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Stay | ConwayArkansas.org More recently in 1997, Conway Corporation became the third in the country and fifth in the world to offer high-speed, broadband cable Internet service.
As CEO, what is a particular point of pride within Conway Corporation’s service or operations? I am most proud of our employees and the culture of customer service they embrace. Customer service has been at the forefront in all my 35 years at Conway Corporation. When I began, the senior employees emphasized the importance of customer service to me, and I see that same mentoring today. Our mission statement states that we are “dedicated to exceeding our customers’ expectations,” and I see our employees live out this mission every day.
What is something people would be surprised to know about Conway Corporation?
Q&A with Richie Arnold: Conway Corporation Powers Conway and Supports the Community Richie Arnold has been the Chief Executive Officer of Conway Corporation since 1998. Founded in 1929, Conway Corporation operates the city-owned electric, water, wastewater, cable television, Internet, and telephone utility services for the citizens of Conway, Arkansas. Conway Corporation is a unique creature. All Conway residents and businesses interact with it monthly in a number of different ways. What do you think makes Conway Corporation unique? Conway Corporation is a nonprofit operator of the cityowned utilities. When residents and businesses outside of Conway interact with their utility or cable service provider, they are often dealing with a company that is not a part of the community. With Conway Corporation, they are interacting with a local company – one that was founded on the principle of supporting the community. We are governed by a seven-member board of directors. These directors are all Conway residents who volunteer their services for seven years. In addition to its governance function, this board employs the Chief Executive Officer. This organizational structure has been a key to our success.
Conway Corporation has a history of innovation or pioneering new products. What are some historical examples and some that are available today? In 1895, Conway was an early adopter of local power generation. George Hutchinson Burr, professor of Natural and Physical Science at Hendrix College, helped found and operate the Conway Electric & Manufacturing Company, which would ultimately be operated by Conway Corporation in 1929.
Our Articles of Incorporation in 1929 made no mention of operating the electric utility. Conway Corporation was founded “for benevolent purposes, especially for the promotion of education and educational institutions located in the City of Conway.” That initial support kept Hendrix College and Central Baptist College in Conway. It was really unprecedented. That foresight benefits us even today. I would not care to imagine Conway today without either of these fine institutions.