Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced that its board of directors has appointed Pamela Craig, retired chief financial officer of Accenture, as a new member of the company’s board, effective immediately.

Craig became the fifteenth member of the board and will also serve as a member of the company’s Audit Committee.

“Pam Craig is a well-respected leader and ideally suited to serve on Wal-Mart’s board given her extensive financial experience and her understanding of the vital role technology plays in business today,” said Wal-Mart Chairman Rob Walton. “The domestic and global perspectives she gained during her 34 years with Accenture give her unique insight into managing a global company that will be invaluable to Wal-Mart.”

Craig, 56, has extensive experience in finance, technology and operations from her time at Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. She served as the company’s chief financial officer from October 2006 until July 1.

In that role, she was responsible for the company’s corporate controllership, corporate development, treasury, tax, finance operations and strategic planning and analysis. Craig retired from Accenture on Aug. 31.

“I look forward to working with the board and executive management team and to helping Wal-Mart maintain its retail leadership role,” Craig said. “In an unpredictable global economy I believe Wal-Mart is well-positioned for continued success through its stores and growing eCommerce business, disciplined financial approach and leadership position on important issues facing society.”

Craig holds a master of business administration degree from New York University and a bachelor's degree with honors in economics from Smith College. She currently serves on the board of directors and as audit committee chair for Akamai Technologies and on the board of VMware Inc.

Gov. Mike Beebe on Monday (Nov. 25) announced the following appointments to boards and commissions:
 
Dr. Jamie Brandon, Magnolia, reappointed to the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. Appointment expires Oct. 1, 2015.
 
Larry Brewer, Conway, reappointed to the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board. Appointment expires Oct. 14, 2016.
 
Ernest Cunningham, Helena-West Helena, reappointed to the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. Appointment expires Oct. 1, 2015.
 
Debbie Fritsche, Greenwood, reappointed to the State Board of Registration for Professional Geologists. Appointment expires Oct. 1, 2018.
 
Sammy Hart, Arkadelphia, reappointed to the Arkansas Veterans' Commission. Appointment expires Oct. 15, 2018.
 
Wallace Hattenhauer, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies. Appointment expires May 26, 2016.  Replaces Joey Smith.

Chief J.P. Jordan, Bryant, reappointed to the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board. Appointment expires Oct. 14, 2016.
 
Chris Madison, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics Advisory Board. Appointment expires Sept. 1, 2016.  Replaces Londell White.
 
Captain Robert Medford, Camden, reappointed to the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board. Appointment expires Oct. 14, 2016.
 
Margy Richardson, El Dorado, reappointed to the State Board of Examiners of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors. Appointment expires Sept. 14, 2017.
 
Robert Schoenborn, Jonesboro, reappointed to the Arkansas Veterans' Commission. Appointment expires Oct. 15, 2018.
 
Charles Singleton, Little Rock, reappointed to the Arkansas Veterans' Commission. Appointment expires Oct. 15, 2018.
 
Brant Snell, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics Advisory Board. Appointment expires Sept. 1, 2016.  Replaces Frank Snell.
 
Steve Stephan, Hartman, reappointed to the Arkansas Agriculture Board. Appointment expires Aug. 15, 2017.
 
Linda Tabor, Monticello, to the Arkansas Humanities Council. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2015.  Replaces Mary Lynn Nelson.
 
Rob Yates, Jonesboro, to the Arkansas Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics Advisory Board. Appointment expires Sept. 1, 2016.  Replaces Pamela Cook.

Tyson Foods announced Monday (Nov. 25) that Mike Roetzel will become the group vice president of operations for the meat giant, reporting directly to CEO Donnie Smith.


Roetzel is an industry veteran who began his career with Tyson Foods in 1986 as the controller for the transportation and warehouse division. He has also served as director of sales accounting and held numerous other management positions such as vice president of commodity purchasing. He was most recently the senior vice president of purchasing since 2008.


This new top corporate position came about as chief operating officer Jim Lochner recently announced his pending retirement next year. In the meantime, while Lochner retains the COO position, he will relocating back to South Dakota, where Tyson Fresh Meats is headquartered as he oversees the transition of new leadership in the beef and pork division.


Based in Springdale, Roetzel will oversee several of the company’s shared services including:

• Information systems;

• Animal well-being;

• Distribution;

• Food safety and quality assurance;

• Environmental, and

• Health and safety.


Smith said following Lochner’s retirement the company will no longer have a chief operating officer position as the firm has restructured its top tier management, splitting the top management duties of its poultry and prepared foods segments.


Roetzel will be in charge of many of the day-to-day operations for the entire firm, while Noel White will locate to Springdale from South Dakota to head up the poultry division. At the same time, Donnie King will oversee the prepared foods segment through a major growth and investment phase.


Roetzel is a Springdale native who earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas. He worked as a certified public accountant a short time later. He now lives in Fayetteville with his wife of 33 years, Julie.

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) on Monday (Nov. 25) announced a new initiative to better position Arkansas to compete for projects requiring large acreage. Those locations worthy of the “Advance Arkansas Sites” distinction must be ready for rapid industrial development and meet AEDC’s highest standards of quality.

Two large-acreage sites, the Little Rock Metro Mega Site and West Memphis Mega Site, are already on the website featuring the new program. Each location lists property information, demographics and workforce information to educate prospective businesses on the economic and environmental landscape of Arkansas.
 
“Arkansas must use every tool available to highlight our state’s economic advantages in a competitive global marketplace,” Gov. Mike Beebe said in a statement. “Companies looking to call Arkansas home need easy access to the right information that will immediately put us in the conversation for potential projects large and small alike.”
 
“It is imperative for our state to continue to find innovative ways to market our competitive advantages to those companies needing large-acre sites,” said Grant Tennille, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “Advance Arkansas Sites is a proactive tool that allows decision makers quick access to detailed information on Arkansas’s best, large-acreage sites.”

Field Agent Inc., a local firm focusing on crowdsource marketing research, said it has acquired CORE4 Research LLC of Fayetteville, for an undisclosed sum.

CORE4 Research will be integrated under Field Agent’s research vertical, with the new team members focused on delivering incremental capabilities and methodologies with a specific focus on insights.

The acquisition positions Field Agent as a strategic mobile research methodology provider for consumer packaged goods companies, retailers and research agencies across the globe.

"Mobile Research provides a real-time experiential way to capture a consumer’s senses at the moment they interact with our client’s product or service – we call this the ‘point of influence’, said Field Agent CEO Rick West.

“Combining Field Agent’s mobile capabilities, with CORE4’s research expertise in understanding shoppers' needs, motivations and behaviors will uniquely position Field Agent to serve the research industry as a leader and innovator in the fast- growing mobile research space,” West noted in the release.

Founded in 2010, Field Agent delivers a wide range of location specific research and audit services to over 1,500 clients in seven countries.

This is the first acquisition by Field Agent following its 2013 capital investment from Five Elms Capital.

The U.S. military’s impact on Northwest Arkansas exceeds $150 million annually, according to a report issued Tuesday (Nov. 26) from the Northwest Arkansas Council.

“The Military in Northwest Arkansas” economic impact report on the importance of the Arkansas National Guard, the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, and military retirees and veterans who live in Benton and Washington counties is the first in a series of periodic overviews of certain aspects of the region’s economy.

According to the council, the report recognizes the “significant efforts of Northwest Arkansas’ largest employers, including Walmart Stores, Tyson Foods and J.B. Hunt Transport Services” to hire “thousands of military veterans, benefiting both the new employees and the companies.

Northwest Arkansas was noted earlier this month in a report put out by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes project as the nation’s seventh-best place among mid-sized cities for veterans to find a job.

Findings from the report include:
• $134.3 million is the annual payroll of the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, which includes the Fayetteville hospital and six community-based health clinics.

• $33 million annually is how much the Veterans Health Administration paid for military veterans to receive medical services at non-affiliated hospitals and clinics. That kept veterans from waiting to schedule services at more distant Veterans Health Administration facilities.

• $31 million is the annual operational spending of the Arkansas National Guard in Benton and Washington counties.

• 31,782 military veterans live in Benton and Washington counties, which is about 7% of the population.

To recognize the military presence in Northwest Arkansas, the Arkansas National Guard’s 142nd Fires Brigade has been invited to join the council.

“Having Troy and the 142nd join us is a great reminder of the important role the Arkansas National Guard plays in Northwest Arkansas and statewide,” Mike Malone, president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council, said in a statement.

Link here for a PDF from the council detailing the military impact.

Ron Burkle’s Yucaipa Cos. is now the owner of 150 Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market stores auctioned off in bankruptcy court. The California-based grocery was owned by British retailer Tesco, who sought bankruptcy protection for its Fresh & Easy unit last year.

The Los Angeles-based Yucaipa company said it expects to build the chain into “a healthy, convenient food experience,” according to a report from Supermarket News.

James Keyes, former chief executive of 7-Eleven Inc., was tagged by Burkle to create a strategy for Fresh & Easy and negotiate the deal with Tesco.

Yucaipa, a private equity firm, is no stranger to grocery turnarounds having ample experience with Fred Meyer and Jurgensen’s. Analysts credit Burkle with an uncanny ability to squeeze profits out of a very thin margins, then breathing life into weak supermarkets before selling them for a profit.

Yucaipa released this statement following the deal closure with Tesco on Nov. 22:

"There will be many exciting changes in the coming weeks that will improve convenience, hours and customer service, along with greater value, better prices and stores that are easier to shop.”

Mary Hatfield Lowe was elected to the board of directors of the American Association for Paralegal Education at the annual conference in Phoenix  on Nov. 8.
 
Lowe is the coordinator for NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s American Bar Association-approved Paralegal Studies Program. She has a law degree and doctorate in higher education from the University of Arkansas and has been at NWACC since 2004.
 
Lowe will be the director for the South Central Region of the United States. With more than 400 members, the American Association for Paralegal Education is the nation’s largest and continually operating organization dedicated to promoting quality paralegal education. The organization’s membership includes hundreds of universities, colleges and other institutions of higher learning throughout the United States and Canada.

Mark Horn, vice chancellor for university relations at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, has been recognized by the Arkansas Association of College and University Business Officers.

Horn was presented the Lifetime Membership Award “in appreciation for dedicated service and outstanding leadership in Arkansas higher education 1992-2013.”

Horn, who plans to retire on June 30, first came to UAFS in 1992 and has served the institution under three of the University’s identities – Westark Community College, Westark College and UAFS.

His first position was vice president for finance and administration from 1992-1997, followed by vice president for planning and accountability from 1997-2002, vice chancellor for planning and budgeting from 2002-2005, vice chancellor for finance and administration from 2005-2011 and vice chancellor for university relations beginning in 2011.

In Horn’s current role at UAFS, he works to convey the priorities and mission of the institution by building and strengthening relationships with the University’s stakeholders.

Horn was one of three to receive the award from AACUBO, whose purpose is to foster, develop and promote improved principles and efficient practices in the business and financial management of colleges and universities.

AACUBO is one of the 16 member states of the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SACUBO) and is affiliated with the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO).

University of Arkansas alumnus Kevin Brown and his wife, Marie, have created an endowed department head chair within the College of Engineering thanks to a $3 million gift.

The Kevin W. and Marie L. Brown Department Head Chair in Chemical Engineering was established by the Houston couple and will benefit the Ralph E. Martin department of chemical engineering at the University of Arkansas.

“Supporting the university by establishing endowed chairs helps us attract and retain the most innovative faculty for our students,” UA Chancellor G. David Gearhart said in a statement. “This is a critical need, since endowed positions help us remain competitive with our peers. Kevin and Marie’s gift will make a tremendous impact within the College of Engineering and allow the Ralph E. Martin department of chemical engineering to make significant strides in teaching, research and service.”

Brown is originally from North Little Rock and came to the University of Arkansas after receiving an academic scholarship.

“I came to the university to obtain a degree in chemical engineering,” he said. “Not only did I receive the degree, I learned a number of valuable life and professional skills while at the university. As a result of that early financial help and the skills learned, we have been blessed, and feel an obligation to share our success with future generations.”

Brown believes his experience at the university directly impacted his ability to be effective in the business world. Today, he serves as senior vice president of refining for LyondellBasell Industries in Houston, the third-largest independent chemical company in the world. His responsibilities include the refining segment and the procurement and utilities, global engineering services and global project services organizations. He has served as chair and vice-chair of the National Petroleum Refiners Association and is currently a member of the executive committee of the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers Association.

Brown, who received a Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2011, serves on the university’s Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee and the College of Engineering’s Dean’s Advisory Council, their Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee and Arkansas Academy of Chemical Engineers. He and his wife are recognized in the Towers of Old Main, a society that honors the university’s most generous benefactors.

In addition to their giving to the university, the Browns have established the Megan Leigh Brown Fellowship for Ovarian Cancer at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Andrew Garner is the new city of Fayetteville planning director. He served as senior planner for the city since 2005.

“I am excited about the opportunity the City Planning Director position provides in public service to Fayetteville, and I believe my direct experience doing the required job duties, my existing relationships with staff in this and other City divisions, and government and corporate knowledge have prepared me for this position,” Garner said in a statement issued by the city.
 
Prior to his work with the city of Fayetteville, Garner was an environmental planner in a private firm’s Environmental Services Division. He received his bachelor’s degree in business management from Harding University in Arkansas and master’s degree in environmental management and policy at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York.

The city planning director position includes management and supervisory responsibilities, administering and interpreting zoning and development ordinances, coordinating efforts between departments and divisions to evaluate development and land use applications and enforce current ordinances.

Van Buren Mayor Bob Freeman presented the city council a $12.071 million FY 14 budget at a special meeting Monday (Dec. 2).

The budget is an increase of more than $200,000 over the FY13 budget and includes both pay raises and an increase in personnel.

"It's a 1.5% cost of living (raise) and three additional firemen and one additional policeman and then some minor (line item) adjustments."

Funding for the three additional personnel is coming from the 1% sales tax passed by Van Buren voters last year. The sales tax is split between a permanent half-cent for operational expenses and another temporary half-cent for construction of several different municipal facilities, including a new police department, fire department and a new senior center.

Freeman said the new police officer position will not be on patrol, but instead will be assigned to the city's municipal complex nestled between Main Street and Broadway.

"(We are) putting a metal detector at the front door here. It's just the way it is today and we don't want to pull someone off patrol."

The increase in security comes after a gunman opened fire at the Crawford County Courthouse on Sept. 13, 2011, injuring two before being killed in a shootout with police on the courthouse lawn.

The average salary, including benefits, for all four new employees would total about $50,000 per year, Freeman said.

The one area many governments and businesses have seen large increases in spending is health care, but Freeman said the city's premiums have stayed nearly the same as last year.

"Our health insurance is through the (Arkansas) Municipal League. What drives our increases are the losses (caused by claims). There may be some elements in there that change. But if our claims our down, then our health care stays even."

The city's current health care plan is evaluated for premium increases every six months, he said, adding that the next evaluation would take place in July 2014.

Freeman said the city's budget should pass without much opposition from the city council, which did not vote on the budget at tonight's meeting but instead will vote during a regular session later this month.

"Our finances were so tight in the past. We've gone through and cut where we could cut. So we have no fluff."

No other items were on the special meeting's agenda.

Lance O’Daniel has been hired as director of procurement and sustainability at Van Buren-based USA Truck Inc.

The appointment represents a homecoming for O’Daniel, who began his career with USA Truck in 1999 and spent seven years with the company and rose to the position of purchasing manager. He also worked with Greatwide Logistics and most recently with National Carriers, Inc., where he was director of business analysis.

At USA Truck, O’Daniel will oversee more than $250 million in annual expenditures, assuming responsibility for purchasing everything USA Truck needs, with the exception of trucks, trailers and IT items. O’Daniel will also direct the company’s fuel conservation/sustainability programs.

“I’m excited to be back at USA Truck and to return to the Fort Smith area. It’s a unique opportunity to return to the organization where I spent the early part of my career and to move back to the area were I grew up,” O’Daniel said in a statement. “My experiences with other transportation and logistics providers validate that USA Truck is among the top companies in this industry. I’m very fortunate to be part of this team and to be able to return with my family to a place where we have such strong roots.”

O’Daniel holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Lyon College and a master’s in business administration from the University of Arkansas.

Bank of the Ozarks says it has entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger with Bancshares, Inc. of Houston, Texas.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bank of the Ozarks will pay $23 million for all outstanding shares of Bancshares common stock, subject to certain conditions and potential adjustments. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2014.

Houston-based Bancshares operates eight offices through Omnibank, N.A., its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, including three offices in Houston, one office in San Antonio, two offices in Austin, one of which Omnibank is in the process of closing, and one office each in the Austin suburbs of Cedar Park and Lockhart.

At Sept. 30, 2013, Omnibank had approximately $301 million in total assets, $169 million in loans and $269 million in deposits.

“We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Omnibank, which has forged strong customer relationships with south Texans for nearly six decades. Omnibank’s offices substantially expand our existing footprint in Texas. We hope to achieve great synergy between Omnibank’s Austin-area offices and our Real Estate Specialties Group Austin loan production office, and between their Houston-area offices and our planned Real Estate Specialties Group Houston office, which we expect to open in the first quarter of 2014,” said Bank of the Ozarks Chairman and CEO George Gleason.

“For ten years we have recognized the growing importance of our Texas offices, and Omnibank’s substantial presence in the Houston and Austin markets should continue that trend. Today almost half of our outstanding loans and leases, excluding covered loans and purchased non-covered loans, have been originated by our Texas offices,” Gleason added. “This transaction, our second announced in 2013, will be our tenth transaction since March 2010, and will position us to further capitalize on growth opportunities throughout Texas.”

Little Rock-based Bank of the Ozarks shares (NASDAQ: OZRK) closed trading on Monday (Dec. 9) at $55.78. The company’s stock has traded between $32.23 and $56.50 per share during the past 52 weeks.

The Miller McNeil Woodruff Foundation, recently presented a $25,000 check to the Amazeum leadership team that will help the interactive venue be more accessible to children with disabilities.

The funds will be used to install the lift that allows disabled children access to a former Wal-Mart semi-truck, which will be placed inside the museum and contain multiple activities for children to experience while inside the vehicle.

“This will allow all children to participate in this display,” said Meredith Woodruff, who started the foundation in 2011 with her husband, Patrick, following the death of their infant son. Miller McNeil Woodruff lived for 87 days before his life was cut short by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

“Our goal for the Amazeum is to make it a fun, positive and educational experience for everyone, so having this lift to give access to this display is highly appreciated,” said Sam Dean, executive director of the Amazeum. “This is a major contribution to the mission of the Amazeum.”

The Miller McNeil Woodruff Foundation traditionally makes contributions toward Arkansas Children’s Hospital and causes that benefit families dealing with SMA. But according to Woodruff, her husband learned about the Amazeum in its early stages and they were both excited to support it in a meaningful way.

The lift will include a special plaque that acknowledges the Foundation. The donation was made in memory of Taylor McKeen Shelton, another Arkansas child who passed away in June from  SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death in Children).

“After Taylor’s passing, his parents chose to have memorial donations made to The Miller McNeil Woodruff Foundation. The donations we received in Taylor’s memory were overwhelming so we wanted to do something special to honor him. This seemed like the perfect fit,” said Meredith Woodruff.

She hopes the lift and the plaque help raise awareness about SMA, SUDC, neuromuscular diseases in general and support for all children with disabilities.

Tyson Foods is expanding its FarmCheck animal welfare program to include its beef and chicken suppliers, according to plans announced in 2012. 
The company says suppliers must meet the auditing requirements of the program in 2014 to qualify as a Tyson supplier.


FarmCheck was launched in the fall of 2012 as a way for the global meat processor to ensure animal welfare is carried out on the farms that raise the animals Tyson later slaughters and processes into meat and poultry.

Sara Lilygren, head of corporate affairs at Tyson Foods, championed the FarmCheck program as a way for the meat company to show visibility into their operations, which have been targeted throughout the past by animal activists.


FarmCheck uses third-party auditors to check on the farm for such things as animal access to food and water, as well as proper human-animal interaction and worker training.


Tyson said the company has conducted pilot audits of the hog farms that supply Tyson Foods and will expand those audits to chicken and cattle farms by January 2014.

The Walton Family Foundation has announced a $2.1 million grant to the University of Arkansas to fund several programs within the College Access Initiative and the Center For Multicultural and Diversity Education (CMDE).

These funds will directly benefit students from Phillips County, Arkansas, and those who have graduated from public charter schools around the state.

“We are so grateful to the Walton Family Foundation for this wonderful gift,” Chancellor G. David Gearhart said in the statement issued Wednesday (Dec. 11). “The university is very committed to securing more opportunity for these very deserving students, but we cannot make the impact that we want without the help of our generous donors.”

This grant, the largest in university history going to diversity programs, will impact current and future university students. As part of the program, university officials will expand ACT training for high school students and will also increase recruiting efforts at these schools. Additionally, students who are admitted to the university will be eligible for tutoring, mentoring and summer enrichment programs designed to increase both retention and graduation rates.

Charles Robinson, the university’s vice chancellor for diversity and community, said the grant will help the economically depressed areas of Arkansas.

“This gift will allow our team to build relationships with these students and their school administrators while the students are still in high school in an effort to ensure long-term success. This is a great win for the university and our current and future students,” Robinson said.

Cleanup of debris leftover from last week's ice storm will be collected starting next week, according to the city of Fort Smith's Department of Sanitation.

Tree limbs and branches felled by the storm, which coated much of the Fort Smith area with between a quarter-inch and 1.5 inches of ice, will be collected based on the normal days of trash collection, according to a press release.

Collection will start on Dec. 16 for residents who normally have Monday pickup, with debris removal lasting through Jan. 4, 2014. Residents who normally have trash pickup on Tuesday can expect debris removal from Jan. 6 - Jan. 18, 2014. If pick up is normally scheduled on Thursdays, debris pickup will last from Jan. 20 - Feb. 1, 2014. Residents who normally experience Friday trash pickup can expect debris removal from Feb. 3 - Feb. 15, 2014.

"Tree debris resulting from the storm will need to be placed curbside, away from cars, mailboxes, and utilities such as water meters, fire hydrants, and overhead power lines, and should not exceed 6 feet in length," the release from the sanitation department reads. "Bundling requirements will be relaxed citywide to accommodate special collections."

Should residents have larger debris, the press release states assessments will need to be made "prior to collection due to equipment capabilities and limitations."

If debris has fallen on utility lines, the sanitation department said it is the property owner's responsibility to clear the debris and should take precaution when hiring companies to do the work for them.

"Property owners that choose to have their tree debris removed by a third party should consider hiring a reputable, local tree service familiar with local regulations," the statement read. "At a minimum, a reputable tree service will be able to show proof of liability insurance to protect the property owner in case of an accident."

The release went on to suggest any companies hired to remove debris hold credentials through an organization such as the International Society of Arboriculture.
www.isa-arbor.com

Questions regarding storm debris collection can be called into the Fort Smith Department of Sanitation at 479-784-1070 or e-mail sanitation@fortsmithar.gov.

A laboratory in the city of Fort Smith's Utility Department was recently re-certified, not only allowing the lab to continue analysis of surface water and wastewater, but also serve as a backup to state labs in Little Rock.

According to the city, the re-certification came from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, certifying the city's labs to analyze surface water and wastewater in addition to the analysis of drinking water, for which the city received re-certification from the Arkansas Department of Health last spring.

"The Laboratory staff analyzes in excess of 600 samples per month, most of the samples having multiple parameters measured. The samples we analyze come from our water supplies, water treatment plans, the water distribution system, industries, wastewater collection system, wastewater plants, and even the Arkansas River," said Environmental Manager Lance McAvoy.

McAvoy went on to say that the testing done by the city's lab staff ensures safe drinking water meeting all state and federal requirements.

"The Laboratory Staff of five full-time scientists and two part-time laboratory assistants is committed to protecting our citizens and our environment," he said. "Our latest ADEQ certification expands the Laboratory's certification to perform additional analyses beyond our previous certification."

According to the press release, the city of Fort Smith is the only municipality in Arkansas to hold dual certifications, allowing it to not only be a backup to state labs in Little Rock but also allow waterworks organizations around the Fort Smith area to "frequently use the Fort Smith Laboratory for boil order analysis to assure protection of their citizens."

• Stock offering priced at Pinnacle Foods
Pinnacle Foods Inc. announced the pricing of the secondary offering of 17 million shares of its common stock to be sold by certain of its stockholders at a price to the public of $26.75 per share.

The underwriters will have an option to purchase up to an additional 2.55 million shares from the selling stockholders.   
 
The selling stockholders will receive all of the proceeds from this offering. No shares are being sold by Pinnacle Foods. The offering is expected to settle and close on Dec. 17,  subject to customary closing conditions.

Pinnacle Foods is a supplier to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and operates a manufacturing facility in Fayetteville.

• Nestle Purina PetCare makes Employee Choice list
Nestle Purina PetCare Company recently received the Glassdoor Employees' Choice Award, recognizing the 50 Best Places to Work in 2014. Purina ranked 10th on this year's list.

The Employees' Choice Awards, now in its sixth year, rely strictly on the input of employees, who elect to provide feedback on their jobs, work environments and companies via Glassdoor's anonymous online company review survey.

"Being recognized is a great honor," said W. Patrick McGinnis, CEO, Nestle Purina PetCare Company. "I'm particularly proud of this award because it is based solely on input from the people who know our Company best – our excellent team of associates, who make Nestle Purina such an enjoyable place to work.”

The 50 Best Places to Work are determined using company reviews shared by U.S. based employees who elected to participate in the survey between Nov. 14, 2012 and Nov. 12, 2013. To be considered for the Best Places to Work list, a company must have at least 1,000 or more employees and have received at least 50 approved company reviews during the window of eligibility.

Nestle-Purina is a supplier to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and operates a sales office in Rogers.

• New website unveiled by Snyder’s-Lance
Snack food company Snyder's-Lance announced that its redesigned corporate website is now fully up-and-running, providing key stakeholders with quick and easy access to the latest company news and insights.

"Although the previous website design included a wealth of information on our products and the Company, we felt that there was an opportunity to improve the way we delivered relevant information to our stakeholders," said Sid Levy, corporate spokesman. "By focusing more on our brands, the new site provides a richer user experience as a whole."

The new website is designed to provide visitors with quick and easy access to tools and company information. To experience the new site and explore its features, visit www.SnydersLance.com.

Synder’s-Lance is a supplier to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. with a sales office in Bentonville.