Amanda Beth Kennedy, 40
Certified public accountant
Who is Amanda Beth Kennedy?
I am a Hot Springs native. I graduated from Hot Springs High School and attained my B.A. degree in Accounting from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. I’ve been serving the Hot Springs Village area as a CPA since 1997, and have owned and operated Kennedy & Company CPA since 2001. My most important “job,” however, is mom to two teenagers, Emily and Andrew. I am also lucky enough to be involved with several GREAT organizations. I am a charter member and past president of Rotary Club of North Garland County/ Scenic 7 and I serve as the event organizer for our annual Harlem Ambassadors fundraiser and for our Arkansas Fallen Heroes Memorial week. In addition, I serve on the board of Arkansas Patriot Guard Riders, Inc. and am the Arkansas State Coordinator for Run For The Wall, and get to escort several hundred Veterans across the Country on a coast-to-coast motorcycle ride each spring. I also sit on the board of STAARR, Sexual Trauma and Abuse Recovery Resources, formerly Committed to Freedom. It is in serving along with incredible people in these organizations that I am fortunate enough to have found an avenue to help others. And that is so very fulfilling.
What one experience in your life really defined you?
The experience that has most defined me is undoubtedly raising teenagers. Doing the “teenage years” with them has taught me about myself. And, more importantly, it has taught me about the kind of person I want to be. Kids are amazing teachers.
What do you love about Hot Springs Village?
Hot Springs Village is a truly unique area. We have people in the Village from all over the world, with amazing talents and with incredible life experiences. There is lots to learn from them, if we take the time to listen.
What do you enjoy doing for fun and relaxation?
I don’t seem to find a lot of free time lately, but when I do have time, I love to travel. The world is too beautiful not to see as much of it as you can in the short time we are here. I also like to find cool places locally to ride my motorcycle, and I enjoy cooking (but not so much cleaning).
Tell us something few people know about you.
I LOVE good Mexican food. It is a weakness. Most of the other things that few people know, there is a good reason few people know. So, we will just leave that there.
Where do you see Hot Springs five years from now?
There are so many gifted artists, writers, and musicians in the Hot Springs area. And you can find it if you look for it. But, I would like for that talent to rise to the top so that the arts is more prevalent in our community. Our children’s lives — and OUR lives — are enriched by exposure to the arts. That is a resource I think we will tap into in the years ahead. And I think we will be better off for it.