Arkansas Business

The chief source of wealth for this family of Arkansas business leaders is Stephens Inc., founded in 1933 by the late W.R. "Witt" Stephens. The firm, once the largest U.S. investment banking firm off Wall Street, has dominated the business life of the state.

Witt Stephens and his brother, Jackson T. "Jack" Stephens, rose from poor origins in Prattsville to found a dynasty. Jack Stephens joined the firm in 1956 as president.

The family ranks as the second wealthiest in the state, trailing only the Walton family of Bentonville. A dramatic drop in some of the family's publicly traded stock holdings reduced the family's estimated wealth by about 21 percent between July 2000 and Nov. 1.

The family's investments, including Stephens Inc., are held by Stephens Group Inc. Stephens Group paid $195 million last year for the commercial staffing division of Staffmark Inc. The investment has lagged, prompting a dispute and lawsuit pitting Stephens Group against Edgewater Corp., former owner of the Staffmark property.

Other investments include Donrey Media Group, natural gas interests, Southern Development Bancorporation, First National Security, Alltel, First United Bancshares, Monsanto, Power-One and Dillard's.

No. 3
Winthrop Paul Rockefeller
$1.2 Billion, Little Rock

Although Arkansas Lt. Gov. Winthrop Paul Rockefeller's estimated wealth grew 9 percent in 2001, he remained in third place on the "Wealthiest Arkansas" ranking.

Since 1998, Rockefeller's estimated wealth had been valued at $1.1 billion, but this year it rose to $1.2 billion.

A portion of his wealth stems from his inheritance from his great-grandfather, John David Rockefeller, the industrialist who founded Standard Oil Co. of Ohio and was the wealthiest man in the world in the early 20th century.

Other portions of wealth come from the sale of WinRock Farms, the Morrilton-based farming operation that belonged to the lieutenant governor's father, former Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller, and what was the largest yacht construction company in world. Rockefeller also owns Carlisle Bancshares.

Rockefeller's inheritance is the least diluted of any of John D. Rockefeller's great-grandchildren because Rockefeller was an only child. The father of seven children, Rockefeller and his wife, Lisenne, maintain homes at Winrock Farms atop Petit Jean Mountain and in Little Rock.

No. 4
Don Tyson Family
$1.13 Billion, Springdale

The Tyson family wealth, built on chicken, is starting to climb again after falling 60 percent in 2000.

The Tysons remain in fourth place in the "Wealthiest Arkansans" ranking with $1.12 billion, up from $1.04 billion in 2000. Their wealth still is about 55 percent off from their 1999 fortune, when it reached $2.5 billion.

Tyson Foods Inc. remains solid as the poultry industry's giant. In October, the Springdale company finally completed the long-awaited buyout of meat-packing power IBP Inc. from Dakota Dunes, S.D. The total package was worth $4.6 billion, including $1.6 billion in IBP debt.

The company has come a long way since its founder John Tyson Sr. took the company public in 1963. When he died in a car accident in 1967, Tyson had less than 2 percent of the U.S. chicken market. Tyson's son, Don, grew the company to control 25 percent of the poultry market. With the purchase of IBP, Tyson Foods also controls 28 percent of the beef market and 18 percent of the pork market. The company has 68,000 employees.

Also in October, Don Tyson retired as senior chairman, having served in the position since 1995. He remains as a member of the company's board of directors. His son, Johnny Tyson, has been chairman and CEO since 2000.

Next, Murphy, Hussman and Lyon.

Wealthiest 2001
Stephens Hang on Behind Waltons Despite Tough Year
Top 10 Wealthiest Arkansans List
Major Stock Holdings of Arkansans in Public Companies