2013-09 Faulkner County Business Journal

SEPTEMBER 2013

Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. welcomes Conway native DR. STEPHEN DAVIS IS CLINIC’S FIFTH RETINA SPECIALIST, FULL STORY, PAGE 4

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Faulkner County Business Journal

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Linn’s Auto, Just Scrap It to host Business After Hours

By Elise Williams

Crafton Tull breaks ground on new Conway office

By Elise Williams

In addition to celebrating 50 years of architecture and engineering services, Crafton Tull is opening a new location in Conway. The 13,000-square-foot facility will be located at the Meadows Office & Technology Park.

Crafton Tull has been recognized by Engineering News Record as a top 500 design firm

and has been ranked the nation’s 81st fastest growing architectural, engineering and environmental firm by ZweigWhite.

Executive vice president of energy services Lane Housley credits the company’s success to the employees’ strong belief that “there is no ‘I’ in team” and that “failure is not an option.”

Housley says Crafton Tull’s clients have recognized this

“unique attribute” and have benefited from this mindset when it comes to completing a project. “We also know that to be successful you need to appreciate and be thankful for all the many blessings the Good Lord sends your way.”

Making the move to Conway was an obvious decision for Housley, who says the company felt the need to prepare itself for potential work when natu-

ral gas production from the Fayetteville Shale increased. “Besides, most of our team is from the local area and we all knew that Conway was a great place to shop and dine. So we gambled on it being a great place to work, play and call home. We bet right!”

The company broke ground on Aug. 15 and anticipates the new office building to open in March 2014.

Costa Rica is next stop in Chamber travel program

By Elise Williams

If you have ever wanted to experience the lush forests and the exotic wildlife of Costa Rica, now is your opportunity. The Central American country is the next destination for the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s travel program.

Those interested in the all-inclusive trip can attend an interest meeting at the Chamber on Mon-

day, Sept. 23, at 5:30 p.m.

The trip, which will begin March 5, 2014, will last for nine days. The itinerary begins at the capital city of San Jose and includes stays at Tamarindo Beach, the forests and mountainous views of Monteverde to Arenal, as well as the topiary garden of Zarcero and the quaint town of Grecia.

Passengers will get the chance to experience

a tour of the Doka Coffee Estate, learn about Costa Rica’s unique vegetation on a guided nature walk through Monteverde Cloud Forest, and explore one of the world’s largest butterfly gardens and hummingbird galleries.

Other attractions include an optional visit to the spas and hot springs of the Arenal Volcano area, a cruise on Lake Arenal, and a guided riv-

erboat trip at Cano Negro, where passengers will have the opportunity to spot indigenous wildlife.

The Chamber partners with Collette Vacations — an international tour, cruise and vacation agency — to coordinate the trip. Through the partnership, the Chamber can provide locals with a hassle-free travel opportunity at a group rate.

The cost of the Costa

Rica trip is $2,349 and includes hotel stays in double-occupancy rooms; 14 meals; round-trip, international airfare from Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport; air taxes and fees/surcharges; and hotel transfers.

For information about the interest meeting, contact senior vice president of Chamber operations Lindsay Wygal at 501932-5403 or Lindsay@ ConwayArkansas.org.

Business After Hours, the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly networking event, will be hosted by Linn’s Auto & Equipment Sales and Just Scrap It Metal Recycling on Sept. 23.

The event will be held at 850 Simon Road from 5-6 p.m.

According to their website, Linn’s Auto has served the automotive needs of central Arkansas for more than 47 years.

The company sells salvage and rebuilder vehicles as well as used auto and truck parts. Linn’s has expanded their business further with Just Scrap It Metal Recycling, which pays top prices for scrap metal including iron, cast iron, motors, radiators, stainless steel, aluminum, beverage cans and more.

Attendees are encouraged to bring business cards, as Business After Hours allows members to network, strengthen professional relationships and develop new opportunities to work with fellow Chamber members.

The event is free to Chamber members and their employees.

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served.

For more information about Business After Hours, call the Chamber 501-327-7788.

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Monday, September 2, 2013 — 3C

Faulkner County Business Journal

Awards gala to celebrate minority business enterprise The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce will host an awards gala Thursday, Oct. 12, to celebrate the achievements of minority entrepreneurs and the individuals and organizations committed to advancing minority business enterprise.

The Chamber of Commerce established the MED committee to foster growth and sustainability of minority businesses and as a way to recognize minority businesses and their supporters. It accomplishes this through five categories of MED awards. Community members nominated individuals or organizations for each category.

The awards will be presented at the MED awards gala, which will take place Thursday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. in McCastlain Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus. Darrin Williams, CEO of Southern Bancorp, will be the keynote speaker. The following individuals will receive awards at this year’s gala: Brent Salter, vice president of Salter Properties, is the recipient of the Access to Capital award. This award recognizes the individual, organization or business that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the financial community by providing working or investment capital to minority businesses.

Salter graduated with a degree in business finance from the University of Tulsa. After working in Los Angeles as a financial advisor for a few years, he returned to his hometown of Conway. “I knew I wanted to come back home to start a family and develop the city and state where my heart resides,” he said.

Salter Properties is a

leader in residential real estate and also manages a number of commercial real estate properties. Brent Salter works closely with his father, Gene, and brother, Nathan, who own and operate Salter Construction, Inc. He credits his father and grandfather with his ability to bring his ideas for property development to life. “When I see land or an older building that needs a little TLC, my wheels get to turning,” he said. “At that point, nothing can stop me from making it into something its city can be proud of and grow from.”

Kristy Carter is the recipient of the Advocate for Opportunity award. Carter is the executive director for the Division of Outreach and Community Engagement at the University of Central Arkansas.

The Advocate for Opportunity award recognizes the individual, organization or business that has demonstrated significant accomplishments in educating and advocating for minority business enterprise.

Carter began her career in higher education in 2006 as a program coordinator for Outreach. The division connects the campus with the community through a variety of community engagement services offered through UCA. In addition to her role as executive director, Carter mentors multicultural students at UCA and has served on the staff senate.

Although she is currently a doctoral student in UCA’s Ph.D. in leadership program, Carter makes time to volunteer for a number of associations. She is an executive board member for the Arkansas Distance Learning Association and president

of the Arkansas Council for Women in Higher Education. Carter is state coordinator for the Women in Higher Education’s national office, a member of the Arkansas Community Development Society, and a member of Central Baptist College’s Business Advisory Council. She also volunteers her time and talents to assist minority entrepreneurs and minority-owned nonprofits and small businesses with branding and marketing initiatives.

The City of Hope Outreach, owned by Phillip Fletcher, is the Outstanding Minority Business of the Year. This award recognizes the business whose practices have had a significant impact on the community.

Fletcher is a native of Louisville, Ky., and has lived in Conway since April 2007. That same year, he founded the Church at Oakwood and eventually established two additional churches – Church at Oakwood-South and Brookside Family Church. In 2009, Fletcher and his wife, Nicolle, co-founded The City of Hope Outreach. The mission of CoHO is to promote, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, “holistic community renewal in under-resourced areas.” Its philosophy is simple: people should care for people. Fletcher seeks to address issues of leadership, the local church and social engagement through the lens of the Gospel.

Prior to moving to Arkansas, Fletcher served in the U.S. Army for seven years. During his tenure in the Army, he moved through the enlisted ranks and finished his time at the rank of Captain. His awards included the Army Achievement Medal, Army

Commendation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal.

Fletcher is currently pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership from Regent University.

Johnny Hò, owner of Umami Sushi Lounge and Grill Fusion, is the recipient of the Outstanding Young Minority Professional award. The award recognizes an individual between the ages of 21-39 who has committed himself or herself to business and community service.

Hò opened his first Umami Japanese restaurant in Russellville one block away from Arkansas Tech University’s football field. The restaurant was an instant favorite and outgrew its location within 10 months of opening. He then opened a second, larger location in Russellville near Wal-Mart.

The success of both restaurants led Hò to expand to Conway. His third Umami restaurant opened at 500 Amity Road on April 30.

Hò was born in Taiwan and moved to the U.S. when

he was 8 years old. His mother and aunt owned Chinese restaurants, so he had always been around the restaurant business.

He worked as a head chef in Little Rock for many years before opening his first restaurant. “I wanted to put my own twist on Japanese cuisine and offer it to the world,” Hò said. “I plan to open many more restaurants and can’t wait to see what the future holds for me and my family.”

Thelma Moton, founder and executive director of Choosing to Excel, is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is presented to the individual who has played an integral role in the creative, technical or professional progress of minority business development over the course of his or her life.

Fueled by her desire to see an increase in proficiency rates among African-American youth and a decrease in teen pregnanO cies, Moton established what would become one of

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the largest mentorship and healthy-choice organizations in Arkansas. Excel is a multifaceted and multitiered organization that develops the character and competence of high-risk youth through safe, structured, in-school and community-based mentoring relationships. When the organization began, it had no budget and a staff of five.

“All we had was a heart to make a difference,” Moton said. Twenty years later, Excel’s 18 full-time and part-time staff members and 30-40 volunteers serve more than 6,500 youth annually.

A native of Faulkner County, Moton graduated from Guy-Perkins High School and attended Philander Smith College and the University of Central Arkansas. She moved to California in 1970 where she met and married her husband, Daniel. The couple returned to Arkansas in 1987. They have been marriedOfor 40 years and have 11 children.

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PRESENTED BY:

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Promote your business, gain a competitive advantage, and build relationships at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Expo. Business Expo brings together dedicated professionals with a shared goal of strengthening their business. And strong businesses lead to a strong community.

Get in the game and represent Team Conway at Business Expo.

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BY MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30.

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Faulkner County Business Journal

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COVER STORY

Conway native joins Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A.

C

Dr. Stephen Davis is clinic’s fifth retina specialist

onway-native Stephen Davis has returned to central Arkansas from Portland, Ore., to join Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. as a retina specialist. Dr. Davis is the fifth retina specialist on staff at the clinic.

The reasons Dr. Davis moved back to Arkansas could be summed up in one word — family.

He grew up in Conway and attended St. Joseph School. He graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree before attending medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Davis completed his residency training at UAMS and moved to Portland for a fellowship at Oregon Health and Science University’s Casey Eye Institute.

“My wife and I loved our venture in Portland, but we wanted to move closer to our family,” Dr. Davis said. “Having free babysitters nearby is a plus, too.”

Dr. Davis and his wife — who is from Hardy, Ark. — have three sons ages 7, 5 and 18 months.

His parents along with his sister, brother-in-law and their two children all live in Conway.

“It was important to us that our children get to know their cousins,” he said. “It takes an entire day to travel to and from Oregon, so we wanted to be closer. We

Ophthalmology

Ophthalmologists specialize in medical and surgical eye problems.

These doctors deal with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye and can perform operations on eyes.

Ophthalmologic physicians at Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. include Stephen K. Magie, M.D.; William T. Mabrey, M.D.; Melanie F. Smith, M.D.; Justin W. Charton, M.D.; Bradley M. Hughes, M.D., Cedric S. Pratt, D.O.; and Stephen J. Davis, M.D.

Optometry both love this area, and it is home.”

Dr. Davis will work primarily out of MagieMabrey Eye Clinic, P.A.’s Little Rock office. The clinic is opening a third location in Fort Smith, and he will practice there as well. As a retina specialist, Dr. Davis concentrates on diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, retinal detachments and ocular trauma.

Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. is the only eyecare clinic in Faulkner County that has the expertise to diagnose and manage retinal problems.

In addition to Dr. Stephen Davis, Drs. Stephen Magie, William Mabrey, Bradley Hughes and Cedric Pratt have completed fellowships in retinal

disease.

The five retina specialists at Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. can perform the latest advances in treatment of all types of retinal diseases. Treatment options include surgery, laser therapy, or injections or vitamins.

“I don’t think I could have found a better practice to join,” Dr. Davis said. “I knew Dr. Magie well and had also met Dr. Mabrey previously. Dr. Hughes worked at UAMS when I was a third-year medical student. Although I met Dr. Pratt only recently, I have much respect for him and the entire team of retina specialists. The decision to work here was a no-brainer.”

Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. is the largest, most comprehensive

eye-care clinic in Conway and Faulkner County. The team of doctors and staff at Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. provides patients a superior health care experience in a comfortable environment.

Physicians

The physicians at Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A., which include ophthalmologists and optometrists, can provide a complete spectrum of eye-care services. These services range from routine eye examinations — such as contact lens exams — to procedures that are more complex: eyelid or cataract surgery; treatment of eye injuries and infections; and glaucoma laser treatments.

Optometrists are licensed medical professionals who are trained to prescribe and fit lenses to improve vision. They can also diagnose and treat various eye diseases. Jeffrey J. Strossner, O.D., and B. Scott Koontz, O.D., are the optometric physicians on staff in Conway.

They complete MagieMabrey Eye Clinic, P.A.’s eye-care team by providing comprehensive primary eye care, including routine exams, contact lenses, glasses and medical eye care.

Full-Service Optical Shop

Individuals in need of prescription eyewear can find a large selection of popular, name-brand frames, sunglasses and safety wear at MagieMabrey Eye Clinic, P.A.’s

full-service optical shop.

A licensed optician on staff can help customers choose a frame that best suits their needs.

The optical shop can also repair or adjust frames.

For contact lens wearers, Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. carries a large inventory of contacts to fit most visual needs and lifestyles.

About Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A.

J.J. Magie, M.D., founded Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. in September 1970. At the time, he was the only ophthalmologist on staff, and the clinic had only a couple of employees.

His son, Dr. Stephen Magie, eventually joined his staff as an ophthalmologist, and in 1986, the clinic moved from Caldwell Street to its current location at 924 Main Street. Although he is no longer at the Conway clinic, Dr. J.J. still practices medical ophthalmology in Morrilton.

Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. All doctors are accepting new patients and welcome entire families.

For more information about Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. visit www.

MMEyeClinic.com.

To schedule an appointment at the Conway office, call 501-3274444.

6C — Monday, September 2, 2013

Faulkner County Business Journal

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Conway Downtown Partnership Annual Meeting Hendrix College Student Life & Technology Center Worsham Hall October 17 | 6:30 p.m.

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Nominations accepted for Women in Business awards The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s second annual Women in Business Awards will take place Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Conway Expo Center and Fairgrounds. The event will begin with a panel discussion at 9 a.m. followed by the awards luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Terri Jordan, vice president of technology for Microsoft Retail Stores, will be the guest speaker.

The Women in Business Awards honor individuals in the Conway area who have excelled in leadership and community service and who have inspired others on both a personal and professional level. The Chamber is accepting nominations for the awards now through Wednesday, Sept. 25. A panel of Chamber executives outside the state will select the award recipients.

At the December event, five individuals will receive the “Outstanding Woman in Business Award.� Those selected will embody high standards of excellence, dedication and accomplishment to their respective organizations, industries and to the business community. Of the five recipients, one will receive the prestigious “Diamond Achievement Award.�

This award recognizes an individual who has inspired and empowered many generations of women and who has had a positive impact on those in her profession and in the community.

To submit nominations, visit ConwayArkansas.org and click on the Women in Business icon.

For questions about the call for nominations, contact Whitney Cummings, director of membership development, at Whitney@ ConwayArkansas.org or 501-9325411.

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Conway Economy at a Glance Unemployment Rate July 2013 US . ........................ 7.4% Arkansas................. 7.4% Faulkner County ... 6.7% Conway................... 6.7% *Faulkner County & Conway not Seasonally Adjusted Sales Tax Collections Conway* June 2013............. $2,009,774 2012............. $1,960,705 Percent Change 2.5% Year to Date (August) 2013........... $11,528,243 2012........... $11,343,863 Percent Change 1.6% *Tax Rate 1.75% Faulkner County* June 2013................ $727,940 2012................ $696,357 Percent Change 4.5% Year to Date (August) 2012............. $4,248,463 2011............. $4,222,427 Percent Change .62% *Tax Rate 0.5% Restaurant Sales* June 2013........... $14,206,824 2012........... $13,839,197 Percent Change 2.7% Annual Sales 2012......... $153,412,988 2011......... $144,646,055 Percent Change 6.1% *Including mixed drink sales Hotel Sales June 2013............. $1,914,234 2012............. $1,959,078 Percent Change -2.3% Annual Sales 2012........... $18,683,676 2011........... $18,662,136 Percent Change .12% Conway Building Permits Single Family Homes Year to Date August 2013.............. 90 Permits

2012............ 106 Permits Percent Change -15.1% Average Construction Cost* Year to Date August 2013................ $229,098 2012................ $209,530 Percent Change 9.3% Average Square Footage* Year to Date July 2013...................... 2,994 2012...................... 2,897 Percent Change 3.3% Average Construction Cost Per Square Ft.* Year to Date - August 2013.................... $76.52 2012.................... $72.33 Percent Change 5.8% Annual 2012............ 186 Permits 2011............ 153 Permits Percent Change 21.6% Average Construction Cost* Annual 2012................ $207,537 2011............... $204,387 Percent Change 1.5%. *Not including land or lot improvements Average Square Footage* Annual 2012...................... 2,910 2011...................... 2,814 Percent Change 3.4% Average Construction Cost Per Square Ft.* Annual 2012.................... $71.33 2011.................... $72.64 Percent Change -1.8% * Total under roof Lottery Sales Faulkner County July 2013............. $1,126.010 2012............. $1,276,389 Percent Change -11.8% Year to Date (July) 2013............. $9,736,630 2012........... $10,441,637 Percent Change -6.8%

Total State July 2013........... $32,483,166 2012........... $33,367,514 Percent Change -2.7% Year to Date (July) 2013......... $266,770,722 2012 ........ $279,962,196 Percent Change -4.7% Natural Gas Severance Tax Distribution June Conway 2013.................. $25,186 2012.................. $12,394 Percent Change 103.2% Faulkner County 2013.................. $20,448 2012.................. $10,028 Percent Change 103.9% Annual Conway 2012................ $162,457 2011................ $254,822 Percent Change -36.2% Faulkner County 2012................ $131,418 2011................ $204,052 Percent Change -35.6% Wellhead Price per MCF* Yearly Average 2012......................$2.66 2011......................$3.95 2010 .....................$4.48 2009......................$3.67 2008......................$7.97 *MCF=1000 cubic feet Number of Active Wells* Faulkner County....... 350 Total in Field ......... 4,481 *As of December 12, 2012 Estimated Life Time Value of Production* Total Field....................... $11,382,327,198 *As of September 30, 2012

Information provided by pulseofconway.com

Monday, September 2, 2013 — 7C

Faulkner County Business Journal

Smart traffic systems

By Roger Lewis

In 1990 there were 39 thousand motorized vehicles registered in Faulkner County. This included cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. Since 1990 that number has increased by almost 2,500 a year. In December 2012 more than 92 thousand vehicles were registered in Faulkner Country. New roads built or widened during that time did not match that 136 percent increase.

So how have we accommodated? In some ways, not well enough. Although new signaling systems were installed, new roads built and old ones widened to three or four lanes, turn lanes constructed at busy intersections, and traffic lights replaced with round-abouts, traffic congestion continues to mount. Unfortunately, when a roadway is upgraded more motorists use it and congestion is only temporarily relieved.

Dave Ward Drive in Conway is a good example of a significant improvement producing a significant increase in traffic. Other ways we accommodate additional vehicles is to personally increase travel time and reduce expectations about arriving on time.

As for the next 10 years, we should expect at least an additional 2,500 vehicles every year. How are we going to accommodate this increase in traffic? How are we going to finance the infrastructure that will be necessary?

One way to move more traffic swiftly is to use smart traffic signaling systems. The term smart systems refers to microprocessor devices that sense, actuate and control traffic signals and vehicles. Smart systems are widely used today in household appliances and in-

dustrial machinery.

There are several types of smart systems. The simplest, and one that is in use in Conway, is an on-demand response system with sensors at street intersections. These sensors are under the pavement or in cameras near signals. When a vehicle approaches, the sensor actuates the traffic light. This system does not monitor or respond to overall traffic flow on the main corridor, which can result in frequent stops. For example, there are 10 traffic signals on Donaghey Avenue between Dave Ward Drive and Meadow Lake Road. I travel this route daily and rarely make the trip with fewer than 3 stops. Sometimes I stop as many as 6 or 7 times.

A more sophisticated smart system is proposed for Dave Ward Drive. Referred to as an adaptive system, fiber optic cables with sensors parallel the road. Traffic volume and speed are constantly monitored and sent to a computer, which controls signals accordingly. Ideally, you travel the entire length of a corridor with few or no stops.

Finley Vinson, Conway’s traffic engineer, says this proposed system will cost between $350 and $500 thousand. Compared to upgrading the road, where construction costs range from one to six million dollars per mile, smart systems are a bargain. Motorists save as well in terms of time and gasoline used. According to Vinson the adaptive system works best where the traffic signals are far apart.

Unfortunately, two highly congested areas in Conway have numerous signals with short distances between them.

One is Donaghey Avenue. The other is East Oak Street from

Harkrider to the Conway Commons shopping mall. In that 1.6 miles there are 8 signals.

For roads with a high density of traffic signals, there are promising systems on the horizon being developed by large corporations such as Siemens and IBM. Some systems use cell phones in cars to detect traffic. A cell phone sends out a unique signal if it is turned on, regardless if it is in use. This signal can be picked up and used to monitor traffic. There are applications for cell phones already that use this technology. One is Inrix, which displays traffic congestion along a route.

I often use Inrix to determine if traffic is backed up when I travel to Little Rock. Another is Google Maps to plot your location on a map and provide directions.

Siemens Corporation has a pilot program in Harrison County Texas (Houston) that uses cell phone signals to control evacuation routes. When a recent hurricane struck, evacuation routes became paralyzed.

With the proposed technology, traffic will be monitored and alternate routes created and disseminated.

Today’s technology is unprecedented and it touches our lives in ways that we are unaware of and could never have imagined. Every industry and service today has been improved by microprocessor technnology. I believe that we will see technology developed in the very near future that greatly improves our driving experiences.

I thank my friend Chris Spatz for editing and helping me with this article.

You can obtain more information on the economy of Conway and Faulkner County by going to the Pulse of Conway website (www.pulseofconway.com).