CONWAY, Ark. (Jan. 21, 2025) — The Conway Area Leadership Institute graduated 55 in its 2024 class and recognized several honorees in a ceremony at Legacy Acres on Jan. 13.
CALI is a 10-month program that prepares emerging leaders to serve the Conway community by providing first-hand experience with community leaders, businesses, and local organizations. Participants engage in a curriculum inspired by Conway2035, a long-range strategic plan developed with the input of more than 1,800 area residents.
Felicia Rogers, chief of staff for the City of Conway, received the Dan Nabholz Emerging Leader Award, which recognizes a recent CALI graduate for leadership and community involvement. Felicia was recognized for being an outstanding public servant and community leader. She has used her position in the mayor’s office at the City of Conway to support and drive forward projects that strengthen the community. She brings a collaborative, can-do spirit to Conway’s continuous growth and improvement.
Jake Briley, city airport director, was named the 2024 Class Champion. This award recognizes individuals for their contributions to the Conway Area Leadership Institute throughout the year. The Class Champion is engaged, committed, inclusive, and demonstrates a passion for the community. Jake’s dedication to the CALI Program was most evident in his leadership during the class’s food drive to support Bethlehem House. His efforts played a key role in organizing and inspiring classmates to come together, helping provide crucial support to families in need, and reinforcing CALI’s mission to create a lasting, positive impact in Conway.
Amanda Castillo, member experience manager for Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center, and T.J. McDonald, managing director of Textbook Brokers, were selected to represent their class on the CALI Advisory Board. The advisory board provides feedback on curriculum and program structure, helps select class participants, and selects the Dan Nabholz Award recipient. They join current advisory board members Brandi Keith, Melanie Moore, Joel Shepard, and James Tyus.
The Conway Area Leadership Institute is underwritten by First Arkansas Bank & Trust and sponsored by Conway Regional Health System and Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. Session underwriters are Central Baptist College, Conway Corp, Engage Management, Faulkner County Community Foundation, Gray Beard Ammo, Green Bay Packaging, H+N Architects, Kutak Rock, Klaasmeyer Construction, Nabholz, RE/MAX Elite: The Emily Walter Team, Rogers Group, S7 Tactical, Sinco, United Way of Central Arkansas.
This year’s class graduates are as follows:
Adam Gilbert
First Security Bank
Amanda Enis
Integrity Insurance
Amanda Castillo
Conway Regional
Amelia Prater
Chambers Bank
Ann Lawrenz
Homewell Cares
Ashley Mosley
Farris Agency
Bennett Poynter
Insight Enterprises
Brad Sanders
Conway Corporation
Brandon Dyer
Green Bay Packaging
Brent Fason
Conway Corporation
Brittney Gwatney
American Safeguard Insurance
Chris Bentley
Nabholz Construction
Chris Tyler
University of Central Arkansas
Corley Shumaker
Central Baptist College
Dan Overstreet
Tokusen
David Trotter
Insight Enterprises
Derrick Boyd
Microsoft Corporation
Diane Burnside
Leather Brothers
Eric Bell
Self-Employed
Gina Flake
B & B Safety Training
Grant Vrazel
Virco Manufacturing
Haley Turney
Arvest Bank
Heidi Vetter
Genesis of Conway
Ian Stewart
Baptist Health Conway
Jake Briley
City of Conway
Jake Stanley
Integrity Insurance
James Mills
Rogers Group
Jeff Thomas
Sinco
Jerri Worthington
University of Central Arkansas
Jonathan Hoffman
Keathley Patterson
Jordan Broadstreet
Simmons Bank
Joshua Vines
Half Associates
Joy Turchi
Cadron Creek Play
Kaitlyn Ryals
Conway Public Schools
Karey Smith
Conway Public Schools
Karin Fulgham
Integrity Insurance
Kathy Ellis
Baptist Health Conway
KC Offonry
Acxiom
Laurie Williamson
Malvern National Bank
Lexi Gardner
First Arkansas Bank & Trust
Mary Rose Musil
Tokusen
Matthew Judd
Conway Regional
Michael Hudson
University of Central Arkansas
Michael Tate
Centennial Bank
Molly Buenrostro
Gratus Wealth Management
Morgan Harrell
Moore and Co.
Nathan Thomas
Acxiom
Nick Scherrey
SBW Wealth Management
Rachel Nekonchuk
Conway Regional
Raegan McGhee
United Way of Central Arkansas
Robert Bennet
Crafton Tull
Tom Boeck
Peace Lutheran Church
TJ McDonald
Textbook Brokers
Travis Johnson
University of Central Arkansas
Tyler Lachowsky
Natural State Consulting
Conway Area Leadership Institute class applications for 2025 are available at conwayarkansas.org/conway-area-leadership-institute. They are due by the close of business on Friday, Jan. 31. The application is not complete until it and a professional headshot are submitted online.
ABOUT THE CONWAY AREA LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
The Conway Area Leadership Institute prepares emerging leaders to serve the Conway community. Through shared experiences and frequent interactions, participants will engage in a ten-month curriculum inspired by Conway2035. Conway2035 is a long-range strategic plan developed with the input of more than 1,800 area residents. This plan identifies priorities that have been grouped into “People” and “Places”: Arts, Entertainment and Culture; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Education; Job Creation; Poverty and Homelessness; Public Safety; Small Business and Entrepreneurship; Beautification; Bicycle Paths and Trails; Downtown Business District; Land Use and Planning; Parks and Recreation; Public Transportation; Streets, Sidewalks and Drainage.