The Underwriting Sponsor for the 2023-2024 Leadership Arkansas program is Citizens Bank. The Presenting Sponsors are Central Moloney, Southwest Power Pool, and ARcare. Statewide Program Sponsors are Nucor Steel Arkansas/Nucor-Yamato Steel, Farm Credit of Arkansas, Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., Walmart, and Entergy Arkansas, Inc.
The Class XVIII graduates (by name, company and hometown) are:
- Arthur F. Ashby - Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) - Mabelvale
- Adam Bailey - Lockheed Martin - Bearden
- Tawana Bailey - East Arkansas Family Health Center - Marion
- Jordan Bearden - Runway Group - Little Rock
- Cassandra Caldwell - Director Arkansas Waterways Commission - Jacksonville
- Mark Calhoun - Black Hills Energy - Lowell
- Nina Castaldi - Simmons Bank - Benton
- Colonel Jason Cooper - Arkansas Air National Guard - Conway
- Amy Cornell - Tyson Foods - Bentonville
- Nick Coulter - City of West Memphis - Marion
- Matt Cramblett - The Citizens Bank - Bentonville
- Laura Crowell - Edward Jones - Magnolia
- Jerrad Cude - Nucor-Yamato Steel Company - Jonesboro
- Landon Downing - Citizens Bank - Batesville
- Martin Eggensperger - Black River Technical College - Pocahontas
- Shelby Fiegel - University of Central Arkansas - Conway
- Chris Friemel - W&W|AFCO Steel - Sherwood
- Dr. Daniel Fudge - University of the Ozarks - Fort Smith
- Judith Goodson - French Hill for Arkansas - Little Rock
- Donna Graham - University of Arkansas - Fayetteville
- Courtney Guppy - Crafton Tull - Bella Vista
- Kelly Hanks - Summit Utilities - Little Rock
- Stacee Hargett - Saracen Casino Resort - North Little Rock
- Chip Hargrave - Walmart - Rogers
- Justin Hart - Entergy Arkansas - Vilonia
- Will Hegi - Community First Trust Company - El Dorado
- Brigadier General Michael Henderson - Arkansas National Guard - Sherwood
- Jen Hoss - Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation - Little Rock
- Justin Johnson - Think Idea Studio (ARcare Foundation) - Searcy
- Lt. Colonel Michael L. Krom - Arkansas Air National Guard - Fort Smith
- Jaime Land - Arkansas Secretary of State - Little Rock
- Brock Langford - Blackstone Construction - Russellville
- James Luyet - Nabholz Construction - Conway
- Mark Morrow - Arvest Bank - Jonesboro
- Allison McDaniel - Signature Bank of Arkansas - Jonesboro
- Dr. Rheo Morris - Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (ASMSA) - Hot Springs
- Karlea Newberry - Signature Bank of Arkansas - Harrison
- Sheena Olson - Arkansas Children's - Bryant
- Marcus Orf - Ozarka College - Calico Rock
- Jeff Overton - Cromwell Architects Engineers - Bryant
- Shawntill Puryear - HARK at Excellerate Foundation - Hindsville
- Ashtin Rogers - White River Medical Center - Batesville
- Kyndall Rogers - Delta Dental of Arkansas - Cabot
- Tonya Sarlls - Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce - Booneville
- Shelley Short - Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and Chamber - Arkadelphia
- Leslie Sink - Southwest Power Pool - North Little Rock
- Shealyn Sowers - Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism - North Little Rock
- Melissa Stiles - Museum of Discovery - Little Rock
- Adam Storey - Dassault Falcon Jet - Benton
- Trish Villines - Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce - Harrison
- Cody Waits - Arkansas Workforce Connections - Maumelle
- Jeff Whitener - Farmers Bank and Trust - Magnolia
- Mary Zunick - Visit Hot Springs - Hot Springs
Leadership Arkansas is a nine-month program operated by the State Chamber/AIA. It consists of nine multi-day sessions held in different locations throughout the state. The sessions feature Arkansas leaders who represent a wide geographic base and who have diverse backgrounds and vocations. The members are given broad exposure to the many social, political, geographic and environmental complexities of the state; on-site demonstrations and tours; unique cultural experiences; insight into the people, places and history that influence public policies; and fun and casual settings, which foster new relationships and camaraderie.
The mission of Leadership Arkansas is to challenge, inform, inspire and engage current and future business and civic leaders to enhance the economies of – and the communities within – the state of Arkansas. Leadership Arkansas’s vision is to work to build a strong and vibrant state by training skilled community leaders to recognize and capitalize on opportunities, motivate others to act to strengthen regions and communities, serve as ambassador for the potential and growth of the state, and promote the election and appointment of officials who understand the diverse aspects leading to growth of Arkansas.
Since its inception in 2005, Leadership Arkansas has educated and engaged more than 950 alumni who represent almost every Arkansas county.