Supporters of Arkansas’ anti-gay marriage amendment rallied at the Capitol Wednesday, the day before the Arkansas Supreme Court and a U.S. district judge were to hear oral arguments on Judge Chris Piazza’s ruling that struck it down.

Several hundred Arkansans attended the “Honor Our Vote” rally, sponsored by Vision America, the Family Council and others on a cold, windy day. A couple of dozen vocal gay marriage supporters heckled the speakers throughout the proceedings.

Arkansans passed a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union of an opposite-sex couple in 2004 by a 75-25% margin. Speakers called on the Court to affirm that ruling.

“We are here today to call on the Arkansas Supreme Court to simply let the people’s vote for marriage stand,” Jerry Cox, executive director of the Family Council, said to cheers from his supporters.

Oral arguments on the ban will be held in the Supreme Court and in U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker’s court Thursday. Cox said the rally was focused on the Supreme Court because justices are elected.

Gay marriage supporters made their presence known throughout the event by attempting to refute the speakers’ comments from the audience. When pastors were asked to stand on the Capitol steps behind the speakers, pastor Randy Eddy-McCain and associate pastor Sheryl Myers of Open Door Community Church in Sherwood joined the group holding a sign reading, “Christian pastors for marriage equality.”

Organizers allowed them to remain on the steps while gay marriage opponents stood in front of the sign with signs of their own.

“They asked for pastors to come, and we knew there’d be a lot on the other side, so we wanted to let people know that we as Christian pastors believe in equality in marriage,” Eddy-McCain said in an interview afterwards.

Asked about the counter-demonstration, Cox said, “Oh, it’s a free country, and people are free to come out and voice their opinion as much as they want. I have no problem with that. I’m just glad we have the right to speak our mind, and I support everyone else’s right to do that as well.”

Josh Duggar, executive director of the D.C.-based group Family Research Council Action and a star of the TLC television series “19 Kids and Counting,” told audience members the country’s economy is built on strong families, strong faith and an understanding of basic principles.

“I truly believe that this is under attack not coincidentally, but there is definitely an agenda,” he said. “There is an agenda to silence us, to silence those of us who believe in what is right, those of us who have these deeply held convictions.”

He read a supportive letter from Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson, who said traditional marriage benefits society. Hutchinson’s letter said opposition to gay marriage is not intended to encourage discrimination.

“As governor, I will continue to protect traditional marriage. In the event the Arkansas Supreme Court allows same-sex marriage in Arkansas, I will work with pastors, community leaders and others to ensure that we protect our rights of conscience for our churches, businesses and nonprofits,” Hutchinson’s letter said.

Walton Arts Center announced Wednesday (Nov. 19)  that Wendy Riggs will join the arts center as vice president of operations. Riggs brings over 30 years of arts and venue management, marketing, consulting and teaching experience from arts and cultural institutions including Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, True Colors Theater Company, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Fox Theatre, and Walt Disney World.
 
“We are excited Wendy is joining our team and moving to our community. She was hired for the newly created position of vice president of operations at Walton Arts Center and will support our growing operations and manage and maintain practices and policies for all facilities,” said Peter B. Lane, president and CEO of Walton Arts Center. 

“Wendy’s experience in capital project management, staff management and development, and budgeting and financial management gives her the skills necessary to lead our operations team to implement strategies and procedures that will support our growth. We look forward to having her on board,” Lane added.

Most recently Riggs served as director of arts and entertainment, where she oversaw programming, fundraising and daily operations, for the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa River Market and Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum for the City of Tuscaloosa. She has a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a master’s degree from the University of Alabama. She also served as a professor at the University of Alabama where she taught Arts Venue Management.   
 
“I am thrilled for this new opportunity with Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. We can’t wait to settle in and see all that Northwest Arkansas has to offer,” Riggs notes in the release.


She is relocating to Northwest Arkansas from Tuscaloosa, Ala., with her two daughters.
   

America’s Car-Mart is beginning to reap the rewards of its disciplined business model. The company posted net profits of $7.519 million in its second quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income rose 29.5% from the same period last year. On a per-share basis earnings were 83 cents, blowing past the 66 cents forecast by analysts and the 61 cents profited a year ago.

Top line revenue for the quarter ended Oct. 31 was $133.83 million, a gain of 10.2% over the $121.42 million in sales recorded a year ago. Analysts expected revenue of $120 million, a decline of 0.7%.

For the first half of fiscal 2015 Car-Mart had earnings of $14.75 million, versus $13.32 million last year. Revenue totaled $261.21 million, up 7% from the $243.97 million recorded in the same period last year.

"We are pleased with the results for the quarter especially the improvements with our sales productivity. By focusing on affordability and offering a good mix of vehicles at all price points, we were able to increase the average retail units sold per store per month to 29.6 from 27.6 for the prior year quarter,” CEO Hank Henderson said in the earnings report released Wednesday (Nov. 19) after the markets closed. “Offering a solid assortment including lower priced vehicles allows our transactions to be more affordable for our customers, which we hope will increase success rates into the future. Our general managers continue to raise the bar in the field and their efforts are to be commended.”

Henderson said the competitive landscape continues to be challenging. Car-Mart finished the quarter with 136 dealerships, an increase of 7 from this time last year.

“We have opened two new dealerships so far in fiscal 2015, and we continue to expect to open a total of 8 for the current fiscal year and then return back to a more historical store opening rate for 2016 and beyond,” Henderson said.

The company reported top line growth of 13.9% in unit sales with 12,084 vehicles sold in the quarter. The average sales price declined 3% from a year ago to $9,477, but the number of sales per lot improved overall for the first time in three quarters.

”We remain convinced that we are moving the company in the right direction, and we are excited about our future,” Henderson noted in the release.

J.R. Bizzell, an analyst with Stephens Inc., underestimated Car-Mart’s fiscal second quarter earnings, but said there is solid store growth coming in the back half of 2015 and in fiscal 2015. Bizzell cited competitive pressures in the subprime auto finance market for his tempered expectations in the recent quarter. Bizzell has the stock rated equal-weight, or a hold position with a target price of $45.50. (Stephens Inc. has received compensation for products or services other than investment banking services from America's Car-Mart, Inc. in the past 12 months.)

“Although we wait for further confirmation before becoming more constructive on the stock, we will continue to monitor shifts in the competitive landscape, as we believe Car-mart’s business model has the company well positioned to take advantage of favorable market dynamics,” Bizzell noted to investors.

C.L. King, an analyst with Bill Armstrong, also underestimated Car-Mart’s earnings potential in the recent quarter. But unlike Bizzell, he recently reiterated a “buy” position on the stock.

“We think credit availability for subprime auto buyers may begin tightening up in the months ahead as industry-wide loss rates continue to increase. At the same time, Car-Mart appears to be more effectively adapting to the still-difficult competitive environment, as evidenced by its improved recent performance,” Armstrong said. “To the extent that overall credit availability for subprime auto buyers does in fact begin tightening, it would be a clear positive for the company as it would represent a reduction in competitive pressure and would drive more traffic to its stores. Car-Mart holds its own paper and does not rely on securitizations. We remind investors that during the credit crisis Car-Mart experienced very strong sales and earnings increases.”

He has a target price of $47.99 on the stock.

Charge-offs are another metric that can weigh on Car-Mart profits. Despite the higher profits in the quarter, Car-Mart’s charge-offs rose to 7% of receivables in the quarter, up from 6.9% a year ago.

“We have been working hard to ensure we focus on balancing the benefits of volume increases with credit quality risks, and we are generally pleased with deal structures for the quarter. Charge-offs continue to be higher than we would like, which is an indication of a continuing tough operating environment, although we feel like we are getting better with our blocking and tackling in the key areas of the business," said Jeff Williams, chief financial officer of America's Car-Mart.

Analysts commend Car-Mart for its strong balance sheet. Bizzell said Car-Mart’s strong cash flow generation has allowed for the company to fund its growth without the need to add on excessive debt.

"Our balance sheet remains very conservative with a debt to equity ratio was 48.4% and a debt to finance receivables ratio of 25.9% at the end of the quarter. We believe in the long-term value of the company,” William added.

He said the company’s first priority for capital allocation will be to support the healthy growth of the business.

"We are dedicated to adhering to the thirty-three year Car-Mart tradition of ‘watching every dime’ and being the lowest cost provider on both the financing side of the business and the dealership side," Williams said.

Shares of Bentonville-based America’s Car-Mart (NASDAQ: CRMT) closed Wednesday at $44, down 50 cents. For the past 52-weeks the share price has ranged from $34.56 to a recent high of $48.93.

Dollar General Corporation affirmed its commitment to the acquisition of Family Dollar Stores in a statement to the media on Wednesday (Nov. 19).

The discounter said it is actively engaged in discussions with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding the extent of potential divestitures (4,000 stores) that would be required in connection with an acquisition of Family Dollar and has been making good progress.

“Dollar General will continue to work with the FTC and expects to provide an update in the coming weeks to allow Family Dollar shareholders sufficient time to review such information prior to the Family Dollar shareholders meeting now scheduled for Dec. 23, 2014,” the company named in is release.

Goldman, Sachs & Co. is acting as financial advisor to Dollar General. KKR Capital Markets and MCS Capital Markets are advising Dollar General on the financing. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is acting as its legal counsel.

Family Dollar thus far has opted to go with a lower cash and stock offer by Dollar Tree.

Less than a week after Wal-Mart said it would match prices with online retailers in its stores, scammers found a way to cheat the system. Shoppers showed store cashiers a bogus online Amazon ad print out for PlayStation 4 for $90, regularly priced at $399. The store workers matched that $90 price from the fake ad until the perpetrators took to social media to brag about their cheat.

Wal-Mart has since clarified and has updated its price matching policy when it comes to online retailers. The previous ad-match program did not specify for online merchants. But the new changes are putting some stricter guidelines on what Wal-Mart will accept. 

“Although the we (Wal-mart) is still committed to matching prices we’ve  updated our policy to clarify that we will match prices from Walmart.com and 30 major online retailers, but we won’t honor prices from marketplace vendors, third-party sellers, auction sites or sites requiring memberships," the retailer noted in a media statement on Wednesday (Nov. 19).

Longtime Fort Smith car dealer and business man Randy Blythe has been found guilty of three counts of bankruptcy fraud and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

A jury issued the verdict Thursday (Nov. 20) in a case presided over in Fort Smith by U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes III (Western District of Arkansas).

According to Connor Eldridge, the U.S. Prosecuting Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, the jury during the four-day trial heard from 19 witnesses and reviewed 65 exhibits in the case.

“Fraud, to include federal bankruptcy fraud, is shameful, and will not be tolerated in the Western District of Arkansas. We remain committed to investigating and prosecuting those who perpetuate fraud, swindle others out of money, and engage in financial crimes. People who use the bankruptcy system to swindle and steal from others tarnish the system and do a disservice to the honest petitioners seeking a second chance,” Eldridge said in a statement.
 
Evidence at the trial alleged that beginning in September 2008 through July, 2009, Blythe, in contemplation of a bankruptcy case, knowingly and fraudulently transferred property belonging to himself, including six collector automobiles and more than $150,000 in checks, to his mother’s company, Classic Cars of Northwest Arkansas. Such actions served to conceal assets and money from creditors and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Blythe also fraudulently submitted a Statement of Financial Affairs in which he omitted those transfers and income.
 
Blythe, 58, who was convicted of 21 counts of bank fraud in 2011, was also convicted of being a felon in possession of 11 collectible firearms. Blythe was originally indicted by a federal grand jury on March 19, 2014.

Blythe’s sentence will be determined by the court at a later date after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violations. The sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases will be less than the maximum.

In this case, Blythe faces a sentence of not more than 5 years in prison or not more than a $250,000 fine, or both on each charge for counts one, two, and three.  For count four, the maximum penalty is not more than 10 years, not more than a $250,000 fine, or both.

Investors of Dillard’s Inc. enjoyed a hefty $10 jump in share price on Thursday (Nov. 20) as the stock rose 9.4% to $121.14 per share in very active trading.

The rally was linked to an announcement from Marcato Capital Management, a 4.9% stakeholder in the Little Rock-based department store chain, urging the Dillard’s board to consider a spin off of its real estate assets. Mick McGuire, runs the hedge fund Marcato Capital, and is a fairly new investor in department store chain.

Marcato said that creating a real estate investment trust could "unlock tremendous value" for the retailer and its shareholders. The hedge fund said that after creating a REIT, the value of both it and Dillard's could reach a combined stock price of $193 a share, a 75% increase from current levels.

This request comes on the heels of improved earnings despite a 1% dip in comparable sales for the quarter ending Nov. 1.

Dillard’s reported net income of $55.2 million, or $1.30 per share, compared to net income of $50.9 million, or $1.13 per share, for the prior year third quarter. 
The majority of the year-over-year gain came from a net after-tax credit of $3.8 million ($0.09 per share) related to the sale of a store location.


Dillard’s CEO Bill Dillard, noted in the release that the retailer did see a slight increase in gross margins. 

“We believe we are positioned very well for the holiday season, and we look forward to providing premium Dillard’s service to our customers,” Dillard noted.

Analysts with the Street.com note that a spin off of the real estate assets is interesting because it would give shareholders the opportunity to unlock much of the cash flow and appreciation in real estate prices as opposed to waiting for assets to be sold. Another advantage of the REIT is that the exemption from U.S. income taxes  which can offer considerable rewards for investors.

Most would agree that baking is an art. Those who don't obviously have never seen one of Amber Ebbrecht's cookies.

The 29 year-old Northwest Arkansas mother of two has parlayed her passion for art into crafting exquisite cookies, using the treats as her own mini-canvases. Since trying her hand at cookie design just one year ago, Ebbrecht has become a premier dessert artist, receiving recognition in international culinary publications and selling hundreds of her unique creations through her online shop, Cebe's Cookies.

A life-long artist, Ebbrecht has always had an interest in creating beautiful pieces. She is a skilled seamstress, oil painter, art teacher and crafter. Last fall, while searching for new a creative outlet, she decided to try her hand at cookie design. She found inspiration and instruction from several cookie artists online through Pinterest, blogs and other sources. She made her first batch in October 2013 for her son Collin's second birthday. Using the party's "Thomas the Train" theme, Ebbrecht crafted red and blue chevron, initial and number cookies that echoed railroad in their shape and overall design.

That batch gave Ebbrecht the cookie bug. She began experimenting with an array of techniques, flavors, and designs. She launched her Etsy shop on Nov. 3, 2013 and took her first order two weeks later.

CEBE’S COOKIES
Through the power of social media and word of mouth, Ebbrecht's cookies have become increasingly popular. Orders routinely come in for birthday parties, baby showers, engagements, and other occasions on her Etsy store, Cebe's Cookies, which she named in honor of her sons, three-year old Collin and 17 month-old Benjamin (C.E. and B.E).

Each cookie requires a fair amount of time to bake, prep, and decorate. Depending on the level of detail, batches may take several hours to complete. Ebbrecht views every cookie as a piece of art, cutting them individually by hand and tailoring the design to each customer's request.

"Most often, customers send me an invitation or a color scheme to use for designing their order," said Ebbrecht. "I use those for inspiration and then figure out how to go about creating them."

Ebbrecht employs a wide-array of icing types, including royal icing, fondant, and edible paint. She hand paints many of her cookies, creating depth with layers and shading. She has fun with her theme batches, which range in style and pattern. Cebe's offers everything from delicate quilt designs and detailed florals, to film or holiday-inspired themes. Some batches are uniform sets, while others have a more whimsical feel that include a variety of shapes and colors.

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
It didn't take long for Ebbrecht's works of art to garner attention from several industry experts. In mid-2014, Ebbrecht's cookies caught the eye of a renowned pastry artist who helped bring attention to Cebe's Cookies.

"A famous cookier (cookie artist/chef) shared my work on her 'Sugar Artist Spotlight'," said Ebbrecht. "She has a ton of followers, so that was major exposure for my work. That spotlight led to the magazines."

"The magazines" are two internationally-renowned pastry publications, U.K.-based "Cake Masters" and "Cake Design France." The October 2014 issue of "Cake Masters" included a full-page spread featuring a finished set of Ebbrecht's Harry Potter-inspired Halloween cookies.

"They sent a description of a Halloween theme they were going for and then asked the artists to design a set," said Ebbrecht. "I included dripping candlesticks, jack-o-lanterns, colorful boots, and more in the batch. It was a really fun set to create because I am a huge Harry Potter fan."

Cebe's Cookies will soon make its debut in France, as well. "Cake Design France" contacted Ebbrecht asking for her to do a 12-step tutorial on her cookie design process. Distributed in 11 countries, the publication is entirely in French, so Ebbrecht's directions were translated by the magazine. Ebbrecht also included photos with her two-page feature to better illustrate the steps.

"I was absolutely blown away when they got in touch with me," she said.

Recognition in the Parisian publication is especially meaningful to Ebbrecht, who spent a summer abroad studying art in France. It was there that she first experimented with pastry art.

"That summer, I took to making cakes and cupcakes that were inspired by French architecture," said Ebbrecht. "I would put my own twist on the designs. It was similar to what I do now in a lot of ways, but with cakes instead."

FLAVORS AND FAVORITES
Ebbrecht also is interested in the science behind the art, playing with flavors and ingredients. Most cookies are made using her classic vanilla almond recipe, but her shop also offers chocolate hazelnut, pumpkin spice, orange creamsicle, maple bacon chocolate chip, lemon poppy seed, cinnamon roll, mint chocolate chip, and gingerbread varieties.

Ebbrecht is experimenting with herb and floral flavors, as well.

"Some people may think it sounds a little nuts at first, but I am working on recipes such as a chocolate rose and chocolate lavender," said Ebbrecht.

Once launched, they will join the vanilla rose and vanilla lavender options that Cebe's already has on its menu.

Although each batch is a true labor of love for Ebbrecht, she definitely has her favorites.

"Probably my quirkiest cookies were a set I made for my dad on Father's Day," said Ebbrecht. "I made a batch featuring some things he is never without, including a Route 44 Sonic cup, his mustache, tools, and one to resemble his favorite greasy old work shirt — hole included — that he wears when working in the garage. He loved them. Those were really special to me."

Ebbrecht is undoubtedly proud of what she has been able to achieve with her cookies in such a short period of time, and of the recognition she continues to receive for her works of art.

"It is simply amazing to me the response it has received," said Ebbrecht. "I am really thankful for it. Cookie art is a win-win for me because I am able to create and the final product is something edible that others can enjoy. Fellow cookiers joke about "cookie think," and how we always are finding inspiration in the things around us to create a new batch. It is a real thing and it makes me happy to be able to take things I see and translate them into treats."

Thursday (Nov. 20) was the best one day action for investors of America’s Car-Mart in years. The buy here, pay here used-car dealer shares (NASDAQ: CRMT) surged 14.20% to close at $50.25, a gain of $6.25.

In heavy trading the stock price came close to its 52-week high of $51.89 with an intraday high trade at $51.65. Shares blew past the target prices set by two analysts because of solid financials amid a 43% gross margin and $12 million in added revenue from better-than-expected sales in the company’s 136 dealerships.

“At this point, we’re attributing the top line improvements to overall solid execution and are focused on lot-by-lot productivity results and also we maybe seeing some indirect benefits of lower gasoline prices. Competition is still very intense and we’ll continue to focus all of our efforts on customer retention, earning repeat business and offering good quality vehicles that are affordable under rational terms,” said Jeff Williams, chief financial officer for Car-Mart.

Williams said lower gasoline prices most likely had a positive effect on customer’s ability to make timely payments as 81% of its customer base was current at the end of the quarter.

Whirlpool claimed in a Nov. 17 letter to Fort Smith City Administrator that levels of toxic potentially cancer causing trichloroethylene (TCE) hasv been reduced by as much as 80% in some areas impacted by the plume.

In making the claim that TCE concentrations have been reduced by as much as 80% following chemical oxidation treatments, Whirlpool Vice President Jeff Noel told Gosack the drop is representative of all but two areas of the plume.

"Natural attenuation of TCE is also occurring in both onsite and offsite groundwater," Noel said. "The success of the second oxidant injection effort is anticipated to be further evident after receipt and assessment of the 4th Quarter groundwater monitoring data."

The information was included in the company's 2014 third quarter progress report and comes just months after a Sept. 29 memo from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality that indicated the TCE plume was spreading. Whirlpool disputed the finding late last month.

Noel said data continues to support Whirlpool's assertions that the TCE plume is not growing but in some cases decreasing, as noted above.

"Data from both the south plume beneath the Whirlpool property and the north plume extending past Ingersoll Avenue indicate that both plumes were stable to decreasing, though the expected seasonal variability of plume boundaries was evident at select locations."

He said the total amount of TCE pollution could be limited to just a few gallons of the chemical in the groundwater below the Whirlpool plant and homes in the area.

"To supplement the tools for measuring the impact of our remediation efforts, an analysis of the third quarter groundwater data was conducted to provide an estimate of the amount of TCE in the groundwater," he wrote. "This analysis determined that the total quantity of the TCE distributed throughout the north groundwater plume is between less than 1 gallon and a maximum of 2 gallons, and between 2 gallons and a maximum of 8 gallons are present in the south plume beneath the Whirlpool property. These conservative estimates provide further confirmation that TCE in the groundwater is limited and contained."

According to Noel, an investigation was initiated by the company to determine any movement of the plume, adding that the results found "no TCE impacts are migrating beyond the property boundaries, except at the locations previously investigated at the northwest and northeast corners of the former manufacturing building property."

Any risks from vapor containing TCE as well as groundwater are below ADEQ-set limits, he added, adding that there are no changes to health risks. To deal with a discovery of additional TCE near the northwest corner of the Whirlpool site, ADEQ did recommend soil removal, which Whirlpool has fought vigorously, having only removed about 300 cubic yards of soil.

Environmental consultant Michael Ellis, a principal at ENVIRON – Whirlpool's agent in dealing with the pollution problem caused by the use of a degreasing agent until the 1980s at its now-shuttered facility – said removing additional soil would be pointless and would create "significant additional complications that would negatively affect the progress of onsite and offsite remediation, as well as the redevelopment of the overall site."

Ellis also noted that remediation plan calls for "capping" the site, which would mean a concrete or asphalt layer would be placed on the soil to prevent digging and any soil vapor rising from the contaminated site. The plan calls for the capping in addition to chemical oxidation treatments.

"The selected management method of onsite impacted soils under the RADD (remediation plan) is capping and containment, not removal of soil below the RAL. This method was chosen precisely because soil removal would neither reduce the risk of exposure to onsite workers or area residents not would it materially impact the offsite groundwater contamination."

Ellis also said soil removal above what has already been completed would present "several engineering and operational setbacks."

"Substantial additional soil removal would threaten the structural integrity of the former manufacturing building and stability of the electrical substation," he said. "It would also require de-watering operations. These issues would likely complicate and delay completion of the remediation activities required under the RADD and the ongoing redevelopment of the property."

The quarterly update provided on Nov. 17 was requested by the Fort Smith Board of Directors in addition to reporting required by the ADEQ.

A May 1 vote against unionizing at the Fort Smith-based OK Foods processing facility in Heavener, Okla., has been thrown out by the National Labor Relations Board after it had accused the company of interfering with the vote. A company official rejected the interference allegation.

The accusations from the NLRB came in a letter from the agency's Amy Novara, a field examiner, who detailed a list of nearly 20 different accusations against the company and individuals from on-site supervisors to CEO Trent Goins.

Novara said the company attempted to use financial incentives to influence the May 1 vote on whether employees should join the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1000, a vote that ultimately failed. She also said after March 20, OK Foods denied wage increases and retroactive pay to employees who engaged in union activities.

Novara's letter continued, alleging the company threatened employees if they voted in favor of unionizing with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1000 during the May 1 vote.

"In or about February 2014, the Employer ... informed employees that they could not address wage increases and retroactive pay because of the Union and threatened employees with loss of wages if employees selected the union as their collective bargaining representative, in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act," she wrote.

In his ruling handed down Nov. 13, NLRB Hearing Officer Michael Werner agreed with Novara's claims of interference by the company in the union vote.

"Consistent with my findings above, I find that there is sufficient evidence that the Employer interfered with employee free choice by promising employees a wage increase if they rejected the Petitioner, by telling an employee that it could not resolve his wage complaint because of employees' union activity, and by soliciting and promising to remedy employees' complaints."

As part of the interference, Werner said OK Foods President and CEO Trent Goins engaged with employees about grievances the staff of the facility had, which included 90-day wage increases and the lack of a nurse on certain shifts. Goins, Werner said, resolved some of the issues raised by staff during the lead up to the vote.

"That Goins did not notify employees if or how or if the Employer resolved each complaint carries little significance," Werner wrote in his ruling. "Regardless of whether an employer specifically tells employees that he has resolved their complaints, they are bound to recognize their employer's newfound willingness to listen to their concerns and infer that the employer is willing to remedy their grievances if they reject the union."

Werner recommended setting aside the May 1 election and holding another vote for the employees of the Heavener facility.

Goins defended himself from the allegations made following the vote and Werner's findings in a statement to The City Wire Thursday (Nov. 20).

"Despite the fact that the National Labor and Relations Board's hearing officer overruled all of the specific objections made against OK Foods by the union, and even held that the company didn't threaten, coerce or intimidate anyone, the officer still believed a new election is warranted. Only when you are up against a labor union board can a company win all the objections yet still have to have another election simply because the outcome didn't go the union's way.

"While we are disappointed with the subjective decision by the National Labor and Relations Board's hearing officer, we will continue to stand with and support our maintenance and refrigeration employees in Heavener, Oklahoma, who voted against the union and against organizing this past May. While this decision is a setback for our employees, we fully expect them to once again unite and vote against the union."

For its part, the UFCW Local 1000, which originally filed the objection to the May 1 vote's results, said it was pleased with Werner's decision to recommend another election.

“I’m pleased the Board did the right thing for these workers,” said UFCW Local 1000 President Ricky Burris. "The Board ruled definitively that OK Foods interfered with these employees’ free choice in organizing a union. Why is this company so scared of its workers having a fair vote without lies and coercion? I want to see a re-vote scheduled as soon as possible.”

No date has been set for a new election.

In just two and a half years there has been tremendous change taking place at the Jones Center for Families in Springdale. The sprawling, cavernous facility has taken on a new life of its own behind the management of CEO Ed Clifford and his team who sought to restore one of the region’s biggest assets to a sustainable position. 

Close to reaching the $30 million addition to the Jones Trust endowment, Clifford said the center is within a year or more of being at a financially sustainable level. But the management team also sought to repurpose the center and make it more accessible to the region at large which was in keeping with Bernice Jones’ core mission.

“In the last 2.5 years, after a targeted effort by the Jones Center staff, the facility is reaching its intended purpose. Educational activities from pre-school to college take place all week, organizations like the Hispanic Women's Organization and the Holocaust Conference, swim and hockey teams, fitness center participants and recreation leagues populate the center at all times, and its sometimes hard to find a parking spot,” Clifford said.

He said the management team knew there was a philanthropical mindset in Northwest Arkansas, but they have been overwhelmed by the number of families and corporations who stepped up to make pledges so the center could continue its mission in perpetuity.

Adding “footsteps” within the gigantic center was high on the list of priorities for Clifford two years ago. He said at times early on it was a hard sale but in the past year or so there is new life in the hallways.

“One of the biggest things we did was getting Camp War Eagle in here. It has added about 100,000 footsteps a year,” Clifford said.

CAMP WAR EAGLE
Lacey Bailey, a mentor at Camp War Eagle, said the programs associated with this charity are more than two-week overnight summer camps. She said the Jones Center serves as Camp War Eagle’s 365 Hub where other outreach programs have been initiated. 

“We now offer an after school program here in the Jones Center between the hours of 3:30 and 6 p.m. We bus 100 kids from Jones Elementary to the center each weekday where serve as after school care. We help with homework, work on art projects, tutor every day. It costs families just $40 per semester to access this care. We are meeting a real need for some families in this area,” Bailey said during a luncheon at the Jones Center on Thursday (Nov. 20). 

In two weeks they plan to serve 250 area families a holiday meal. They will also send home two weeks’ worth of meals for when the children are out of school as well as some Christmas gifts. This past year Camp War Eagle hosted a weeklong Day Camp at the Jones Center that served 350 kids. It was so popular that the group plans to add a second Day Camp in Rogers this coming year.

They also mentor 70 students in the Springdale and Fayetteville schools one-on-one for the entire school year.

“Last year we engaged 1,700 area kids through our programs. Those students gave back 51,000 volunteer hours. The goal of the Walton Family Foundation with Camp War Eagle is to train up these kids with a heart to give back and serve their communities,” Bailey said. 

NWACC AND EDUCATION
Clifford said getting NorthWest Arkansas Community College classes held in the Jones Center has added about 600 students a week and help fill up the classroom space. Barbara Goodman, director of outreach at NWACC,  said basic courses are taught at the Jones Center.

It’s not just college courses being taught at the Jones Center. The new technology school in Springdale has 226 8th graders housed in the Jones Center each day where they are taught a STEM curriculum in preparation for their entrance to the new Tech Innovation High School next year. 

Christie Silano, director of Ozark Education Inc., runs a Montessori School and preschool in the Jones Center. Silano said the Arknsas State Board of Education recently granted them a charter. This will be the first charter school in the city of Springdale. There are 23 students this year, but the Charter is for grades K - 8. She expect enrollment of 120 students this coming year and up to 280 students by year four. 

She said Ozark Education Inc. has a pending purchase on a new property in downtown Springdale at 301 S. Holcomb. Silano said the school would movr at some point but the preschool will remain in the Jones Center.

SPORTS
Sports are a big draw to the Jones Center with competitive swimming at one end and a regulation ice rink at the other. Vince Brick of NWA Hockey Association, said there are 94 members in the youth hockey league that play their home games at the Jones Center. He said there are various levels of instruction from “learn to play” to competitive varsity teams that compete in the St. Louis League.

The University of Arkansas Club Hockey Team uses the Jones Center for its home rink, capturing the Southeastern Conference title this past year and ranking third at nationals.

Dean Rawlings, program director at the Jones Center, said there is also an adult hockey league with 80 players on six teams. He said the numbers continue to grow and there will likely be 8 teams in the near future.

Indoor soccer, also a new adult program at the Jones Center, had 140 participants at the start. There is a fall and spring league.

Clifford said when he left the Jones Center on Thursday he gazed across the parking lot at the number of school buses present for a competitive swim meet.

“I saw buses from Bentonville and Springdale. Not a surprise. But to see buses from Fort Smith, Harrison and Conway it occurred to me that the Jones Center is not just a resource for this area but also a much larger region across the state,” Clifford said

1. IMMIGRATION ADVOCATE

One of the newer partners to hang a shingle in the Jones Center is the Cisneros Center for Immigration in Northwest Arkansas.

Jacob Perry, one of the American Dream Fellows at the center, said it is the organization’s mission to reach out to immigrants in the region and make sure they are aware of the services and opportunities from language and literacy to financial and cultural understandings to areas where they too can give back to the community.

He said the non-profit activity works with immigrants who are seeking their share of the American Dream. With immigration at the forefront of the political arena, Perry said their organization is non-partisan in nature and works within the confines of the laws in place to educate immigrants living and working in this region.

President Barack Obama used a primetime White House speech to tell a national audience of changes he plans to make to the U.S. immigration system.

Obama, who is frustrated by Congressional inaction on the subject, said the time had come to implement new rules to handle illegal immigration.

“For more than 200 years, our tradition of welcoming immigrants from around the world has given us a tremendous advantage over other nations. It’s kept us youthful, dynamic, and entrepreneurial. It has shaped our character as a people with limitless possibilities – people not trapped by our past, but able to remake ourselves as we choose,” said Obama. “But today, our immigration system is broken, and everybody knows it.”

The main changes include:
• The Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division will shift priorities to encourage law enforcement officials to focus on illegal immigrants with criminal convictions and recent illegal arrivals to the U.S.

• Illegal immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for five years or more with children born in the states can register with the government, pass a criminal background check, and pay taxes. This program is expected to impact nearly 4 million illegal immigrants.

• Also, foreign students studying in the fields of science and technology in the U.S. will have expanded visa opportunities. Also, entrepreneurs can come to the U.S. if they can demonstrate they have investors and will create domestic jobs.

The President also said the plan “will build on our progress at the border with additional resources for our law enforcement personnel.”

President Obama also countered criticism that the U.S. border with Mexico is unsecure and is making the immigration problem more difficult.

“Today, we have more agents and technology deployed to secure our southern border than at any time in our history. And over the past six years, illegal border crossings have been cut by more than half. Although this summer, there was a brief spike in unaccompanied children being apprehended at our border, the number of such children is now actually lower than it’s been in nearly two years. Overall, the number of people trying to cross our border illegally is at its lowest level since the 1970s. Those are the facts,” he said in a statement.

The timetable for implementation of the immigration order could take some time. Several aspects of the President’s action won’t go into effect until next spring, while some could take 18 months or more to work through the rule making process.Republican leaders in Congress have argued that Obama’s plan is a usurpation of power. LInk here for more details from the White House.

U.S. House Speaker and Republican John Boehner issued this statement: “By ignoring the will of the American people, President Obama has cemented his legacy of lawlessness and squandered what little credibility he had left,” House Speaker John A. Boehner said in a statement after the speech. “Republicans are left with the serious responsibility of upholding our oath of office. We will not shrink from this duty, because our allegiance lies with the American people. We will listen to them, work with our members, and protect the Constitution.”

Obama’s plan was not well received by members of Arkansas’ Congressional Delegation.

The office of U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., issued this statement: “Arkansans should be upset as well as all Americans. This is clearly an overreach of the office. The President is called ‘Mr. President,’ not ‘Your Highness.’ He simply doesn’t have the authority to do this. Congress needs to take all the tools we have in the toolbox to really push back.”

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, said Obama’s move is not how the Democratic process is supposed to work.

“The Constitution is clear when it grants Congress the authority to make our nation’s laws, not the President.  But throughout his presidency, President Obama has refused to do the job actually afforded to him by the Constitution, the job of enforcing – not creating – America’s laws. This has been especially true when it comes to immigration, and I’m astounded that tonight he’s proposed to make our immigration laws even more lax through executive fiat and skirt Congress yet again,” Womack noted in his statement. “There is no doubt our immigration system is in desperate need of reform, but President Obama’s plan does not make the reforms we need. Instead, Congress must develop a long-term immigration policy that encourages lawful behavior. As we work towards these thoughtful solutions, Obama cannot change the laws himself. That’s ‘not how democracy works.’

That went by fast. Saturday is the final home game of the year for what has been a Razorback football season that may be best remembered for a year of soul-sucking losses that at least delivered a win over LSU and a celebration around The Boot. The Tusk to Tail crew has a few opinions on the senior the Hogs will miss the most.

THE QUESTION
20 seniors will play their last game in Fayetteville Saturday. Which senior will the Razorbacks miss the most when he is gone?   

Sean Casey
Martrell Spaight is our guy. He’s been a huge part of our defensive success this season. I enjoy watching him play, especially when he lights someone up.

Jack Clark
It’s hard to pick just one senior. It would have been nice had we redshirted Zach Hocker at some point in his career. He'd have been a senior this year, probably All- SEC, and we'd probably be 8-2 right now and making plans for a Cotton Bowl.

Dale Cullins
I will go with Trey Flowers. He's a great player and a great person. At this point, I will miss Derby as well. I wish we had him for another year at the TE position.

Greg Houser
The obvious senior that everyone will miss is Trey Flowers. But I'd like to add Martrell Spaight. Martrell has done as good a job as any JUCO linebacker in the country could. I'm glad he came back home to finish his college career!

Craig May
The Hogs will miss Trey Flowers and Martrell Spaight next season. These two players have set the tone for the defense this season. They both have quickness, strength and a motor that makes them extremely disruptive. I wish they both had another season to play for the Hogs.

David Rice
The athleticism and leadership of Flowers and Brey Cook will be missed, but both lines look like they’re in good shape for the foreseeable future. In the game of life, of course, the biggest loss is Garrett Uekman, who would be finishing his Razorback career with this class had he not passed away unexpectedly three years ago.

Mark Wagner
Martrell Spaight. He's third in the conference in tackles, and he's the first "real" linebacker we have had in several years.

Todd Rudisill
Trey Flowers.

THE GAMES
• #8 Ole Miss @ Arkansas
Sean Casey
Will the Hogs will have a newfound confidence after the LSU game, or come out sluggish? The Hogs have struggled against spread offenses and Ole Miss is coming off a bye week, so they should be rested. We expect rain which will interfere with The Ole Miss passing attack. The Hog offensive line versus the BlackBear D-line is where this game will be decided. Hogs win in the mud, 24-17.

Jack Clark
Props to the crew in charge of game day production we had last Saturday. I know that winning helps too, but that was a great football environment! Music played throughout the game, and the crowd was engaged. Well done.

It will be hard to bring the same energy and emotion as we did against LSU. Because of lack of depth, this team needs extra energy and emotion to win SEC games. I see a very low scoring game and Ole Miss wins 13-10.

Dale Cullins
I will pick the Hogs. I like the way the D is playing, and that gives our offense a chance to win in these last two games and maybe even three. I don't think Ole Miss plays great on the road, so the Hogs will win. Call it 20 - 13 Hogs behind a strong running game, timely passes from BA, and some great play from our TE's.

Greg Houser
I'll take our Piggies in a close one with the Black Bears. I predicted we would win by at least 10 or not at all with LSU, but this time we can deal with a close game and not give it away. Kool Aid tastes great, y’all!

Craig May
Arkansas comes up with Bret Bielema’s first SEC win last week against LSU. Here are the 3 keys to victory for the Hogs this weekend: 1. Win the turnover battle. 2. Run the ball between the tackles. 3. Get pressure from the D line without blitzing. Look for the Hogs to dominate the time of possession, keeping the Ole Miss offense off the field. Arkansas 20, Ole Miss 17.

David Rice
It felt so good to get the monkey off our back last week, but I don’t expect a repeat. Despite a few key injuries, these Rebels are for real. Ole Miss wins by a touchdown or more unless the Hogs can pressure Wallace into making critical mistakes.

Mark Wagner
I think this game is going to be a difficult one for the Hogs. Ole Miss has had basically two bye weeks to get ready for us. I only hope the Rebels come out very flat, their timing is off, and they don't like the rain. I'm a homer, so I'm going to say the Hogs win this 17-14.

Keith P. Carter 
The homer in me wants to pick the Hogs with this new found momentum, but Ole Miss is just better this year. Ole Miss wins.

Todd Rudisill
Man, life is better when the Hogs win. And what a win it was. I think they have the confidence they need to keep this thing going. Ole Miss has problems stopping the run. So if our run game is on we should be talking about a bowl on Saturday night. Hogs 27-23.

• #19 Missouri @ Tennessee
Craig May
I like Tennessee at home against Missouri. They don’t make mistakes, and Dobbs is becoming a super talent at quarterback. He should be able to use his mobility to make plays against the Missouri defense. Tenn 28, MO 17.

Keith P. Carter 
Players being suspended can impact a team in a number of different ways. With Tennessee starting to turn the corner, this is a serious and awful distraction. Missouri surprisingly stays on top in the east.

Todd Rudisill
Vols have really been playing well as of late. Mizzou has not lost a road game in two years in the conference. That’s crazy. Vols end that streak 30-27.

• #15 Arizona @ #20 Utah
Greg Houser
I'll take the Utes over the Wild Kitties this weekend. Utah should do well at home. Arizona is improved, but not enough for a road victory.  Utah by 6.

Keith P. Carter 
I expect the final score to be close. Utah in a pick 'em type of game from this guy's perspective.

Todd Rudisill
Utah, 34-30.

• #24 USC @ #11 UCLA
Sean Casey
The most interesting thing about USC at UCLA is that both teams will wear their home jerseys. This game has a possible impact on the Pac-10 championship, and if the Bruins win their remaining games, there is an outside chance UCLA could end up in the final field of four. UCLA is the higher ranked team and should have more depth. UCLA wins 42-35.

Keith P. Carter 
UCLA is a little stronger this year. I’ll take UCLA.

Todd Rudisill
UCLA, 31-28.

• Oklahoma State @ #6 Baylor
Mark Wagner
The Okies don't have a chance in this. They are 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the Big 12. They have lost four straight and you don't fix that by playing Baylor. Baylor will be trying to blow all of their remaining opponents away so that they can convince Mr. Long and friends that they belong in the College Football Playoff. Baylor 45, OK State 13.

Keith P. Carter 
Jimmy Sexton and Mike Gundy will be thinking Florida Job and/or raise this week. What's new for that duo? Baylor's coach will take advantage of the distracted Gundy and have his team ready. Plus, Baylor is playing at home against a team in a slump. Baylor wins.

Todd Rudisill
Gundy is on his way out. Bears roll 44-20.

• Boston College @ #1 Florida State
Jack Clark
Florida State wins this one.

Keith P. Carter 
People knock Florida State, but they continue to win. No change Saturday. Seminoles.

Todd Rudisill
Florida State has dropped to #3 in playoff rankings. They are so overrated. I’m hoping the Gators can knock them off next week. Noles, 38-17.

BlueInGreen and its partners, Pinnacle Ozone Solutions and PCI Inc., suppliers of ozone process technology and equipment, announced that they have been selected to provide a new ozone system for the City of Fayetteville Paul R. Noland Wastewater Treatment.

The new ozone disinfection system will feature BlueInGreen’s patented HyDOZ® gas dissolution technology, Pinnacle Ozone’s Zenith ozone generator systems, and PCI Gases’ DOCS-500 on-site oxygen generator systems, to provide the industry’s most compact and energy efficient ozone treatment and disinfection solution.

Overall, the system will have the industry’s highest ozone transfer efficiency at over 40% lower energy and operating cost than competing conventional technology.

In 2012, the City of Fayetteville launched an ambitious project to further improve the treated water quality from its Noland Wastewater Treatment facility.

“The city looked at many different technologies that could handle the natural variations in flow and disinfection dose required at the treatment plant,” said Billy Ammons with the city’s consultant CH2M HILL.

“BlueInGreen is extremely pleased to have been selected for the Noland project for the city of Fayetteville,” said Clete Brewer, CEO, “as it validates all the hard work our team has put into commercializing this extremely innovative technology that has been developed right here at the University of Arkansas.”

“We are also very pleased to work with other technology leaders such as Pinnacle and PCI Gases to deliver the most innovative and cost-effective solutions available,” Brewer added.

Pilot testing at the site demonstrated that BlueInGreen’s HyDOZ gas dissolution system combined with Pinnacle Ozone’s Zenith™ ozone generator platforms provide well over 99% efficiency, and peak energy efficiency under all the varying flow rates of the water treatment facility.

“We are very pleased to see that a local company is providing industry-leading water treatment technology that helps us achieve both our water quality and financial goals. I am very excited to see the level of teamwork and collaboration that city staff, our consultants CH2M HILL, BlueInGreen, Pinnacle, and PCI Gases have provided to make our project a success,” said Mayor Lioneld Jordan.

Picasolar Inc., one of the five startups to watch for 2014 as tagged by The City Wire, announced a recent $1.2 million capital infusion from public and private investors.


The investment funds came on top of funding through a prestigious SunShot Award by the U.S. Department of Energy.


“These investments are crucial toward helping Picasolar grow as a company,” said Douglas Hutchings, Picasolar’s CEO. “Some of these investors had never invested in an Arkansas company. Our patent-pending technology could save an average-sized solar panel manufacturer $120 million annually, making the panels, and solar energy, more affordable for consumers.”


He said the $1.2 million was raised through $600,000 from private investors that was matched dollar-for-dollar by the Arkansas Development Finance Authority through the authority’s co-investment fund.


Gene Eagle, president of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority, said, “We are excited to be able to partner with a company like Picasolar. This company has a strong team with experience and skills to move the company forward. Emerging businesses like Picasolar are significant creators of new, high-paying jobs in Arkansas.”


Separate from the equity investments, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded a SunShot Tier 1 Incubator Award to Picasolar last month. The $800,000 award through the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative will be matched by $200,000 from Picasolar, bringing the one-year project to $1 million.


Picasolar’s sister company, Silicon Solar Solutions received a SunShot incubator award a year ago targeted for early-stage assistance to help startup companies commercialize their inventions while encouraging private sector investment.


The new award for Picasolar is intended to accelerate the transition of early stage functional prototypes to manufacturing and a commercially relevant prototype made in the lab.

Both Picasolar and Silicon Solar Solutions are Genesis Technology Incubator clients at the Arkansas Research and Technology Park at the University of Arkansas.

Hutchings founded Silicon Solar Solutions in 2008 while a graduate student at the university. In January 2013, the company submitted an application for a full patent on a self-aligned hydrogenated selective emitter for N-type solar cells. The emitter, invented by Seth Shumate, a doctoral candidate at the UA and chief technology officer for Picasolar, could improve the efficiency of solar cells by 15%. If successful, the emitter represents the single largest technology leap in solar power in 40 years, Hutchings said.

NanoMech is a dream come true for Dr. Ajay Malshe said he shared his dreams for what would become NanoMech 12 years ago with his wife. They packed their bags, left India, and came to the U.S. where seemingly all things are possible.

The Springdale-based nanotechnology manufacturer celebrated the opening of its global headquarters on Friday (Nov. 21). Attending was Gov. Mike Beebe, an early supporter of the technology that can’t be seen by the naked eye. A U.S. Department of Energy assistant secretary as well as investors, customers and advocates of NanoMech also were on hand for the celebration.

Nanotechnology is a research field that manipulates matter in a microscopic way allowing for applications. The scale of nanotechnology is so small — a billionth of a meter — or the equivalent of one ten-thousandth the size of a human hair. Applications may include hardening of tools so they last much longer, suspension in lubricants that improve performance up to 40%, and use in sprays to enhance protection from bacteria and other microorganisms.

“NanoMech in one sense is a gigantic experiment. It’s not about getting to a destination it’s about the discoveries along the journey. For me ‘Made in America’ is not about the likes of Google and Facebook, it’s about making high quality products, applying ingenuity and creating economies of scale with high quality jobs,” Malshe, the company founder said. “Today is an important milestone for NanoMech, proof that what you can dream, can also become reality.”

The company recently completed a 29,000-square-foot addition to its facility that triples the capacity for the high tech manufacturer. The company will employ 37 engineers by year-end, nearly all who are University of Arkansas graduates.

“The world runs on machines and machines run on lubricants. Now, many of the world's machines will depend on NanoMech’s inventions and products well into the future,” CEO Jim Phillips said.

Beebe, who served as the keynote speaker, expressed a sense of urgency about what NanoMech is doing.

“This is tomorrow and we have a headstart. Make no mistake, China is on our heels spending more money than Washington can print,” he joked. 

Beebe said with new technologies changing at warp speed, he said NanoMech engineers may not yet envision discoveries and work will complete in the next three months. He urged the investors in the room to continue their support of NanoMech, which is just starting to scratch the surface of its potential. Beebe said the products coming from NanoMech are starting  to revolutionize the world of manufacturing. Like the nano lubricant that reduces friction and wear with industrial equipment as well as creating better fuel efficiencies in light and heavy duty vehicles.

“NanoMech is an Arkansas economic development success story,” said Beebe, who is winding down his eight years as governor. “Four years ago I cut the ribbon on what was mostly an empty building filled with promise. Today, the promise has been fulfilled and NanoMech has grown to be a leader worldwide in material science with incredible nanoscale innovations.”

The state announced Friday an investment of $600,000 in NanoMech. Grant Tennille, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, told the crowd that together with the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) the public/private partnership between the state and NanoMech has been a success.

“This has been some of the most fun stuff to work on. We have never had a whole lot of tools aimed at startups, particularly startups like NanoMech, that went from launch to scale almost immediately,” Tennille said. “There was demand for the product before any of the equipment was purchased to make the product so we felt like if NanoMech could get up and running then it could be able to take care of itself and it has.”

NanoMech has raised almost $15 million, with a little bit of help from the state. Tennille said the $600,000 in new grant funding brings the state’s equity investment in NanoMech to $1.1 million in addition to other incentives made early several years ago.  Through ADFA, Tennille said they structured the new $600,000 grant and the former $500,000 made two years ago as equity purchases.

“These two deals give us an equity stake of 5% in NanoMech’s last capital fundraising round,” Tennille said. “We think there is potential for the state to exit with capital recapture at some point and still have equity growing in this business longer term.”

He said it’s the AEDC and ADFA goal to use the equity investments to help establish a revolving capital pool that can provide startup funds to other businesses.

Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse said NanoMech’s reputation is growing within and outside the city.

“I continue to be blown away by the potential this growing company holds. It’s likely the best kept secret in the Springdale, but I am here to tell you that’s going to change,” Sprouse said.

John Bartos, vice president of technology and development at Houston-based Cameron International, said he stumbled across Dr. Malshe a decade ago when he worked at a folding table just outside the restroom in the engineering lab at the University of Arkansas. Cameron International is a $12 billion oil and gas equipment supply company. NanoMech’s nanoglide lubricant is now packaged as a private label product in Springdale for Cameron International. 

“I came to the University to see someone else, but I was introduced to Ajay and his new theories and practical applications for nanotechnology. Cameron International began funding his research that very day because we were impressed with his work and could see the practical application. We funded him for six months of more research, which he used up in about four months. But over the years we have continued to work in tandem with NanoMech using their lubricants in our global operations,” Bartos said during the Friday event.

Phillips said Cameron is an important flagship customer of NanoMech and is taking their product to customers across the world they would never have access to otherwise. He said the client base is growing to include Fortune 100 companies like multinational General Electric and others who work under a “do not disclose” contract.

Beebe said there is no shortage of applications for nanotechnology which is why he has worked to set up the Nanoscience and Engineering at the University of Arkansas and the Integrative Nanotechnology institute at the UALR which focuses on bio-med applications. Phillips commended Beebe for his foresight to establish the two institutes. Since that time Georgia Tech, Texas A&M and Cal Poly Tech have each established nanotechnology institutes.

Deborah Wince-Smith, CEO of the American Council on Competitiveness and a member of NanoMech’s board of directors, praised NanoMech for its innovative work. 

“In a world of turbulence, transition and transformation, nothing matters more to the competitiveness of companies and countries than innovation and manufacturing prowess. The ability to develop and deploy the most cutting-edge tools and products to bolster U.S. advanced manufacturing will deliver outsized benefits to the U.S. industrial base. NanoMech is at the leading edge of a resurgent U.S. manufacturing capability – one that is not dumb, dirty, dangerous and disappearing; but is smart, safe, sustainable and surging.”

Gov. Mike Beebe, a Democrat who maintains high popularity among voters even as the state shifted to Red, is having fun with his “farewell tour.” There were several serious moments during his Friday (Nov. 21) address to the Northwest Arkansas Political Animals Club in Fayetteville, but Beebe’s verbal timing with a story of his “conversion” to the Episcopalian church drew two rounds of loud laughter.

It was during a summer of work between his college year that saw the young Mike Beebe working for a family of the Episcopalian faith. The pastor of the Episcopal church was coming to visit the family, and the mother asked Beebe to fix him a drink. The pastor’s preferred libation, of which Beebe the young college student was to deliver, was a gin and tonic.

“That got my attention,” Gov. Beebe said with a deadpan delivery resulting in laughs from the audience of at least 150.

Before the last of the laughter trickled away, Beebe finished the story.

“So I joined the Episcopal Church.”

More laughter. And even more laughter when Beebe said his mother told others she knew her son would pick a religion that provided the widest latitude for vices.

A term-limited Beebe leaves office in January when Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, is sworn in.

Beebe’s address wasn’t all giggles and grins. He began by addressing his decision to pardon his son for a 2003 marijuana possession conviction. Beebe said he is “very strict and conservative” with commutations, but “very liberal” with pardons of non-violent offenses.

“Particularly if they were kids who screwed up,” Beebe said, adding that he’s issued more than 700 pardons for non-violent offenders.

“I refuse to treat him (Beebe’s son) worse than some 700 people similarly situated,” he said.

THE SWAGGER
John Threet, Washington County Prosecuting Attorney and who was recently elected as a 4th Judicial Circuit Court Judge, introduced Beebe by saying he learned in legislative negotiations that the Governor ensured “a place at the table” for all sides as long as the debates were “respectful, sincere and diplomatic.”

Beebe picked up on that during his remarks, and praised Rep. Charlie Collins, a Republican from Fayetteville, for his work to ensure passage of the controversial Private Option legislation. Beebe said Collins certainly did not like the new health care legislation passed in Washington, but worked to find a way to ensure that the realities of the law were implemented in a manner that best suited the people of Arkansas. Beebe told the crowd that those who are “rational and reasonable and will have a little empathy” can work through almost any disagreement toward a solution.

As to his legacy, Beebe said he is proud of the “good positive swagger” among Arkansans in recent years. He said Arkansans today and those of the next generation of leadership should have self confidence that the state “can accomplish things we might have doubted and one point in time.”

Mentioning the expansion event of Springdale-based NanoMech which he attended prior to the Fayetteville luncheon, Beebe said Arkansas “is poised with bright people and risk takers” ready to take the state to the next level.

FROM ROCKEFELLER TO BEEBE
Rogers native Bob Scott, who worked in several high level jobs for Republican Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller, told Beebe during the Q&A session that he was a “continuation of Rockefeller” who brought “an absence of hate” to the political process but may be the last in that line. The remark drew a note of thanks from Beebe and applause from the audience.

Rockefeller, was elected in 1966, being the first Republican to hold the office since 1872. Some Arkansas historians say that Rockefeller allowed for more socially progressive and moderate Democratic governors such as Dale Bumpers, David Pryor and Bill Clinton.

Speaking after the event concluded, Scott, who wears “W.R.” pins on his lapel, said he remains a loyal Republican. However, he said the party is now controlled by too many “conservatives who have reached certitude on everything and don’t have an open mindset.”

“You can’t do that (govern) unless you can compromise. But with these conservatives that word, compromise, that word is now a bad thing,” Scott said.

Tom Horton, former American Airlines chairman, has been appointed to Wal-Mart Stores Board of Directors as of Friday, Nov. 21. Horton is the 16th member of the retail giant’s board and will serve on the company’s audit committee.

"Tom’s management and business experience and, in particular, his roles in operational and financial management at American Airlines will bring valuable insights to the Board," said Walmart Chairman Rob Walton. "His broad leadership roles combined with his global insights and understanding of the corporate issues a multinational company manages will benefit the Board, our management team and our shareholders."

The 53-year-old executive has more than 30 years of business and finance experience.He joined American Airlines in 1985 from international accounting partnership firm Peat Marwick & Company, now KPMG, and continued with American until 2002, rising to the role of senior vice president, finance and chief financial officer.

He left American in 2002 for AT&T, where he served as chief financial offier and later was appointed vice chairman. In 2005, Horton led the evaluation of strategic alternatives that ultimately led to the combination with SBC Communications, which formed the new AT&T. In 2006, Horton returned to American Airlines working his way up financial leadership roles to be named president and board chairman in 2010 and CEO in 2011. Horton led American through a restructuring with culminated in the merger with U.S. AIrways. Horton stepped down as CEO in December 2013 and remained the non-executive board chairman until June.

"I’ve long admired Wal-Mart’s values and its successful record of improving peoples lives around the world," said Horton. "Wal-Mart has a strong leadership team backed by a solid business plan and is building new and innovative ways to serve customers. I look forward to working with my new colleagues on the Board."

Horton holds a master’s degree from Southern Methodist University (SMU) and a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University. He serves on the board of directors of Qualcomm Inc., a developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies. He also serves on the executive board of the Cox School of Business at SMU.

Simmons First National Corp. management continues to earn the respect of banking analysts at Sterne Agee who recently initiated coverage on the Pine Bluff-based financial  institution.

The analysts rate Simmons First shares as a “buy” citing a target price of $52.50 and strong return on assets (ROA) projections well into 2016. Simmons First shares rose $1.10 Monday (Nov. 24) on the favorable outlook. Shares were trading at $41.50, up 2.72% in the morning session.

“We believe that management will be successful in achieving an ROA of 1.25% on the company’s pro forma asset base of $8 billion in 2016,” notes Sterne Agee analysts Peyton Green, Kenneth James and Maxwell Neely.

The analysts expect recent the mergers of Community First, Liberty Bancshares, Delta Trust and Metropolitan National to boost earnings per share to $3.20 in fiscal 2015.

“Our 2015 expected earnings per share reflects that Simmons will capture 16 cents or 36%, of the fully phased-in earnings benefit from cost savings of 44 cents. Our 2016 earnings estimate reflects a fully phased-in benefit and earnings growth of 8% year over year due to organic growth. Although not included in our 2015 estimate, we do believe that initiatives to expand Small Business lending, credit card, consumer finance and equipment leasing across the franchise will benefit 2016 earnings,” notes the analyst team.

For 2014, Stern Agree expects Simmons First to earn $2.33 per share, which is one cent higher than Wall Street consensus. Earnings are expected to grow to $3.20 and $3.75 in the next two years.

“We suggest buying the shares before others figure out the earning power potential. Although Simmons will emerge with a market cap of $1.2 billion (after the Community First and Liberty deals close), institutional ownership will drop to 25% of pro forma shares versus 42% in third quarter this year because the latest deals were privately owned. We believe that investors will be attracted to the earnings momentum and lift in returns that we project for Simmons First in short order,” the analysts noted in their release.