Kerri Barnes is the leadership development coordinator for student activities at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. She received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of the Ozarks and is pursuing a master’s degree in operations management at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Barnes was the founding administrator in 2006 of Young Emerging Leaders and is chair of its Leadership Council. She is director of membership for the Gamma Phi Beta Alumnae Circle and a member of the River Valley Tobacco and Drug Free Coalition, the Fort Smith Regional Air Show Committee and the University of the Ozarks Alumni Board of Directors. She lives in Greenwood.

Jo Davidson is a community volunteer and retired registered medical technologist. She received a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from the Arkansas Polytechnic College and is a graduate of the Sparks School of Medical Technology. She is also a registered medical technologist and a registered specialist in microbiology with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. Since 1991, she has held positions of board treasurer and guild treasurer for Western Arkansas Ballet, where she helped establish policies and guidelines, designed and administered fundraisers and organized volunteers. Twice she has been recognized as the ballet’s Volunteer of the Year. She also has been active in the Fort Smith Rose Society and the PTAs of Euper Lane Elementary and Chaffin Junior High. She is vice president-elect of the Fort Smith Chorale. In 2007, Davidson became the president of the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI). She has been a resident of Fort Smith for 38 years.

Rev. Tom Elliott is pastor of Christ the King Catholic Church in Fort Smith. He also serves as administrator for Christ the King School and Trinity Junior High. A graduate of Springdale High School, he received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Saint Meinrad College Seminary and a master’s degree in theology from Notre Dame Seminary. He received certification in spiritual direction and retreat direction from the Institute for Priestly Formation. He has developed a long-range strategic committee that gathers input from parishioners and develops short- and long-term goals for the parish. He has lived in the Fort Smith region for seven years.

Derek Goodson is a computer-aided drafting and design instructor at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. A native of Fort Smith and graduate of Northside High School, he received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he is currently pursuing a master’s degree in education. Goodson serves as the Western Arkansas Technical Center robotics team coach for the BEST Robotics program. He has participated in the Fort Smith Citizen’s Academy as well as the Citizen’s Police and Fire academies. He is a team captain for the United States Tennis Association and has coached for local baseball and soccer teams. Goodson has lived in the Fort Smith region for 26 years.

Cheryl Holden is an interdisciplinary clinical practice coordinator at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center. She received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Oklahoma and a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix at Tulsa. In 2007 she received Nursing Continuing Education Providership Status for St. Edward’s from the Arkansas Nurses Association, enabling nurses to attend continuing education classes locally. Holden is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society. Since 1991 she has served as a lead training center faculty member for the American Heart Association. She volunteers for blood drives, health fairs, pre-screening clinics and student athletic physicals. She has served as an officer for the Sallisaw Youth League and is active in the First Baptist Church. She lives in Fort Smith.

Maleb Kelley is assistant principal of Darby Junior High School. A graduate of Northside High School, she received an Associate of Arts degree from UA Fort Smith when it was Westark College. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in educational administration from Arkansas Tech University. As a Hispanic bilingual teacher and school administrator, Kelley has worked to contribute to the success of students, teachers and families in the region. During her seven years as an English Language Acquisition (ELA) teacher at Kimmons, she became chair of the ELA department and led it to become one other school districts visit and emulate. Kelley was nominated in 2007 by former Gov. Mike Huckabee to serve on his Committee on Minority Teachers Recruitment. She has served as secretary of Teachers of English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL) and as a volunteer for the Literacy Council and AHEC. She created and ran Café Mundo, which provided information, support, services and translation for the Hispanic community. Kelley, of Van Buren, has lived in the Fort Smith region for 26 years.

Mark Lloyd is director of admissions at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. He received a bachelor’s degree in speech communications from Missouri Southern State University and a master’s degree in administrative studies from Missouri State University. From 1999 to 2007, he served as an admissions counselor at Missouri Southern State University. Since moving to Fort Smith in the spring of 2007, Lloyd has served on the marketing, membership and networking committees of Young Emerging Leaders and currently serves as co-chair of its leadership and professional development committee. He is a mentor with the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club and an adviser for the Keystone Club. He has been selected as the 2008-09 chair of the University Staff Council, the representative body for the staff at UA Fort Smith.

Steve Lovick is director of information technology at Rheem Manufacturing Co. He received a bachelor’s degree in anthropology/sociology/psychology from Luther College and a master’s degree in anthropology from Miami University (Ohio). He is currently board chairman of Faith United Methodist Church and is a member of its choir and of the Fort Smith Chorale. He has served with the Choices Program at Darby Junior High and the Juvenile Detention Center. His volunteer service with the Boy Scouts of America includes serving as a current committee chairman of Troop 110, district chairman of the Butterfield Trail District and board member of the Westark Area Council. An active Rotarian, he is the assistant governor of Rotary District 6110. He has also served as president and secretary/treasurer of the Fort Smith Rotary Club. He was chosen as Fort Smith Father of the Year for 2007-08. He has lived in Fort Smith for 26 years.

Nicole McGinister is a production engineer at Rheem Manufacturing Co. She grew up in Helena and received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She serves as a board member of the Community Services Clearinghouse, as a United Way committee member at Rheem and as a member of the Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir. In 2008 McGinister received the Mayor’s Perfect Harmony Award from Mayor Ray Baker. With a passion to work with youth, McGinister serves as youth department director of St. James Missionary Baptist Church, as well as a member of its Board of Trustees. She has lived in Fort Smith for four years.

Carl Hill is the assistant principal at Euper Lane and Cook Elementary Schools. He holds both a BA and BSE in Elementary Education from John Brown University, and an MSE in Education from UA Fayetteville. Hill was honored for his work with students by being named Carroll Co. Teacher of the Year, and has been instrumental in setting curriculum and in the professional development of teachers. He is a member of the AR Association for Educational Administration, Phi Delta Kappa, and  P.A.V.E., and is coordinator of the Sebastian Co. Spelling Bee. Carl has served as a deacon in his church, a sponsor for foreign exchange students, a board member for the Carroll Co. Historical Society and as a coach for Little League, Pee Wee Basketball and Mighty Mite Football. Carl and his wife moved to Fort Smith from Berryville five years ago.

Eric Pendergrass is an attorney with Smith, Maurras, Cohen, Redd & Horan, PLC. He graduated from Charleston High School and received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a juris doctorate and Master of Laws  from the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville. Pendergrass serves on the subcommittee on recreation and programming of the Fort Smith Parks and Recreation Commission. He is co-chair of the leadership and professional development committee of Young Emerging Leaders and is an associate member of the William B. Putnam Chapter of American Inns of Court. He lives in Fort Smith.

Susie Reehl is program director for the Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance Center/WestArk RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program). She received a bachelor’s degree in economics and business from Hendrix College. She is a certified volunteer manager (CVM) through the Arkansas Public Administrative Consortium. Over her 27-year career, Rheel has developed extensive expertise in the fields of volunteer management, non-profit administration and geriatric service delivery. Reehl serves as a member of the St. Edward Mercy Homecare and Hospice Advisory Council, the Sparks Senior Health Center Community Advisory Health Council, the Arkansas Association of Senior Corps Directors, the National Association of RSVP Directors, Fort Smith Classic Golf Tournament and the Arkansas SMP Advisory Board and is president of the Arkansas RSVP Coalition. She has lived in Fort Smith for 17 years.

Kathie Smith is development coordinator for The Gregory Kistler Treatment Center for Children Inc. in Fort Smith. She received an Associate of Arts degree from UA Fort Smith when it was Westark Community College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She is an active member of the Arkansas Volunteer Coordinators Association, having served as secretary and state newsletter chairman, and is a graduate of the Certified Volunteer Management Program. She has served as publicity co-chair of the Celebrity Classic and the Old Fort River Festival. She has volunteered for the Young Women’s Community Guild, the Reynolds Cancer Support House, the Southside High School Mash Bash, the American Heart Association and the Young Actors Guild. She has lived in Fort Smith for 35 years.

Lisa Spears is vice president of the enterprise project management office at Golden Living. She graduated from Parkview High in Little Rock and received a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She has received certification as a project management professional and an information systems auditor. Spears’ community activities include volunteering with the Crisis Center for Women, including serving as board treasurer, vice president and president and leading a successful capital building fundraising campaign. After serving as the project manager for Coach Broyles’ Playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers, she received special recognition from former Razorbacks athletic director Frank Broyles, UAMS and the National Alzheimer’s Association. She has also volunteered for Partners in Education, Habitat for Humanity, Celebrity Classic and the National MS Society. She has lived in Fort Smith for 20 years.

Donna Woods is assistant vice president and branch manager for First National Bank in Charleston. Her community involvement includes serving as the Partners in Education coordinator for FNB’s school partner, Barling Elementary. She has been recognized for her implementation of the “Dollars and Sense” course for sixth graders in Lavaca and Barling elementary schools, a program that teaches the fundamentals of savings. She also coordinated a pen pal program for the children with FNB and ERC Properties Inc. employees. Woods has served as treasurer and is currently first vice president of Altrusa Club of Fort Smith. She is a charter member of the River Valley Rotary Club of Barling, a member of Q&A Arkansas and a United Way volunteer. She is a member of First Baptist Church in Lavaca and lives in Charleston.