February 12, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 29 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session
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ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 29
(Senate - February 12, 2020)
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[Page S1038] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ RECOGNIZING THE 2020 ARKANSAS BUSINESS HALL OF FAME HONOREESMr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the newest members of the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. Arkansas native Olivia Farrell is a shining example of what a lifetime of hard work and devotion looks like. After graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1978, she joined the Arkansas Writers Project, selling ads for the Arkansas Times. Shortly after, the Writers Project also created Arkansas Business, which was later purchased by Farrell and became the Arkansas Business Publishing Group, where she served as CEO. Not only did Farrell find personal success in business, but she also sought to help bring more women into the business community. As such, Farrell created and promoted an annual magazine highlighting the top 100 women in Arkansas. This list encouraged companies and their stakeholders to bring more women into their ranks. Furthermore, she created the Women's Foundation of Arkansas to promote increased investment in women's education, business opportunities, and philanthropy. Some of her most notable awards include being inducted in the Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame, as well as being the recipient of the Business and Professional Leader of the Year award by the Rotary Club of Little Rock. Her leadership and kindness have been the subject of much deserved praise. Reynie Rutledge was born in Smackover, AR. Growing up in a small Arkansas town taught him the value of hard work and doing the right thing. He earned an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering from the University of Arkansas prior to earning his MBA in 1973. Upon leaving school, he was hired as a loan officer at Worthen Bank in Little Rock. A few years later, Rutledge took a gamble in purchasing First Security Bank, which at the time had only three branches and $46 million in assets. Under his leadership, the small Searcy, AR, bank grew into a $5.9 billion dollar holding company with over 77 locations across 17 counties and 34 communities, with more than 1,000 employees across the State. Rutledge has always given back to the Natural State. He has been an active member of Searcy's First United Methodist Church since 1977 and also serves on the Searcy Water Board. Rutledge has also served as a member of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, chairman of the selection committee of the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame, and chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association. Some of the many accolades he has received over his career include the University of Arkansas 2000 Volunteer of the Year, 2012 University of Arkansas Distinguished Alumni Award, and 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Walton College of Business. Gerald B. Alley was born in Pine Bluff, AR. As the son of a businessowner, he saw firsthand the hard work and commitment required to produce a thriving business that maximizes a person's ability to give back to their community. After finishing his education and working for his father, Alley enrolled at the University of Arkansas at the age of 16, majoring in finance. After graduating from the University of Arkansas, he continued his education at Southern Methodist University, where he earned his MBA. Along with the help of his brother, Troy, Jr., he started Con-Real. Under his leadership, Con-Real built the largest parking garage in Texas. Additionally, the company helped build schools, stores, and other facilities that provided entertainment and essential services to the community. As Alley gained more experience as a business leader, he expanded Con-Real's services and launched another firm focused on medical construction which represented the largest medical system in the U.S. Today, Con-Real offers a multitude of services ranging from real estate to technology and innovation while consistently promoting minority firms. Aside from his business ventures, Alley serves on the executive advisory board at the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. Additionally, he is on the advisory board at the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University and is also a member of the board of trustees at the school. After years of business and philanthropic success, he has proven to be a role model for anybody who values dedication, hard work and perseverance. Charles Nabholz was born near Squirrel Hill, AR. Hailing from a farming family, he was instilled with a strong work ethic that served him well. Though the family business began in 1949, he began his career with Nabholz Construction after graduating from Conway's St. Joseph High School in 1954. He began his career with the company as a laborer. Eventually, Nabholz founded and managed Con-Ark builders, a company that would later merge with Nabholz Construction. After a brief stint out of the State, he returned to serve as Governor Frank White's director of State Building Services. He continued to serve as a valuable asset outside of the State government, helping to create Nabholz Properties and serving as chairman of the board for the Nabholz Group in 2000. In 2014, he was named chairman emeritus of Nabholz Group. Charles Nabholz is an extremely involved member of his community. Not only is he a member of the several Arkansas trade associations, but he actively participates in or has previously contributed his time to several groups such as the Conway Regional Medical Center Foundation, the Conway Chamber of Commerce, and the Arkansas Research Alliance. Among the many honors he has received are an award for Leadership in Free Enterprise and the Distinguished Citizen Award. I congratulate each of these honorees for their valuable contributions to Arkansas and the industries they represent. Our State is certainly better off because of the work each has done to advance their own careers, as well as the companies they have led. This honor is a fitting way to acknowledge them and memorialize their legacies in the Natural State's business community. ____________________
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