P.O. Box 3447
Little Rock, AR 72203
photo of Gov. Sarah Sanders speaking at a podium to large room of people

2023 Excellence in Free Enterprise Award


photo of John Robertson, Shelley Simpson, Kathleen Lawson, Gov. Sarah Sanders, and Robyn Breshears

Economics Arkansas presented the 2023 Excellence in Free Enterprise Award to Shelley Simpson on March 15, 2023, at the Rogers Convention Center in Rogers, AR.

The Excellence in Free Enterprise Award honors those who promote success in the free market. Economics Arkansas recognized Simpson, President of J.B. Hunt, for her innovative leadership and commitment to company-wide advancement. Simpson has worked for the company for 28 years, most recently serving as Chief Commercial Officer and EVP of People and Human Resources. The Board of Directors elected her as the company's President in July 2022. 

J.B. Hunt CEO John Roberts, III presented the award to Simpson. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivered the keynote address; it was her first formal appearance in Northwest Arkansas after being inaugurated. 

A group of fifth-grade students from Grace Hill Elementary in Rogers shared the success of their Young Entrepreneurs Club. Master Economics Teacher (MET) Amy Mileham started the club at her school to bring economic and entrepreneurship skills to her students. 

Thank you to all of our sponsors for making this event possible and for promoting economic literacy in our state. 


This video was produced by J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

 

Thank You to Our Sponsors!


Bessie B. Moore Hero Sponsors

company logos for Crossland Construction, Tyson Foods, and Walmart/Sam's Club

Platinum Sponsors

logos for Arvest Bank, Hunt Ventures, J.B. Hunt, Mitchell Williams Law Firm, Nabholz Construction and the Sells Agency

Gold Sponsors

  • ArcBest Corporation
  • Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
  • Drake Farms
  • Northwest Arkansas Naturals
  • UA - Walton College of Business

Silver Sponsors

  • America's Car-Mart
  • Generations Bank
  • George's Inc.
  • Hanna's Candles
  • John Brown University
  • Lawco Energy Group
  • Legacy National Bank
  • Lindsey Management Co., Inc.
  • Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas (MANA)
  • Mercy Health Foundation
  • Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA)
  • Outdoor Cap & Habit Outdoors
  • Springdale Chamber of Commerce
  • University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)
  • Washington Regional Medical Center

Thank You Donors

  • ABA logo
  • AR Capital Corporation logo
    AR Capital Corporation logo
  • ADE logo
  • ASD 2022 logo
  • ARVEST logo
    ARVEST logo
  • Bank of America logo
    Bank of America logo
  • First Security Bank
  • Murphy Foundation 200 x
  • R.E. Lee Wilson Trust
    R.E. Lee Wilson Trust
  • Stephens
    Stephens
  • Walton Family Foundation 200 x 86
P.O. Box 3447
Little Rock, AR 72203

© Economics Arkansas 2024

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