LeadershipWWeb

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Greg Brown believes in authenticity, work ethic (grit), and decisiveness. Listen to Greg’s full podcast at: https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/greg-brown

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Jess Hendrix believes in balance, learning, and authenticity. Listen to Jess’ full podcast at: https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/jessica-hendrix

John N. Roberts III is the President and Chief Executive Officer of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. and serves on the company’s Board of Directors. Before this appointment, effective January 1, 2011, John served the company as Executive Vice President and President of its Dedicated Contract Services (DCS) division for more than 13 years. In 1988, John received a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and began his career with J.B. Hunt as a Manager Trainee. His work at the company has included business development (sales) for all asset-based services. He has also served as Vice President of Marketing Strategy for the corporation. Outside of J.B. Hunt, John is a class B director on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, where he also serves on the Audit Committee. Additionally, John is a member of the Arkansas Children’s Northwest Board of Directors and the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board for the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas.

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Troy Alley believes in confidence, giving back, and communication. Listen to Troy’s full podcast at: https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/troy-alley

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Pam McGinnis believes in accountability, working hard, and inclusion. Listen to Pam’s full podcast at: https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/pam-mcginnis

Founder and Managing Principal of CPM, Inc., since 2008, Stu has over 30 years’ experience in retail marketing, licensing, consumer packaged goods sales and sales management, with experience in OTC (Procter and Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Rexall Sundown), entertainment (Universal Studios) and durable house wares (World Kitchen LLC). Stu’s CPG career has touched all retail classes: food, drug, mass, club, .com and specialty stores, US and international. 15 years of experience in leading cross-functional Walmart and Sam's Club Business Development teams has resulted in deep, broad account penetration and an in-depth understanding of how these retailers operate. A former US Army cavalry officer, Stu has been blessed with a parade of outstanding managers and leaders in his career. Stu is student of, and writer/speaker on, leadership principles. Since 1994, Stu, Susan and their sons have made northwest Arkansas home.

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how John Reap believes in developing people, having fun, and being visible to the entire staff. Listen to John’s full podcast at: https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/john-reap

At the age of 14 and the oldest of five brothers, Sam Alley moved from the small town of Ramallah, near Jerusalem to another small town of Rose City, Arkansas with his family. Inspired by mentors, he found a passion for engineering and directed his schooling towards a degree in civil engineering when he was in high school. While still in college at the University of Arkansas, Sam began working in the construction industry. After graduation, he was hired as a project manager in 1979 at Pickens Bond Construction Company. Over the next few years, Sam gained experience in the field and it became his passion. He married his wife, Janet, who was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Inspired by his father, who was an entrepreneur, Sam co-founded VCC in 1987, on his 31st birthday. Sam is now recognized as one of the top engineering and construction professionals in the United States. Under his guidance, VCC is consistently listed in the top 100 contractors by the Engineering News Record, largest contractor in Arkansas, and recognized as the largest retail contractor in the Country. Sam has been a pillar in his community for over 30 years. He serves on the steering committee for Campaign Arkansas, and is a member of the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineering. His service to numerous civic groups has earned recognition, including being named a lifetime Board member and Youth Home’s Board Member of the Year in 1994, Junior Achievement Board Member from 2007 to 2010 and Arkansas Business Executive of the Year for 2013. Most recently Sam was honored with the Legacy Award for Junior Achievement, the Patriot Award in recognition of his support of our service men and women, and the Distinguished Alumni award for the University of Arkansas. He will be recognized as the Honoree at the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation Legends Dinner in 2020. Sam has been married to his loving wife Janet for 38 years, and has three kids Jessica, Derek, and Adrianna. He has three grandchildren Vivienne Rose, Sam Joseph and Wellington (Wells) Louis.

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Donnie Smith believes in humility, servant leadership, and authenticity. Listen to Donnie’s full podcast at: https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/donnie-smith

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Kim LaScola Needy believes in service, respect, and authenticity. Listen to Kim’s full podcast at: https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/kim-needy

Mario Ramirez is President of MRamirez Group, LLC, a consulting firm focused on the needs of high net worth families, business development, public-private partnerships and multi-cultural marketing. He is an also an investment banker with Avalon Securities, a boutique investment banking firm based in New York. Mario works with Lipscomb Insurance as well as with NewRoad Capital Partners focusing on investor relations and building strategic alliances. Mario was previously with TIAA, a Fortune 100, $1 trillion financial services company where he served on the Senior Leadership Team in the role of Managing Director of Executive Relations and Hispanic Markets. He built strategic relationships with leaders in government, higher education and industry. He also led the national Hispanic market strategy and represented the company on Capitol Hill, providing Congressional briefings and exploring collaborative opportunities. A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Mario serves on the Sam M. Walton College of Business Dean’s Executive Advisory Board, formerly on the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame Selection Committee, the Garrison Financial Institute Board of Directors and the Arkansas Executive Forum. In addition, he serves on the Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee and chairs the campaign committee for Diverse Programs. Mario was a member of the Senior Executive Corporate Advisory Board for the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2015-2017 and served on the National Hispanic Advisory Committee for the 2016 Jeb Bush Presidential Campaign. In addition, Mario is on the Board of Directors for Liberty Christian School.

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Angela Grayson believes in always having your A-game, don’t be sorry but take ownership, and be ethical always. Listen to Angela’s full podcast at: https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/angela-grayson

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Mike Duke believes in integrity, developing people, and innovation. Listen to Mike’s full podcast at: https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/mike-duke

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Mike Johnson believes in integrity, professionalism, and commitment. Listen to Mike’s full podcast at: https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/mike-johnson

Scott Bennett is the Director of the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT). Scott began his career at ArDOT as an engineering intern in ArDOT’s District 10 Office in northeast Arkansas. In 1989 he moved to the Planning and Research Division and in 2004 he became the Assistant Chief Engineer for Planning. In September, 2011, he moved into the Director position. Scott is currently serving on the AASHTO Board of Directors and is the chair of AASHTO’s Committee on Planning. He is also heavily involved with both the General Contractors of America and on the American Road and Transportation Builders Association Joint Committee. Finally, Scott is currently serving as the president of Arkansas Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyor. Scott has won numerous awards including the 2005 University of Arkansas Young Engineer Alumni of the Year and the 2016 AASHTO’s Thomas H. MacDonald Memorial Award for outstanding service in highway engineering. He was also inducted into the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineering in 2010. Scott received both his BS and MS from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in Civil Engineering.

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Joseph Steinmetz believes in being appropriate and deliberate but decisive, inclusive when making decisions, and passion. Listen to Joseph’s full podcast at: https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/joseph-steinmetz

Kelly Barnes is the Global and US Health Industries leader at PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers). In her more than 30 years at PwC she has guided healthcare payers, providers, pharmaceutical/life sciences companies during an unprecedented time of change. Known as a change agent and decisive leader with distinctive points of view, Kelly founded PwC’s first independent think tank, the Health Research Institute (HRI), 13 years ago. Kelly is active in the International Women’s Forum and one of Health Data Management’s Most Powerful Women in Healthcare IT. At the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business, Kelly and her husband Steve created the Health and Wellbeing Innovation Fund to promote healthcare-business collaboration. Kelly also serves on the executive advisory board of the Walton College at the University of Arkansas, where she earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting.

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Shelley Simpson believes in work ethic and hustle, leading by example, and blends professional values with personal values. Listen to Shelley’s full podcast at: https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/shelley-simpson

Mr. JR Jones is the former CEO and President of Rheem Manufacturing Company and currently is the executive chairman of the board. Mr. Jones received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas and has worked with multiple heating, ventilation, and air conditioning companies over the years. He was previously the vice-president and director of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and is a member of the University of Arkansas engineering Hall of Fame. Mr. Jones grew up just outside of Fort Smith, Arkansas and is the first member of his family to graduate from college.

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Chris McCoy is a student of leadership, how leadership can be a value, and the importance of collaboration. Listen to Chris’ full podcast at: https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/chris-mccoy

Dr. Charles Robinson is the vice chancellor for the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Arkansas (UA). He earned his bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Houston, his master’s degree in history from Rice University and his doctorate in history from the University of Houston. Dr. Robinson served as vice provost for diversity affairs within the UA division of academic affairs before being named vice chancellor in 2013. He joined the UA faculty in 1999, achieved the rank of full professor of history and served as director of the African American Studies program.

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Chancellor White would "rather be 'the leader of the best team' than 'the best leader of a team'" while reflecting on integrity, empathy, and flexibility. Listen to Dr. White's full podcast at: https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/chancellor-john-white

Mr. Vinciquerra has been the CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. since June 2017. He oversees the studio’s global operations, including motion picture, television and digital content production and distribution, worldwide media networks, home entertainment acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities, and the development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. Prior to joining Sony, Mr. Vinciquerra was a senior advisor to Texas Pacific Group (TPG) in the Technology, Media and Telecom sectors, where he advised TPG on acquisitions and operations, from 2011 to 2017. Mr. Vinciquerra was chairman of Fox Networks Group, the largest operating unit of News Corporation, from 2008 to 2011, and president and CEO from 2002 to 2011. Earlier in his career he held various management positions in the broadcasting and media industry. Mr. Vinciquerra holds a B.A. degree in marketing from the State University of New York.

Jessica Hendrix is the President and CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi X, a subsidiary of Publicis Groupe specifically focused on driving conversion and the activation of brands. Jessica has helped transform the future of commerce by partnering with clients to deliver their business needs today and the evolving needs of tomorrow. She considers company culture and employee development key to delivering the best work possible. Her team believes in fostering the agency values of Curiosity, Ownership, Hustle and Customer Passion to facilitate creative problem solving and executing with excellence. Saatchi & Saatchi X has won Best Places to Work in Arkansas three times during her tenure along with multiple Effie Awards. Saatchi & Saatchi X also operates locations in Fayetteville, Dublin, Cincinnati, Dallas, Hoboken, Minneapolis and San Bruno. Client partners include Spin Master, Procter & Gamble, 3M, TracFone and Keurig. Jessica lives in Fayetteville with her husband Jody, her children Frankie and Truman and their dog Clarabelle. In her spare time she reads, avoids gardening, is a part of the CrossFit community and enjoys entertaining friends and family on land and water.

Greg Brown is chairman and chief executive officer of Motorola Solutions, where he has led the company for almost 12 years. He is the longest-serving CEO of the company, after the founder Paul Galvin and his son Bob. Under Brown’s leadership, the company has been completely transformed, and total shareholder return is over 450%. Today this 90-year-old global company is the leader in mission critical communications, command center software and video security solutions for public safety and commercial enterprises. Brown has served on the boards of Xerox, Cisco Systems, RR Donnelley and Micromuse where he was Chairman and CEO. He also served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Chairman of the Rutgers University Board of Governors. Brown has served two American presidents as part of President Obama’s Management Advisory Board and President George W. Bush’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee. Brown earned a bachelor's degree in economics and an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Rutgers University.

Ms. Pam McGinnis currently serves as the President of Global Marketing at Phillips 66. Ms. McGinnis received a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Arkansas in 1990 and has an accomplished 26 year career with Phillips66. Over her career, she has served in senior leadership positions in a variety of businesses, including Truck and Rail transportation and International Marine Shipping. As general manager of U.S. Products Supply and Distribution, she successfully expanded into new international markets, and as general manager of Procurement, she was responsible for global materials and services procurement and risk management. Ms. McGinnis is a member of the University of Arkansas College of Engineering Advisory Council and serves on the CAPS Research board of directors. She also serves on the executive committee of the Houston Area Habitat for Humanity board of directors.

A native of Oklahoma, Mike was a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps serving almost 34 years, retiring in 2004. Prior to his retirement he was Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), and Chief of Civil Engineers from October 2000 to October 2003. Since March 2004, Mike has served as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities at the University of Arkansas. Mike is a Registered P.E. (PA), Fellow/Life Member ASCE and Fellow/Life Member SAME. He was inducted into the National Academy of Construction (NAC) in 2005. In April 2006 he was inducted as an honorary member of the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineering. In 2010 he was elected into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and received tenure as a professor in the Civil Engineering Department.

Mr. Alley is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Con-Real, LP where he oversees all real estate activities. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas and he earned his Master of Business Administration in Finance and Real Estate from the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. He also attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Advanced Real Estate Development Program. Under his direction, Con-Real was the first African-American owned firm to perform major leasing and management services for Prudential Realty and Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company in the southwest United States. The firm has been nationally recognized in market/feasibility studies and other real estate consultant services including hospitality development. Troy has served on many business and voluntary board including the following: Dean Advisory Board of SMU Cox School of Business, Dean Advisory Board at University of Arkansas of Engineering, Dean Advisory Board at University of Texas at Arlington College of Engineering, and State of Texas Real Estate Commission.

Mike Duke is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Walmart. Mr. Duke joined Walmart in 1995, and over his 19 years with the company led the logistics, distribution and administration divisions as well as Walmart U.S. In 2005, he was appointed to vice chairman with responsibility for Walmart International. He served as CEO from 2009-2014. Before working for Walmart, Mr. Duke held various positions with Federated Department Stores, May Department Stores, and Venture Stores. He graduated from Georgia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering.

Chris McCoy is currently the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at University of Arkansas. Previously, Mr. McCoy served as chief information officer at Metropolitan State University, where he led a successful campus wide initiative to modernize the entire information-technology infrastructure. He also served as interim vice chancellor for information technology and system CIO for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, director of engineering computing at Iowa State University, and manager of computing support for the Department of Computer Science at Iowa State University. He started his career as a UNIX systems programmer at Purdue University in the Cooperative Extension Service. Mr. McCoy earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa, as well as a Master of Engineering in systems engineering and a Bachelor of Science in computer science, both from Iowa State University.

Angela J. Grayson, CIPP/US, CLP is an accomplished nationally recognized lawyer, speaker, and author. She is Principal Member and Founder of Precipice IP PLLC. PRECIPICE is an award-winning consultancy and intellectual property law boutique specializing in patent, trademark, copyright, and data law. PRECIPICE helps entrepreneurs and technology-focused businesses protect their products, brands, designs and data. In her free time, Ms. Grayson enjoys serving her community and spending time with her husband Patrick and their two cocker spaniels, Ari and Archi (aka the Dynamic Duo).

Mr. Donnie Smith is the former chief executive officer (CEO) of Tyson Foods. He graduated from the University of Tennessee, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. Mr. Smith jointed Tyson Foods in 1980 as a broiler service man. Through the years, he was also a feed mill manager, grain purchaser, and oversaw transportation and warehousing before becoming the chief information officer. Mr. Smith served as CEO from 2009 -2016. Currently, he is active in the African Sustainable Agriculture Project Foundation and OneEgg.

Shelley Simpson, EVP; Chief Commercial Officer; President of Highway Services at J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc.; over 20 years of experience at J.B. Hunt in positions across a variety of business segments; board member, WorkMatters and the Mercy Health Foundation; Dean’s Executive Advisory Board, the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas; executive sponsor for J.B. Hunt’s Growing and Retaining Outstanding Women (GROW) and Latinos Engaging, Advancing and Developing (LEAD); named “Distinguished Woman of the Year 2016” from Women in Trucking; received the “2017 ATHENA Woman of the Year” from the Northwest Arkansas Business Women’s Network; BS, Marketing, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Dr. Joseph E. Steinmetz became the sixth chancellor of the University of Arkansas on Jan. 1, 2016. Among his priorities as chief executive officer are advancing student success, creating more need-based scholarships, growing graduate programs, and continuing to advance diversity and inclusion. Dr. Steinmetz served as Chair of the Department of Psychology at Indiana University, Bloomington, the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas, and the chief academic officer at Ohio State University. Dr. Steinmetz earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Central Michigan University and his doctorate at Ohio University. He and his wife, Sandy, have two sons and five grandchildren.

John Reap is a career, third generation banker. He was the President and CEO of Town North Bank, N.A. Dallas, Texas for 15 years and served a total of 29 years with the company. He received his BS in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas in 1970 and his MBA from SMU in 1971 and is a former faculty member of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU. He serves on multiple committees and boards, including the Walton College of Business Dean's Executive Advisory Board at the University of Arkansas. He is a past president of the National Board of the Arkansas Alumni Association and is a past chairman of the board of the Texas Affiliate, American Heart Association. A native of Little Rock, he has been married for 46 years and has two children and two grandchildren.

Dr. Kim LaScola Needy is Professor of Industrial Engineering and Dean of the Graduate School and International Education at the University of Arkansas where she previously served as the Industrial Engineering Department Head. Dean Needy is a life-long learner on the topic of leadership where she shares that her top five leadership values are service, respect, authenticity, integrity and making a difference. She is a Fellow and Past President of the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers and the American Society for Engineering Management, and a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education.

A native Arkansan, John White is an industrial engineering graduate of the University of Arkansas (BSIE), Virginia Tech (MSIE), and The Ohio State University (PhD). He was awarded honorary doctorates from the Katholieke Universitiet of Leuven in Belgium and George Washington University. His career includes 56 years as an engineering educator at Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Ohio State and Virginia Tech, as well as service on five boards of directors for publicly traded corporations: Eastman Chemical Company (10 years), J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (18 years), Logility (12 years) Motorola (20 years), and Russell Corporation (14 years). His employment included the following leadership positions: Assistant Director for engineering at the National Science Foundation (3 years); Dean of Engineering at Georgia Tech (6 years), and Chancellor of the University of Arkansas (11 years).