The Foundation Fund Board plays a key role in stewarding private support for the university by providing oversight for foundation activities and serving as ambassadors for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock throughout the community. The board is chaired by J.R. Bizzell, senior vice president in the Risk Management Group at Stephens Insurance, who brings experience in risk strategy, financial analysis, and capital markets. Board members meet quarterly and help champion student scholarships, academic initiatives, and institutional growth.

鈥淲e are excited to welcome these outstanding leaders to the Foundation Fund Board,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. 鈥淓ach brings a unique perspective and strong ties to the business and civic communities that will help advance opportunities for our students and strengthen the university鈥檚 impact across Arkansas.鈥�

Anthony J. Brooks

Anthony J. Brooks has spent more than 30 years in the construction industry and is the president and owner of Platinum Drywall, Inc., a company he founded in 2001 with a vision of delivering exceptional service. Over the course of his career, Brooks has worked across all aspects of commercial construction, including estimating, project management, safety, and accounting.

Brooks is active in several industry organizations, including the American Subcontractors Association, the Associated General Contractors of America, and the Ceilings & Interior System Construction Association. In 2014, he and Platinum Drywall were recognized as the Arkansas Regional Minority Business of the Year. Outside of work, Brooks enjoys spending time with his wife, Shelia, and their two sons, Asa and Alex, and is active in his church and community.

Rob Gunther

Rob Gunther is a certified public accountant with more than 25 years of accounting and tax experience. He currently serves as chairman of the executive committee for Frost, PLLC, where he has worked since 2001.

Gunther鈥檚 work focuses primarily on consulting within the agriculture and food processing industries, particularly in the broiler, egg, turkey, and pork sectors. His expertise includes income and estate planning as well as regulatory compliance. He is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences, sharing insights on taxation and estate planning.

Ryan Holder

Ryan Holder serves as managing director of Strategic M&A Advisors. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Master of Accountancy from the University of Mississippi and is a certified public accountant.

Throughout his career, Holder has worked in a variety of roles focused on entrepreneurship, business transactions, valuation, and capital raising. He has started, operated, and sold multiple businesses while helping companies across industries raise private equity and debt capital. Prior to joining Strategic M&A Advisors, Holder served as director of business services for a large Arkansas-based CPA firm.

Brad McBride

Brad McBride is vice president and senior relationship manager for global commercial banking at Bank of America in Little Rock. In his role, he works with middle-market companies generating between $50 million and $2 billion in annual revenue, providing financial solutions in areas such as treasury management, credit, investment banking, international banking, and wealth management.

McBride began his career with Bank of America in Little Rock in 2011, working in credit before gaining additional experience in Amarillo, Texas, and St. Louis. He returned to Little Rock in 2016 to focus on delivering commercial banking services to public and private clients throughout the region.

Tracey Rancifer Rittelmeyer

Tracey Rancifer Rittelmeyer is president of Ausum Realty, Inc. and an entrepreneur, developer, and managing broker with extensive experience in real estate management, development, and economic development.

She earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science from Rhodes College and a Master of Public Administration with honors from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Rittelmeyer has held numerous leadership roles within the real estate profession, including serving with the National Association of Realtors, Arkansas Realtors Association, and the Arkansas Real Estate Foundation.

Appointed by three Arkansas governors, she has served on several state boards, including the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, where she served as chairman in 2022, as well as the Arkansas Real Estate Commission and the Little Rock Port Authority Board. Rittelmeyer is also an advocate for women in business and was named the Women鈥檚 Business Council Southwest Regional Volunteer of the Year in 2023 for helping more than 100 companies achieve certification as women-owned businesses.

Amy Wren

Amy Wren, J.D., serves as a director and wealth advisor at Forvis Mazars and brings more than 30 years of experience in legal and financial services. Her work focuses on helping individuals and families navigate complex financial planning and long-term decision-making.

Wren is a proud 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumna, earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology before completing her law degree at the William H. Bowen School of Law. She remains actively involved in the community through volunteer service with Ronald McDonald House and previously served on the Pulaski County Bar Association Foundation board.

Originally from the Midwest, Wren has called Little Rock home for many years. She and her husband, Keith Wren鈥攁lso a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and Bowen School of Law graduate鈥攈ave three grown children, two sons-in-law, two grandchildren, a great-grandchild, and a beloved family dog.

Learn More 

Through their leadership and community connections, these new board members will help champion the university鈥檚 efforts to support students, strengthen academic programs, and build partnerships that benefit the community.

Learn more about the Office of Alumni and Development at . 

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Welcomes New Members to Foundation Fund Board appeared first on News.

This year鈥檚 picnic will feature a special Celebration of Champions theme, recognizing the outstanding achievements of that brought home conference titles from 2023 to 2025.

Honorees include the 2024 and 2025 OVC Tournament Champion Baseball Team, the 2024 OVC Regular-Season Champion Men鈥檚 Basketball Team, the 2023 OVC Regular-Season Champion Women鈥檚 Basketball Team, the 2023 and 2025 OVC Champion Men鈥檚 Golf Team, the 2024 OVC Champion Women鈥檚 Golf Team, the 2024 and 2025 OVC Champion Men鈥檚 Indoor Track and Field Team, the 2024 OVC Champion Men鈥檚 Outdoor Track and Field Team, and the 2024 and 2025 Pac-12 Dual Meet Champion Wrestling Team.

The annual picnic will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center, where students, employees, alumni, and friends of the university can gather to enjoy barbecue, music, and fellowship.

Whole Hog Cafe will cater the event, with vegetarian burgers available, and cookies from Community Bakery will be served. DJ Klassik Entertainment, owned by alumnus Jonathan Nunn, will keep the celebration lively with music, while the Trojan Pep Band and Maximus will join the festivities. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumnus Travis 鈥淭re鈥� Day鈥� Rowan, host of the Drive Time Show on Power 92.3FM, will be broadcasting live from BBQ at Bailey. 

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to welcome everyone back for BBQ at Bailey, a tradition that unites our community,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. 鈥淭his year we鈥檒l celebrate our championship teams and make the day even more special with alumni and community volunteers, including our Alumni Board and Foundation Fund Board members, stepping up to serve in honor of our student-athletes, who traditionally fill that role.鈥�

Frank Cuervo, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 director of , added that this year鈥檚 celebration is a fitting way to spotlight the dedication of the university鈥檚 student-athletes.

鈥淥ur teams truly embody the pride, passion, and spirit of Little Rock鈥攏ot only through their championship success on the field, but also through their dedication and achievement in the classroom,鈥� Cuervo said. 鈥淭his celebration is about more than trophies and titles. It鈥檚 about honoring the relentless effort, teamwork, and Trojan pride that define our student-athletes. We can鈥檛 wait to bring the entire university community together to share in these incredible accomplishments and celebrate in true Trojan fashion.鈥�

Hosted by the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors, BBQ at Bailey remains one of the university鈥檚 favorite traditions, uniting students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community supporters at the start of the academic year. Guests are also invited to visit with student organizations, snap photos at the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock backdrop, view their bricks on the alumni patio, and enjoy lawn games on the alumni patio.

The celebration also highlights 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Centennial Campaign, a historic fundraising initiative leading up to the university鈥檚 100th anniversary in 2027. Focused on scholarships, student support, program excellence, and enhancing the living and learning environment, the campaign reflects the same spirit of community and excellence that shines each year at BBQ at Bailey.

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to Celebrate Champions at Annual BBQ at Bailey appeared first on News.

The newly appointed board members are Christian Gwatney, Karen Kitchens, Stuart McLendon, and A.J. Thomas. They join under the leadership of Board Chair Alec Gaines and Vice Chair J.R. Bizzell, who currently serve as officers of the Foundation Fund Board.

鈥淲e are delighted to welcome these talented and accomplished individuals to our Foundation Fund Board,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock 鈥淓ach of them brings a unique perspective and deep community ties that will help further our mission of supporting student success and building a stronger 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�

Christian Gwatney is a 2013 graduate of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in economics and a third-generation car dealer and owner of the family business Gwatney Chevrolet. A former small business owner, she brings a strategic and customer-focused perspective to the automotive industry, where she leads initiatives to make the car-buying experience more transparent, efficient, and family-oriented as well as partners with certified child passenger safety technicians for community events. 

Gwatney is also active in the community, serving on the boards of Argenta Contemporary Theater and the Arkansas National Guard Foundation in honor of her grandfather, former Arkansas Adjutant General Harold Gwatney. She honors her family鈥檚 legacy at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock through the Bill Gwatney Memorial Scholarship, named for her late father and the former state senator. Christian is married and the mother of three sons.

Karen Kitchens, vice president in the Emerging Middle Market and Specialized Industries group with JPMorgan Chase, brings three decades of experience in commercial banking to the board. In her role, she is focused on building the JPMC brand in Arkansas, particularly targeting commercial businesses with revenues of $20 million or more. 

Based in Hot Springs, Kitchens is well-known for her work supporting mid-sized businesses and her leadership in civic organizations including the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness, and the Oaklawn Rotary, where she was named 2022 Rotarian of the Year. Beyond banking and community service, Kitchens owns a thoroughbred horse boarding facility with her fianc茅 and is a U.S. Masters Swimming Adult Swim Instructor. She holds an MBA from the University of Dayton and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology from Mercer University.

Stuart McLendon, chief financial officer of DYNE, manages the company鈥檚 financing, investor relations, and business planning activities. He is a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Donaghey Scholar alumnus and graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration. When not spending time with his wife Mandi and their three children, he has developed the next generation of entrepreneurs by previously teaching finance and management at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as well as mentoring through startup accelerator and incubator programs.

A.J. Thomas, a mortgage professional with Centennial Bank, is a proud graduate of Little Rock Central High School and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He serves on the boards of Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas and The Centers for Youth and Families and is also pastor of Greater New Hope Baptist Church. Thomas and his wife Devynne have three children: Hailey, Evan, and Elliott.

The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Foundation Fund Board plays a key role in stewarding private support for the university, providing oversight for Foundation Fund activities and serving as ambassadors for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock throughout the region. Board members meet quarterly and help champion student scholarships, academic initiatives, and institutional growth.

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Welcomes Four New Members to Foundation Fund Board appeared first on News.

Rodney Abston, Misty Baugh, and Detrich Wiley will join the board in its mission to support the university鈥檚 long-term financial health and student success initiatives.

Abston, a 2001 MBA graduate, serves as senior vice president and commercial banking leader at Regions Bank, where he has worked for 17 years. He was recognized as the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock School of Business Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 2023.

Abston is an active community leader, serving as a nine-year board member for Habitat for Humanity, where he chairs business development efforts. He is also a member of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and Fifty for the Future. Abston and his wife, Tracy, have two sons, Blake and Phillip.

Baugh, a first-generation college graduate, earned both her Bachelor of Science in Accounting (2004) and Master of Science in Taxation (2010) from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock while working full-time. She currently serves as vice president and director of tax at Simmons Bank, where she oversees corporate income tax, property tax, escheatment, and information reporting.

With 20 years of experience in multi-state corporate tax, Baugh is a certified public accountant who has also worked extensively in tax credit projects and mergers and acquisitions. She previously served on the Board of Directors for Reach Out and Read Arkansas and is an emeritus member of the Methodist Family Health Foundation Board.

Wiley, a 2003 mathematics graduate, is the director of market solutions management at Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield. She leads a team driving digital transformation and is recognized for her problem-solving expertise and commitment to excellence. Wiley was featured in Inviting Arkansas鈥� Women in STEAM in 2023 and is a graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XXXVIII. She lives in Sherwood with her husband, Corrie, and their two sons, Jonathan and Peyton.

鈥淲e are thrilled to welcome Rodney, Misty, and Detrich to the Foundation Fund Board,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭heir professional expertise and deep commitment to our university will play a vital role in advancing our mission and expanding opportunities for our students.鈥�

The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Foundation Fund Board plays a crucial role in fostering philanthropy and financial stewardship to support scholarships, academic programs, and institutional growth. Board members meet four times a year to oversee 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Foundation Fund activities as well as serve as ambassadors for the university in the community, state, and region. With the addition of these accomplished alumni, the board continues to strengthen its impact on the university鈥檚 future.

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Welcomes New Foundation Fund Board Members appeared first on News.