Western Arkansas Planning and Development District

Summer 2020 Outreach Summary
Miscellaneous Interview Comments
- Almost every firm tried to get assistance
- Most small businesses have been compliant
- Possible false sense of security in rural areas
- Most organizations are adjusting; some noted layoffs but have brought them back since
- Larger organizations and cities have disaster plans with differing usefulness
- The region is doing okay overall, as prepared as possible
Mom and pop shops | Lawn care | Chambers of Commerce | Local boutiques | Churches | Tanning salons | Tire shops | Flower shops | Mechanics | Auto parts manufacturer



WAPDD Advisory Committee Members
Randy McClaren II
Plant Manager, Bekaert
Ryan Gehrig
President, Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
Steve Dufresne
Director of Utilities, Van Buren Water
Lance Lanier
Executive Vice President, Citizens Bank and Trust
Drake Smith
Director of Sales, Pinnacle Telecom
Brandon Fisher
IT/GIS Manager, Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative
Jordan Hale
Field Representative, Office of U.S. Representative Steve Womack
Jessi Solley
Field Representative, Office of U.S. Senator John Boozman
Chris Hoover
Field Representative, Office of U.S. Senator Tom Cotton
Kelsey Kelton
Arkansas Economic Development Commission
Jackie Krutsch
Executive Director of Development, Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Seth Smith
Mayor, City of Mena
Brandon Nelson
City Administrator, City of Waldron
Maryl Purvis
Executive Director, Van Buren A&P
Robert Herrera
Bank Lender, First Western Booneville
Claude Legris
Executive Director, Fort Smith A&P
Jason Green
Human Resource Business Partner, ABB
Lorie Robertson
Director of Marketing, Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority
Rod Lovan
Owner, Stirling Soap
Tonya Baumgartner
Executive Director, Paris Chamber of Commerce
Rob Ratley
Community Affairs Manager, OG+E Energy Corp.
Justin Smith
Chief Business/Community Outreach Officer, Arkansas Technical University-Ozark
Janie Wann
Human Resources Manager, Rockline Industries
Eddie Melton
Market President, Bank OZK
Dr. Ken Warden
Dean, College of Applied Science and Technology, University of Arkansas Fort Smith
Daniel Rogers
Mayor, City of Paris
Dennis Gilstrap
Judge, Crawford County
Greg Aleshire
Contractor, Aleshire Electric
Gary Baxter
Mayor, City of Mulberry
Doug Kinslow
Mayor, City of Greenwood
Jennifer Turner
Career and Technical Education Coordinator, Guy Fenter Education Service Cooperative
Brad Thomas
Director, Crawford County Office of Emergency Management
Tobi Miller
Director, Logan County Office of Emergency Management
Susan Bulger
Executive Director, South Logan County Chamber
Melissa McClintock
Owner, Big River Roller Manufacturing
Rachel Mize
President, Stark Manufacturing
Sam Sicard
President and CEO, First National Bank
Russ Bragg
Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, OK Foods
Lance Logsdon
Operations Manager, Simmons Foods
Jacob Abrey
Administrative Specialist, Baptist Health
Melodie Bauhof
Director of Logistics & Custom Affairs, Pernod Ricard USA
Steve Vicary
Director, Purchased Transportation, ABF Freight
Sam McCain
Senior Director of Operations, USA Truck
Phillip Wilson
Chancellor, University of Arkansas Rich Mountain