BUSINESS PEOPLE

J.W. “Bill” Ramsey started Jan. 1 as executive director of the Arkansas Good Road Transportation Council in Little Rock. He replaced D.B. Hill, who served as interim director for eight months after the resignation of Johnnie Bolin.

Ramsey served on the council’s board of directors for about 11 years. He served nine terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives and was a legislative lobbyist for Associated General Contractors. He has served as president and chief executive officer of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and owned a Fayetteville public relations firm. He is a former city treasurer of Prairie Grove, where he owned Crescent Department Store Inc. Ramsey can be reached at (501) 375-8566.

Lona Robertson has been appointed to the Food Systems Leadership Institute for a two-year program. She’s been associate dean at Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences since February 2011. She joined the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville faculty in January 2006 as associate professor in the School of Human Environmental Sciences.

The Food Systems Leadership Institute is dedicated to advancing and strengthening food systems by preparing a set of new leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to invent and reinvent food systems of the future. A program of the Association of Public Land-grant Universities, initial funding is provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The program combines interactive distance learning with residential sessions.

Robertson earned her bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising and a master’s degree in clothing and textiles from Florida State University. While an assistant professor of textiles, apparel and merchandising at Indiana State University, she earned her doctorate in education in 1995.

LaDonna Meredith begins as director of development for WorkMatters, a 10year-old nonprofit organization in Rogers with a mission to close the gap between faith and work. The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville alumna was development director for Arkansas Support Network, which assists individuals with disabilities and their families. Her 15 years in nonprofit leadership includes co-founding Let’s Bring Them Home, a national organization that provides resources on behalf of families of missing persons.

Robby Edwards is the new director of communication for the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. He moves to the college after working as associate director of media relations in the University of Arkansas athletic department since 2000. He coordinated game and media operations for Arkansas men’s basketball, while also assisting with football. He was the first editor of Inside Razorback Athletics, a monthly newspaper distributed to Razorback Foundation members. He also produced the weekly Razorback Roundup report for internal communication, assisted in maintaining the ArkansasRazorbacks.com website and handled all publicity for the soccer and gymnastics programs.

He worked for 10 years in sports information for the University of LouisianaMonroe, where he earned his master’s degree in communication in 1988.

Summit Medical Center of Van Buren has selected new medical officers for 2013. Dr. David Busby was inducted as the hospital’s chief of staff during the January meeting of the medical staff. Busby has completed specialized training in the field of wound care and earned his medical degree at the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree from Ouachita Baptist University. Vice chief of staff is Dr. Stephen Carney for the 103-bed acute care hospital.

Dr. Javed Rana serves as secretary of the medical staff for 2013 and Brett Whatcott, D.O., is immediate past chief of staff.