Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
BUSINESS PEOPLE
Jill Rowland of Merrill Lynch’s Fort Smith office earned a certified financial planner certification from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. Rowland received a bachelor’s degree from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She joined Merrill Lynch in 2015.
Rebecca Hurst, managing partner at Smith Hurst law firm, received the second annual Young Alumni Award from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith’s Alumni Association. She graduated in 2000 with a degree in accounting from the University Center on Westark College’s campus prior to UAFS becoming a four-year university. Hurst earned her law degree from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and her master of laws in taxation from New York University. She co-founded Smith Hurst, served two three-year terms on the UAFS Alumni Advisory Council and is a member of the UAFS Foundation Board.
Brandi Sprouse, BSN, RN, IBCLC, a neonatal intensive care unit nurse at Washington Regional’s Women and Infants Center, recently achieved certification as a lactation consultant through International Board Certified Lactation Consultants. Sprouse, who has been with Washington Regional since 2004, earned a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She earned designations as a certified breastfeeding educator in 2010 and certified childbirth instructor in 2013.
Sheilah Cornwell recently was named director of medical staff services for Washington Regional. She joined Washington Regional in 2005 as a quality management coordinator and later served as executive assistant in the administration office and medical staff services manager. She earned an associate’s degree in computer technologies at Northwest Technical Institute and achieved designation as a certified provider credentialing specialist from the National Association for Medical Staff Services. She is a member of the National Association for Medical Staff Services and the Arkansas Association for Medical Staff Services.
Michelle Anderson was promoted to associate managing director of asset services for CBRE’s Oklahoma and Arkansas markets. She has more than 35 years real estate experience
and joined the CBRE Asset Services in 2006, most recently working as director of asset services for the Oklahoma City market. Stephen Cranford recently became director of operations — primary care for Sparks Clinic, overseeing more than a dozen clinics in Fort Smith and surrounding areas. He joined Sparks in 2013 and was director of information systems and assistant PAC/ RIS administrator. Cranford earned a bachelor of science in radiology management from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith in 2014 and is completing a master of science in leadership and ethics from John Brown University. David P. Kimball, P.E., was named president of Benchmark Group Inc. in Rogers. Kimball has more than 30 years of engineering experience, including 20 years as a mechanical engineer at Benchmark Group, serving as senior mechanical engineer, project manager, manager, executive and board member. Jim Petty was named to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas’ Affordable Housing Advisory Council. His twoyear term started Jan. 1. Petty is owner, president and chief executive officer of Strategic Realty Developers in Van Buren. He worked for ERC Properties Inc. from 1992-2007. Petty was president of the Arkansas Society of CPAs where he served two terms on the board and was recognized as the Outstanding CPA in Business and Industry in 2003. He is a member of the Van Buren City Council.
Bethany Stephens was appointed president of Soapbox Influencer Marketing in Bentonville; she served as director since 2014. She ran a boutique marketing consulting firm before joining Soapbox. Stephens also worked for nonprofit groups in roles from community partnership manager to executive director. She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and obtained her institute of organizational management designation through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 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.