Leadership Fort Smith - Current Class Roster 2008

	Russell Apple is a vice president of First National Bank of Fort Smith. He received a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas Tech University is a certified public accountant. He volunteers his time to the Lincoln Child Care Center and the United Way. He is a member of Young Emerging Leaders, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Western Arkansas Society of CPAs. A graduate of Booneville High, he currently resides in Fort Smith. He and his wife have a daughter, Vivian Hui Apple. Russell frequently visits Asia and is a student of Chinese culture.
Janice Beran serves as an ambassador for the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. She holds a master’s and specialist degrees from the University of Mississippi and is nationally certified in developmental education. She serves as secretary of the Fort Smith Mayor’s Commission for the Arts and as Chair of the Chancellor’s Coalition for the Visual Arts at UA Fort Smith. She is also a member of the St. Edwards Hospital Auxiliary. Her civic work focuses on fostering stronger communities and promoting quality of place, efforts she balances with her duties as First Lady of the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. She and her husband Chancellor Paul B. Beran have been advocates of community service since relocating to Fort Smith in 2006.
	Shelia Bradley is the director of Medicare and managed care resources at Golden Ventures. She earned an associate degree in nursing from Westark Community College, now the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. Her community outreach efforts are extensive, including work with the American Red Cross, the Alzheimer’s Association, the United Way, Partners in Education, and the Community Bible Church. In 2003 she received the prestigious Chairman’s Award at Beverly Enterprises. A honors graduate of Southside High School, Sheila has two children, Brittany and Dustin. She and her husband Doug are active residents of Fort Smith.
Don Brewer serves as pastor of the St. Luke Lutheran Church. He holds a master’s degrees from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Iowa’s Wartburg Theological Seminary. He gives his time to a number of community services and events. He has assisted the children displaced by the 1996 Fort Smith tornados and has worked to improve the Community Rescue Mission and the Civic Center. His duties as pastor have permitted him to touch many lives. A graduate of Gotebo High School, he has three children, Stephanie, Shelby, and Timothy. He and his wife Gail have lived in Fort Smith for seventeen years.
	Dale Brunk is a financial advisor with Beall Barclay Wealth Management, LLC. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and is a certified employee benefits specialists. He is a member of Young Emerging Leaders and secretary of the board of the Living Water Fellowship church in Roland. Dale helped organize a church “from the ground up” and believes in the power of communication. He is a 9/11 survivor and a graduate of Roland High School. He and his wife Kimberly have lived in the Greater Fort Smith Region for nearly thirty years.
Jennifer Canada is the executive director of the Crisis Center for Women, Inc. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College and holds an advisory chair on the board of directors for the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Over the years, Jennifer has served as a youth director for her church, coached tee ball, and held an active position on the Student Leadership Council at Duke University. A graduate of Harrison High School, Jennifer has lived in the Fort Smith area for over twelve years. She currently holds a blue belt in karate.
	Philip Doss is senior vice president at BancorpSouth Bank. He earned both a MBA and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He has volunteered his time in a variety of community organizations, including the American Red Cross, the United Way, the American Heart Association, and the Immaculate Conception Church. In 2003, his team won first place in the Governor’s Cup competition for entrepreneurial development. A graduate of Southside High School, Philip has resided in the Fort Smith area for over 30 years. Philip and Chandler Doss have three children, Morgan, Jake, and Carson.
Rhonda Gray is an educator and the English department chair at Kimmons Junior High. Currently a doctoral candidate, Rhonda earned a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Rhonda has won numerous teaching awards and has served as a mentor to many teachers in the Fort Smith region. Through the High School Heroes program, she presents workshops on self-esteem and character-building. A lifelong proponent of diversity, Rhonda is co-coordinator of the Cultural Showcase, a yearly event highlighting the importance of cultural exploration in the classroom.
	Shirrell Henry is the director of quality improvement and patient safety at St. Edward Medical Center of Fort Smith. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. Her community outreach activities include the Alzheimer’s Association, the Association of Hospital Research and Quality, the Local Emergency Planning Committee, and the Fort Smith Celebrity Classic. Shirrell is an active member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society. She has lived in the Greater Fort Smith Region for over 25 years. She and her husband Darrell have two children, Ashley and Nathan.
Karen Hollenbeck is principal of St. Boniface Catholic School. She holds a doctoral degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, a master’s degree from Northeastern Oklahoma State University, and a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas Tech. Karen is a long-time member of Phi Delta Kappa, the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators, the National Catholic Education Association, and many other organizations that emphasize the importance of educating young people to become responsible citizens. She and her husband William have three children, Claire, Matthew, and GraceAnne. In 2006 Karen and the St. Boniface school hosted Laura Bush during the First Lady’s visit to Fort Smith.
	Jayne Hughes is the director of the Central Business Improvement District of Fort Smith. She works with the City of Fort Smith in Downtown Development. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She has served important roles in many community-enhancement endeavors, working with the Bonneville House, the Fort Smith Museum of History, the Immaculate Conception Spring Festival, the Trinity Junior High Golf Tournament, and the Great American Race. Jayne has served on the boards of five Junior Leagues and acted as the city’s “downtown liaison” to the U.S. Marshals Service Bring It Home campaign. She has been active in the Fort Smith Riverfront Blues Festival and the mayor’s Fourth of July celebration.
Sandra Johnson, M.D. is a physician and general manager at Johnson Dermatology. She earned a doctoral degree from Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM) in Rootstown, Ohio and a bachelor’s from Youngstown State University. She is a member of the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce Healthcare Committee and mission chair for the Greenwood chapter of the American Cancer Society. She has won the American Academy of Dermatology’s Presidential Citation for her leadership efforts. She and her husband Brad own and operate their own dermatology clinic. They have two children, Mark and Anna.
	Susan Todd Krafft is the event coordinator for the Classic Charitable Foundation and organizes Fort Smith’s premier golf event, the Celebrity Classic. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Tulsa and a bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College. She has been involved in numerous community and charitable efforts, including the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Young Emerging Leaders, and the Newman Center for Catholic Ministry. Susan won the Advisor of the Year award at TU and the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Good Citizen Award. An honors graduate of Northside High School, she and her husband Chris have two children, Aaron and Rachel.
Virginia Lang owns Comprehensive Community Affairs, where she serves as a consultant to nonprofit organizations and community governments. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Houston Baptist University. A member of the Alliance for Nonprofit Management, she promotes the efforts of nonprofit entities through assistance with writing grants, formulating strategic plans, and managing volunteerism. She is a member of the planning committees for the Fort Smith Frontier Fest and the Bass Reeves Legacy Initiative. She and her husband Frank have made the Fort Smith region their home for nearly three years, though Virginia has lived, studied, and worked in such diverse locales as the Virgin Islands, Connecticut, Texas, and Canterbury, England.
	Darren McKinney serves as the assistant principal at Darby Junior High. He is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he also earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees, as well as a specialist certificate in education administration. An active community leader, Darren is a member of Young Emerging Leaders and the St. Boniface school board. He was selected to attend the National Space Academy for Educators and has been nominated as an Outstanding Young Educator in the Fort Smith Public Schools. A graduate of Northside High School, he resides in Fort Smith with his wife, Jennifer.
Madeline Martinez is a Spanish instructor at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Austin Peay State University in Tennessee and a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She currently serves on the boards of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and the Boys’ Shelter, both of Fort Smith. She is an active member of the Fort Smith Junior League. Madeline serves as a translator for many different community organizations. She creates and teaches Spanish-based curriculum to the area’s workforce. A native of Puerto Rico, she has resided in the Fort Smith area for nearly ten years.
	Pat Nolte owns Alert Alarm System, Inc. of Fort Smith. A certified public accountant, he earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He is the president of the Trinity Junior High Booster Club and the Subiaco Alumni Association. He has demonstrated dynamic leadership skills in a variety of roles in both the workplace and in the community, including corporate management, church councils, and stewardship committees. Pat and his wife Susan have two children, Shelby and Jake.
Edward Nugent is the vice president of operations for Pates Farm, Inc. He earned a master’s degree from Florida State University and a bachelor’s from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. He is a long-time volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America and a board member of the Fort Smith Symphony. Edward was part of the team that helped bring the U.S. Marshals Museum to Fort Smith, and he is active in many leadership roles in the First Presbyterian Church. A graduate of St. Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky, he and his wife Burva Ann have a son, Brennan.
	Paul Post is vice president of the Post Familie Vineyards and Winery. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He serves on the board of directors for Western Arkansas Mountain Frontier and the Altus Chamber of Commerce. He is the president of the Arkansas State Horticulture Society’s board of directors, vice president of the Arkansas Wine Producers Council, and vice commander of the Knights of Columbus, council #1410. In 1983 he was instrumental in the Altus area being named an approved U.S. wine-growing region. He and his wife Veronica have three children, Anthony, Theresa, and John.
Rob Ratley is the community affairs manager for OG&E. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State University and a certificate from the Institute for Paralegal Training. He has served on the board of many community programs, including the Ada Jobs Foundation, the Pauls Valley Industrial Development Authority, and the chambers of commerce in Ada, Davis, and Sulphur. Rob has been active in the Oklahoma Citizens Academy and the Oklahoma Aging Advocacy Leadership Academy. He has served as the president of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and has lived in the Greater Fort Smith region for over 20 years.
	Therese Reinhard is the director of pipeline integrity with the Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University. Heavily involved in volunteerism, she has worked with Partners in Education, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the United Way, and the Boy Scouts of America. Therese is currently first vice president of the Arkansas Gas Association and has served as president of the River City Safety and Environmental Council. A graduate of Cassville High School in Cassville, Missouri, she and her husband Jed have lived in the Fort Smith area for over 13 years. They have three children, Kayla, Graham, and Joshua.
Travis Stephens is a business development officer with the Bank of the Ozarks. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he was a member of the student senate and chair of the intramural athletics organization. He is a member of the Fort Smith Downtown Rotary Club, a Chamber of Commerce ambassador, and a Sunday school teacher at Harvest Time church. For the last three years, Travis has coached girls youth softball. He is president of the Union Christian Academy’s Eagle Army. He and his wife Kelli have four children, Kaitlin, Kalli, Kennedy, and Kamryn.
	Samuel Terry is an associate attorney with Hardin, Jesson, and Terry, PLC. He earned law and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He is a member of Young Emerging Leaders, where he is the chairman of the governmental relations subcommittee of the economic and professional development council. Samuel is an active member of the Sebastian County, Arkansas, and American Bar Associations. An honors graduate of Southside High School, he has lived in the Greater Fort Smith Region for over 20 years.
Carol Warner is an assistant professor of mathematics at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. She holds doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She has served many roles in community activism, including membership in the Old Fort River Festival Executive Committee and the Junior League. Carol has also volunteered her time with Meals on Wheels, the Fort Smith Public Schools anti-drug campaign, and both the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts of America. She and her husband Drew have three children, Carey, Jeff, and Ben. They have lived in the Fort Smith area for over 40 years.
	Peggy Weidman is a retired emergency-room nurse. She earned a nursing degree from Westark Community College (now UA Fort Smith). Her community work is extensive. She has worked with the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission, Fort Smith Parks and Recreation, and the National Parks and Recreation Association. Peggy is recognized as a Mount Magazine Girl Scout Council Woman of Distinction. She also has earned the Sertoma Club’s Service to Mankind Award at both the local and state levels. A graduate of Bishop Hogan High School in Kansas City, Missouri, she and her husband Bill have five children, Eric, Shaun, Carl, Daniel, and Terry.