Heather Anne Larkin

■ Date and place of birth: March 27, 1971, Charleston, Ark.

■ What I like about my job with the grant-giving Arkansas Community Foundation is that: It’s fascinating, and it’s challenging, and it’s complicated.

■ The best thing about being the Foundation’s president and CEO is that: I get to work with Arkansans doing amazing things in the state I love.

■ Ebenezer Scrooge said “Humbug” to generosity. But my advice to Scrooge would be: Let me help you make a gift or two. I can almost guarantee you will want to make another two or three.

■ I do or don’t keep my personal checkbook: I do, but I don’t write many checks.

■ Before I buy something expensive, I think: I am notoriously practical and frugal, but if I really want something, I will buy it and keep it forever.

■ Something almost nobody knows about me is that: I also have a pick-up truck and trailer, and that I wear cowboy boots.

■ My car should have a bumper sticker that reads: “I’d rather be: At the barn.”

■ My husband’s name: Rick Barton. He’s a rancher.

■ How we met: My best friend hosted an outof-town birthday party for her boyfriend, who is Rick’s best friend. I think I fell for him when I asked what a houlihan is, and he answered without missing a beat.

■ A houlihan is: A type of lariat rope throw when roping a calf or a horse.

■ I know because: I loved growing up in Charleston [near Fort Smith]. Life revolved around school activities, church activities and farm activities — 4-H, rodeos.

■ Our herd includes: Blue, a rescued pit bull terrier; Roscoe, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, several horses and numerous spayed and neutered barn cats.

■ The last book I read was: “Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America” by Jim Webb. I’m Irish-German, but I’m really into Scots-Irish culture.

■ My favorite treat is: Chocolate-chip cookies.

■ One word to sum me up: Grateful.