Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
BUSINESS PEOPLE
Dr. Robert S. Williams was hired as chief medical officer for Arkansas Children’s Northwest. Williams served as an assistant professor of pediatrics for the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He earned his undergraduate degree in English from the University of California and received his medical degree from St. George’s University. He completed both his pediatric residency and fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
joined the Mark Hamby
North America sales team of Cobb-Vantress Inc. as Southeast regional sales manager. Hamby began his career with Con Agra in 1996 after graduating from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a minor in poultry science. He worked with Con Agra and Pilgrims as a broiler service technician, broiler manager, breeder manager, live production manager and processing plant manager for 17 years and spent the past three years with Zoetis as a regional account manager in Georgia.
Dr. Lonna S. Bufford joined Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas’ FirstCare South at 2523 E. Huntsville Road in Fayetteville. She graduated summa cum laude from Missouri State University with a biology degree and from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She completed a residency in family medicine at UAMS Southwest in Texarkana. She is a member of the American Board of Family Medicine, American Medical Association and American Academy of Family Physicians.
joined Erika Thomas
KFSM 5NEWS in Fort Smith/ Fayetteville as a weeknight anchor. Thomas studied journalism and economics at the University of Missouri, graduating with summa cum laude honors. Her reporting and anchoring career has included television stations WKBN in Youngstown, Ohio, KMEG/KPTH in Sioux City, Iowa, and KOMU in Columbia, Mo.
was named Tori Bogner director of business development for Baldwin & Shell Construction Co. She will be based in Northwest Arkansas. Bogner worked in fundraising development for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and managed special projects for the Office of the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement. Bogner earned a bachelor of arts in communication and a master of education in higher education from the University of Arkansas.
was Reese Thompson promoted to vice president at Arvest Bank. Thompson, who works as a commercial lender in the bank’s Fayetteville market, has 11 years of banking experience. He joined Arvest in 2006 and held roles in branch management and as a credit analyst. Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree in business management at the University of Central Arkansas. Staybridge Suites in Fayetteville announced several staffing changes.
Neil Gephart was promoted to assistant general manager.
Jeananne Hawking, with Beechwood Hospitality out of Little Rock, is the new sales and marketing director and
Jessica Brightman, a May graduate of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville who received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and hospitality innovations and management, is the new director of sales.
Malachi Lockwood, a May graduate with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Arkansas, is the new front office manager. Briefs are for people in Northwest Arkansas who are new hires, were promoted, received an award from outside their organization or received a certification. Email: cswanson@nwadg.com or send your item to: Christie Swanson, P.O. Box 7, Springdale, AR. 72765. Information must be received by noon Wednesday prior to the Sunday the item is to be published.