SHEENA SHIRLEY ON GOING FROM
JOB SEEKER TO JOB RECRUITER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
REBUILDING ROGERS
Rogers Lowell Chamber donates to the City of Rogers to aid in the Tree Canopy Restoration efforts
SUCCESS AT THE JOB FAIR
Seeker-turned-hirer Sheena Shirley with NWA Sheet Metal reflects on how prior RLC job fairs contributed to her career
CALENDAR
The National Civics Bee returns for its second year at Rogers High School, challenging middle schoolers to compete
THE RESULTS ARE IN HANG TIGHT
Sixteen LEAD students headed to Camp Heart O’Hills in Oklahoma for team-building and an interactive ropes course
ECON RECAP
VP of Economic Development Jeremy Biggs briefs the latest on what’s happening in the workforce world
RECOGNIZING WORK
Chamber Ambassador of the Quarter, Lexy Hill with The Agency, speaks on her experience as a Chamber rep
CREATING CHANGE
Sandy Warmack of Nicole’s House talks about her influences and gains from being a CRC host sponsor
SOCIAL SAVVY SEMINAR
Hustle in Heels hosted a social media strategy presentation for women looking to embolden their online presence 4:30-7:30PM @ Downtown Rogers 8:45-10am @ Nola’s Pantry
Well-established tree uprooted in Downtown Rogers neighborhood, the rootball reaching the first story of the house
REBUILDING ROGERS,
ONE TREE AT A TIME
THE CITY OF ROGERS ACCEPTED a donation of $2500 from the Rogers Lowell Chamber for tree-replanting efforts, due to the damage caused by the May 2024 tornado.
The contribution was given on behalf of 300+ Chamber members that were involved in cleanup efforts following the storm and was presented as part of the RLC’s annual Spirit Award, recognized at the Annual Celebration of Business and Community this past March. Part of the donation went towards an Earth Day event at Lake Atalanta on April 26th.
RATED AN EF-3, the tornado resulted in over $45 million in damages, including devastating effects on the tree canopy in Rogers.
Hundreds of trees were bent, snapped, and ripped from the ground during the storm, including trees that were 50-100 years old. Many of these old trees had rootballs taller than the average person. It will take a long time before Rogers’ foliage is restored to its former glory, but many efforts are being made so that 10 years from now, we’ll start seeing beautiful, healthy, well-aged trees. •
IF YOU LOST TREES on your property, the city is hosting another tree giveaway this fall, made possible by the Peel Compton Foundation’s Foresting the Future program.
SUCCESS AT JOB FAIR
AMIDST THE DIGITAL AGE, the Rogers Lowell Chamber’s NWA Spring Job Fair serves as a platform for local job seekers to meet employers face-to-face. It’s an experience Sheena Shirley said she found necessary in her journey to land her current position at Northwest Arkansas Sheet Metal Inc. as a Bid Coordinator / Jr. Estimator.
“I have a lot of college and a lot of certificates, but I don’t have a degree,” said Shirley. “So, when I do things like Indeed, it can be very frustrating because I don’t click the boxes necessarily. But I may have 15 years’ experience in that field.”
Shirley attended 2024’s Spring Job Fair as a job seeker, where her conversations with Northwest Arkansas Sheet Metal Inc. transformed into a full-time position. She then returned in 2025 as a recruiter, using her experience as a job seeker in her approach to meeting potential candidates.
“On the recruiter side, I would say that a huge piece is just making sure that you’re engaging with people and connecting, because that’s what really drew me to the tables that I had lots of conversations at.” •
THE ANNUAL NWA SPRING JOB FAIR, presented by AtWork Bentonville and John Brown University, convened more than 200 fellow job seekers with 68 local employers at the Rogers Activity Center.
DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN the region’s workforce and support economic growth, the event offers a vital platform for businesses to connect directly with talent from the community.
Employers expressed high satisfaction with the turnout, noting the quality and preparedness of candidates. For job seekers, it was an opportunity to explore new careers, network with recruiters, and even interview on the spot.
“IT’S BEEN AN OUTSTANDING experience,” said one job seeker at the Job Fair. “Everybody is so friendly, everybody is so knowledgable about the different open positions and they’re willing to take your resume and keep you in consideration even if they don’t have open positions.”
JOSIAH PETAK, an advisor from John Brown University, was also pleased with the event. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to meet different people,” he says, “and definitely encourage anybody that’s looking to get people hired or get people to come their program to check out this job fair.”
JOIN US AGAIN FOR THE NWA FALL JOB FAIR: WEDNESDAY - OCT 1 , 2025
THE RESULTS ARE IN
LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
competed in the National Civics Bee® Local Competition at Rogers High School, where a panel of three judges quizzed them on their civics knowledge. This competition is in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce.
HOW IT WORKS: Students submitted their response to a 3-question essay prompt proposing ideas to improve their communities. 20 students were selected to participate in the 3-round competition, the first two rounds consisting of multiple choice questions. Five finalists are selected based off scores to present their essay in front of the judges. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place are then selected. Those three then continue on to the State Finals, and that winner then moves on to the National Championship in Washington, D.C.
MISSION WORK: The Civics Bee is an integral part of the Chamber’s mission to activate the next generation of business and community leaders, by showcasing our community’s brightest, young minds and demonstrating our commitment to creating informed citzens.
1st: Maddie S. - Lincoln Junior High School
2nd: Lynden M. - Old High Middle School
3rd: Asher S. - Old High Middle School
MADDIE S., the winner of this year’s competition, said she was excited by seeing how far she could make it this year after making it to the State Finals last year. “I do love essay writing, and that’s the first step,” she says, “and I kind of like trivia - so I thought ‘this might be really fun and something I don’t really know about.’”
MADDIE’S MOM says “it’s amazing to see the growth in her from last year, and the confidence in having been in this program and the interest she has in civics and how much it’s created more of a passion for her.”
LAKYRA BANKS with 40/29 was one of the judges of the competition. “Whether they won tonight or whether they got up there and they were a finalist,” she says, “I hope that whatever idea they had in their essay, as they get older they work and they develop that and keep pushing Northwest Arkansas to be greater.” •
Top: Winner Maddie S. rejoices after placing 1st in the National Civics Bee
Bottom left: Maddie S. presenting her essay to the judges in Round 3
Bottom right: Rogers-Lowell Chamber COO Ross Phillips presenting a $500 check to Maddie S.
THURSDAY - APRIL 17, 2025
HANG TIGHT
LEAD* participants embarked on a field trip to Camp Heart O’Hills in Welling, Oklahoma, for an experiential learning opportunity led by BJ Penick - an expert in the field and a professional team-building coach.
A total of 16 students participated in training sessions designed to enhance their teamwork and interpersonal skills. Through a series of guided team interactions and challenging activities - including a ropes course! - they learned to communicate effectively and build trusted relationships with their peers.
THESE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES helped reinforce the newly developed skills in a dynamic and supportive environment.
MISSION WORK: LEAD offers a variety of enriching experiences to help students thrive and prepare for their future. These include mentorships with community leaders, college guidance through campus visits and presentations, leadership skill development through service projects, and more.
GEOVANNY SARMIENTO, Senior Vice President of Community Engagement at the Chamber, also accompanied the students. “It was truly inspiring,” he says, “to witness the profound impact that effective communication, cooperation, and meaningful connections had on these students - fostering relationships that could last a lifetime. This group of students is exceptionally talented, and with their newly developed skills, we are confident they will continue to pursue their goals and aspirations with determination and success.” •
*LEAD = Leadership, Education, Advancement, and Development
ECON RECAP
with JEREMY BIGGS
Vice President of Economic Development
COLLABORATION STRENGTHENS
NWA WORKFORCE
THE RECENT
WORKFORCE COUNCIL of the Rogers Lowell Chamber meeting brought together local leaders, educators, and workforce development professionals to address ongoing challenges and explore solutions to support the region’s labor force.
Currently, the unemployment rate in Benton County stands at 2.2%, the lowest in the state. Benton County is also home to the largest wage growth in the nation during the third quarter of 2024, experiencing a 15.5% year-over-year increase.
The central focus of the discussion was the persistent issue of employee retention. Council members cited a range of contributing factors, but the most pressing concern remains reliable transportation. Many workers without personal vehicles face barriers to consistent attendance, impacting their job stability and overall productivity (insights from staff with the Rogers School District’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, along with staff from the Business and Industry Training Center). Together, they discussed workforce training initiatives aimed at better preparing students and job seekers for the demands of today’s economy.
Career practicums and internships for local high school students were additional topics the council seeks to find solutions for.
As the region continues to grow, the Workforce Council remains committed to ensuring the local economy is equipped for long-term success. •
TRAINING SPARKS ECONOMIC INNOVATION
IN
EARLY APRIL, JEREMY BIGGS, VP of Economic Development, attended the Mid-South Basic Economic Development Course held in Little Rock.
Hosted by the Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives (AEDCE), the four-day event offered an in-depth overview of key topics critical to advancing economic development in our region.
The intensive classroom training covered a wide range of subjects designed to equip professionals with the tools needed to foster community growth and attract new investment. Highlights included sessions on site selection strategies, workforce development and training, access to quality childcare, infill and redevelopment projects, and effective methods for marketing cities to potential employers.
CHAMBER AMBASSADOR OF THE QUARTER
LEXY HILL
“I’M LEXY, A REAL ESTATE AGENT IN NWA, and though I’ve called this place home for over 20 years, I’m originally from Jamaica. Moving here as a child was a big change, but the welcoming community and the stunning beauty of the area quickly made it feel like home. As I’ve grown, so has my love for the region, and I’m proud to help others find their own special place here.
When I’m not helping clients with their real estate needs, I’m busy staying connected to the community. I’m honored to serve as an Ambassador for the Rogers Lowell Chamber of Commerce, a role that allows me to give back to the place I’ve come to cherish so much.”
This training reflects our continued commitment to staying at the forefront of economic development trends and ensuring our team has the expertise necessary to support sustainable growth and support a highly trained workforce. •
THE CHAMBER AMBASSADOR OF THE QUARTER is chosen based on their active engagement, event participation, and community outreach, supporting the Chamber’s mission and enhancing the visibility of our work. This is measured by a point system, and ambassadors have many opportunities to earn points by completing certain activities or goals (attending/sponsoring Chamber events, recruiting new members or ambassadors, delivering Ribbon Cutting photos, etc). •
LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING AN AMBASSADOR HERE
Jeremy Biggs accepting his certificate of completion for the Mid-South Basic Economic Development Course
CREATING CHANGE THROUGH COLLABORATION
THE ROGERS LOWELL CHAMBER CRC networking event has witnessed a remarkable surge in interest and engagement, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Sandy Warmack, Executive Director at Nicole’s House.
AS MARCH’S HOST SPONSOR, Sandy has masterfully utilized her platform to attract both financial sponsorship and physical attendance to their highly anticipated “Joy Comes in the Morning” event on April 9.
Throughout the month of March, Sandy delivered emotionally powerful testimonies from the “students” of Nicole’s House, showcasing the transformative impact of their programs. This strategic use of the host sponsor opportunity has truly maximized their return on investment ($250/one-month sponsorship).
CRC PROVIDES A UNIQUE PLATFORM for businesses and organizations to connect with the community, offering a valuable opportunity to share their mission and engage with potential supporters.
Sandy’s impactful presentations have not only raised awareness, but also inspired action, demonstrating the power of effective communication and heartfelt storytelling. •
“What I love about the host sponsor opportunity is that it gives one an expanded opportunity to give more detail about your product, mission, or vision,” said Sandy. “We have been a host sponsor three times now. Each time we gain new volunteers and/or financial support. Once one really understands what you are all about, they can engage more and endorse your service, product, or vision.”
THURSDAY - APRIL 24, 2025
SOCIAL SAVVY SEMINAR
HUSTLE IN HEELS, an RLC initiative dedicated to empowering, educating, and connecting women with professional and business development, hosted a seminar on social media strategy.
LED BY BRITTNIE SIMON of Collab Design Co., this program focused on equipping women with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to lead in today’s digital world. From content strategy to personal branding, attendees walked away with real-world skills designed to elevate their impact.
OF COURSE, there were also a few fun treats and activities at this seminar, including refreshments from Confident Coffee and a permanent jewelry station from Link’d by S. Harms.
ALL ABOUT GIVING BACK, the event also hosted a diaper drive benefiting ChildCare Aware, supporting local families in need and reinforcing our belief that economic development begins with community care. •
SANDY WARMACK Executive Director, Nicole’s House
Part of the performance from “Joy Comes in the Morning” on April 9, 2025
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