Arkansas Business articles from August 2008

Arkansas Business archives from August 2008

Promenade pace quickens: as construction at Chenal Center nears end, stores to open.(Commercial Real Estate)
August 4, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ON PAPER, ABOUT HALF THE SPACE IN The Promenade at Chenal is leased as construction of the west Little Rock retail center winds down. Those deals haven't resulted in many openings so far at the 340,000-SF lifestyle...

ATRS property approaching a profit.(Commercial Real Estate)(Teacher Retirement System)
August 4, 2008... LITTLE ROCK'S WOODLAND HEIGHTS retirement center is positioned to do something it has never done during seven years of ownership by the state's largest pension fund: produce a decent return on investment. "This coming fiscal year will be...

Dillard's store closings may not end troubles: company faces multiple problems.(Dillard Inc.)
August 4, 2008... A BELEAGUERED DILLARD'S INC., BUFFETED by a sluggish economy and plummeting stock price, is closing 13 underperforming stores this year in an effort to boost its bottom line. But closing stores might not help the Little Rock department store...

The never-ending story.(Whispers)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... As we told you in June, former Little Rock mortgage broker Nelson Miller's sentencing hearing was postponed until July 10 because of a scheduling conflict. So, as some readers have rightly asked, what happened? Well, Miller got yet...

Ford Flotsam I.(Whispers)
August 4, 2008... Scott Ford's speaking appearance at a July 22 gathering of the Rotary Club of Little Rock produced a couple of anecdotes related to the planned $28.1 billion sale to Verizon Corp. The CEO of Little Rock's Alltel Corp. said Verizon was...

Ford Flotsam II.(Whispers)
August 4, 2008... Ford also was asked if Alltel was going to continue its popular My Circle advertising campaign, which skewers Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. Those are the ads that portray the Big Four wireless carriers as nerdlings in contrast to the...

Bale 1, IRS 0.(Whispers)
August 4, 2008... In February we told you that Bale Chevrolet Co. of Little Rock had sued the IRS over almost $110,000 worth of fines. Bale, the IRS said, intentionally disregarded its obligation to file a Form 8300 each time it received more than $10,000 in...

Beyond the sea.(Whispers)
August 4, 2008... Duke Bainum, retired physician and CEO of Diamond Bank of Murfreesboro, has another bullet point to add to his resume: candidate for the Honolulu City Council. Now, Arkansas Business readers already know that Bainum, 56, was formerly a...

Mouth-watering dish.(Whispers)
August 4, 2008... Here's a mouth-watering whisper wafting from west Little Rock. Trio's Restaurant owners, Brent Peterson and Capi Peck, have signed a lease to fill the old Imagine A Restaurant space at the Pleasant Ridge Town Center with their new...

Teaching entrepreneurship.(Editorial)
August 4, 2008... THE ARKANSAS ASSOCIATION of Two-Year Colleges says eight of the state's two-year colleges will offer a business degree option and certificate in entrepreneurship this fall. That's a good thing. "Economic development is more important than...

The budget deficit.(Editorial)
August 4, 2008... THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION t week said the U.S. budget deficit will leap to a record $482 billion in fiscal 2009, which begins Oct. 1. And that doesn't include about $80 billion in war costs. That certainly can't make either presidential...

When in France.(Letter)
August 4, 2008... With all this urge to use French names for new streets in west Little Rock, you would think that they would at least use the standard spellings. Some prominent examples: The French artist was Cezanne, not Sezanne, and the French place name is...

[Cartoon].(Editorial)(Cartoon)
August 4, 2008... BACK TO SCHOOL TIME! THANK GOODNESS! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Mighty, mighty euro.(Editor's Note)(currancies)(Editorial)
August 4, 2008... THE MORITZ FAMILY WESTERN venture--a two-week driving tour that included stops at the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Disneyland, San Francisco, Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore--went remarkably well. We stayed on schedule, on budget and off each...

Free trade equals opportunity.(Commentary)
August 4, 2008... LAST YEAR, ARKANSAS SOLD nearly $5 billion in exports to world markets, an increase of 74 percent since 2002. That's good news for Arkansas companies whose sales to some 160 foreign destinations support high-wage jobs across the state and...

Regions purchase.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
August 4, 2008... A future bank branch location in west Little Rock tipped the scales at $1.22 million. Regions Exchange LLC of Birmingham, Ala., bought the 1.65-acre site at the northwest corner of Chenal Parkway and La Grande Drive from Little Rock...

Farm transaction.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
August 4, 2008... More than 200 acres in east Pulaski County are under new ownership after an $825,000 transaction. Tom and Don Salmon acquired the farmland about three miles north of Scott, along Faulkner Lake Road and south of Ashley Bayou, from the Eanes...

Priester purchase.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
August 4, 2008... A commercial project in west Little Rock rang up a $560,000 sale. Jake Priester Properties LLC purchased the 21621 Cantrell Road property from Corey and Christi Gillum. The deal is financed with two 3-year loans totaling $498,000 from...

Office acquisition.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)(CBS Properties LLC)(Commercial Realty LLC)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... A small office project in North Little Rock drew a $405,000 deal. CBS Properties LLC, led by Calvin Suffridge, bought the 10 Parkstone Circle property. The seller is White Commercial Realty LLC, led by Stephen White. The transaction is...

Belle Pointe home.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... A 6,000-SF home in west Little Rock's Belle Pointe neighborhood sold for $883,000. Kevin and Nancy Collins acquired the house from Karen Satterfield. The deal is backed with a 2-year loan of $905,000 from Centennial Bank of Little Rock....

Foxboro abode.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
August 4, 2008... A 5,292-SF home in Little Rock's Foxboro neighborhood changed hands in an $815,000 deal. Frederick and Shawne Bentley purchased the house from Mercer Neal III and his wife, Elizabeth. The deal is financed with a 15-year loan of...

Overnight mortgage.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
August 4, 2008... A 120-room Hilton Garden Inn project in North Little Rock is in motion with a $9.4 million funding agreement. McCain Lodging Inc., led by Ishver Govind, obtained the 3 1/2-year loan from Capital Bank of Little Rock. The 3-acre location...

South Square funding.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... A west Little Rock commercial project was refinanced with a $6.25 million mortgage. South Square LLC, led by Richard Ashley, received the 5-year loan from BancorpSouth Bank of Tupelo, Miss. The 11.5-acre Garden Ridge development at...

Auxora refinance.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... The owner of a 100-unit apartment project in southwest Little Rock picked up a $3.2 million financial package. Auxora Arms 2007 LLC, an affiliate of American Community Developers Inc. of Detroit, got the 40-year loan from St. James Capital...

Helping Hand loan.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... A North Little Rock day-care project was refinanced with a $1.95 million note. Helping Hand Children's Center LLC, led by Johnny and Julia Washburn, landed the 5-year loan from the Bank of England. The 8-acre development at 4901...

Apartment note I.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... Two west Little Rock apartment projects were used to secure a $1.75 million funding agreement. Bailey Properties LLC, led by John Bailey, obtained the 1-year loan from Regions Bank of Birmingham, Ala. The 256-unit Waterford project at...

Apartment note II.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)
August 4, 2008... Two small apartment projects in Little Rock were refinanced with a $765,465 mortgage. S&M Investors LLC, led by Herman Scott and Justin Muller, received the 3-year loan from First Southern Bank of Batesville. The 0.66-acre 3415 Town...

Tyrrell refinance.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... The owner of a pair of vehicle rental projects in west Little Rock picked up a $700,000 financial package. Brent and Becky Tyrrell got the 1-year loan from Little Rock's Capital Bank. The 1-acre TLC Daily Rental development at 12300...

Church mortgage.(Real Deals: A Look at Important Real Estate Transactions)(Jacksonville Baptist Temple Inc.)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... A Jacksonville congregation secured a $550,000 loan. Jacksonville Baptist Temple Inc. landed the 3-year loan from Eagle Bank & Trust of Little Rock. The 5-acre property at 520 Marshall Road previously was tied to an April 2002 mortgage of...

Wes-Pak closes LR facility to expand in Shreveport.(MANUFACTURING)
August 4, 2008... Little Rock's loss was Shreveport's gain as Wes-Pak Inc. announced an expansion of its manufacturing facilities there that will bring about the closure of the local operation and the loss of about 30 jobs here. The company will keep its...

Heifer International to partner with Elanco.(NONPROFIT)
August 4, 2008... Heifer International last week announced a partnership with Elanco of Greenfield, Ind., which makes veterinary medicines and products to improve animal health and productivity. Heifer, a nonprofit, and Elanco, a division of drug-maker Eli...

Securities Department halts three investment programs.(BANKING & FINANCE)(Global Partners Capital and Asia Pacific Energy Inc. into unregistered securities cases)
August 4, 2008... State Securities Commissioner Heath Abshure issued three cease-and-desist orders last week against companies and individuals for selling unregistered securities. The first orders Randolph Martin Sr., Charolett Martin and their Char-Ran Co....

Murphy Oil earnings rise 160% in 2q to $627 million.(Public Company Reports)(Financial report)
August 4, 2008... Murphy Oil Corp. said second-quarter net income was $627 million, or $3.27 a share, compared with $250.3 million, or $1.32 a share, in the second quarter of 2007. Analysts had expected earnings of $2.19. Net income for the period...

Acxiom reports earnings of $10.7m in first quarter.(Public Company Reports)(Financial report)
August 4, 2008... Acxiom Corp. reported first-quarter earnings of about $10.7 million, compared with a loss of about $13.7 million for the same quarter last year. The marketing services firm reported earnings of 14 cents a share on $331.1 million in...

P.A.M. Transportation turns to loss in second quarter.(Public Company Reports)(Financial report)
August 4, 2008... P.A.M. Transportation Services Inc. of Tontitown posted a second-quarter net loss of $1.3 million, or a loss of 14 cents a share, compared with net income of $2.2 million, or 21 cents a share, for the same period of 2007. For the first...

Tyson earnings plunge 91.8 percent in third quarter.(Public Company Reports)(Financial report)
August 4, 2008... Tyson Foods Inc. reported third-quarter net income of $9 million, a 91.8 percent decrease from the $111 million made during the same period last year. Earnings per share were 3 cents, compared with 31 cents in the same quarter last year....

First Federal earnings drop 34 percent in second quarter.(Public Company Reports)(Financial report)
August 4, 2008... First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas Inc. of Harrison saw second-quarter earnings fall 34 percent and cited the continued housing slump in northwest Arkansas as the culprit. The savings and loan holding company for First Federal Bank...

State venture conference sets application deadline.(BANKING & FINANCE)(Conference news)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... Entrepreneurs who want to compete for capital in the Arkansas Venture Forum Conference Nov. 18-19 in Little Rock must submit applications by Aug. 29. The conference will showcase a group of high-potential enterprises considered by the...

Aviation school partners with Little Rock Airport.(TRANSPORTATION)
August 4, 2008... Little Rock National Airport has partnered with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University to offer bachelor's or advanced degrees in aviation. Courses offered will apply to the Master of Aeronautical Sciences, Bachelor of Science in...

DSC Logistics opens facility in West Memphis.(Inside Business)
August 4, 2008... DSC Logistics opened a new 600,000-SF distribution facility at West Memphis last week that employs 50 people. "The logistical advantages of West Memphis make it a great site for the location of this distribution facility," Gov. Mike Beebe...

World's busiest airports.(BANKING & FINANCE)
August 4, 2008... World's Busiest Airports Passengers Airport (millions) 1 Atlanta (Hartsfield) 89.3 2 Chicago (O'Hare) 76 3 London (Heathrow) 68 4...

Benchmark opens doors of LEED-registered HQ.(NW Journal: A Look at News From Northwest Arkansas)(leadership in energy and environmental design)(headquarter)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... Rogers-based architecture firm Benchmark Group recently opened the doors to its new 118,000-SF, LEED-registered headquarters on North Second Street. The building, which had a permit value of $14 million, incorporates many sustainable...

Eureka hotel revenue down 7 percent in 2007.(NW Journal: A Look at News From Northwest Arkansas)
August 4, 2008... Revenue generated by Eureka Springs' hotels in 2007 slipped from its all-time high in 2006. Last year, the Eureka Springs City Advertising & Promotion Commission recorded revenue of about $19.24 million, which was down about 7 percent from...

Vendors' tourney raises $20,000 for scholarships.(NW Journal: A Look at News From Northwest Arkansas)
August 4, 2008... The 12th Vendors FORE Education golf tournament July 18 at Stonebridge Country Club in Fayetteville netted $20,000 to fund scholarships for students at the Walton College of Business Center for Retailing Excellence at the University of...

Malco renovating theater in Jonesboro, closing one.(NE Journal: A Look at News From Northeast Arkansas)
August 4, 2008... Malco Theaters Inc. of Memphis will close the Malco Cinema 13 in Jonesboro after the movie chain completes the renovations of its other Jonesboro theater. The renovations at the Malco Hollywood are expected to be completed by the beginning...

Jonesboro utility raising rates to offset losses.(NE Journal: A Look at News From Northeast Arkansas)
August 4, 2008... Jonesboro's City Water & Light said it would raise its water and wastewater rates to offset losses of $800,000 in the first six months of 2008. General Manager Ron Bowen said the rate increases were "pretty minor." An average...

2 New rice firms to add jobs in Craighead County.(NE Journal: A Look at News From Northeast Arkansas)
August 4, 2008... Two new rice companies in Craighead County are expected to add about 100 jobs, said Craighead County Judge Dale Haas. Windmill Rice Co. LLC of Jonesboro started operating June 15 and has 28 employees, said William Floyd, the company's chief...

Jonesboro woman files $1.8 million bankruptcy.(NE Journal: A Look at News From Northeast Arkansas)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... A Jonesboro woman recently filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation and listed $1.8 million in debt but only $14,000 in assets. Most of Sherri Tribble's debts were unsecured. One of the biggest was a nearly $700,000 purchase of an...

Marketplace Events LLC, a subsidiary of Stephens Capital Partners LLC, an affiliate of Stephens Inc., paid $53 million to take over the North American home show portfolio of DMG World Media of London.(Business Briefs)
August 4, 2008... Marketplace Events LLC, a subsidiary of Stephens Capital Partners LLC, an affiliate of Stephens Inc., paid $53 million to take over the North American home show portfolio of DMG World Media of London. Marketplace Events produces 38 consumer...

KPMG International.(Business Briefs)
August 4, 2008... Little Rock ranks second among 24 mid-sized U.S. cities with the most favorable tax structures for businesses, according to a study by KPMG International. The study ranked cities by the total taxes paid by corporations in a particular city and...

The Center for Retailing Excellence in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas is sponsoring its eighth annual full-day conference for the retail industry, titled "Growing in Today's Retail Environment.".(Business Briefs)(Conference news)
August 4, 2008... The Center for Retailing Excellence in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas is sponsoring its eighth annual full-day conference for the retail industry, titled "Growing in Today's Retail Environment." The...

BNSF Logistics LLC.(Business Briefs)
August 4, 2008... BNSF Logistics LLC of Springdale has been named one of the top logistics providers for the fifth consecutive year by readers of Inbound Logistics magazine in its annual "Top 10 Providers of 3PL Excellence" survey. More than 5,000 readers...

Wayne Richie, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Advantage Realty of Little Rock, has been elected secretary/treasurer.(Business Briefs)
August 4, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wayne Richie, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Advantage Realty of Little Rock, has been elected secretary/treasurer of the Sales & Marketing Executives International board for 2008-09.

CalArk International.(Business Briefs)
August 4, 2008... CalArk International of Little Rock recently opened a terminal at Taylor, Mich., to handle loads in and out of Canada, ensuring they are cleared for entry and/or exit. Currently, four shuttle drivers use the terminal as a home base, running in...

HiWired Inc. of Needham, Mass., has partnered with Windstream Corp. to provide online tech support for Windstream's Internet customers.(Business Briefs)
August 4, 2008... HiWired Inc. of Needham, Mass., has partnered with Windstream Corp. to provide online tech support for Windstream's Internet customers. Windstream TechHelp, powered by HiWired, will offer an instant tech support help desk for consumers needing...

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.(Business Briefs)
August 4, 2008... Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the nation's largest grocer, recently committed to buying more fruits and vegetables from local Arkansas farmers to keep produce prices down and provide fresh and healthful selections with its Locally Grown program....

Arkansas State University-Beebe recently received a $280,000 grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to continue its Floorhand Training Program at Searcy.(Business Briefs)
August 4, 2008... Arkansas State University-Beebe recently received a $280,000 grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to continue its Floorhand Training Program at Searcy. The program started in April with donations from Chesapeake Energy Corp.,...

The Arkansas Governor's Council on Fitness is accepting nominations for the 2008 Leadership in Physical Fitness Awards through Aug. 8.(Business Briefs)
August 4, 2008... The Arkansas Governor's Council on Fitness is accepting nominations for the 2008 Leadership in Physical Fitness Awards through Aug. 8. Organizations and individuals who have helped promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles are being...

Business dollars Spur Hotel boom in Northwest Arkansas.(Commercial Real Estate)
August 4, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] VISITORS TO NORTHWEST ARKANSAS have more options than ever when it comes to lodging, and 2008 will likely stand for some time as the year that brought the biggest single-year increase in hotel rooms in the area. ...

A legacy of controversy.(Commercial Real Estate)
August 4, 2008... THE WOODLAND HEIGHTS retirement center is the last vestige of a four-property settlement between the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System and Pat Riley St. The controversial deal that brought the project to the pension fund was struck in...

Landscape architects' role in developments growing.(Commercial Real Estate)
August 4, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE ROLE OF LANDSCAPE architecture in commercial development appears to be growing as developers express increased interest in environmental sustainability and aesthetics, practitioners of the trade say. Many...

Developments continue to spring up along Kanis Road.(Commercial Real Estate)
August 4, 2008... AS MORE DEVELOPMENTS blossom along the stretch of Kanis Road west of its intersection with Shackleford Road, the two-lane thoroughfare that bears vestiges of a simpler time will need some updating. Following is a look at the upcoming...

Fire sale Web site grows; lists discounted property.(Notes)
August 4, 2008... Response to Jerry Dou's Web site, nwafiresale.com, was so encouraging that real estate agents in central Arkansas have hired Revolution Technologies of Rogers to develop a statewide version. Dou, a Realtor and senior vice president with...

State's foreclosure filings up 3.8% in second quarter.(Notes)
August 4, 2008... Foreclosure filings were reported on 5,141 Arkansas properties during the second quarter, up 3.8 percent from the previous quarter and up 95 percent from the first quarter of 2007, according to RealtyTrac's Q2 2008 U.S. Foreclosure Market...

Apartment sector escapes fallout from foreclosures.(Notes)
August 4, 2008... Homeowners who've lost their houses to foreclosure have not been running to the apartment sector, according to the National Multi Housing Council. As a result, the credit quality of prospective renters is holding steady, suggesting that...

Property prices down three months in a row.(Notes)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... Commercial real estate prices were down 3.5 percent nationwide at the end of May from the previous month, according to Moodys/REAL Commercial Property Price Index. The index has posted negative returns for three consecutive months--the...

Job losses could push office vacancies to 18%.(Notes)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
August 4, 2008... Grubb & Ellis Co. of Chicago, a commercial real estate service and investment management firm, said a predicted loss of 2 million jobs would boost the national office vacancy rate to 18 percent by the end of 2009 The job loss translates...

Shake-up of NW market brings property management changes.(Overview)
August 4, 2008... The REAL ESTATE MELTDOWN IN northwest Arkansas left its mark this year's list of top commercial property management firms. Gone but not forgotten is Ben Israel's Dixie Development. Dixie Development ranked No. 7 with more than 1.4 million...

Commercial property management firms.(Commercial Real Estate)
August 4, 2008... Commercial Property Management Firms Ranked by gross square feet of office, retail and warehouse space managed Firm Address Phone, Fax, Web site Gross SF Key Contact 1 Colliers International ...

Pulling on the reins: Arkansas slows unlicensed contracting.(A PUBLIC SERVICE OF DAVIDSON LAW FIRM)
August 4, 2008... Shovel; hammer; workers: check. Am I ready to go to work as a contractor? Not just yet... Although many states do not require individuals who intend to work as contractors to seek any special license, Arkansas does. According to the...

Major D' Seyne.(New Businesses: A Listing of Business Start-Ups in Arkansas)
August 4, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Owners: Dennis Major and D Wharton Address: 5614 R St., Little Rock 72207 Phone: (501) 666-3522 Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Start-up: June 9, 2008 Combining their names, Dennis Major and D...

Pierce Law Firm PLLC.(New Businesses: A Listing of Business Start-Ups in Arkansas)
August 4, 2008... Owner: Ray Pierce Address: 13 Office Park Drive, Little Rock 72211 Phone: (501) 255-6936 Fax: (501) 907-7766 Start-up: Sept. 4, 2007 Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. E-mail: ray@piercelawfirmpllc.com Web Site:...

Calendar.(Calendar)
August 4, 2008... * 4--Community Development Institute Central Time: 8 am.-12 p.m. Location: UCA Brewer Hegeman Conference Center, Suite 102, 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway Fee: $650 For more information. call (501)450-5372 * 4--CompTIA +...

Bethany Bradford of Crafton Tull Sparks in Rogers has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accreditation.(ARCHITECTURE)
August 4, 2008... Bethany Bradford of Crafton Tull Sparks in Rogers has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accreditation. LEED is a third-party certification program managed by the Green Building Certification Institute in Washington, D.C.,...

Gwen Green has joined the Arkansas Small Business Development Center in Little Rock as a communications coordinator.(BUSINESS SERVICES)
August 4, 2008... Gwen Green has joined the Arkansas Small Business Development Center in Little Rock as a communications coordinator. Most recently, Green directed all communications for the Mississippi conference of the United Methodist Church.

Sean Glancy and Joy Matlock have joined the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Alumni Association's board of directors.(EDUCATION)
August 4, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Scan Glancy and Joy Matlock have joined the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Alumni Association's board of directors. Glancy is a 1980 UALR alumnus and works at Clary Development Corp....

BKD LLP.(FINANCIAL SERVICES)
August 4, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cindy Boyle has been promoted to managing partner at BKD LLP. Boyle will oversee the risk management group for one or more of the firm's offices. Boyle will be based in Little Rock.

Amanda Clark has joined Arvest Bank as an asset management investment client adviser.(FINANCIAL SERVICES)
August 4, 2008... Amanda Clark has joined Arvest Bank as an asset management investment client adviser. Clark will be based in Benton. Tanya Lanier has been hired as a commercial loan officer for the Hot Springs location. Neddie Suskie will replace Gabe...

First Federal Bank.(FINANCIAL SERVICES)
August 4, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Luke Harper has been promoted to teller supervisor at First Federal Bank in Farmington. Harper previously served as head teller and has been a team member since June 2006.

U.S. Small Business Administration Arkansas District Office.(GOVERNMENT)
August 4, 2008... Chuck Davis has been promoted to business development specialist by the U.S. Small Business Administration Arkansas District Office in Little Rock. Davis has more than 35 years of experience in domestic and international business.

Northwest Medical Center.(HEALTH CARE)
August 4, 2008... Caren Lyne of Fayetteville has been promoted to chief nursing officer at Northwest Medical Center in Springdale. Lyne most recently served as director of patient care services.

Crowne Plaza.(HOSPITALITY)
August 4, 2008... Shelby Tate has joined Crowne Plaza in Little Rock as the transient and entertainment sales manager. Tate was previously the corporate sales manager at the Peabody Little Rock.

Charlie Redford has joined Hall Manufacturing's dealer services team in North Little Rock.(MANUFACTURING)
August 4, 2008... Charlie Redford has joined Hall Manufacturing's dealer services team in North Little Rock. Redford is master certified in sales, customer service and management and has over 20 years of experience in sales and customer service.

MarketSearch.(MARKETING/MEDIA)
August 4, 2008... Adriane Harrell of Conway has joined MarketSearch in Little Rock as a research manager. Harrell most recently was a research manager at Circa Inc. in Morrilton.