- University News Archive - ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock /news-archive/tag/alumni-board-of-directors/ ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Tue, 25 Jan 2022 17:17:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Business and Community Leaders join ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors /news-archive/2022/01/25/2022-alumni-board-members/ Tue, 25 Jan 2022 17:17:52 +0000 /news/?p=80900 ... Business and Community Leaders join ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors]]> New members include Rebecca Flynn, director of development for Women’s Foundation of Arkansas; Justin Martin, vice president at Capstone Banktech; Jonathan Nunn, director of information security at Bank of England Mortgage; Sheena Olson, government relations liaison for Arkansas Children’s Hospital; and Kristie Smith, owner and principal broker for KSmith Properties. Dr. Danyell Crutchfield Cummings, director of assessment and accountability at Little Rock School District, will serve as the 2022 president of the ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Board of Directors. Cummings earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature, a master’s degree in secondary education, and a Ed.S. in education administration and supervision from ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock. All new board members are ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock alumni who will serve a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2022. More information on the new board members: Rebecca Flynn is an experienced fundraising professional with expertise executing comprehensive development campaigns and large events. A central Arkansas native, she holds a bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College and a Master of Public Administration from ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock.
Becky Flynn

Becky Flynn

Flynn’s work with nonprofits began at the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, where she spent six years raising money for music and music education. She is passionate about her work at the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas to ensure economic security for Arkansas women and girls. She is also involved with the Association of Fundraising Professionals and is a member of the 4300 Club at the Home for Healing. Justin Martin earned a Bachelor Business Administration in Finance degree from ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock and also attended the William H. Bowen School of Law. After graduating from college, Martin worked for a GMAC Finance company and the Small Business Administration, where he helped liquidate thousands of 7A and 504 Loans. His banking career includes vast experience in relationship, portfolio, distressed loan, and Cash Flow management.
Justin Martin

Justin Martin

In his current role at Capstone Banktech, Martin is responsible for leading the Business Sales, Bank and Lender Training in conjunction with managing overall risk of the banks and businesses. He is licensed in five states for Trade Credit Insurance and is also a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. Over the years, he has been an active participant in the International Factoring Association and is an active member of his community through volunteering and donating to local charities, schools, and special cause groups. Jonathan Nunn serves as director of information security at Bank of England Mortgage. In addition to his passion for technology, Nunn is a prominent figure in the central Arkansas special events industry as founder and owner of Klassik Entertainment, a full-service production company that has performed services for more than 500 events over the last eight years. Additionally, he is the principal of Nunn Development Group Inc., which is a rising firm focused on infill development projects within Little Rock.
Jonathan Nunn

Jonathan Nunn

A native of Conway, Nunn earned a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock in 2009. He serves as a member of the Rebuild the Rock Committee, the Little Rock Historic District Commission, and North Little Rock Young Professionals and volunteers for career events with Little Rock School District and National Society of Black Engineers. Sheena Olson earned bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and Spanish, a Master of Public Administration, and a Juris Doctor, all from ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock. Most recently, Olson completed her master’s degree in public service from the University of Arkansas-Clinton School of Public Service as a member of the inaugural class of the Clinton School Online.
Sheena Olsen

Sheena Olson

At Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Olson represents the health system in its interactions with government officials. She is an advocate for children’s health and well-being as well as healthcare operations and government programs such as Medicaid. She has previously worked in private law practice, Pulaski County Youth Services, City of Little Rock Housing and Neighborhoods Programs, and the Arkansas Department of Human Services Kristie Smith is the owner and principal broker for KSmith Properties as well as an instructor for the KSmith Real Estate Institute. She earned bachelor’s degrees in consumer psychology and mass communication from ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock and a Master of Business Administration from Walden University. She has served as an adjunct professor for The University of Phoenix, Strayer University, and Remington College.
Kristie Smith

Kristie Smith

After working in television and marketing, Smith started her real estate career at Armbrust Real Estate Institute in Denver. After returning to Arkansas, she worked for McKimmey Associates Realtors and Crye-Leike Realtors of Arkansas before starting KSmith Properties Realty in 2019.]]> Business leaders join ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors /news-archive/2020/02/12/business-leaders-join-alumni-board/ Wed, 12 Feb 2020 20:54:23 +0000 /news/?p=76222 ... Business leaders join ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors]]> Alumni Board of Directors. New members include Eundra Boles, vice president of information technology services at Celerit Solutions Corporation; Ellen Brown, farmer engagement manager for Heifer USA; Victoria Brown, associate state director of AARP Arkansas; Loris Fullerton, travel agent with Westrock Travel and 2019 recipient of ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock’s Presidents Award; and Claudia Utley, communications director at Economics Arkansas. ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors members who have taken on leadership roles include James Bobo, president; Jennifer Owens, scholarship committee chair, Stephanie Caruthers, Taste of Little Rock chair, and Gina Pharis, membership committee chair. All new board members are ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock alumni who will serve a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2020. More information on the new board members: Eundra Boles is the vice president of information technology services of Celerit Solutions Corporation. He has over 25 years of expertise in keeping financial infrastructures current, safe, and secure. He leads a team of seasoned technicians, providing around-the-clock protection to keep your network safe from the new and sophisticated cyber-threats faced today, while looking to the future for the next surfacing risk. Boles graduated from ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems in 1996. He also completed his MBA at the American Intercontinental University in 2004. He enjoys sporting events, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. Ellen Brown has worked for Heifer International for six years and currently serves as the farmer engagement manager for Heifer USA. In this role, she oversees Heifer International’s outreach to farmers in the United States. Brown graduated from ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock with a Bachelor of Arts in international studies and certification in nonprofit management in 2013. She also has a Master of Science in community and economic development from the University of Central Arkansas. Brown also serves on the City of Little Rock’s Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission. Victoria Brown, associate state director of AARP Arkansas, has worked successfully to improve communications and social media footprints among public sector and nonprofit organizations. Brown leads AARP Arkansas’ initiative to increase communications, heads up the organization’s website and social media, and works closely on AARP’s multicultural activities. She has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Philander Smith College and a Master of Public Administration degree from ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock in 2014. Loris Fullerton is the recipient of the 2019 Presidents Award. Over the past decade, Fullerton has helped raise more than $1 million for scholarships during her nine years chairing Jazz & Juleps, which benefited the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology. Fullerton graduated from ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock in 1974 with bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology. She worked several years in the banking and investment industries before following her passion to be a travel agent. An endowed scholarship in her name has been awarded to a student studying audiology and speech pathology since 2014. Claudia Utley graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in English and began working as a fashion journalist in Los Angeles. Utley worked as a communications analyst for Alltel Corp. while earning an MBA at ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock in 2000. She also worked as a public information officer for the Department of Arkansas Heritage. In 2012, Utley joined Economics Arkansas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting economic, personal finance, and entrepreneurship literacy among Arkansas PreK-12 students. Initially responsible for grant writing, donor management, and fundraising activities, Utley was recently promoted to the newly created role of communications director. In the upper right photo, new members of the ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors include Eundra Boles, top left, Victoria Brown, top right, Loris Fullerton, bottom left, and Claudia Utley, bottom right. Ellen Brown is not pictured. ]]> Nine new business leaders join ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni  Board /news-archive/2019/02/21/alumni-board/ Thu, 21 Feb 2019 19:12:37 +0000 /news/?p=73497 ... Nine new business leaders join ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni  Board]]> The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Alumni Association has announced officers and new members on its Board of Directors for 2019. New members are all ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock alumni and include the following: Reteisha Byrd (’14, ’16), research manager with Boyette Strategic Advisors  Byrd earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in management and a Master of Public Administration. While completing her coursework, Byrd worked as a graduate assistant for the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Pulaski County and interned at Little Rock Port Authority. She is an annual member of the ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Association. Josh Davenport (’09), co-founder of Seal Energy Solutions Davenport received a Bachelor of Science in construction management and a Master of Business Administration. He serves the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce as vice chairman of the board of directors, volunteers as secretary of the Argenta Downtown Council, and is president of the Arkansas Association of Energy Engineers. Davenport is a three-year member of the ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Association. Tonya Franzetti (’99), executive oncology sales consultant, Lilly Franzetti earned a biology degree from ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock and has had a 20-year career in healthcare. She served as an advisor for the Gamma Zeta chapter of Chi Omega at ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock and was instrumental in the planning and fundraising during their 50th anniversary celebration. She volunteered with the Junior League of Little Rock for eight years and chaired the Holiday House event in 2010. She has been active with Christ the King schools, the alumnae board at Mount St. Mary’s, and Our House. She is an annual member of the ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Association. Heide Harrell (’10), director of marketing and business development, Rose Law Firm   Harrell has a master’s degree in applied communication studies. She has the designation of Accredited in Public Relations (APR) by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and is a past president of the Arkansas Chapter of PRSA. Harrell is the immediate past chair of the Southwest District of PRSA and served on the 2018 PRSA National Board of Directors Nominating Committee. Previously, she spent eight years at Stone Ward and Mangan Holcomb Partners after five years at the former Delta Trust & Bank. She is a graduate of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Greater Little Rock program and is an annual member of the ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Association. Madison Hedrick (’09), senior medical writer, Wilson Carroll Research Services, LLC Hedrick earned a Bachelor of Arts in professional and technical writing and a Master of Arts. While she was a student, she served as president of the University Program Council and Alpha Epsilon Delta honor society, was elected president pro-temp of the Student Government Association and membership chair for Delta Delta Delta; and represented the graduate students on the Faculty Diversity Committee. She is a lifetime member of the ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Association. Patricia (Patsy) Kane (’01, ’12, ’17), Owner, PK Designs After earning a degree from Auburn University, Kane jump-started her career when she finished her second bachelor’s degree from ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock in political science. She made the transition to Verizon after working in a variety of roles at Alltel, while completing a graduate certificate and Master of Science in information quality. Kane is an active member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority at both the national and local levels and is a previous district president. She currently works at First Orion. Kane is a lifetime member of the ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Association. Richard (Gus) Leeper (‘15), Hot Springs branch of the Private Client Group at Stephens Inc. Leeper graduated with a bachelor’s degree in management and international business. As a student, Leeper was a star basketball athlete, earning five varsity letters. He served as the team representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and was named to the Sun Belt Conference Commissioners list. Leeper serves on the Lettermen’s Association Board and is a lifetime member of the ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Association. Miguel Lopez (’15, ’17), Hispanic resource officer, First Community Bank A native of Sherwood, Lopez received his bachelor’s degree in political science, a master’s degree in public administration, and a certification in nonprofit management. During his time at ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock, he was a Ronald E. McNair Scholar. After graduating, he became the first director of entrepreneurship and small business programming for the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, where he was instrumental in connecting the Mexican Consulate with the chamber to develop programs aimed at equipping Hispanic entrepreneurs. Lopez serves on the boards of Just Communities of Arkansas, Harmony Health Clinic, Goodwill of Arkansas Education Initiatives, and Museum of Discovery. He is a three-year member of the ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Association. Nancy Rousseau (‘90), principal, Little Rock Central High School After teaching English at Pulaski Academy for a decade and another five years at Pulaski Heights Junior High School, Rousseau completed a master’s degree in educational administration from ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock. She was then hired as assistant principal of Central High School. In 1998, she became principal of Pulaski Heights Junior High School where she led the school’s transition from a junior high to a middle school. She returned to Central High in 2002 as principal and has been a champion of the school and its students, faculty, and alumni, helping to create a Central High Alumni Association as well as a Tiger Foundation to support the school. Rousseau has served on the boards of The Arkansas Association of Secondary School Principals, Central Arkansas Library and the Stephens Education Trust. Rousseau is a lifetime member of the ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Association. Officers of the ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors for 2019 include Becky Blass, president; James Bobo, president elect and membership committee chair; Gina Pharis, membership committee co-chair; Nancy Secen, scholarship committee chair; Jennifer Owens, scholarship committee co-chair; Mauri Douglass, Taste of Little Rock chair; and Stephanie Caruthers, Taste of Little Rock co-chair. Members are eligible to serve up to two three-year terms, and officers serve one-year terms. The Board of Directors of the ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni Association serve as leaders for the university’s alumni family. They work to energize and engage ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock alumni and friends through membership,  events, and opportunities to give back to support students and scholarships. Pictured are above are new member of the ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Little Rock Alumni  Board of Directors. (Top Row) Heide Harrell, Gus Leeper, and Tonya Franzetti; (Middle Row) Reteisha Byrd, Patsy Kane, and Nancy Rousseau; (Bottom Row) Josh Davenport, Madison Hedrick, and Miguel Lopez  ]]>