(Arkansas State University
Twenty professionals from counties across northeast Arkansas have been selected to be part of the first class of the NEA Regional Leadership Accelerator Academy, Arkansas State University announced.
Members of the Accelerator Academy will attend six sessions for the program, which is designed to build practical skills, foster collaboration and strengthen leadership capacity across the region.
Those selected for the academy, listed by county, include:
Craighead County
- Henry Burrell of Jonesboro is the founder and executive director of the Jonesboro Business Association
- Katie Collier of Jonesboro is a manager at St. Bernards Medical Center
- Lynette Hirsch of Jonesboro is the marketing and outreach coordinator for the City of Jonesboro
- Erika Krennerich Chudy is vice chancellor for advancement at Arkansas State University
- Scott McDaniel of Jonesboro is vice president of Ramsons, Inc.
- Casey Pearce of Jonesboro is director of external relations and marketing at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Cody Slater of Jonesboro is vice president of programming at the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Ashley Spencer of Jonesboro is a physical therapist assistant at St. Bernards Sports Medicine
- Dylan Tedder of Brookland is the education coordinator at UAMS Northeast
- Christy Valentine of Jonesboro is the manager of academic and philanthropic programs at Hytrol Conveyor Company, Inc.
Crittenden County
- Beth Wilson of West Memphis is the economic development director for the City of Marion
Cross County
- Bevin Hunter of Wynne is president and CEO at Wynne Economic Development Corporation
Greene County
- Cecily Graham of Beech Grove is a patient advocate at A Safe Place For You Foundation
- Lindsey Partlow Smith of Paragould is regional project delivery manager and national account manager for Terracon Consultants
Jackson County
- Jeff Phillips of Newport is county judge of Jackson County
Mississippi County
- Kennedy Baker of Manila is the programs director at Studio 42 and Company
- Melisa Logan of Blytheville is the mayor of the City of Blytheville
- Tammy Winstead of Blytheville is the CEO of TrueLove Designs
Phillips County
- Lynn Hawkins of Lexa is the chief operations officer at Arkansas Rural Health Partnerships
Poinsett County
- Barett Beshears of Harrisburg is an information systems analyst at Woodruff Electric
The six sessions will be held on Tuesdays every other month starting in January, with graduation from the program taking place in November.
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