The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) selects Capital Business Machines as the Family-Owned Business of the Year

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Capital Business Machines logoCapital Business Machines, which began its existence since 1929 as Capital Typewriter Company on Main Street in downtown Little Rock, is owned by the Rogers Family, including Brett Rogers, president of the firm, along with his father, Bill, and two brothers, Byron and Bryce. In the fall of 2000, the Rogers family acquired Capital Business Machines with the mission of continuing to provide Arkansas with quality products and excellent customer service. Today, Capital Business Machines continues to offer the latest business technology to customers throughout the state and employs 16 in the daily operations.

Capital Business Machines
Capital Business Machines
Capital Business Machines is a growing and profitable business. This has been accomplished through the success of their efforts to attract more customers, excellent customer service and a consistent calling effort on commercial businesses and municipalities in the greater Little Rock area that want to acquire or have serviced business machines, i.e. computers, copiers, fax machines, etc. Operating in a leased facility for 10-plus years in Little Rock, the company was able to acquire its own nearby building in Little Rock with the assistance of the SBA 504 loan through Six Bridges Capital Corporation, a Certified Development Company in partnership with the Arkansas Capital Corporation Group. This new headquarters provides the company with a modern facility and added space to accommodate future growth. This investment demonstrates the company’s long-term commitment to remain in Little Rock and contribute to the growth of the community. [Read more…]

2014 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Winners Announced

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Winners of the 2014 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition that is managed by The Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation, an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, were announced at a luncheon hosted at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, AR on April 9, 2014. Craig O’Neill, news anchor for THV11, served as the master of ceremonies for the event, which hosted approximately 760 business leaders, students, educators and supporters from across the state for the 14th annual Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup. This year, 36 teams submitted business plans from 13 colleges and universities from across Arkansas for a chance to win a share of the $154,000 prize pool. First and second place winners of the undergraduate and graduate teams will compete against the top two teams from Nevada and Oklahoma for the Donald W. Reynolds Tri-State Award in May, where they will be competing to win a share of the $118,000 prize pool.

The 2014 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup winners are: [Read more…]

2014 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Awards Luncheon Scheduled April 9

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Donald W. Reynolds Governor's CupWho: The Arkansas Capital Corporation and The Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation, which manages the  Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup, invite the media to attend the event for photo and interview opportunities. Lunch will be provided. What: 2014 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Awards Luncheon When: April 9, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Where: Wally Allen Ballroom, Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock, Ark. Why: The Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup is a statewide collegiate business plan competition. This year, 36 teams submitted business plans from 13 colleges and universities from across Arkansas in hopes of winning a portion of the $154,000 prize pool. Winners announced at the luncheon go on to compete in the Tri-State competition in Las Vegas, Nevada, in May with cash prizes of $118,000. Governor Mike Beebe will be speaking at the event. [Read more…]

2014 Arkansas Small Business Person of the Year

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Paul Reesnes and Mike Gueringer Custom Aircraft Cabinets
Mike Gueringer, left, and Paul Reesnes, co-owners of Custom Aircraft Cabinets. (Photo by Jason Burt)

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently selected the owners of Custom Aircraft Cabinets, Inc., of North Little Rock as the 2014 Small Business Person of the Year for Arkansas. Custom Aircraft Cabinets is co-owned by Paul Reesnes and Mike Gueringer.

“Your hard work, innovative ideas, and dedication to your community have helped you succeed,” said Fred Baldassaro, assistant administrator, Office of Communications & Public Liaison, U.S. SBA. “The SBA is pleased to recognize your achievements and your role in driving our nation’s economic growth.” Each year since 1963, the president has issued a proclamation calling for the celebration of National Small Business Week (NSBW). NSBW recognizes outstanding small business owners for their personal successes and contributions to our nation. According to the SBA, more than half of Americans who work either own or work for a small business.  [Read more…]

2014 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Finalists Announced

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Winners Announced April 9

GovernorsCupLogoTeams from six Arkansas colleges and universities were announced yesterday as finalists in the 14th annual Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition that is managed by The Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group. On April 9, winners will be announced in the following categories:

  • Graduate Best Business Plan First Place – $25,000
  • Graduate Best Business Plan Second Place – $15,000
  • Graduate Best Business Plan Third Place – $10,000
  • Undergraduate Best Business Plan First Place – $25,000
  • Undergraduate Best Business Plan Second Place – $15,000
  • Undergraduate Best Business Plan Third Place – $10,000
  • Graduate Innovation First Place – $5,000
  • Undergraduate Innovation First Place – $5,000

New for this year is the C. Sam Walls Entrepreneur Educator Award, funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to honor Walls for his commitment to entrepreneurial education in Arkansas. Two college or university educators will be awarded the Walls Award along with a $2,500 cash prize each and $2,500 to their respective academic institutions for use in the furtherance of entrepreneurial education. Additionally, an elevator pitch competition will be held live at the luncheon, in which luncheon attendees will use text messaging to select the winners in the undergraduate and graduate categories. The top graduate and undergraduate elevator pitch winners will each receive $2,000. The top two undergraduate and graduate teams from the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup competition will compete against the top two teams from Nevada and Oklahoma for the Donald W. Reynolds Tri-State Award in May, with first and second place prizes of $30,000 and $20,000 respectively awarded in the graduate and undergraduate tracks. The 2014 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup finalists are: [Read more…]

2014 Youth Business Plan Competition Winners Announced

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4th Year of Youth Entrepreneur Showcase 2.0 Business Plan Statewide Competition for Ninth through Twelfth Grade Students

Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, today announced the winners of the Youth Entrepreneur Showcase 2.0 (Y.E.S 2.0) statewide youth business plan competition for grades ninth through twelfth. Today’s winners were chosen in the categories of Best Business Plan and Most Innovative. The competition included 43 teams from seven high schools across Arkansas. Y.E.S. 2.0 students from across the state work in small groups, led by their teacher advisors, to develop and market a business concept. The winners in the two competition categories are as follows: [Read more…]

Arkansas Capital Announces New C. Sam Walls Entrepreneur Educator Award for 2014

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Accepting nominations through March 27

The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group and its affiliate The Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation announce the C. Sam Walls Entrepreneur Educator Award, funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. This award is being given in honor of C. Sam Walls and his relentless advocacy for entrepreneurial education in Arkansas. As chief executive officer of Arkansas Capital Corporation, Walls created what is now known as the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition. Through his leadership, that event has developed into one of the premier collegiate business plan competitions in the United States and has been used to spearhead Arkansas Capital Corporation’s broad effort to support entrepreneurship in Arkansas. Two college or university educators will be awarded the Walls Award along with a $2,500 cash prize each and $2,500 to their respective academic institutions for use in the furtherance of entrepreneurial education. Any member of the faculty or administration of an Arkansas college or university that is currently participating, or has participated in previous years, in the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Business Plan Competition is eligible for nomination. Any member of the faculty or administration of the nominee’s academic institution or any current or former student participant may submit a nomination. [Read more…]

Arkansas Capital Corporation Is Pleased to Showcase the Work of Win Bruhl – A 40 Year Retrospective

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In August, The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group was looking for inspiration for its staff, clients and visitors. We found it in the work of Robert Bean and decided to share his artwork by opening up our offices to visitors as part of downtown Little Rock’s 2nd Friday Art Night. We were so happy with the enthusiasm and response of our guests, that we have decided to open our offices again. This time, we are inspired by the works of Win Bruhl, recently retired from the Art Department at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The show is being curated by Robert Bean. Near Blue Grove 2000s Win Bruhl is a retired art administrator and studio artist who taught for various universities during a 43 year career following the completion of the Master of Fine Arts degree in printmaking and sculpture at Montana State University. Recently retired from the Art Department at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, he taught drawing while continuing an interest in printmaking in his studio, Southern Flyer Press. During his career in higher education, 23 years were dedicated to departmental administration at Southeast Missouri State University, Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and UALR. [Read more…]

2014 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Finalists and Semi-Finalists Announced

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Top teams move on to oral presentations

The best business plans from college and university teams statewide were recently selected to compete in the next round of the state’s premier business plan competition. Teams from seven Arkansas colleges and universities were announced today as finalists in the 14th annual Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition that is managed by The Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation, an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group. On March 18 at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock, Ark., the 12 advancing semi-finalist undergraduate teams will make a 20-minute presentation to volunteer judges from the state’s business and entrepreneurial sectors. Afterward, they will answer questions from judges for 15 minutes. Two judges’ panels will determine the six finalist undergraduate teams. The six undergraduate finalist teams, along with the six graduate finalist teams, will compete in the last round of oral presentations for first-, second- and third-place prizes March 19 at the Embassy Suites. [Read more…]

Arkansas Capital Corporation Announces Two Appointments to Board of Directors

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Arkansas Capital Corporation is pleased to announce the appointments of Dr. Sandra Massey, chancellor of Arkansas State University (ASU) at Newport, and Frank Scott Jr., business development and commercial lending executive for First Security Bank, to its all-volunteer board of directors. In her current role at ASU Newport, Dr. Massey serves as chief executive officer, providing strategic leadership initiatives for the institution’s three campuses. She also serves on the Newport Economic Development Commission.  A Jonesboro native, Dr. Massey received a bachelor of science degree in psychology and a master of rehabilitation counseling from ASU in Jonesboro. She received a doctor of education in occupational and adult education from Oklahoma State University. Scott, who is a native of Little Rock, serves as a bank executive with First Security Bank, focused on new business development and commercial lending. He is also an Arkansas State Highway commissioner. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Fogelman College of Business at the University of Memphis. He also earned a master’s degree in business administration from the College of Business at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.  [Read more…]

Arkansas Capital Corporation Names Kathleen Purcell Controller

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KathleenThe Arkansas Capital Corporation Group is pleased to name Kathleen Purcell controller. Purcell will focus on administrative and financial roles for the company. Purcell previously served as a controller for ClearPointe Holdings, Inc. Prior to ClearPointe Holdings, Purcell held various accounting positions at Frost, PLLC. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. [Read more…]

Galley Support Innovations Expands With Loan from Six Bridges Capital Corporation and Centennial Bank

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Galley Support Innovations Galley Support Innovations, a family-owned business based in Sherwood, Ark., recently expanded their business with an SBA 504 Loan from Six Bridges Capital Corporation, in partnership with the Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, and Centennial Bank. Gallery Support Innovations Logo Galley Support Innovations, owned by Gina and Wade Radke, specializes in manufacturing interior hardware such as locks, latches, retainers, door bolting systems, custom latches, and more. Clients include Gulfstream, Dassault Falcon, Boeing, American Airlines, Jamco, and others. The company has been in business for more than 50 years. The company was experiencing significant growth in April 2012 and needed more space. Since they were leasing, the Radkes couldn’t expand their facility and looked for one to buy. However, they were unable to find another suitable facility to purchase, they decided to purchase the space they were leasing. [Read more…]