ANNUAL REPORT 2017 2017 1 Opening Channels for Business in Arkansas’ River Valley Clarksville Dover Russellville TRUE RETAIL MARKET Atkins Radius: 50 MILES Population: 280,000 Dardanelle Danville Pottsville Centerville The Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development works to face growing competition from outside regions by The Arkansas Valley Alliance is comprised • Countering competition from surrounding states to of representatives from three River Valley successfully recruit high-skill employers to the region; counties, working together to market • Pursuing sustainable and steady growth, in order to maintain and grow the region. An excellent group the great quality of life that the Arkansas River Valley offers; of economic development committees and task forces led by local, public, and • Staying focused on addressing workforce quality, workforce business leaders, address everything from education, and other “business-friendly” issues; the needs of new and existing industries to • Supporting services to help local companies flourish, which nurtures transportation and infrastructure issues. the growth and profitability of the existing corporate base; • Maintaining a sense of pride and vigor in the business community ARKANSAS VALLEY ALLIANCE with a goal-oriented, economic development campaign; FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 708 West Main St., Russellville, AR 72802 • Producing customized, real-time responses, tailored 479-858-6555 specifically to each prospect’s criteria. 2 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIAPhoto ANNUAL by Terry McCormick REPORT Ad_forAVAED_inASCC_AIA_ManfDir2017_working.indd 1 12/7/17 9:16 AM The party never ends at Southland Park • 2,000 of your Favorite Games • Award-Winning Dining • More than 75 hand-paid jackpots daily!! West Memphis, AR • 800.467.6182 southlandpark.com Players must be 21 years of age or older to game and 18 years of age or older to bet at the racetrack. Play responsibly; for help quitting call 800-522-4700. 2017 3 SOUTHL-58893 AR Chamber of Commerce Annual Report.indd 1 12/4/17 10:26 AM Arkansas connected At AT&T we know businesses help communities thrive. In Arkansas and across the nation, we empower connections that help to build a better tomorrow. Keeping communities connected. At AT&T, it’s how we do business. © 2017 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 4 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT Arkansas connected At AT&T we know businesses help communities thrive. In Arkansas and across the nation, we empower connections that help to build a The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce / Associated Industries of Arkansas is the leading better tomorrow. voice for business at the State Capitol and serves as the primary business advocate on all issues affecting Keeping communities connected. Arkansas employers Our mission is to promote a pro-business, free-enterprise agenda and contest anti- At AT&T, it’s how we do business. business legislation, regulations and rules. OUR PRIORITIES ARE We work on issues around the clock that affect you and THE SAME AS YOURS your employees including: • Education and • Workers’ Workforce Quality Compensation • Civil Justice Reform • Economic Development • Taxes • Labor and Employment • Unemployment Insurance We work hard to maintain the In Washington, D.C. and right here at home, the delicate balance of Mother State Chamber is your advocate. Supporting the State Nature. Our goal is to preserve and Chamber is an investment in Arkansas’s future. By protect the environment by minimizing our working with the State Chamber, businesses unite and footprint, protecting the water and respecting achieve goals that simply would not be possible if each the landscape. We know you expect us to be were working alone. responsible neighbors. We expect the same of ourselves. 1200 West Capitol Ave., Little Rock, AR 72201 aboutnaturalgas.com 501-372-2222 | www.arkansasstatechamber.com © 2017 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 2017 5 An ISO 9001 Company • Ammonia Refrigeration Maintenance Technology • Industrial Maintenance Technology • Automotive Service Technology • Diesel & Truck Technology • Electronics Technology Industry • Welding Specific Training Available • Practical Nursing • Surgical Technology • Information Systems • Business Office Assistant For more information about 709 S. Old Missouri Rd. national and program accreditation, Springdale, AR 72765 • (479) 751-8824 contact Northwest Technical Institute. nwti.edu 6 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT GOVERNMENTALTABLE OF CONTENTS AFFAIRS Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce OUR LEADERSHIP .........................................................................................................................8 Associated Industries of Arkansas GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS ................................................................................................. 10 POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES .............................................................................20 1200 West Capitol Ave. P.O. Box 3645 EVENTS/OUTREACH/INITIATIVES .................................................................................22 Little Rock, AR 72203 MANUFACTURING/INDUSTRY/WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ..........28 Phone: 501-372-2222 COMMITTEES .................................................................................................................................30 Fax: 501-372-2722 MARKETING/SALES/AWARDS ..........................................................................................32 www.arkansasstatechamber.com LEADERSHIP ARKANSAS ......................................................................................................34 PINNACLE PROGRAM ............................................................................................................40 NEW AND UPGRADED MEMBERS...............................................................................42 SPONSORS AND ADVERTISERS ..................................................................................... 43 AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS ........................................................................................44 State Chamber/AIA Staff Randy Zook Kenneth R. Hall, J.D. Shelley Short Andrew Parker President & CEO Executive Vice Vice President Programs Director of Governmental Affairs President and Partnerships Toni Bahn Jeff Thatcher Deb Mathis Sue Weatter Director of Governmental Affairs Director of Communications Manager, Scheduling & Events Executive Director, Arkansas Institute Northwest Arkansas for Performance Excellence Bill Watson Marcus Turley Carol Mugerditchian Holly Wilson Manager, Event Membership Development Administrative Assistant Director of Arkansas State Sponsorship Representative Chamber Foundation 2017 7 OUR LEADERSHIP 2018 Executive Committee STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OFFICERS Chairman of the Board: Immediate Past Chairman: Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Rick Riley Ray C. Dillon Phil Baldwin Troy Keeping Ed Drilling Entergy Arkansas, Inc. Deltic Timber Citizens Bank I Square Management AT&T Arkansas Corporation (Retired) STATE CHAMBER/ AIA TREASURER Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Past Chairman of the Board: Local Chamber Rep. Michael Lindsey George Wheatley Michael J. Callan Raymond M. Burns Walmart Stores Inc. Waste Management Stephens Production Rogers-Lowell Area of Arkansas Company Chamber of Commerce ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES OF ARKANSAS OFFICERS Gary Head Signature Bank of Arkansas Chairman of the Board: Immediate Past Chairman: Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Haskell L. Dickinson Bill J. Reed Bill Hannah Chris Hart McGeorge Contracting Riceland Foods Inc. Nabholz Construction Central Moloney Company Inc. (Retired) Services Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Past Chairman: Grady E. Harvell Drew McGee Thad Solomon Mindy West Steve Cousins W&W/AFCO Steel, LLC Tyson Foods, Inc. NUCOR-Yamato MurphyUSA, Inc. Arkansas Electric Energy & Arkansas Gas Consumers 8 ARKANSAS STATE CHAMBER/AIA ANNUAL REPORT 2018 State Chamber Board Justin Allen Ed Choate Alan Hope Rick Morgan Elizabeth Solano Cole Williamson Wright Lindsey Delta Dental Powers of Arkansas, Inc. State Farm Insurance MISO American Data Network & Jennings LLP of Arkansas Inc. Tom Hopper Mike Myers Sandy Stroope Larry Wilson David Avery Andrew Clyde Crafton Tull Winrock International Boat World Inc. First Arkansas Bank Windstream & Trust MurphyUSA Inc. and Associates Lesley Nalley Scott Teague Curtis Barnett Mel Coleman Dick Horne Hot Springs Village POA U.S. Bank David Wolf Arkansas Blue Cross Southland Park Racing North Arkansas Dover Dixon Gary Newton Frank Thomas and Blue Shield & Gaming Electric Cooperative Horne PLLC Arkansas Learns Stephens Inc. Gary Beasley Steven Collier Karla Hughes Nelson Peacock Ryan Underwood E.C. Barton & Company STATE CHAMBER ARcare University of Arkansas NWA Council BKD, LLP Paul Beran at Monticello LIFETIME MEMBER John Cooper Leon Philpot Donald Walker University of Arkansas - Cooper Kurt Knickrehm Rich Mountain Electric Arvest Bank Albert Yarnell Fort Smith Communities Inc. Regions Insurance Cooperative Inc. Sam Walls Yarnell Ice Cream Company Don Bobbitt Carlton Davis George Knollmeyer Rob Ratley The Arkansas Capital University of Arkansas Warren Bank Ben E. Keith Company OG+E Corporation Group EX-OFFICIO System & Trust Company Benny Koontz Scott Rayner Drew Weber Marvin Childers Robin Bowen Houston Davis Koontz Electric Mississippi County U.S. Pizza Co. Inc. The Poultry Federation Arkansas Tech University of Central Company Inc. Hospital System University Arkansas Charles