Page 10 - JobReady: November 2017 Issue

Third Annual Business Summit Reaffirms Mission to Hire People with Disabilities

ozens of companies were
represented at the Third Annual
DBusiness Summit, which took
place at the Capital Hotel in downtown
Little Rock. This year’s theme,
“Inclusion Drives Innovation,” served
as a renewed commitment to hiring
people with disabilities. Research
shows that doing so positively affects Cathy Dickinson and Joni Stephenson
a company’s bottom line. TJ Maxx of Arkansas received the accepted the Distinguished Partner
The Business Summit has grown Distinguished Business Award. Jon Award on behalf of Baptist Health. The
exponentially since its inception in Taylor (holding award) accepted the award was presented by Alan McClain,
recognition, presented by Alan McClain,
2015, resulting in Arkansas’ recent ARS Commissioner; Morgan Aldridge, ARS Commissioner; Morgan Aldridge,
affiliation with the United States Legislative and Agency Liaison to Legislative and Agency Liaison to
Business Leadership Network (BLN). Governor Asa Hutchinson; and Hugh Governor Asa Hutchinson; and Hugh
The board members of the new McDonald, Chair, Career Education and McDonald, Chair, Career Education and
Workforce Development Board.
Arkansas BLN were introduced at the Workforce Development Board.
Business Summit. They include the
following: Rashad Delph, Director of
Talent Acquisition, Pipeline Strategy,
and Global Mobility at Tyson Foods,
Inc.; David Maples, Owner of Maples
Insurance; Juli Nelson, District
Manager at TJX Company; and Mark
Jostad, Senior Human Resources
Compliance Manager at J.B. Hunt
Transport. Jeff Evans and Kevin Lindsey represented
Beth Butler, the Executive Director Harps Foods is the recipient of the Kroger, the recipient of the Distinguished
of the North Carolina BLN, and Distinguished Partner Award. Sam Horton Partner Award. The award was presented
by Alan McClain, ARS Commissioner;
Rashad Delph of Tyson Foods, Inc., (in blue) accepts the award, presented by Morgan Aldridge, Legislative and Agency
Alan McClain, ARS Commissioner; Morgan
served as keynote speakers. Aldridge, Legislative and Agency Liaison Liaison to Governor Asa Hutchinson; and
to Governor Asa Hutchinson; and Hugh Hugh McDonald, Chair, Career Education
McDonald, Chair, Career Education and and Workforce Development Board.
Workforce Development Board.

Ashley Johnson Cross (center), ARS’ Susanne Chambliss accepts the In the absence of Juli Nelson, Jon
Corporate Business Relations Manager, Distinguished Partner Award on behalf Taylor accepts the Distinguished
was recognized for her leadership and of Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Leadership Award on her behalf. The
dedication to the Arkansas Business The award is presented by Alan McClain, award is presented by Alan McClain,
Leadership Network. The award was ARS Commissioner; Morgan Aldridge, ARS Commissioner; Morgan Aldridge,
presented by David Maples, Secretary/ Legislative and Agency Liaison to Legislative and Agency Liaison to
Treasurer of the Arkansas Business Governor Asa Hutchinson; and Hugh Governor Asa Hutchinson; and Hugh
Leadership Network, and Rashad Delph, McDonald, Chair, Career Education and McDonald, Chair, Career Education and
President and Chair of the Arkansas Workforce Development Board. Workforce Development Board.
Business Leadership Network.

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