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…]

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…]

Hot Springs Native Opens Pharmacy in Hometown

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Smith Drug and Compounding, Inc. Dr. Lance Smith, a graduate of Lake Hamilton High School in Hot Springs, returned to his hometown after receiving his pharmacy degree. Smith worked at a local Kroger pharmacy but knew he wanted to have his own business. In conjunction with Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, the Henderson State University (HSU) Small Business Technology and Development Center (SBTDC) assisted Smith with his business planning, loan packet preparation, and market research. He successfully obtained financing in August and began renovations on his desired location. “Leah Hasley was very helpful in finding out the answers to all the questions I had,” said Smith. Smith Drug and Compounding opened for business in January 2014. [Read more…]

First Security Bank Honored as Six Bridges Capital Corporation’s Top REAL 504 Lending Partner

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Valentine’s Day Themed Award Presentation Set for February 14

First Security BankSix Bridges Capital Corporation, in partnership with The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, is pleased to announce that First Security Bank has been named its REAL (Real Estate Advantage Loan) 504 loan banking partner of the year for 2013. Six Bridges Capital, Arkansas’s leading provider of REAL 504 loans, will present the award Friday, February 14, at 10 a.m. Six Bridges Capital and First Security Bank partner in ensuring Arkansas businesses have the capital they need to succeed. Six Bridges and First Security partnered to lend more than $13 million to Arkansas businesses in 2013 and assisted in the creation of 60 new jobs. The media is invited to attend the award presentation, which will include a Valentine’s Day twist, at First Security Bank, 17810 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, on February 14 at 10 a.m. [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. [Read more…]

2014 Youth Business Plan Competition Winners Announced

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9th year of Youth Entrepreneur Showcase Business Plan Statewide Competition for fifth through eighth grade students

Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation, today announced the winners of the Youth Entrepreneur Showcase (Y.E.S) statewide youth business plan competition for grades five through eight. Today’s winners, announced at Park Plaza Mall in Little Rock, Ark., were selected from 26 finalist teams that were announced in December. The competition included 220 teams made up of more than 670 students across Arkansas. Y.E.S. 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 four competition categories are as follows: [Read more…]

Youth Business Plan Competition Winners to Be Announced

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Fifth through eighth grade students to showcase and sell their work at Park Plaza Mall

Who: The Youth Entrepreneur Showcase (Y.E.S), a project of the Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation, invites the media to attend the event for photo and interview opportunities of students and student advisors. What:  The top 26 Y.E.S. finalist teams will set up booths to showcase and sell their work at Park Plaza Mall. Fifteen volunteers from the Central Arkansas business and education community will be judging them on creativity, innovation, marketing, and booth display. Winners of the student business plan competition will be announced following the show and sale. When: Jan. 17, 2014. The showcase and sale is 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The awards ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. [Read more…]