Washington hospitality suite at the hotel Arkansas class were recognized at a graduation Congressional Dinner Thanks to our sponsors: ceremony on June 26 at the Walton Arts Center in in late April . WorkSource, Presenting; Nucor, Fayetteville. Peter Lane, president and CEO of the Partner; Harriet and Warren Stephens, Stephens Inc., Walton Arts Center, was the guest speaker. Patron; Global Strategy Group, LLC and Wal-Mart Class IV kicked off with a Retreat and Tourism Stores, Wine; The Economic Development Alliance of Session in mid-September in Hot Springs, followed Jefferson County and Cox Communications, Dessert; by sessions in Little Rock and Conway. 2010 sessions Acxiom, America’s Car Mart, Arkadelphia Regional include Russellville, Texarkana, West Memphis and the Economic Development Alliance, Central Moloney, final session and graduation in Bentonville in late June. Crossland Construction Company, Kimberly-Clark th Corp., Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, 50 Annual Washington Fly-In/ McKee Foods, Nabholz Construction Corp., Tyson Congressional Dinner Foods and Windstream Corp., Gold; AEP/SWEPCO The 50th Annual Washington Fly-In and and Langston Companies Inc., Silver, ASU-Beebe, Congressional Dinner was held in mid-April at the CardinalHealth, CenturyTel, Electric Cooperatives of Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. Arkansas, Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, Nearly 300 people attended the Congressional Dinner, Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce and Securitas which was emceed by Mack McLarty, president of Security Services, Bronze; and Arkansas Petroleum McLarty Associates. Also providing remarks were Council, Oce/Copy Systems and Troutman Sanders State Chamber/AIA President & CEO Randy Zook, Public Affairs, Contributor. State Chamber Chairman Randy Wilbourn and AIA Chairman Ray Dillon. The event also included remarks from special guests Senior U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, Congressmen Mike Ross and John Boozman, and Congressmen Berry’s and Snyder’s chiefs of staffs. While members of the Congressional delegation essentially focused on health care and the economy, the Chamber re-emphasized its concerns about the Employee Free Choice Act. “In this unique economic climate, it is more important than ever that business have a voice,” Zook said. The Washington Fly-In also included a State Annual Meeting attendees were all abuzz after hearing remarks from Chamber/AIA board members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation . Pictured here are (from left) Danny Games of Chesapeake Energy, Tim Wooldridge of the meeting and individual Arkansas Association of Public Universities and Oral Edwards of GES breakfast, lunch and Inc ./Food Giant .

14 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Lincoln, Ross, Snyder, Beebe Gates & Woodyard, PLLC, Pfizer, Inc. and XTO Energy, Address Annual Meeting Morning Coffee; CenterPoint Energy, Deltic Timber Corp., Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, Close to 500 attendees gathered Monday, October Nucor/Nucor-Yamato Steel and Southwestern 19th at the DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock for the Energy Company, Dessert; Arkansas Blue Cross and State Chamber/AIA’s 81st Annual Meeting. Blue Shield, AT&T Arkansas, Central Moloney Inc., Senior U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln provided the CenturyTel, Cross Gunter Witherspoon & Galchus keynote address, touching on a number of topics P.C., Dover Dixon Horne PLLD, Entergy Arkansas, including health care reform, the Employee Free Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, Kutak Rock LLP, Choice Act (EFCA) and proposed climate Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, Tyson change legislation. Foods, Inc., U.S. Chamber of Commerce, University of Also speaking during the Annual Meeting were U.S. Arkansas – Fort Smith and Windstream Corporation, Rep. Mike Ross, U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder and Governor Table; McKee Foods Corporation, Pulaski Technical Mike Beebe. College and Riceland Foods Inc., Gold; Arkansas During the business portion of the Annual Capital Corporation Group, Arkansas Western Gas a Meeting, State Chamber/AIA President and CEO Source Gas Company, Cintas, Domtar Industries, Inc., Randy Zook provided an update on recent initiatives. Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, Global Strategy State Chamber Chairman Randy Wilbourn and AIA Group, The Heritage Company, Hiram Walker-Pernod Chairman Ray Dillon oversaw the election of State Ricard USA, Home Depot, Impact Management Group, Chamber and AIA board and executive committee Langston Companies Inc., Nabholz Construction members respectively. Company, Northwest Arkansas Community College Thanks to our and Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, Silver; sponsors: Allens and Affiliated Real Estate Appraisers, Arkansas World Inc., BP America, Trade Center, Bentonville-Bella Vista Chamber of Chesapeake Energy, Commerce, Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Petrohawk Energy Commerce, Corporation and Razor Wal-Mart Stores Chemical Inc., Presenting; Inc., Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe Southern Bancorp and Texarkana makes a point during his luncheon Harriet and Warren Regional speech during the 81st Stephens, Stephens Annual Meeting . Initiative Inc., Other Major; Cox and Twin Communications, City Printing, Cranford Johnson Bronze. Robinson Woods, Annual Meeting attendees included (from left) Mitchell Williams Selig Maria Hoskins, Judge Rita Bailey, Tamika Edwards, Frank Bateman and David McClain .

AIA Chairman Ray Dillon of Deltic Timber Corp . addresses attendees during the 81st Annual Meeting in October at the DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock .

State Chamber Chairman Randy Wilbourn of CJRW speaks to the crowd at the Annual Meeting prior to introducing U S. . Representative The 81st Annual Meeting drew several hundred attendees and featured presentations by members of the Vic Snyder . Arkansas Congressional Delegation .

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 15 “Door-to-Door” Regional Meetings The State Chamber/AIA instituted a series of regional “Door-to-Door” meetings throughout the state during 2009. The meetings, which began during the summer and ended in mid-December, drew more than 650 State Chamber/AIA members, state and local chamber leaders, community leaders, local business representatives and state legislators. They featured presentations on state and federal governmental affairs issues and State Chamber/AIA programs and events by State Chamber/AIA President & CEO Randy Zook, Executive Vice President Kenny Hall and Senior Vice President-Programs Susie Marks. Meetings were held in McGehee, North Little Rock, Searcy, Hope, Russellville, Rogers, Hot Springs, Jonesboro, Mountain Home, Arkadelphia, El Dorado, Harrison, Pine Bluff, Fort Smith, Conway, West Memphis, Batesville and Texarkana. Additional “Door-to-Door” meetings are planned for late summer through the fall of 2010.

State Chamber Executive Vice President Kenny Hall makes a point during the Mountain Home “Door- to-Door” Meeting .

Chancellor Ed Coulter of ASU Mountain Home welcomes attendees to the Mountain Home “Door-to-Door” meeting .

Attendees listen to a presentation by State Chamber/ AIA President & CEO Randy Zook at the North Little Rock “Door-to-Door” event .

16 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 State Chamber/AIA Hosts Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Tyson Foods, Inc. and Procurement Conference Verizon Wireless, Gold; and AEP/SWEPCO, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Arkansas Employees The Arkansas State Chamber partnered with the Federal Credit Union, Bank of the Ozarks and the office of Senior U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, the office Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center, Supporting. of U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, the office of Congressman Other partners in the success of the event included Vic Snyder, the U.S. Small Business Administration the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and SCORE to bring the Arkansas Procurement the Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center, the Opportunities Conference to Little Rock on June 2 at Arkansas Mississippi Minority Suppliers Development the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. Council, the The event kicked off with remarks by Arkansas Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe and Congressman Snyder. Dan Minority F. Sturdivant, II, assistant to the director, outreach Business programs for the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Development Business Utilization for the Department of Homeland Roundtable Security provided a presentation on “Doing Business and the with the Government (State, Local & Federal) Arkansas Small for Newcomers.” Business and The Procurement Opportunities Conference Technology matched 225 small business representatives from Development 10 states with 60 buyers – government agencies, A Tyson Foods employee (right) mans Center. nonprofits and corporations – from eight states. an exhibitor booth during the Arkansas Procurement Opportunities Conference . Sponsors for the Procurement Conference included Department of Workforce Services, Title; Aerojet Jennifer Bonds of the Arkansas Small Dan F . Sturdivant, II, Business & Technology assistant to the director, Development Center outreach programs for in Little Rock works the Office of Small and the “bullpen” to match Disadvantaged Business buyers and sellers . Utilization for the Department of Homeland Security provided a presentation on “Doing Business with the Government (State, Local & Federal) for Newcomers .”

Maria Hoskins of U .S . Representative Vic Snyder’s staff addresses attendees .

Buyers and sellers discuss business opportunities .

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 17 19th Annual Arkansas Small Business Awards Luncheon Ten individuals and businesses were honored during the 19th Annual Arkansas Small Business Awards Luncheon in early June, which was held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock in conjunction with the Arkansas Procurement Opportunities Conference. Each year, the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas honors the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Businesses of the Year in Arkansas. C. Sam Walls, CEO of Arkansas Capital (From left) U .S . SBA District Director Linda Nelson, Small Business Persons of the Year Robert H . Blair and Sharon Welch-Blair of the Empress of Little Rock and C . Sam Walls, Corporation Group, was the guest CEO of Arkansas Capital Corporation Group . speaker. Roby Brock, host of Talk Business, was the MC for the event. Approximately 250 people attended the event. The event was sponsored by CenterPoint Energy, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, Metropolitan National Bank, Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions and The Heritage Company. The winners included: • Veteran Small Business Champion and Entrepreneurial Leadership – Two Awards – Major General William D. Wofford, Arkansas National Guard, North Little Rock • Financial Services Champion – James G. Coffey, Metropolitan National Bank, Little Rock • Minority Small Business Champion – Emma Agnew, Beacons & Bridges, Jonesboro Major General William D . Wofford of the Arkansas National Guard in North Little Rock was named the winner of the Veteran Small Business • Women in Business Champion – Lisa Massey, Champion and Entrepreneurial Leadership Awards during the Small Taylor, Rodgers and Turner PLLC, Arkadelphia Business Awards Luncheon . Accepting both awards on his behalf was his • SBA 7(a) Lender – Highest Volume – FY 2008 – Deputy, Brigadier General William Johnson (center) flanked by Linda Metropolitan National Bank, Little Rock Nelson (left) and C . Sam Walls (right) . • Resource Partner of the Year – Jennifer Bonds, Arkansas Small Business & Technology Development Center, Little Rock • Arkansas Score District Chapter of the Year for 2008 – Little Rock SCORE • SBA 504 Lender FY 2008 – Six Bridges Capital Corporation, Little Rock • Small Business Journalist – Roby Brock, Talk Business, Little Rock • Small Business Persons of the Year – Robert H. Blair & Sharon Welch-Blair, Empress of Little Rock, Little Rock.

(From left) Linda Nelson, Women in Business Award Champion Lisa Massey of Taylor, Rodgers and Turner PLLC in Arkadelphia and C . Sam Walls .

18 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 “Connecting Your Business with Arkansas State Chamber/AIA China” Seminar Legislative Luncheon The State Chamber/AIA, the Arkansas Economic The Arkansas State Chamber/AIA hosted a Development Commission, the U.S. Chamber of Legislative Luncheon on February 23 in Little Rock at Commerce, the Arkansas World Trade Center and Next Level Events. The co-hosts for the event included business and community leaders from throughout the the Leadership Arkansas program and Arkansas state welcomed the The Honorable Zhou Wenzhong, Economic Developers. Chinese Ambassador to the United States during The Legislative Luncheon drew more than 300 “Connecting Your Business With China – The World’s legislators and their staffs, State Chamber/AIA Most Dynamic Market.” The seminar was held on members and Leadership Arkansas Alumni. The event August 11 at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock. was an excellent opportunity for legislators to network Speakers for the seminar besides the Chinese with members of the state’s business community as Ambassador included Senior U.S. Sen. Blanche well as an opportunity for business leaders to discuss Lincoln, Senior Trade Adviser for the U.S. Chamber issues of concern with their legislators in a of Commerce Leslie Schweitzer, AEDC Director Maria one-on-one setting. Haley, Managing Partner of Technomic Asia Steve Ganster, Director of Business Development Southeast for Nair & Co. Neil Bagchi, AEDC Director of Business Development Joe Bailey, AEDC Deputy Director Becky Thompson, Smart Sourcing Vice President Brian Strebel, Arkansas World Trade Center President Dan Hendrix and State Chamber/AIA President & CEO Randy Zook.

The Honorable Zhou Wenzhong, Chinese Ambassador to the United States (left), visits with State Chamber/AIA President & CEO Randy Zook during the “Connecting Your State Senator Barbara Horn and AEDC Director Maria Haley at the Business With China” Luncheon for Legislators and staffs in late February at Next Level Events Seminar . in Little Rock .

Rae Ann Fields of the Bryant Chamber of Commerce and State Senator Shane Broadway at the Legislative Luncheon hosted by the State Chamber/AIA, Leadership Arkansas Class III and the AED .

Senior Trade Adviser for the U .S . Chamber of Commerce Leslie Schweitzer leads off the “Connecting Your Business With China” Seminar .

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 19 Marketing/Sales/Outreach

Membership Directory and Buyers’ Guide In early August, the State Chamber/AIA published its Membership Directory & Buyers’ Guide . Published annually, the Membership Directory & Buyers’ Guide includes a listing of members, information on standing committees, and descriptions of products and services many companies provide for business development professionals. The Membership Directory & Buyers’ Guide is a great resource for locating a wide variety of products and resources offered by the State Chamber/ AIA’s more than 1100 member companies. This directory is available exclusively to E-Newsletters State Chamber/ The State Chamber/AIA continued its efforts to AIA members. reach the broadest possible business audience via This resource various e-newsletters. guide provides members with a ready list of suppliers E-Business is a twice-monthly compendium of and products, key executives and decision makers. articles chronicling our organizations’ events, Gain year-round exposure in this comprehensive activities, programs, efforts and committees. member resource used by consumers and Daily Legislative Update is e-mailed each business day industry professionals. during legislative sessions and as needed during the year. It outlines the day’s most important issues being tracked by the State Chamber/AIA Governmental Affairs team. Washington Watch is e-mailed the second week of each month and concentrates on federal issues that impact businesses in Arkansas. Industry Insight focuses on manufacturing and industrial news and issues and is e-mailed the fourth week of each month. In addition, periodic Congressional Updates are e-mailed to members when major federal issues like health care reform are being considered. These newsletters are also posted on our web site – www.arkansasstatechamber.com – along with a calendar of events and other information pertaining to the State Chamber/AIA.

20 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Legislative State Chamber/AIA Offers Summary Networking for New Members Following the State Chamber/AIA new members get an conclusion of opportunity each quarter to come together and the 87th General meet each other as well as network with executive Assembly, the committee and board members. State Chamber/AIA The New Member luncheon offers new members compiled a 2009 and new employees of existing members an Legislative Summary. opportunity to learn firsthand the many benefits The Legislative of Chamber membership. summary is New members also become familiar with the role designed to provide of each Chamber staff member and get first-hand a comprehensive knowledge of the best way to maximize the benefits document that not and services of Chamber membership. only summarizes key legislation tracked by the State Chamber/AIA legislative staff and bills that were enacted, but also includes an overview of how the State Chamber/AIA priority issues fared in the legislative session.

Chamber Staff Gain National Recognition The Arkansas State Chamber membership development staff gained Top Ten recognition from the American Chamber State Chamber/AIA board members and new members filled up the room of Commerce Executives during the New Member Luncheon in May . The Luncheon followed a (ACCE). Marcus Turley and board meeting . Bill Watson both finished in Top 10 contention for membership sales dollars and number of memberships sold from their participation in the ACCE Circle of Champions sales competition. Marcus Turley Both Turley and Watson were recognized at the ACCE National Convention held in August at Raleigh, North Carolina. The ACCE Circle of Champions program is designed to connect chamber sales professionals and to inspire and recognize excellence in membership sales performance.

Bill Watson Sylvester Smith of Change Agents, Inc . introduces himself to fellow attendees at the New Member Luncheon in May .

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 21 Small Business Council Connect 2 Business® Matches Under the leadership of Chairman Lydia Carson Job Seekers with Businesses of Balm Innovations, the State Chamber/AIA Small In early November, Governor Mike Beebe announced Business Council continued to grow during 2009. Arkansas’s Career and College Planning System, powered The SBC kicked off the year with a meeting on by Kuder®, the next phase of Arkansas Works. January 22 at the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of The State Chamber/AIA is a major partner in this Commerce. Eric Munson, Region VI advocate for important effort. the U.S. Small Business Administration, provided a Arkansas’s Career and College Planning System is a presentation on “Federal and State Governmental statewide initiative to equip students and adults with Regulations.” All other meetings were held in the the skills and education required for the opportunities State Chamber Conference Room. that await them. Similar initiatives have been highly On March 19, Karen Light of Strategic People successful in other states. Solutions provided a presentation on A critical component of this new initiative is “Employee Benefits.” Connect 2 Business® (C2B), a tool that helps adults On May 6, Derek Federowski of All Computing find employment and students find internships and Net, Inc. provided a presentation on apprenticeships with local businesses. In turn, C2B “Information Technology.” provides businesses access to a pipeline of skilled On July 9, Phyllis Holifield of Priddy & Holifield workers, allows businesses to showcase themselves CPAs provided a presentation on “The Stimulus and their career opportunities, and helps students Package and How It Can Affect Small Businesses.” connect the relevance of their coursework to the real On September 3, Retired Major General Don Morrow world of work. provided a presentation on “Employer Support of the Getting involved in C2B is easy and free to Guard and Reserve.” all businesses in the state of Arkansas. To sign The final meeting of the year was held on November up, visit www.arworks.arkansas.gov and click on 5. Deputy Public Information Officer Renee Preslar of Connect2Business®. the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management For additional information, please contact Susie provided a presentation on “Disaster Preparedness.” Marks, Connect2Business® Administrator at (501) Sponsors for these meetings included Securitas 210-4206 or [email protected]. Security Services, USA of Jonesboro, The Center for Healing Hearts & Spirits, Finnegan & Company, Inc., State Chamber Partners Kutak Rock LLP, The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group and Verizon Wireless. with ADWS to Address Workforce Issues Business Development The State Chamber partnered with the Arkansas Workshop Department of Workforce Services to present three separate events November 3-5 at Verizon Arena in The State Chamber/AIA, the U.S. Small Business North Little Rock. Administration and O’Neal Technologies hosted a free On November 3, the “Get in the Game business development workshop entitled “Business Entrepreneurial Conference” was held. It focused on Development-Strategic Marketing” on September providing individuals with the necessary information 16 in the State Chamber Conference Room. The to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors. workshop was part of a series of such events given The Entrepreneurial Conference was followed by a across the country. Career Expo on November 4. Businesses with available jobs set up exhibits. Representatives from local colleges and universities were on hand to discuss educational opportunities, and experts from the Arkansas Workforce Centers offered seminars throughout the day on numerous job-seeking related topics. The events concluded with the Arkansas Workforce Summit on November 5 – a forum for employers, community leaders, chamber representatives, legislators, government officials, educators, economic developers and workforce development professionals to take action to address the new realities facing workforce development in Arkansas.

22 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 State Chamber/AIA Presents Bluff and Fort Smith to host the events. Bobby First Leadership Conference Jefferson, Deputy Director of the MBDA Regional Office in Dallas, was on hand in Conway, Jonesboro The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Leadership and Pine Bluff to present the Regional Director’s Arkansas program presented its first Leadership Award to those individuals who have taken a lead role Conference – Revived, Refocused, Inspired – in early in minority business development in their May at the Statehouse Convention Center local communities. in Little Rock. Speakers for the event included Tony Blair, John Women Business Owners Maxwell, Jack Nicklaus, Bill George, Al Weiss, Linda Kaplan Thaler, Kevin Carroll, Mark Sanborn, Liz Murray Honored at Brunch and Ernie Johnson. Women business owners in Arkansas were The 10 speakers covered subjects such as recognized and honored at the “Women in Small leading in difficult times, converging people and Business Opportunity Brunch.” purpose, building strong teams by understanding The event was hosted by the State Chamber/AIA and embracing change, overcoming personal and on October 22 in the State Chamber/AIA Conference professional adversity, utilizing the power of passion Room. State Chamber/AIA President & CEO Randy and creativity, and balancing the needs of customers, Zook welcomed the attendees. After eating, they had employees and company shareholders. the opportunity to network with one another. MED Week Events Held Throughout State Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week was celebrated during the fall with a series of events across Arkansas. MED Week is a celebration of the contributions made by minority enterprises and a chance Women business owners in Arkansas were recognized and honored at the “Women in to recognize and honor accomplished Small Business Opportunity Brunch,” which was hosted by the State Chamber/AIA in minority business owners and advocates late October . throughout the country. Minority business enterprises are made up of African “How to Win an Election American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American and Pacific Islanders. Seminar” Held MED Week, the largest federally sponsored The State Chamber/AIA again partnered with the conference held on behalf of minority entrepreneurs Arkansas Farm Bureau to present the “How to Win an and business enterprises, is sponsored by the U.S. Election” Seminar. Department of Commerce “Minority Business The two-day seminar was held November 3-4 in the Development Agency” (MBDA). Since 1983, the U.S. State Chamber/AIA Conference Room. President has proclaimed a National MED Week Attendees learned how to: observance to recognize the outstanding achievements • Evaluate the candidacy, of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and to honor • Clarify issues, those corporations and financial institutions that • Plan campaign strategy, support minority business development. • Create an effective organization and MED Week in Arkansas is a partnership with the • Manage the money Arkansas Minority Business Development Roundtable The seminar was developed by the American Farm (AMBDR) hosting meetings in each of the state’s Bureau, an organization noted for its understanding congressional districts. The program celebrates of the political process, with the help of professional and recognizes the outstanding achievements of political consultants and staff members of the minority business enterprises and entrepreneurs, Democratic and Republican parties. The instructors as well as individuals and organizations, which were members of the American Farm Bureau have demonstrated leadership and commitment in Federation team. Videotaping, a case study and advancing minority business enterprise. a computer simulation allowed attendees to test The State Chamber/AIA, in conjunction with techniques, tools and methods. AMBDR, worked with local chambers, universities The seminar was so popular that a second seminar and city governments in Conway, Jonesboro, Pine was scheduled for January 2010.

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 23 LEADERSHIP ARKANSAS

Leadership Arkansas Class III Finishes Strong

Leadership Arkansas Class III Leadership Class III Leah Acoach-Peterson Cathy Foraker Ozark Mountain Poultry, Inc . AT&T Leadership Arkansas Class III continued its efforts Jim Adams Paul Goss during 2009 with the following sessions: Gar-Bro Manufacturing Company Golden Living • January 22-23, South Arkansas Economy, Magnolia • February 23, Legislative Session, Little Rock Pat Anderson Kathryn Gough Simmons First National Bank Office of Congressman • March 26-27, Economic Development, Fort Smith John Boozman • May 21-22, Northeast Arkansas Economy, Adam Arroyos Wal-Mart Stores, Inc . Janet Grard Jonesboro Arkansas Information • June 25-26, Northwest Arkansas Economy, Gary Bennett Consortium Fayetteville Harps Food Stores Ann Green Williams • June 26, Graduation, Fayetteville. Jimmy Bolt The Economic Development The chairman of Leadership Arkansas Class III was City of Arkadelphia Alliance of Jefferson County program founder Paul H. Harvel. The Curriculum Jimbo Boyd Carol Gresham Chairman was Michele Bond of Tyson Foods. First Bank of the Delta, N .A . Arkansas State University - Leadership Arkansas Class III was sponsored by Randy Breaux Mountain Home Southern Bancorp of Arkadelphia. Baldor Electric Company Marsha Guffey Session sponsors included Magnolia Columbia Matthew Carter UALR AIEA County Chamber of Commerce, El Dorado Chamber Warner, Smith & Harris, PLC David Hamilton of Commerce, Albemarle, Camden Area Chamber of Kurt Castleberry Seiz Sign Company Commerce, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the City of Entergy Arkansas, Inc . Steve Harrelson Little Rock, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, Brad Chilcote Arkansas Legislator Arkansas Tech University, Friday Eldredge & Clark, Wittenberg, Delony Barbara Harvel Simmons First National Corporation, Windstream & Davidson Architects U .S . Marshal’s Museum Corporation, UA Fort Smith, AOG, Baldor, CenterPoint Winston Collier Energy, Chesapeake Energy, Golden Living, Fort Smith Joe Hilliard Simpson Law Cromwell Architects Engineers Regional Chamber of Commerce, Hiram Walker – Karl Connor Craig Hull Pernod Ricard USA, OG+E, Fort Chaffee Redevelopment BP America, Inc . Agency, Brad S. Thomas Insurance Agency, Inc., Hull & Company Commercial Jeannie Farr Anson Real Estate & Consulting Alberto Culver, Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, National Center for Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, Tammy Hutchins-Frye Toxicological Research (NCTR) Arkansas National Guard Nucor/Nucor-Yamato Steel, Delta Center for David Fern Rose Mary Jackson Economic Development, Ritter Communications, Charles Schwab & Co ., Inc . Southland Park Gaming & Racing, CDI Arkansas State University - Beebe J.T. Ferstl Contractors, LLC, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Arvest Sarah Jennings Affiliated Real Estate Appraisers Southern Arkansas University Bank, Crossland Construction Company, of Arkansas Inc., Northwest Arkansas Jordan Johnson Rae Ann Fields CJRW Chambers of Commerce, Bryant Area Chamber Rogers-Lowell Area of Commerce Joyce Judy Chamber of Commerce Arkansas Employees and Tyson Foods. Federal Credit Union

24 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Troy Keeping Mat Pitsch Leadership Arkansas Class IV Southland Park Gaming WAPDD and Racing Kicks Off with Retreat/ Maurice Porchia Clay Kendall Arkansas Department Tourism Session Advisor Alliance of Workforce Services A total of 45 individuals from throughout the state Patti Kimbrough Paul Reano were selected to participate in Leadership Arkansas University of Arkansas Sparks Health System Class IV. Athletic Department Julie Roberson The class kicked off with a Retreat and Tourism Leslie Lane General Dynamics Armament Session September 13-15 in Hot Springs. Arkansas Capital Corporation and Technical Products - Additional sessions during 2009 included: Camden Operations Alison Levin • State Chamber/AIA Annual Meeting/Governmental Susan Komen Foundation Dan Rolett Session, October 19-20, Little Rock; Bank of the Ozarks Jim Madden • Central Arkansas Session, December 3-4, Conway. Budgetext Corp Thomas Shurgar C. Tad Bohannon, a partner with the Wright, Lindsey Edward Jones Investments Gaye Manning & Jennings law firm, is serving as Leadership Arkansas Southern Arkansas Steve Smith Class IV Chairman. University Tech Arkansas Game Leadership Arkansas Class IV is sponsored by and Fish Foundation Chris Mathews Southern Bancorp. National Custom Hollow Jeff Standridge Sponsors for the 2009 sessions included: Conway Metal Doors and Frames Acxiom Corporation Regional Health System, Friday Eldredge Clark, Karen McKinney Kevin Steele Entergy Arkansas, Information Network of Arkansas, Arkansas Workers’ Guaranty Loan & Real Estate Co . Nabholz Construction Corp., Pulaski Technical College Compensation Commission Donette Stump and Southwestern Energy Co. Alan McVey AR Beef Council Arkansas State University Delta Center for Economic Dev . Jay Taylor Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP J.T. Meister Windstream Communications Kyle Tiffee AXIS David Menz Williams & Anderson Van Tilbury East-Harding, Inc . Bruce Moore City of Little Rock Dennis Tracy Little Rock Convention Sterling Moore & Visitors Bureau UAMS David Traylor Margaret Motley Southwestern Energy Company Leadership Arkansas Class IV members . Imperial Coffee Vending Catering Paul Waits Nick Nabholz Ritter Communications Nabholz Construction - NCC Ozark Division Marcus Wallace State Farm Insurance Teresa Oelke Crossland Construction Company Tim White Brown & Brown Insurance Delanna Padilla Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP Beth Wiedower National Trust Ed Parker for Historic Preservation Acxiom Corporation Robert Zeiler Rodney Peel Chesapeake Energy Arvest Bank Marie Peters Office of Governor Mike Beebe Patrick Pilkington Tyson Foods, Inc . Members of Leadership Arkansas Class IV in the Arkansas Senate Chamber during the Leadership Class Legislative Session .

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 25 Leadership Arkansas Class IV Richard Alderman Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson, Architects Leila Alston Baptist Health Leslie Blackwell American Cancer Society Dee Brown Brown Engineers, LLC Lori Brown Arkansas Children’s Hospital John Burgess Mainstream Technologies, Inc . Tim Cain Ash Grove Cement Company Kathleen Carey Cardinal Health Pat Carroll State Senator Shane Broadway (left) explains the legislative process to members of Leadership Arkansas Class IV Crossland Construction during their Legislative Session at the State Capitol in October . Chris Chastain Crittenden Regional Hospital Foundation Blake Jackson Sherrye McBryde Kelly Robbins Rhonda Cline Cromwell Architects Engineers Arkansas Affiliate Arkansas Independent Producers AT&T Arkansas of Susan G Komen for the Cure & Royalty Owners Assoc . Myron Jackson Brooks Davis The Design Group Julie McCallister Melissa Simpson Simmons First Bank of Searcy Engineering, Compliance Arkansas Insurance Department Felicia Johnson and Construction, Inc . (ECCI) Hunter Goodman Coldwell Banker VCI Robert Skinner Arkansas Coalition for Excellence Marie Miller The Bryce Company LLC Steve Kinzler Williams & Anderson PLC Clay Gordon Polk Stanley Wilcox Robert Smith Nabholz Construction Dom Mjartan Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP Brian Kratkiewicz Southern Bancorp Robert Gunnels Cranford Johnson Sandra Smith Southern Arkansas Robinson Woods David Moore Southern Arkansas University University Tech Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Jim Lambert Company of Arkansas, Inc . Denise Stewart Eric Hutchinson Conway Regional Health System Girl Scouts - Diamonds Hutchinson Financial, Inc . Connie Nelson of Arkansas, Oklahoma & Texas Leigh Ann Lammers Arkadelphia Area Chamber Southern Bancorp of Commerce Mary Wells Arkansas Department of Health Roberts Lee Clay Partridge Meadors, Adams & Lee Insurance First Arkansas Cole Williamson American Data Network Coby Logan Mortgage Company Daily & Woods, P .L .L .C . Cathy Reid Whitney Yoder Wal-Mart Stores, Inc . Fort Smith Regional Chamber Andy Marshall of Commerce First Security Bank John Robbins Joseph Masters DataPath, Inc . Fidelity Mortgage Group

26 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES

PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR CLASS V Participants are required to attend at least 80% of the program sessions, including the entire opening session, which is mandatory. The opening session is scheduled at the same time as the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA Annual Meeting. Class V Retreat September (Mandatory attendance) WHO WE ARE Session I State Chamber/AIA Annual Meeting Leadership Arkansas is a program designed to take a November 9 Little Rock statewide view of the economic and political challenges Session II South Arkansas Economy that face our great state. Leadership Arkansas offers January Camden leadership opportunities that expand the impact of community leaders across the state. Created by the Session III NW Arkansas Economy Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated March Rogers Industries of Arkansas, Inc., Leadership Arkansas builds Session IV a sense of statewide community by identifying and Manufacturing/Economic Development training individuals with the passion and commitment May Fort Smith to become personally engaged in issues, programs and Session V NE Arkansas Economy activities aimed at building a Better Arkansas. June Jonesboro

WHAT WE OFFER Session VI Graduation Jonesboro To build a strong, diverse statewide network of leaders with a shared commitment to connect our communities and to make Arkansas a better place in TIMELINE which to live and prosper. Applications Due August 8, 2010 HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS Class Selection September 5, 2010 Leadership Arkansas’s mission is to build a strong, Applicant Notification Mid-September 2010 diverse, statewide network of leaders with a shared commitment to connect our communities and to make Arkansas a better place in which to live and prosper. COSTS One of the many ways the organization is working Application Fee None to accomplish that mission is through its annual class program. Class members will be chosen to participate Tuition $2,000 in a stimulating and thought-provoking educational program that consists of a series (six) of day-and-a- Limited scholarships are available. half sessions held in locations throughout the state. These sessions include programming on issues critical to Arkansas, leadership skills assessment, and relevant information on Arkansas’s history, demography, diversities and opportunities.

A program of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce / Associated Industries of Arkansas (501) 372-2222 • www.arkansasstatechamber.com

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 27 Apex

PINNACLE MEMBERS

New Pinnacle Members Summit Announced for 2009 The State Chamber/AIA is pleased to recognize the following Pinnacle members who are new or upgraded their status for 2009:

Peak: Nucor/Nucor-Yamato

Crown: Altria Client Services, Inc. Cherokee Casino West Siloam Springs Delta Dental of Arkansas Delta Natural Kraft Peak Experian Fidelity National Information Services Mid-America Packaging, LLC Nice-Pak RebeccaRice & Associates Russellville Steel Co. Inc. Transplace

The Pinnacle Program is an active group of member firms and organizations whose senior representatives provide financial support and leadership to the State Chamber/AIA. Pinnacle members actively participate in our grassroots action network, testify before legislative committees when needed, work on State Chamber/AIA policy committees or lead the organization as board members. Levels of investment include $5,000 (Crown), $10,000 (Peak), $25,000 (Summit) and $35,000 and up (Apex). Benefits of Pinnacle membership include: recognition in State Chamber/AIA printed publications, e-publications and on our web site; special recognition at all State Chamber/ AIA events; preferential seating at State Chamber/AIA events, such as the Annual Meeting and the Arkansas Congressional Dinner; prominent coverage in the annual membership directory, and networking opportunities with other high-level Arkansas business and industry leaders.

28 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Crown

GAS TRANSMISSION

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 29 Welcome to Our New Members Welcome to the following new members who joined the State Chamber/AIA in 2009:

CDP Strategies IHP Industrial, Inc. 1011 Web Solutions Quest Diagnostics, Inc. CertaPro Painters of Central Arkansas Images Printing AAR Aircraft Services-Hot Springs R&R Creative Marketing, Inc. Joe Chacko, MorganStanley SmithBarney Impact Management Group Inc. ABC Financial Services, Inc. RebeccaRice & Associates, Inc. Change Agents, Inc. Innovative Markets, Inc. Absolute Wildlife Solutions Inc. Reddy Ice Chenal Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Integrity Office Solutions Ace Signs of Arkansas LLC Rich Mountain Community College Cherokee Casino West Siloam Springs Intrust Bank, N.A. Action Mechanical Contractors The Riggins Group CINTAS J.B. Molds, Inc. ADESA Roto-Rooter Inc. The Circumference Group, LLC Jaime’s Advantage Communications, Inc. Royal Overhead Door Inc. City of Wrightsville James Electric, Inc. Aerial Patrol Inc. Russellville Steel Company Inc. Clark Contractors, LLC Joel’s Photography, Inc. Alcoa Arkansas Remediation Schindler Elevator Corporation Clearwater Paper Corporation Kawneer Company, Inc. All Computing Net Inc. Snell Prosthetic and Orthotic Lab CMT, Inc. Kharma Consulting, Inc. Altria Client Services, Inc. Snyder Environmental & Construction Inc. Colonial Life Kilgore Saw Company Karin Alvarado dba Global Cynergies Southern Apparel & Promotions, LLC. comCables, LLC Lacuna Bridge Technologies American Composting, Inc. Southern Coaches Inc. Comfort Systems USA (Arkansas) Inc. Lay Commercial Mortgage Company, LLC American Data Network SpeasTech, Inc. CommerceTitle & Closing Services LLC Lightning Electric, Inc. Arkansas Association of Health Underwriters Stallion Transportation Group Cone Solvents Little Rock Valve & Fitting Arkansas Automatic Gates Strayer University - Little Rock Construction Group Architects, PLC LS Power Arkansas Digital Systems, Inc. Success In Fitness, Inc. Cornerstone Insurance Group Inc. Maple Leaf Canvas Arkansas Forestry Association Sugar Creek Foods International Inc. Costner Excavating Inc. McConnell & Son Inc. Arkansas Mutual Insurance Company Summit Bank Craig Douglass Communications, Inc. McCormick Asphalt Paving & Excavating Inc. Arkansas Research Alliance Sumotext Credit Guard McCourt Manufacturing Arkansas Society for Human Superior Concrete Resource Mgt., Inc. Critter Control of Central Arkansas McGhee’s Moving & Storage, Inc. Tannenbaum Lodge Arkansas SkillsUSA D1 Sports Training and Therapy The McLarty Companies of Little Rock, LLC The Technology Edge Inc. ArCom Systems, Inc. Michelle Staging with Style Days Inn & Suites Tejas Technologies, Inc. Arthritis Foundation, Arkansas Chapter Mid-America Packaging, LLC Delta Natural Kraft Texarkana Regional Airport Ashley Enterprise Media Mr. Plastic The Dickinson Agency, LLC That French Salon Augusta Area Chamber of Commerce Mullenix & Associates, LLC DoubleTree Hotel Tim’s Signs Bankers Life & Casualty Myers Supply & Chemical Dukes Capital Management Tire Curing Bladders, LLC Baxley Equipment Co. N Out Screening Services Dwight Stroud & Associates, LLC The Todd Agency Benefit Administrators Group National Erosion Control Eagle Courier Service Trade Fixtures Bentley Plastics Neurosurgery Spine Center El Dorado Chemical Transplace Beverly’s Construction NFocus Productions Enjoy Arkansas Fundraising Triumph Fabrications-Hot Springs, Inc. BizTek Connection, Inc. Nice-Pak Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc. Tromik Technology BK Moulding Supply Nordex USA Inc. Experian UAMS BioVentures Block USA Northwest Arkansas Naturals Fiber Resources Inc. University of Central Arkansas Bowman Insurance Agency Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Fidelity National Information Services Unique Benefit Solutions Inc. Brenner Distributing, Inc. Odom Peckham Architecture, Inc. First Community Bank United Way Heart of Arkansas Brown Janitor Supply Ouachita Technical College Focus Laboratories US Steel Bryce Corporation Outdoor Cap Co., Inc. Friendship Community Care, Inc. V. Wright Consultants BT Environmental, Inc. The Oxford American Goldstar Couriers Waco Title Company Cadena Fitcher Construction Oxford Graphics Goss Management, LLC Web International, Inc. Cameron PACO Steel & Engineering Corp. Graphic Packaging Web-Jive LLC Capitol Glass Co. Inc. Pactiv Corporation Haldex West Memphis Municipal Airport Career Solutions Paschall Strategic Communications Harbor Environmental & Safety Westrock Co. Cargill Value Added PerioSeal Inc. Meats - Retail Hargrave Consulting Engineers, Inc. White River Rural Health Center Plinth Technology Carman Inc. Henderson State University Whiting Systems, Inc. Premier Lighting Group Inc. CaseStack Hewlett Packard Company The Wilkins Corporation Prestolite Wire LLC Hickingbotham Investments Inc. Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson, Inc. Procyon Solutions, Inc. Highpoint Manufacturing Word Machinery Progress Arkansas Hodge Fabrication Inc. Workplace Resource of Little Rock PVF Industrial Supply, Inc. Holiday Inn Express Your Extra Specialties, Inc. QualChoice

30 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Thanks to Our Sponsors The following members and organizations sponsored State Chamber/AIA events in 2009. Sponsorships included Leadership Arkansas, Lobbyist Luncheons, Washington Fly-In and Congressional Dinner, Small Business Awards Luncheon, Annual Meeting and “Door-to-Door” Regional Meetings.

Acxiom Corporation Associated Builders First Security Bank of Mountain Home NWA Chambers of Commerce AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company & Contractors of Arkansas First State Bank OCE/Copy Systems Aerojet Corporation AT&T Arkansas Flowers Baking Company OG+E Affiliated Appraisers/Ferstl Enterprises Automatic Vending of Arkansas Inc. Fort Smith Regional Airport Pace Industries Albemarle Corporation Baldor Electric Company Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce Parker Solvents Company Inc. Alberto Culver Bank of The Ozarks Inc. Friday Eldredge & Clark Petrohawk Energy Corporation Allens, Incorporated Baptist Health FutureFuel Chemical Company Pfizer Pharmaceuticals American Greetings Corporation Baxter Healthcare Corporation Goff Distribution Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Company America’s Car-Mart Inc. Bentonville/Bella Vista Government Solutions, LLC Porocel Industries Chamber of Commerce Apartment Hunters/Arkansas Suites Hempstead County Econ. Development Corp. Pulaski Technical College Bobby Hogue & Associates Arkadelphia Regional Economic Henderson State University Riceland Foods Inc. BP America, Inc. Development Alliance The Heritage Company, Inc. Ritter Communications Brent Stevenson Associates Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges Hiram Walker-Pernod Ricard USA Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce Bridgestone Americas Tube Business Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association Home Depot Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce Budgetext Corporation Arkansas Bankers Association Hot Springs Village POA Securitas Security Svcs, USA Cardinal Health Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Hutchinson Financial, Inc. Seiz Sign Company The Center for Healing Hearts & Spirits Arkansas Capital Corporation Group Impact Management Group Inc. Simmons First National Corp. CenterPoint Energy Arkansas Children’s Hospital Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas Southeast Arkansas College Central Moloney Inc. Arkansas Credit Union League Information Network of Arkansas Southern Arkansas University Tech Century Link Arkansas Department of Workforce Services International Paper Company Southern Bancorp, Inc. Chesapeake Operating, Inc. Arkansas Economic Developers InVeritas Research & Consulting Southland Park Gaming & Racing CINTAS Arkansas Economic Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Southwestern Energy Company Development Commission City of Little Rock Kimberly-Clark Corporation Sparks Health System Arkansas Employees Federal Credit Union Clarksville-Johnson County Koontz Electric Company, Inc Stephens Inc. Arkansas Environmental Federation/ Chamber of Commerce Gov Solutions Conway Corporation Kutak Rock LLP Stephens Production Company Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation Conway Regional Medical Center Bob Lamb Consultant Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce Arkansas Independent Cooper Administrative Service LLC Langston Companies Inc. Summit Bank Colleges & Universities Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Lion Oil Company Texarkana Regional Initiative Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions Cox Communications Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce Troutman Sanders Strategies Arkansas Municipal League Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau Twin City Printing, Inc. Arkansas National Guard Craig Douglass Communications, Inc. LM Glasfiber (Arkansas), Inc. Tyson Foods, Inc. Arkansas Oil Marketers Association Inc. Cross Gunter Witherspoon & Galchus P.C. Metro Little Rock Alliance University of Arkansas Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation Crossland Construction Company McLarty Companies University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Arkansas Petroleum Council DBH Management Consultants McKee Foods Corporation UALR ASBDC Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center Deltic Timber Corporation Metropolitan National Bank UAMS Arkansas State Employees Association Domtar Industries Inc. Michelle Staging with Style U.S. Chamber of Commerce Arkansas State University - Beebe Dover Dixon Horne PLLC Mitchell Williams Selig U.S. Small Business Administration Arkansas State University System Gates & Woodyard, PLLC E.C. Barton & Company Verizon Wireless Arkansas Steel Associates Mullenix & Associates, LLC Economic Development Alliance Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Arkansas Tech University of Jefferson County Munro & Company Washington Group International Arkansas Timber Producers Association Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Murphy Oil Corp. White River Rural Health Center Arkansas Transit Association Inc. Entergy Arkansas, Inc. Nabholz Construction Corporation Wholesale Beer Distributors Arkansas Western Gas FedEx Freight - East Newport Economic Development of Arkansas, Inc. a Source Gas Company Commission Fidelity National Bank Windstream Corporation Arkansas World Trade Center North Little Rock Visitors Bureau Finnegan & Company, Inc. The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation Arvest Bank Northwest Arkansas Community College Firestone Building Products Company Winthrop Rockefeller Institute Arkhola Sand & Gravel Company Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport First National Bank of Fort Smith WorkSource Ash Grove Cement Company Nucor Steel-Arkansas First Security Bank Wright Lindsey & Jennings LLP Nucor-Yamato Steel XTO Energy, Inc.

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 31 Governor’s Quality Award

While other programs may focus on a single aspect such as leadership, strategic planning, or process management, the Governor’s Quality Award (GQA) Program focuses on helping you develop an integrated For further information about the GQA Program, management framework that addresses all the factors contact Executive Director Sue Weatter at 501-372- that define your organization, its operations and its 2222. Additional information about all opportunities results. Utilizing GQA can help you: the program provides is also available on the GQA • Jumpstart change initiatives website at www.arkansas-quality.org. • Energize improvement strategies • Focus your organizations on common goals Fifteen Arkansas Organizations • Assess performance against the competition Receive Governor’s • Align your resources with your strategic objectives By taking advantage of the training opportunities Quality Awards the GQA program provides, you can receive help to Fifteen organizations from throughout the state identify, leverage and enhance your key strengths. were presented Arkansas Governor’s Quality Awards Applicant Training Seminars are available for during the 15th Annual Awards Celebration for the businesses writing an application for a Governor’s Governor’s Quality Award Program in mid-October Quality Award or for those interested in learning how at the DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock. More than 275 to use the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria to self-assess business and civic leaders from throughout Arkansas their organization. attended the celebration. Governor Mike Beebe Examiner Training not only teaches your employees provided opening remarks and assisted in presenting how to assess the applications of organizations that the awards. have applied for a program award, but gives them a Taking top honors by receiving the Governor’s Award remarkable perspective on how they can personally for Performance Excellence was White River Medical contribute to the success of your organization. They Center in Batesville. will learn how organizations across the state excel. The Achievement Award was awarded to Drew Attending the examiner training will provide up to 5.1 Memorial Hospital in Monticello. Organizations ASQ recertification credits. receiving the Commitment Award were: Actronix, Inc., Challenge Seminars are industry-specific and Flippin; Ash Flat Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, regional. Manufacturing, healthcare, and business/ Ash Flat; AXIS, Paragould; Freight Systems, Inc., finance seminars provide relevant industry training in workforce, leadership, customer focus and more. Benchmark Tours are opportunities for applicants to tour past Governor’s Award winners and learn their best practices. If you would like to apply for an award with the GQA, there are four levels at which to apply: • Governor’s Award for Performance Excellence • Achievement Award • Commitment Award • Challenge Award

Staff members from White River Medical Center in Batesville celebrate with a group photo after WRMC received the Governor’s Award for Performance Excellence, the top award, during the Governor’s Quality Award Program .

32 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 North Little Rock; Garland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Hot Springs; Langston Companies, Inc., West Memphis and Saline Memorial Hospital, Benton. Organizations receiving the Challenge Award were: Community Health Centers of Arkansas, North Little Rock; Glad Manufacturing, Rogers; Hutchinson Financial, Inc., Little Rock; Osceola Communication, Arts and Business School, Osceola; St. Anthony’s Medical Center, Morrilton and White River Rural Health, Augusta. The goal of the Governor’s Quality Award Program is to encourage Arkansas organizations to engage in continuous quality improvement, which leads to performance excellence, and to provide significant recognition to those organizations. Created as a not- for-profit organization, the program is dedicated to Governor Mike Beebe was the guest speaker and also presented awards at assist in building a strong infrastructure for the 15th Annual Governor’s Quality Award Program in mid-October at Arkansas businesses. the DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock . The Chairman of the Board of the Governor’s Quality Award program is Cal Kellogg, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for Arkansas Blue Cross contact Governor’s Quality Award Executive Director, and Blue Shield. Organizations and companies Sue Weatter with the Arkansas State Chamber of interested in participating in the program should Commerce by calling 501-372-2222 or go to www. arkansas-quality.org.

Fifteen organizations from throughout the state were presented Arkansas Governor’s Quality Awards during the Governor’s Quality Award Program . More than 275 business and civic leaders from throughout Arkansas attended the celebration .

ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 33 AFFILIATE The purpose of ACCE is to enhance the professional development and managerial skills of its members; ORGANIZATIONS to keep its membership appraised of statewide and national trends that affect the membership’s Statewide Organizations ability to operate effectively within their individual The State Chamber/AIA has expanded its presence communities; and to maintain liaisons with state in Arkansas by affiliating with the following agencies and business organizations including the statewide organizations: Arkansas Economic Development Commission, State Chamber/AIA, American Chamber of Commerce Executives and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The State Chamber/AIA is actively involved with services to local chambers including: • Association management for the ACCE • Strategic planning sessions • Personnel selection assistance • Volunteer leadership training • Board retreats and goal setting Governor’s Quality Award Program • Board orientation The Governor’s Quality Award Program formed a • New executive support working partnership with the State Chamber in 2008 • Governmental relations and has an office in the State Chamber/AIA building. • New facility planning They work together to accomplish the program’s • Assistance with developing new programs vision of contributing to the success of Arkansas • Assistance with starting new chambers organizations and the communities they serve. • Membership development The GQA Program offers training opportunities • Total resource campaigns to learn how to use the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria to • Chamber library assess strategy and process alignment for increased performance. Those that choose to apply for an award receive an evaluation of their management systems in a written feedback report citing strengths and areas for improvement and are recognized by the Governor at an annual awards ceremony. This process is used by all types of businesses, healthcare, schools and government agencies, and all kinds of organizations, including non-profit. Arkansas Economic Developers (AED) AED is an association of professional and volunteer economic developers in the state of Arkansas whose purpose is advancing, through professional and educational efforts, the quality of life in Arkansas by the development of employment opportunities through economic growth and community development. Arkansas Chamber of Commerce Executives Membership in AED provides an opportunity to (ACCE) participate in numerous activities that center around ACCE is a professional, statewide organization efforts to educate the economic developer in a rapidly of Chamber of Commerce executives in more changing field. than 100 Arkansas communities as well as business and professional organizations interested in or allied with chamber of commerce work in Arkansas.

34 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 35 Affordable tuition Outstanding faculty Classes when you need them — days, evenings, weekends and online Quality university-transfer curriculum and technical programs/courses Tutoring and counseling services Child development centers Small classes Financial aid available A convenient campus close to where you live and work

3000 West Scenic Drive North Little Rock, AR 72118 Visit us on (501) 812-2200 www.pulaskitech.edu Facebook or Myspace.

36 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009