Arkansas Business articles from April 2009

Arkansas Business archives from April 2009

Issues arise over funding trauma plan: health care groups express concerns.(Trends in Medicine)
April 6, 2009... ALTHOUGH THE ARKANSAS trauma system is still about two years away from being fully established, some health care groups are already questioning whether the approximately $25 million in annual state funding will be sufficient. The Arkansas...

Recycling sector's prices plunge.(Trends in Medicine)
April 6, 2009... FAMED INVESTOR WARREN BUFFETT recently said the economy has fallen off a cliff." Plot the prices for recycled materials during the last few years on a line graph, and that's what you'll see: a cliff. Recycling centers in Arkansas could...

State pioneers umbilical cord blood system.(Trends in Medicine)
April 6, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE BLOOD THAT FLOWS through Amelia Odle's tiny veins is not hers. In fact, her parents don't know whose blood it is. But what they do know is that it came from the umbilical cord of a mother and child they will...

Bank transaction.(Whispers)
April 6, 2009... Heard about an ownership change at Batesville's First Southern Bank? We understand a group of Batesville-area investors, including some current stockholders, are in the process of acquiring the $103 million-asset bank. First Southern,...

Hard times at Heifer.(Whispers)
April 6, 2009... You're no doubt aware by now of Heifer International's plans to cut jobs by June 30, the end of its fiscal year. The question is: How many? According to a source at the nonprofit, the percentage of staff members in danger of losing their...

Charter project.(eStem Charter School campus)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Talk of expanding the eStem Charter School campus in downtown Little Rock has manifested into a $1.35 million transaction. A subsidiary of Arkadelphia's Southern Bancorp has acquired the old Federal Reserve property at 123 W. Third St. and...

Crain troubles.(Whispers)
April 6, 2009... The Crain Team is trying to recover more than $135,000 from a former manager who, the auto dealership said, was receiving kickbacks from an auto dealer. Crain Chevrolet LLC, which operates Crain Chevrolet, Crain Ford and Crain Chrysler...

Sufficiently grounded.(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Local restaurateur Scott McGehee had another venture in the works that has now been scuttled. The mastermind behind Boulevard Bread Co. and ZaZa Fine Salad & Wood-Oven Pizza Co. had plans to rehabilitate the old Sufficient...

Getting off the ground.(Sufficient Grounds)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... We haven't nailed down the identity of the buyer of the former Sufficient Grounds, but a trio of 20-something Hendrix College graduates plans to open an eatery/coffeehouse/pub at the location in early June. Josh Blevins, Nick Coffin and...

Casting the first Stone.(Whispers)
April 6, 2009... There was a little intrigue surrounding Monday's Arkansas Economic Development Commission review process for a new advertising agency. "Whispers" learned late in the process that the James & House law firm of Little Rock had submitted a...

Obama overreaching?(Editorial)
April 6, 2009... WE'VE ALL KNOWN THAT the bailouts by the federal government would come with a high cost. And that they couldn't continue forever. General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC have learned those lessons the hard way. Now, the bankruptcy the...

[Cartoon].(Cartoon)
April 6, 2009... AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

'Just not right'.(Letter)(Letter to the editor)
April 6, 2009... I'm a big fan of Arkansas Business and find it a great tool in my job of banking. However, reading the winner of the Business Communications Inc. and Cisco contest listed on Page 12 of your March 30 issue, I could not help but wish someone had...

The most cynical game.(Editor's Note)
April 6, 2009... THIS IS MY 10TH YEAR AS editor of Arkansas Business, which is apparently long enough to see history repeat itself. Back in 2000, we did some award-winning articles on the checkered history of a company called Arkansas Casino Corp. Despite...

Apocalypse now?(Commentary)
April 6, 2009... THROUGHOUT RECORDED HISTORY there have always been miserable, unhappy people eagerly telling us that the world is coming to an end. When times are good, when our bills are paid and we have money in our pocket, most of us brush past the zealot...

New fire and police stations at 2000 and 2002 Murphy Drive in Maumelle have a combined 27,000 SF under roof.(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New tire and police stations at 2000 and 2002 Murphy Drive in Maumelle have a combined 27,000 SF under roof. The $4.5 million development should be completed in September 2009. James H. Cone Inc. of Little Rock is...

Southern Bancorp buy.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
April 6, 2009... The one-time home of the Little Rock branch of the Federal Reserve Bank tipped the scales at $1.35 million. Southern Bancorp CDC of Arkadelphia bought the 123 W. Third St. project. The seller is 123 West Third Associates Ltd., led by...

Old buildings sale.(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... A commercial property in southwest Little Rock changed hands in a $650,000 transaction. A Camp Equipment LLC, led by Andrew Judkins, purchased the 7720 Interstate 30 project. The seller is Old Buildings LLC, led by Ted Belden. The...

Church purchase.(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... A North Little Rock congregation expanded its holdings in a $200,000 deal. First Assembly of God acquired the 1-acre site at the northwest end of Parkstone Circle from Blansett Properties LLC, led by Larry Blansett. The commercial...

Deauville home.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
April 6, 2009... A 4,160-SF home in west Little Rock's Deauville Place neighborhood of west Little Rock's Chenal Valley development sold for $916,000. Deborah Wetzel bought the house from Kevin and Jennifer Hannah. The deal is funded with a 30-year loan of...

Heights house.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... A 3,943-SF home in the Heights area of Little Rock is under new ownership after a $705,000 sale. Matthew and Jennifer Deuschle purchased the house from Card Investments LLC, led by Clint Wilson, Andrew Adkins, Richard Harp and Daniels...

Sologne abode.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
April 6, 2009... A 5,075-SF home in the Sologne Circle neighborhood of west Little Rock's Chenal Valley development drew a $600,000 transaction. Tracy and Jane Duke acquired the house from Lauren and Michael Snow. The deal is financed with a 30-year loan of...

PV residence.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... A 3,724-SF home in west Little Rock's Pleasant Valley neighborhood rang up a $550,000 deal. Ryan and Marie Holder bought the house from Tracy and Jane Duke. The deal is funded with a 30-year loan of $417,000 from Bank of Little Rock...

Hotel mortgage.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
April 6, 2009... A Value Place Hotel in west Little Rock is backed with a $5 million mortgage. VP Partners 2 LLC, led by Chris Witt, obtained the four-year loan from BancorpSouth Bank of Tupelo, Miss. The 121-room project at 21 Remington Road previously was...

Retail refinance.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... The owners of a 34,400-SF retail center in Maumelle picked up a $3.27 million funding agreement. McCarley Family Ltd. (50 percent), the B.B. McCarley Residuary Trust (45.7 percent) and Mildred McCarley (4.3 percent) received the five-year...

Office funding.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
April 6, 2009... A 5,700-SF office project in west Little Rock was refinanced with a $1.16 million mortgage. Lucky Inc., led by Allen Kerr, got the five-year loan from Bank of Little Rock. The 0.7-acre Kerr Insurance development at 1429 Merrill Drive...

Casino company wins approval of ballot title.(POLITICS)
April 6, 2009... An amendment whose ballot title was approved by the state Attorney General's office would write a for-profit casino company into the Arkansas Constitution. The amendment would authorize seven casinos to be owned and operated by a company...

Tyson Foods to close meat plant in Oklahoma.(AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS)
April 6, 2009... Tyson Foods Inc. will close its processed meats plant at Ponca City, Okla., affecting about 580 workers. Tyson officials are trying to find a buyer for the plant, which has been in operation since 1995. The closing is expected to...

Clothing manufacturer to open Booneville plant.(MANUFACTURING)
April 6, 2009... American Spirit Wear will locate a new production and manufacturing facility at Booneville. The Booneville operation will be known as Perry Productions and employ about 30 people. ASW is a wholesale supplier of jackets for sports, hunting...

Georgia firm buying Sparks Health System.(HEALTH CARE)
April 6, 2009... Sparks Health System of Fort Smith is being sold to a division of Jackson Healthcare LLC of Alpharetta, Ga. Terms of the sale weren't released. Sparks said in its news release that it hopes to have a letter of intent signed by May 15 and...

Community Health buys rest of El Dorado hospital.(HEALTH CARE)
April 6, 2009... Community Health Systems Inc. of Franklin, Tenn., said its subsidiary has acquired the remaining interest in MCSA LLC, which owns and operates the 166-bed Medical Center of South Arkansas at El Dorado. The Medical Center of South Arkansas...

Bank of America closing four Arkansas branches.(BANKING & FINANCE)
April 6, 2009... Bank of America has notified customers that four of its 50 branches in Arkansas will be closed in the near future, said state president E. Wilson Moore. The branches to be closed are the Levy branch in North Little Rock, the branch at 1216...

AERT reports loss of $36 million in 2008.(Public Company Reports)(Financial report)
April 6, 2009... Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies Inc. of Springdale, in its annual report filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, reported a net loss of $35.9 million, or 75 cents a share, last year compared with a loss of $9.5 million,...

Former Murphy Oil CEO takes slight dip in pay.(Public Company Reports)
April 6, 2009... Three of Murphy Oil Corp.'s top executives took home more pay last year, but Claiberne P. Deming, the former president and CEO, saw a slight decline in his compensation, according to the company's proxy filed with the Securities & Exchange...

First Federal executives get no raises in pay.(Public Company Reports)
April 6, 2009... Executives of First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas Inc. of Harrison received no raises in salary or bonuses last year and won't get one this year either. Larry J. Brandt, president and CEO of the holding company for First Federal Bank, is...

Baldor Electric, lenders amend credit agreement.(Public Company Reports)
April 6, 2009... Baldor Electric Co. has amended its credit agreement with its lenders, which relaxes requirements for total leverage and senior secured leverage ratios. Pricing on the term loan increased to the London Interbank Offered Rate (Libor) plus...

DAC Technologies income increases slightly in 2008.(Public Company Reports)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... DAC Technologies Group International Inc., the Florida outsource manufacturer whose main distribution center is in Little Rock, reported 2008 net income of $356,694, compared with $340,894 the previous year. Sales of $17 million were up 13...

Murphy Oil Corp.(Public Company Reports)
April 6, 2009... Murphy Oil Corp. declared a quarterly dividend of 25 cents a share, the same as its previous quarter, payable June 1 to stockholders of record May 15.

Terminella's motion for new trial denied.(LEGAL)
April 6, 2009... Washington County Circuit Judge Rim Smith last week denied Tom Terminella's motion for a new trial in a bitter dispute won by Metropolitan National Bank of Little Rock. Terminella had requested a new trial on March 13 after Smith found in...

3 Arkansas cities listed among best for business.(AWARDS)
April 6, 2009... Three Arkansas cities are among the top 75 metropolitan areas for business as recognized by Forbes magazine, including Fayetteville at No. 4. Forbes' annual list of the Best Places for Businesses and Careers also included Little Rock at...

February Arkansas Realtors Association housing market report.(Inside Business)
April 6, 2009... February Arkansas Realtors Association Housing Market Report Most Units Sold in February County Feb. '09 Feb. '08 % Change 1 Pulaski 263 343 -23.32% 2 Benton...

KMCK climbs to No. 3 spot in Arbitron radio rankings.(NW Journal: A Look at News From Northwest Arkansas)
April 6, 2009... Clear Channel Communication's KKIX-FM, 103.9, "Kix 104," has been the top-rated radio station in northwest Arkansas for 23-plus years, and its stature did not change with the fall 2008 ratings released by Arbitron Inc. But the battle for...

Thousand Hills pays Schwyhart $3.2m for 2 buildings in Rogers.(NW Journal: A Look at News From Northwest Arkansas)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Thousand Hills Legacy Land LLC recently purchased two buildings in Rogers for $3.2 million. The buildings, on South Eighth Street, include a 1,296-SF automobile showroom and a 1,440-SF service repair garage. The buildings, which sit on 1.16...

Number of Realtors in area declines 23.5% since 2007.(NW Journal: A Look at News From Northwest Arkansas)
April 6, 2009... The total statewide number of Realtors registered with the Arkansas Realtors Association was at a peak at the end of February 2007, with 8,513 dues-paying members. That number was down to 7,607, a drop of 8.5 percent, as of Feb. 28, 2009. ...

Jonesboro Police seek beverage tax increase.(NE Journal: A Look at News From Northeast Arkansas)
April 6, 2009... The Jonesboro Police Department is lobbying the city for an increase in the alcoholic beverage tax from 3 percent to 5 percent. Jonesboro Police Chief Michael Wages said the tax increase would bring additional revenue to the city so the...

Mississippi County hires new hospital management.(NE Journal: A Look at News From Northeast Arkansas)
April 6, 2009... Mississippi County recently hired QHR Inc. of Brentwood, Tenn., to manage the county's two hospitals. Great River Medical Center of Blytheville and South Mississippi County Regional Medical Center of Osceola had been managed by Ameris...

Evergreen Packaging Inc., citing reduced demand, has shut down its No. 1 paper machine and its ground-wood mill at Pine Bluff, resulting in a two-week layoff of about 80 employees.(Business Briefs)
April 6, 2009... Evergreen Packaging Inc., citing reduced demand, has shut down its No. 1 paper machine and its ground-wood mill at Pine Bluff, resulting in a two-week layoff of about 80 employees. The mill's more than 1,000 employees produce bleached board for...

Oklahoma Lottery.(Business Briefs)
April 6, 2009... The Oklahoma Lottery is expected to lose as much as $12 million in sales during the first year Arkansas has its games. That estimate is based on prizes claimed by Arkansas residents. Such a loss in sales would translate into a loss of $3.5...

Resource Management of Arkansas.(Business Briefs)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Resource Management of Arkansas, a Pine Bluff maker of flavor-woods for cooking barbecue, wood pellets for stoves and litter products for animals, is expanding in a move that is expected to add 40 jobs to its existing work force of 60. Resource...

Former President George H.W. Bush will deliver a free lecture at Barnhill Arena at the University of Arkansas at 8 p.m. on April 6 as part of the university's Distinguished Lecture Series.(Business Briefs)
April 6, 2009... Former President George H.W. Bush will deliver a free lecture at Barnhill Arena at the University of Arkansas at 8 p.m. on April 6 as part of the university's Distinguished Lecture Series. The public is welcome and no tickets are required. Each...

Internal Revenue Service.(Business Briefs)
April 6, 2009... The Internal Revenue Service says people who buy a new passenger car this year may be able to deduct state and local sales and excise taxes on the purchase on their 2009 tax returns next year. The deduction is limited to the state and local...

T. Boone Pickens, oilman, billionaire, philanthropist, financier and outspoken advocate for energy independence, will hold a "town hall" meeting in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development auditorium at the University of Arkansas from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. on April 6.(Business Briefs)
April 6, 2009... T. Boone Pickens, oilman, billionaire, philanthropist, financier and outspoken advocate for energy independence, will hold a "town hall" meeting in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development auditorium at the University of...

William Poole, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, will talk about the current economic crisis and take questions at an April 16 luncheon at Hendrix College in Conway.(Business Briefs)
April 6, 2009... William Poole, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, will talk about the current economic crisis and take questions at an April 16 luncheon at Hendrix College in Conway. The luncheon is sponsored by the Arkansas Policy...

Bank of the Ozarks has been named the 12th-best performing bank in the country by Bank Director magazine in its 2008 Bank Performance Scorecard Highlighting America's Best Banks, which is based on profitability, capital adequacy and asset quality.(Business Briefs)
April 6, 2009... Bank of the Ozarks has been named the 12th-best performing bank in the country by Bank Director magazine in its 2008 Bank Performance Scorecard Highlighting America's Best Banks, which is based on profitability, capital adequacy and asset...

Wired, a Little Rock IT company, will hold a grand reopening of its expanded retail location in the Bowman Curve Shopping Center that has triple the showroom space of its old location.(Business Briefs)
April 6, 2009... Wired, a Little Rock IT company, will hold a grand reopening of its expanded retail location in the Bowman Curve Shopping Center that has triple the showroom space of its old location. Wired has activities planned throughout the week of April...

Arkansas State University at Searcy will conduct OSHA safety training on April 25 beginning at 7 a.m.(Business Briefs)
April 6, 2009... Arkansas State University at Searcy will conduct OSHA safety training on April 25 beginning at 7 a.m. The course is designed specifically for those desiring to work for the gas drilling industry or those currently employed but needing...

Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Spirit of Enterprise Award for his strong support of a pro-economic growth legislative agenda.(Business Briefs)
April 6, 2009... Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Spirit of Enterprise Award for his strong support of a pro-economic growth legislative agenda. The award is given to senators and representatives who show a strong pro-business...

Case Management Society of America.(Business Briefs)
April 6, 2009... Case Management Society of America, a Little Rock nonprofit, is hosting a forum on health care case management, including payor/insurers and hospitals/provider issues, at its annual conference to be held June 16-19 at Phoenix. For more...

Tax cuts, concealed-carry and casinos on minds of state lawmakers.(Legislative Roundup)
April 6, 2009... TAX CUTS WERE ON THE minds of state lawmakers last week, despite less-than-optimistic revenue forecasts for 2010. Gov. Mike Beebe signed into law a $10 million tax cut for manufacturers; a House bill to ease corporate tax burdens to the...

Exercise program does far more than enhance students' health.(Trends in Medicine)
April 6, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HELPING STUDENTS BECOME healthier is one reason for implementing a more rigorous physical education component in schools, but there are others. "We've definitely noticed a difference in discipline referrals and...

Lincoln to host tour on rural health care.(Notes)
April 6, 2009... Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., will host a two-week, five-stop tour across Arkansas to "take the pulse" of health care in the state's rural communities. As part of her "Call to Action: Taking the Pulse of Rural Health Care," Lincoln will...

National Running Day to be marked on June 3.(Notes)
April 6, 2009... The United States running industry is launching National Running Day on June 3 to nationally and locally promote running as a healthy, easy and accessible form of exercise. Runners can join in the National Running Day by going for a run on...

Legislature passes bills backed by nursing home interests.(Overview)
April 6, 2009... The nursing home industry has had some success during the current legislative session, according to Randy Wyatt, executive director of the Arkansas Health Care Association. The biggest victory was Act 198, the Long-Term Care Quality Improvement...

Most profitable nursing homes.(Trends in Medicine)
April 6, 2009... Most Profitable Nursing Homes Ranked by net income for year ended June 30, 2008 Facility, Location Net Income Revenue 1 Golden Living Center-Hilltop, $2,733,540 $7,734,062 ...

Least profitable nursing homes.(Trends in Medicine)
April 6, 2009... Least Profitable Nursing Homes Ranked by net income or loss for year ended June 30, 2008 Facility, Location Net Income Revenue 1 Concordia Care Center, Bella Vista ($1,004,515) $4,952,773 2...

Nanocrystals lighting the way for NN-Labs.(Innovation: Arkansas' tech- and knowledge-based ventures)
April 6, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Colloidal nanocrystals sound like something out of Star Trek, perhaps Scottie's alternate source of warp power for the Enterprise when the dilithium crystals burn out. While not adapted for interstellar space...

New patents in Arkansas.(Innovation: Arkansas' tech- and knowledge-based ventures)
April 6, 2009... New Patents in Arkansas Description Inventor Assignee P49/strap protein Jeanne Wei and University of involved in gene Xiaomin Zhang, Arkansas Board regulation and...

Incentive fund proposed to lure new tech to state.(Innovation News Briefs)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... The bait is almost set as Arkansas took a step toward creating an incentive fund to lure technology entrepreneurs to the state. The state Senate Transportation, Technology & Legislative Affairs Committee has advanced a proposal to create an...

Russellville firm wins 2 home design 'Oscars'.(Innovation News Briefs)
April 6, 2009... An Arkansas firm has brought home two home design "Oscars" from the Housewares Design Awards recognizing the best-designed housewares ,products. Russellville's Microplane was awarded the Best el Best-Gold award for its box grater In...

Get the Innovate Arkansas monthly enews.
April 6, 2009... Sign up now to get the new Innovate Arkansas free monthly e-newsletter. Each month's newsletter includes the latest news from InnovateArkansas.org posts from our INOV8 blog, information on upcoming events and client profiles. Each edition...

Larry Davis, owner of L.E. Davis Construction Inc. of Harrison, has won the 10th annual Contractor of the Year Award sponsored by Caterpillar Inc. and the magazine Equipment World.(CONSTRUCTION)
April 6, 2009... Larry Davis, owner of L.E. Davis Construction Inc. of Harrison, has won the 10th annual Contractor of the Year Award sponsored by Caterpillar Inc. and the magazine Equipment World. Davis has been in the business for 38 years.

American Institute for Medical & Biological Engineering.(EDUCATION)
April 6, 2009... Lalit R. Verma, interim dean of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food & Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, has been elected to the college of fellows of the American Institute for Medical & Biological...

Blair Bryan has been selected as a member of the American Studies Institute advisory board at Harding University in Searcy.(EDUCATION)
April 6, 2009... Blair Bryan has been selected as a member of the American Studies Institute advisory board at Harding University in Searcy. Nine other new members will join Bryan, including his brother Brant Bryan, Byron Carlock, Dennis Leggett, Topper Long,...

Harding University.(EDUCATION)
April 6, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Heather D. Williams has joined the public relations office at Harding University as director of news services. Williams has four years of public relations experience at various organizations in Arkansas.

U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Morris S. Arnold will receive an honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Arkansas.(EDUCATION)
April 6, 2009... U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Morris S. Arnold will receive an honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Arkansas. Also receiving an honorary degree is Johnelle D. Hunt, who will be granted a doctorate of humane letters. Hunt is the widow...

Philip Parker, associate professor of music at Arkansas Tech University at Russellville, has been selected to compose a piece for the National Symphony Orchestra to be premiered at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.(EDUCATION)
April 6, 2009... Philip Parker, associate professor of music at Arkansas Tech University at Russellville, has been selected to compose a piece for the National Symphony Orchestra to be premiered at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in...

John Brown University.(EDUCATION)
April 6, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kim Hadley has been named vice president of finance and administration of John Brown University at Siloam Springs. Hadley has had experience in public accounting at Beall & Co. of Fort Smith and internal audit...

Kelyniam Global Inc.(ENGINEERING)
April 6, 2009... Bernard G. "Bernie" Hochstetter has been appointed to lead the medical implant sales force at Kelyniam Global Inc. of Little Rock. Hochstetter has specialized in the approval process of new human implantation product lines with various health...

Simmons First National Bank.(FINANCIAL SERVICES)
April 6, 2009... Karen S. McKim, manager of the Indian Hills branch of Simmons First National Bank in North Little Rock, has been named consumer banking officer. Karen A. Montana, manager of the downtown Little Rock branch, has also been named consumer banking...

Petit Jean State Bank: Teana Bailey.(FINANCIAL SERVICES)
April 6, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Teana "Tina" Bailey has been promoted to manager of Petit Jean State Bank's new University branch in Morrilton. Bailey joined Petit Jean State in 2006 after a career that included 24 years with First National Bank of...

Petit Jean State Bank: Will Fisher.(FINANCIAL SERVICES)
April 6, 2009... Will Fisher has been promoted to vice president of lending services at Petit Jean State Bank. He previously was an assistant vice president of lending, having joined the bank in 2001.

Conway Regional Wound Center.(HEALTH CARE)
April 6, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sharon Bussard of Cabot is the new program director for the Conway Regional Wound Center. Bussard transferred from the hospital's GI lab and outpatient surgery center and previously worked as program coordinator for...

Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation.(HEALTH CARE)
April 6, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Jennifer Carlisle has been promoted to vice president at the Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation in Little Rock. Before her promotion, Carlisle was director of operations for the foundation.

Robert Phelps, director of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission, will receive the Diamond Award from the Arkansas Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.(MEDIA/MARKETING)
April 6, 2009... Robert Phelps, director of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission, will receive the Diamond Award from the Arkansas Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. The award honors a recipient outside the profession who has used public...