General Press Release

John McFarland, former Baldor Electric Company chief executive officer and chairman of the board, presented his ideas about what it takes to be a successful leader Oct. 10 to business students at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith.

McFarland spoke at the inaugural College of Business Leadership Breakfast, which was attended by more than 75 business students.

Sparks Health System is proud to announce our Chief Executive Officer is receiving recognition for her leadership and support of medical center volunteer organizations.

Public awareness and participation is building, thanks to a volunteer effort to tidy up Fort Smith back on April 21. The volunteer group, spearheaded, in part, by at-large city director Pam Weber, will grab their gloves and trash bags again on Saturday, October 20, in conjunction with the Fort Smith Department of Sanitation’s annual fall clean-up, which is slated from Saturday, October 20 through Saturday, October 27.

A visit by Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves and a vignette of the trial of outlaws Belle and Sam Starr will highlight the 172nd birthday of William H. H. Clayton Sunday at the Clayton House.

The Clayton House historic museum will provide its “October Shadows Paranormal Lamplight Tour” at 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. on October 12, 26 and 31. The 50-minute tour includes an explanation of paranormal investigations, an overview of ghost activity in famous historic houses across the country, and a lamplight tour offering the chance to detect paranormal activity in the Wm. H. H. Clayton family home.

First National Bank of Fort Smith has continued its unique partnership with the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and announced new members of the Collegiate Ambassador Board. The Board is comprised of 10 hand-selected students who undergo an intensive application process.

The Board’s mission is to educate students on the various departments and activities within a financial institution, provide the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge serving as an advisory board member and provide insight and the opportunity for feedback on the bank’s marketing strategies.

Sparks Health System is committed to caring for our community. Now, we are taking strides to improve the health and wellbeing of our Associates.  

The Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce is declaring October 1-7 “Wellness Works!  Wellness Week 2012.”  The initiative is aimed at raising awareness and sharing the benefits of wellness in the workplace.  In conjunction with the city-wide event, Sparks is hosting a health fair to encourage Associates to be proactive about their own health.   

Sparks Health System and Summit Medical Center are proud to announce that, in addition to her role as CEO of Sparks Health System in Fort Smith, Melody Trimble will now also serve as CEO of Summit Medical Center in Van Buren, Arkansas. Trimble takes over the position from Sue Conley, who has stepped down as Summit CEO to begin a career as CEO for two community hospitals in Nashville, Tennessee.

Too many small business and self employed individuals feel that there is no help out there, and especially not for a reasonable price. This event will connect businesses with FREE resources that are in our state that exist solely to grow and prosper our small businesses.

www.fortsmithar.gov

Progress as Promised
In our continuing efforts to provide Fort Smith citizens with timely online information about a number of topics, the “Progress as Promised” report card is updated with each board item approved toward completion of the projects promised during the bond/sales tax election campaign last March.