Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
BUSINESS PEOPLE
Meredith Krohn, an advanced practice nurse in pediatrics, joined Mercy Clinic Pediatrics – Arkansas 102. Krohn earned a master’s of science degree in nursing in pediatric primary care from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She also holds a bachelor’s of science in nursing from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
Ben Brantmeier joined BancorpSouth as vice president and commercial lender in Rogers. He has 13 years of banking experience and most recently served in a vice president position at a privately held bank in North Little Rock. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, and graduated from the Arkansas Bankers Association Commercial Lending School in Little Rock. Thomas J. Huls of Lincoln was elected as a delegate to the 135rd annual American Angus Association Convention of Delegates Nov. 5 at Columbus Convention Center in Ohio. Huls, a member of the American Angus Association, is one of 329 Angus breeders who has been elected by fellow members in their states to represent them at the annual meeting.
Louise Epstein joined the Walton Family Foundation as director of university partnerships. She was the managing director of the Innovation Center in the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Epstein is a fellow at the university’s IC2 Institute. She was entrepreneur-inresidence at the McCombs School of Business in the Herb Kelleher Center for Entrepreneurship and founder of Charge-Off Clearinghouse. She received her master’s in business administration from Texas University where she also graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history.
Fernando Mendez joined Grand Savings Bank as assistant vice president and mortgage loan officer. He has more than 15 years of experience in mortgage lending and held various jobs in the banking and real estate industries. Mendez graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2001. Ricky Tompkins joined Grandslam Performance Associates as managing director
and will oversee the firm’s career transition practice. He is chief academic officer at Northwest Arkansas Community College and will stay in that role for the next several months as the school hires his replacement. Jason N. Bramlett, an attorney at Friday Eldredge & Clark LLP’s Fayetteville office, was recognized for his work in bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights in the 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Clifford W. Plunkett, an attorney at Friday Eldredge & Clark LLP’s Fayetteville office, was recognized for his work in bet-the-company litigation, personal injury and commercial litigation in the 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Marshall S. Ney, an attorney at Friday Eldredge & Clark LLP’s Roger’s office, was recognized for his work in commercial, banking, bankruptcy, intellectual property and labor and employment litigation in the 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
Steve Cox, senior vice president of economic development for the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, was honored as outstanding economic developer Monday by Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives. He began his chamber career in 2011. Cox has worked on numerous projects that resulted in more than $300 million in capital investment and created more than 4,000 new jobs. Jim Petty, president and CEO of The Strategic Realty Companies in Van Buren, was honored as volunteer of the year Monday by Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives. He has more than 25 years experience in the real estate industry. He started Strategic Realty in 2007. 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.