The annual award recognizes an Arkansas business leader whose innovation, leadership, and commitment to service have made a lasting impact on the state. During the ceremony, university and community leaders joined Rotary Club members to unveil a portrait of Schueck that will hang in the Reynolds Center for the next year.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a pleasure to be with you today representing 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock at this celebration of leadership, innovation, and service,鈥� said Dr. Christina S. Drale, chancellor of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淥n behalf of our university, I want to thank the Rotary Club of Little Rock for your ongoing partnership and commitment to building a stronger, more connected community. Rotary鈥檚 mission of service above self aligns beautifully with our work at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�

Drale highlighted Schueck鈥檚 long history of innovation and leadership as CEO of .

鈥淔ew companies embody that spirit of innovation and impact more clearly than Lexicon, and few leaders more fully than Patrick Schueck,鈥� Drale said. 鈥淎s CEO, Patrick has grown Lexicon into a billion-dollar enterprise that has not only reshaped skylines across the country but transformed the economic landscape of Arkansas. Under his leadership, Lexicon has led landmark projects, expanded into new markets, and pioneered advancements in automated steel fabrication, all while investing deeply in the people behind the work.鈥�

Drale also recognized the Schueck family鈥檚 enduring legacy of philanthropy and support for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淟ike your father, Tom, who was so generous to our campus, your own leadership continues that legacy of partnership and impact,鈥� Drale said. 鈥淔rom the auditorium that proudly bears your family鈥檚 name to the opportunities you鈥檙e creating for future generations, the Schueck family鈥檚 contributions will be felt on this campus for decades to come.鈥�

Schueck鈥檚 leadership extends well beyond construction and steel. Through initiatives like Lexicon University, launched in 2022, and Strong as Steel: Building Mental Might, introduced in 2024, he is redefining how companies support their workforce by providing educational opportunities, mental health resources, and wellness services. His company鈥檚 work has helped make Mississippi County the top steel-producing county in the nation, fueling regional economic growth and transforming Arkansas into a major force in the steel industry.

鈥淧atrick, your leadership sets a powerful example 鈥� not only for business, but for all of us who care deeply about community and the future of Arkansas,鈥� Drale said.

In his remarks, Schueck expressed deep gratitude to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Rotary Club 99, and the many mentors and colleagues who have supported him throughout his career.

鈥淚 want to thank Dr. Christina Drale for those kind words and for everything 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock does to prepare the next generation of leaders,鈥� Schueck said. 鈥淲hen I look around this room, I see partners, mentors, and friends who鈥檝e been part of my journey and part of Lexicon鈥檚 story. This award may have my name on it, but it really belongs to the people who make our company and our community strong. At Lexicon, we like to say that steel builds our structures, but people build our success. I鈥檝e learned that if you take care of your people, they will take care of everything else.鈥�

Schueck鈥檚 belief in taking care of his people has guided the company鈥檚 investments in training, safety, and innovation.

鈥淔rom our high school partnerships that introduce young people to the trades, to Lexicon University, where employees can keep growing their skills and their careers 鈥� the steel we build lasts for generations, and so does the impact of investing in people,鈥� he said.

He also spoke about his family鈥檚 long-standing partnership with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and the importance of community leadership.

鈥淢y family has long believed in supporting this university because it鈥檚 an engine of opportunity for students, for businesses, and for our state,鈥� Schueck said. 鈥淩otary鈥檚 mission 鈥� Service Above Self 鈥� is something I try to live out every day. Whether it鈥檚 through our work, our mentorship, or our community engagement, I believe leadership is about lifting others up. That鈥檚 how we build not just great companies but great communities.鈥�

Following Schueck鈥檚 remarks, Drale joined Jason Chacko, immediate past president of Rotary Club 99, to unveil the portrait commemorating Schueck鈥檚 recognition as the 2025 Business and Professional Leader of the Year.

As CEO of Lexicon, Schueck has overseen major strategic growth, including the acquisition of Steel Fabricators of Monroe and Universal and the transformation of Prospect Steel into a global leader in automated robotic fabrication. His leadership has guided the company鈥檚 involvement in some of the nation鈥檚 most significant construction projects, from Chicago鈥檚 McCormick Center expansion and AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to NASA鈥檚 Stennis A3 Test Stand and Nucor Corporation sites.

Schueck鈥檚 influence also extends into civic and nonprofit leadership. He serves as chairman of the Clinton National Airport Commission, sits on the executive committee of the Little Rock Regional Chamber, and is a member of the University of Arkansas College of Engineering Dean鈥檚 Advisory Council. He also serves on the boards of Arkansas Children鈥檚 Hospital, Easterseals Arkansas, Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineering, American Institute of Steel Construction, and US Bank.

Chacko closed the ceremony by thanking Schueck for his leadership and inviting attendees to continue the celebration over lunch.

鈥淧atrick Schueck鈥檚 vision, commitment, and leadership reflect the very best of Arkansas business and community spirit,鈥� Chacko said. 鈥淲e are proud to honor his contributions and celebrate the difference he continues to make for our state and beyond.鈥�

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To commemorate her achievements, a portrait of Glasbrenner, co-founder, president, and CEO of Smiley Technologies, Inc., was unveiled in the Reynolds Center for Business and Economic Development, celebrating her exemplary leadership and contributions to the business community.

鈥淚 am truly humbled and honored to receive this award from Rotary and to stand here among so many esteemed colleagues and friends,鈥� Glasbrenner said. 鈥淢y journey has been one of dedication, hard work, and a commitment to serving others, and I am grateful for the support I鈥檝e received along the way. This recognition is not just mine; it belongs to everyone who has been a part of my life and my career.鈥�

Glasbrenner鈥檚 father, Walter Smiley, also received the prestigious award in 1989 for his role as founder of Systematics, Inc., one of the state鈥檚 first technology-based corporations. Smiley and Glasbrenner are the first father-daughter duo to be awarded the Business and Professional Leader of the Year Award.

鈥淭he Rotary Business and Professional Leader of the Year Award represents the best of what our community has to offer 鈥� leaders who are not only successful in their field, but also committed to making a difference in the lives of others,鈥� 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale said. 鈥淓lizabeth Glasbrenner is one such leader.鈥�

Building on their father鈥檚 success in the financial technology business, Glasbrenner and her brother founded Smiley Technologies in 2002 after seeing a need for better customer service and continuing innovation in the core banking industry.

Her tenure as president and CEO since 2015 has propelled the company to significant growth, earning it national recognition. In 2021, Glasbrenner was the only person from Arkansas to be selected to the first class of Forbes Next 1000, highlighting her as one of the most promising entrepreneurs in the country.

鈥淭oday, Elizabeth鈥檚 company is a thriving, successful industry partner to a growing number of financial institutions and community banks,鈥� Drale said. 鈥淧eople choose Smiley Technologies because they invest in relationships, they invest in innovation, and they invest in their community. This is the Elizabeth Glasbrenner legacy and why we are honored to recognize her.鈥�

Immediate Past President of Rotary Club of Little Rock Natalie Ghidotti recognized Glasbrenner as an exceptional individual who has made significant contributions to the community.

鈥淩otary鈥檚 Business and Professional Leader of the Year Committee really thought Elizabeth鈥檚 story of how she has grown Smiley Technologies, all while investing in the community and caring for her family has made her an exceptional leader,鈥� Ghidotti said.

Glasbrenner is married to a world-class athlete and motivational speaker, Jeff Glasbrenner. They have two children, Grace and Gavin. Glasbrenner serves as the president of the Board of Directors of Camp Aldersgate.

鈥淓lizabeth is our volunteer leader and helps us lead governance, strategy, and oversees fiduciary strategy on behalf of our board,鈥� said Sonya Murphy, CEO of Camp Aldersgate. 鈥淓lizabeth has a very unique pairing of skills. She helps bring out the best in people, both in their skills and their attitude in life.鈥�

After the ceremony, Glasbrenner shared her knowledge with students from the School of Business. Dr. April Sledge, assistant professor of management, welcomed Glasbrenner to share her insights with her entrepreneurship class.

鈥淓lizabeth captivated entrepreneurs students with her inspiring journey, demonstrating how a single idea can evolve into something monumental,鈥� Sledge said. 鈥淪he showed the key lessons she learned in her journey thus far, giving great insight to the good and bad of owning a business. The students commented on the real-world perspective she brought to the classroom, connecting so many of the concepts taught in class. She was a prime example of her achievement, Rotary Business and Leader of the Year!鈥�

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