Chamber Voice | August 2024

AU G U S T 2024 | Vol. 19 Iss ue 7

Leaders Conference Discover how the Rogers Lowell Chamber is advancing community values by preserving and recognizing our heritage, taking action in the present and pursuing a dynamic future as we continue to add to our region’s population. READ MORE ON PAGE 4 >>>

WHAT’S INSIDE

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11 4 Leaders Conference

14 FEMA/SBA Podcast

6 RLC Board Nominees 16 BBB back in DTR! 11 Daisy Nationals

20 Chamber Events

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Quick & Clickable LINKS

MEET OUR NEWEST MEMBERS MEMBER RENEWALS 1 - 30+ YRS

recent RIBBON CUTTINGS

Meet our board

Meet our team 317 West Walnut Street Rogers, Arkansas 72756 P: (479) 636-1240 F: (479) 636-5485

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RLC LEADERS CONFERENCE 2024

Chamber Voice OF BUSINESS MAGAZINE | AUGUST2024

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4 Recap

Presented by: Tyson Foods, Olsson Partners: Black Hills Energy, Crafton Tull, Gold sponsors: CEI, Garver, Cox Communications, Benchmark Group Silver sponsors: Beaver Water District, Assembled Products Inc., McClelland Consulting Engineers Inc., Hight Jackson, ISG, Henderson Engineers, Allgeier, Martin & Associates Inc., XNA.

WHAT HAPPENED: On June 27th, Community Leaders and City Officials met at the Embassy Suites for our Leaders Conference to discuss where we are with Vision 100.

WHY IT MATTERS: It is our intention to advance community values by preserving and recognizing our heritage, taking action in the present, and pursuing a dynamic future as we continue to add to our population.

THANK YOU to our sponsors

WHAT’S NEXT: Conversations throughout the day highlighted the need to further examine transportation, affordable/obtainable housing, infrastructure, and childcare/ education among others.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: We have many bright spots within our community and have accomplished many things since our last Leaders Conference in 2019. As we look to the future of Rogers and Lowell, we are excited to bring together community leaders to find solutions for our growth.

Watch more here from KNWA!

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Meet the 2025 N Rogers Lowell Chamb YOUR CHAMBER WELCOMES individuals, businesses of all sizes, non-profit organizations and representatives of government, education and industry to our membership.

We are a diverse and inclusive Chamber.

OUR MEMBERS, PARTNERS AND INVESTORS come to learn, to teach, to grow, to connect and to give back to our community. They invest their time and money knowing that it takes all of us to build a vibrant community and sustain future success.

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE: Volunteering for board service is an investment in the community. Board of Directors do it because they share our Vision and understand that supporting the work of our Mission will get us there. We thank them for their service, leadership and fiduciary duty that contributes to our long-term success.

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Nominees for the ber Board of Directors THE BOARD NOMINATING PROCESS: • The Chamber’s Bylaws state that additional nominees may be added to the Nominating Committee recommendation by a nominating petition signed by at least 15 Chamber members in good standing.

• All nominating petitions must be submitted to the President/CEO of the Rogers Lowell Chamber within ten days of the publishing of the Nominating Committee Report. This deadline is Friday August 16, 2024.

• If no additional names are submitted by the membership, the Board of Directors will certify the five candidates submitted by the Nominating Committee at its September board meeting.

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Rogers Lowell Chamber Board of Directors 2025 Nominees Andrew Branch Northwest Arkansas National Airport | XNA Andrew joined the Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) in April 2019 as Chief Business Development Officer and became Chief Operating Officer in August 2022. Previously, he held roles for the State of Arkansas, including CFO for the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs and Director of Finance for the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

Andrew serves on the boards of Community Clinic NWA, Pathfinder, Inc., and the City of Rogers A&P Commission. He holds degrees from LeTourneau University (BS in Accounting), Texas A&M University (MBA), and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (JD), and resides in Rogers with his wife, Dr. Yang Luo-Branch, and their daughter, Lucy.

Alex Martelli PepsiCo Alex Martelli is a Senior Sales Director with PepsiCo, where he has spent a 17-year career, including six of the last eight years in Northwest Arkansas.

His journey with PepsiCo has included roles across the Beverages & Foods business in several U.S. geographies, now working with Walmart.

Originally from the Seattle area, Alex lives in Bentonville with his wife, Lauren, and their son, Leo. Alex has been involved with the Chamber since 2021, spearheading the introduction to PepsiCo and the eventual presenting sponsorship of the NWA Community Showcase, now entering its third year. He enjoys golf, travel, and spending time with his family around the region, including dining out and visiting the many NWA parks with their son.

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Carol Moralez Upskill NWA Carol Silva Moralez is the President & CEO of Upskill NWA, leading a program that helps lower-income workers access education and secure high-paying healthcare careers. With 25 years of leadership experience at Walmart, she also led Diversity and Inclusion and Leadership Development at SERVE2PERFORM. Moralez’s community service includes roles with the Bentonville Mayor’s Community Council, Rotary Satellite Club of Bentonville, and the Community Clinic NWA Board. She has received the Helen Walton Community Award and was named one of NWA Business Journal’s 2020 Top Ten Women in Business.

Kraig Pomrenke Embassy Suites Northwest Arkansas Kraig Pomrenke is the Regional Director of Operations at Atrium Hospitality, managing four hotels in northwest and west Arkansas. With over 40 years of experience, he previously served as General Manager at Embassy Suites by Hilton Jonesboro Red Wolf Convention Center.

His background includes roles at Selrico Services, Driftwood Hospitality Management, Hegg Companies, IHG, and John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts. Pomrenke has been on the boards of the Arkansas Hospitality Association and the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce and cocreated the onsite hospitality program at Arkansas State University.

Joseph Stephens Assembled Products Corporation Joseph Stephens is the Human Resources Manager at Assembled Products Corporation in Rogers. With twenty-three years of experience in Human Resources across various levels, he has built a strong career in the field. After relocating to the area in 2017, Joseph found that Arkansas suited him perfectly. He holds a B.S. from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK, and a J.D. from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. In his spare time, Joseph enjoys attending sporting events, concerts, and spending time with his family.

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THE GOOD LIFE Destination Guide

Click for digital version!

THE GOOD LIFE is here!

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Destination Marketing & Management

DESTINATION ROGERS

DAISY NATIONALS 2024

Rogers, Arkansas, sparkled this July with a unique blend of smalltown charm and national excitement as it hosted the Daisy National BB Gun Championships. This vibrant event, part of the city’s 4th of July celebrations, brought nearly 500 young competitors and their families to the Rogers Convention Center, where they engaged in thrilling competitions amidst the backdrop of Beaver Lake’s scenic beauty. This year’s champions, the Humboldt Sharpshooters from South Dakota, demonstrated exceptional skill and sportsmanship to clinch the Gold Medal. Beyond the exhilarating matches, the event boosted Rogers’ hospitality sector and underscored the city’s commitment to community spirit, responsible practices, and the cherished traditions of the Daisy Outdoors Company.

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DARBY GETS BENTON COUNTY READY WEEKNIGHTS

5:00 . 6:00 . 9:00 . 10:00

ACCURATE FORECASTS ON THE GO! DOWNLOAD THE 40/29 NEWS AND WEATHER APP TODAY! Chamber Voice OF BUSINESS MAGAZINE | AUGUST2024

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RECAP Spotlight Series

CHAMBER’S SPOTLIGHT SERIES TACKLES ARKANSAS’ CHILDCARE DILEMMA HEAD-ON RLC’s 2nd quarter Spotlight Series tackled a pressing issue: the region’s childcare crisis. The event featured Tonya Williams from the Office of Early Childhood and Alison Williams from the Excel by 8 Foundation, who highlighted efforts to improve access and quality of childcare. With Arkansas losing $865 million annually due to unreliable childcare and 25% of the workforce sidelined, addressing this crisis is crucial. Learn more about ongoing solutions and how you can get involved in shaping the future of childcare in our region. For further details and resources, check out the full article.

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RLC VOICE OF BUSINESS FEMA & S

LISTEN HERE! Chamber Voice OF BUSINESS MAGAZINE | AUGUST2024

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SBA Podcast

The Rogers Lowell Chamber released a podcast to share essential tornado disaster relief information from FEMA and the SBA. This episode will keep locals updated on recovery resources and assistance available to them. Tune in to get the latest details and support you need during these tough times.

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BIKES BLUES & BBQ Returns to Downt

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town Rogers

Get ready for the excitement of Bikes, Blues & BBQ, the world’s largest charity motorcycle rally, as it revs up for Rally Week from September 18–21, 2024. This year, Downtown Rogers is gearing up to showcase its charm and opportunities during the event. A Downtown Rogers Merchant Meet-Up at TxAR House was held on July 18th to hear from Tommy Sizemore, Executive Director of BBB, to how local businesses can get involved. With BBB generating over $15 million in economic impact last year and benefiting local charities, this is a prime opportunity to connect, collaborate, and be part of something big.

For more details and to see how you can be a part of Rally Week, check out the full article here.

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Happy 50th Anniversary,

HIGHT JACKSON ASSOCIATES, P.A.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS Hight Jackson Associates, P.A. under the leadership of Brian Jackson, is marking its 50th year with a blend of rich history and forward-thinking innovation. From humble beginnings to a renowned architectural firm, their journey is a testament to visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to quality.

Dive into their story and see how they’ve shaped and continue to influence the architectural landscape.

READ MORE HERE

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RLC AUGUST EVENTS Expand your network with us!

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WEDNESDAY

Presented by | Equity Business Solutions Host Sponsor | Nicole’s House Location | Golden Corral Address | 2605 W Pleasant Crossing Dr. | Rogers

Presented by | T-Mobile Location | Downtown Rogers time | 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Presented by | Sam’s Furniture Location | Rogers High School time | 8:00 am to 2:00 pm

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Location | OZ Smokehouse Address | 113 West Walnut Street | Rogers time | 8:45 am to 10:00 am

Presented by | AT&T + Tyson Foods LOCATION | NWACC - Walmart Auditorium Address |1 College Drive | Bentonville time | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

THANK YOU! 2ND QUARTER SPONSORS Chamber Voice OF BUSINESS MAGAZINE | AUGUST2024

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Banking to help build your business business checking* • UNLIMITED Monthly Transaction Items • NO Minimum Balance • NO Monthly Service Charge • FREE Online Banking & Bill Pay • FREE eStatements 1101 S. 52nd St., Rogers AR | (479) 326-6172

www.sterbank.bank

A U G U S T 2 0 2 4 | w w w . R o g e r s L*Minium o wand e l other lopening . c ofees m deposit 2is1$50.00 for business checking accounts. Non-sufficient funds, overdraft, as disclosed in the fee schedule may apply. Bank rules and regulations apply.

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Contact

PHONE

ONLINE

ADDRESS:

PHONE:

EMAIL:

Rogers Lowell Chamber 317 W. Walnut St. Rogers, AR 72756 United States

(479) 636-1240

info@rogerslowell.com

FAX:

WEBSITE:

(479) 636-5485

www.rogerslowell.com