Business Weekly E-Newsletter
April 14 - 18, 2008
State Chamber/AIA Diamond Club Debuts
The State Chamber/AIA Executive Committee and staff are excited about our new Diamond Club.
Michele Bond, our State Chamber Vice Chairman for Membership and Marketing, unveiled the branding for the new Diamond Club at the Board of Directors meeting in Fort Smith last month.
The Diamond Club is a permanent volunteer group for the State Chamber charged with selling memberships, sponsorships, advertising and membership upgrades as well as contacting members whose membership has lapsed. It was approved at the board meeting during the Annual Meeting last October.
Bond announced that State Chamber/AIA President & CEO Paul Harvel has agreed to be an inaugural member of the Diamond Club and will continue to help raise revenue for the State Chamber/AIA when he assumes his leadership role in July with the Clark County Economic Development Corporation.
Sherry Huddleston of CenturyTel, Celia McQuiston of Albemarle, Diane Tatum of Entergy and Debbie Thomas of Harps Food Stores have already qualified for membership from their sales efforts in our recent Reach the Top Total Resource Campaign.
Our goal is to have at least one member of the Diamond Club in every county where we have members. An incentive structure much like the one utilized for the Total Resource Campaign will be in place for the Diamond Club.
If you or one of your employees is interested, please contact Susie Marks at smarks@arkansasstatechamber.com . We are trying to schedule our first Diamond Club meeting for May.
You Still Have Time – But Not Much – to Register for Washington Fly-In
The State Chamber/AIA’s 49th Annual Washington Fly-In and Congressional Dinner are fast approaching. If you haven’t registered, you still have time but you need to do so quickly.
Participants can plan on an eventful night on Monday, April 28, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va. The evening begins with a 6 p.m. reception followed by the Congressional Dinner at 7 p.m., with both events featuring ample chances for productive contact with members of our congressional delegation and their staffs. Excellent networking opportunities will also be provided after dinner in the Hospitality Suite, once again hosted by the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce Executives.
Governor Mike Beebe has agreed to serve as master of ceremonies for the dinner again this year. We will also visit with our senators and representatives and their staffs at their offices and at district dinners, luncheons and breakfasts April 27-29. You may wish to stay all three days or choose to stay fewer days if it better fits your schedule.
Please note: Contact information for the breakfast with Congressman Mike Ross on Tuesday, April 29, was missing from the recently mailed flyer. If you are interested in that event, please call Michelle Rocha of The Alliance (Pine Bluff) at 870-535-0110 to make reservations or for more information.
Hotel reservations may be made directly by calling 703-920-3230 or 1-800-228-9290. You can also click here to access the hotel and contact information on our Web site calendar. The registration form is also on our Web site.
If you have any problems getting a room, please contact Deb Mathis by noon Friday at 501-210-4212 or dmathis@arkansasstatechamber.com . Changes in reservations or cancellations must be made through the State Chamber/AIA by contacting Deb.
Governor Appoints Hall to Employment Security Advisory Council
State Chamber/AIA Executive Vice President Kenny Hall has been appointed by Governor Mike Beebe to the State Employment Security Advisory Council. Under the state Department of Workforce Services (DWS), the Council is comprised of management and labor representatives. It reviews and negotiates legislative proposals developed by the DWS staff regarding unemployment compensation legislation.
Small Business Council Schedules Meeting for May 7
The State Chamber/AIA Small Business Council will hold a meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, in the Bob Lamb Conference Room of our facility in Little Rock.
Lydia Carson, president and CEO of Balm Innovations and former director of Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions, is the new chairman of the Small Business Council.
Lunch will be provided by the Arkansas Employees Federal Credit Union.
The meeting will cover plans for the Small Business Council in terms of future meetings, topics of interest that members wish to cover and discuss and the Small Business Awards Luncheon, which will be hosted by the State Chamber/AIA on Tuesday, June 3, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in west Little Rock.
All members of the State Chamber/AIA are welcome to attend this meeting. If you do wish to attend, please RSVP by Friday, May 2, to Jeff Thatcher at jthatcher@arkansasstatechamber.com or by calling (501) 210-4205.
Leadership Arkansas Plans Two Final Sessions
Leadership Arkansas Class II plans two final sessions. The Jonesboro/Paragould session on May 22-23 will focus on education and the Northeast Arkansas economy. The Fayetteville/Springdale session on June 26-27 will cover infrastructure challenges, the Northwest Arkansas economy and the graduation for members of Class II.
These remaining Leadership Arkansas sessions represent outstanding investment opportunities in which companies and organizations can participate. Leadership Arkansas takes a statewide view of the economic and political challenges that face our state, offering leadership opportunities that expand the impact of community leaders. It builds a sense of community by identifying and training individuals with the passion and commitment to become personally engaged in issues, programs and activities aimed at building a better Arkansas.
By helping sponsor one of the remaining activities – the sessions in Jonesboro/Paragould and Northwest Arkansas as well as the graduation – companies and organizations have the chance to personally meet and get to know these individuals who will be leading Arkansas in the future. Our sponsorship goal is $20,000 for each of these events.
Partner sponsorships at $1,000 include an invitation to a reception and dinner with Leadership Arkansas class members, signage at the event and inclusion in the promotional and printed materials for the session. Presenting sponsorships at $2,500 include all of the above plus an opportunity to present during the session and an opportunity to place a company brochure or message in the participants’ notebooks.
Leadership Arkansas Class II is sponsored by Southern Bancorp. For further information on Leadership Arkansas, contact Susie Marks at 501-210-4206 or e-mail her at smarks@arkansasstatechamber.com .
Participate in Political Process by Contributing to State Chamber/AIA PACs
With primary elections approaching, the State Chamber/AIA is in the process of evaluating prospective candidates and reviewing the possible legislative races. One way you can participate is by contributing to our Political Action Committees.
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce PAC and the Associated Industries of Arkansas PAC were founded to elect business-minded candidates who will fully support Arkansas’s business community in the state legislature. Your help is critical. Your contributions will go toward electing a pro-business General Assembly that will continually enhance the economic climate in Arkansas.
A “person” may contribute up to $5,000 per calendar year to each PAC. “Person” includes any individual, proprietorship, firm, partnership, joint venture, syndicate, business trust, company, corporation, association, committee, or any other organization or group of persons acting in concert. The name and address of each “person” who contributes more than $500 to a PAC must be reported to the Secretary of State.
Checks should be made payable to either the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce PAC or the Associated Industries of Arkansas PAC and mailed to P.O. Box 3645, Little Rock, AR 72203.
You can also help by providing information on pro-business candidates and your knowledge of all candidates in your district. Please send this information to Kenny Hall, our executive vice president, by e-mail at khall@arkansasstatechamber.com .
Environmental Federation Plans Clean Air Act Seminar
The Arkansas Environmental Federation’s 2008 Clean Air Act Seminar is set for Tuesday, May 6, at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Little Rock. It is aimed at anyone currently dealing with air emissions or hazardous substances (such as air toxins or flammables), including plant managers, maintenance and environmental managers, state and local regulatory agency professionals, and local government officials. It is designed to help participants better understand how state and federal air pollution programs work and how they are enforced.
Speakers will focus on changes that have begun to the current State Air Permitting rules. Arkansas industry through the AEF is working to eliminate historical delays in the permitting process. Participants will learn the rule changes requested by industry and the state’s plans and schedule concerning changes to the programs.
To register for the seminar, download the brochure here , fill out the registration information and either fax it back to the AEF at 501-374-8752 or mail it to the AEF at the address given on the brochure.
Dr. Joe Thompson Recipient of 2008 Health Care Quality Award
Dr. Joe Thompson, the Arkansas Surgeon General and director of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, recently received a 2008 Health Care Quality Award from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Other recipients included California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts. The awards recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations that highlight the need for and drive health-care quality improvement.
In recognizing Dr. Thompson, NCQA said: “As Surgeon General of the State of Arkansas and the director of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI), Thompson is one of the nation’s leading advocates for prevention and healthy lifestyles. He was the lead architect of the landmark Tobacco Settlement Act of 2000 and has led a successful effort in Arkansas to combat childhood obesity whose centerpiece involved measuring the body mass index of every Arkansas schoolchild and sending the results home.”
State Chamber/AIA Selects Search Firm
The State Chamber/AIA has begun the search process to fill the position of President & CEO by selecting the executive search firm The PACE Group to lead a national search. The PACE Group is headquartered in Tupelo, Miss., with offices in suburban Dallas and Chicago.
"The Executive Committee was very pleased with the services and process offered by The Pace Group, including the timeline,” said Chairman Hugh McDonald. "We have set an aggressive schedule and hope to be able to hire for this position by mid-June."
The PACE Group will begin the process of identifying candidates immediately. Their focus will be on possible candidates inside the state and potential candidates from across the U.S.
The State Chamber/AIA announced in February that current President & CEO Paul Harvel will step down from his position this summer to become the head of the Economic Development Corporation of Clark County in Arkadelphia. Harvel has served as president for two years and helped increase annual income by 75 percent and memberships by 55 percent.
The PACE Group will begin interviewing the selection committee to narrow down the criteria for the new president. The firm will take that criteria and recruit candidates that meet the needs of the organization. The PACE Group will look locally as well to ensure the right candidate is hired for the position. The job specifications and application instructions are posted on the firm’s Web site at www.thepacegroup.com or resumes may be emailed to dlogan@thepacegroup.com.
Welcome to Our New Members
Thanks to the following companies and organizations that have recently joined the State Chamber/AIA.
Burkhalter & Stephens, Inc.
Celerit Solutions
Dortch Financial Services, Inc.
Image One
Ron Sherman Advertising
Thanks to Our Pinnacle Members
We wish to express special thanks to all of our Pinnacle investors, the respected companies that support the State Chamber/AIA at the highest annual investment levels. We appreciate all that they do for us.
APEX
Alltel Corporation
Entergy Arkansas, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
SUMMIT
Chesapeake Energy, Inc.
Cox Communications
Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods
Tyson Foods, Inc.
PEAK
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Arvest Bank
AT&T Arkansas
CenterPoint Energy Southern Gas
Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas
FedEx Freight - East
Georgia-Pacific Corporation
Harps Food Stores, Inc.
Kraft Foods
Oaklawn Jockey Club
Pathfinder Exploration LLC
Petrohawk Energy Corporation
SemGroup LP
Southern Bancorp, Inc.
Southland Park Gaming & Racing
Southwestern Energy Company
State Farm Insurance
Weyerhaeuser Company
Windstream Corporation
XTO Energy, Inc.
CROWN
Acxiom Corporation
AEP Southwestern Electric Power
Albemarle Corporation
Alta Resources LLC
American Greetings Corporation
Arkansas Employees Federal Credit Union
Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation
Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation
Arkansas Western Gas Company
Bank of the Ozarks
CenterPoint Energy Gas Transmission
Deltic Timber Corporation
Dynegy
Entegra Power Group LLC
Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc.
Forest Oil Corporation
Glad Manufacturing/A Clorox Company
Golden Ventures
International Paper Company
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Lion Oil Company
Metropolitan National Bank
Murphy Oil Corporation
Nabholz Construction Corporation
Nucor-Yamato Steel
OG+E
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
Philander Smith College
Pinnacle Foods Group LLC
Potlatch Forest Products Corporation
Pulaski Technical College
Rheem Air Conditioning Division
Riceland Foods, Inc.
Signature Bank of Arkansas
Simmons First National Corporation
Stephens, Inc.
Storm Cat Energy
Suez Energy North America
The Clorox Company
The Trane Company
US Bank
Waste Management
Wright Lindsey & Jennings
Calendar of Events
April 14-18 Northwest Arkansas Membership Blitz
April 27-29 Annual Washington Fly-In and Congressional Dinner
District Dinners, Lunches and Breakfasts
Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
April 28 State Chamber/AIA Board Meeting
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Arlington, Virginia
May 7 State Chamber/AIA Small Business Council Meeting
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bob Lamb Conference Room, State Chamber/AIA Building
Little Rock
May 19-21 Northeast Arkansas Membership Blitz
May 22-23 Leadership Arkansas Class II Session
Education and Northeast Arkansas Economy
Jonesboro/Paragould
June 3 Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon
11:45 a.m., Embassy Suites Hotel
Little Rock
June 26-27 Leadership Arkansas Class II Session
Northwest Arkansas Economy/Infrastructure Challenges
Fayetteville/Springdale
June 27 Leadership Arkansas Class II Graduation
Presented by Harps Food Stores, Inc.
