Presenting The 40 Under 40 Class of 2023

It’s an absolute pleasure to bring you the 30th class of Arkansas Business 40 Under 40 honorees — men and women from around the state and a variety of industries who are shaping business, government and nonprofit work in Arkansas.

40 Under 40 has been a signature feature of Arkansas Business since 1994 for one reason: It allows us to introduce 40 impressive leaders who will give you confidence that our state is in good hands for decades to come.

Each year, our internal selection committee sorts through hundreds of nomination forms and accompanying materials to arrive at the final group you see here. What’s the committee seeking? Professional accomplishments and community service are key. But also the potential to do great things. Often, these leaders are just beginning to blossom; their greatest achievements lie ahead. In short, this is a group of outstanding individuals who bear watching.

We are mindful that Arkansas is much more than just Little Rock and northwest Arkansas, even though more nominees come from more populated places. In these pages, you’ll see promising professionals from Bearden and Bluffton, Batesville and Ponca, Centerton and Jonesboro.

We also look for a variety of industries, and we look for diversity in gender and race. But above all, we look for leadership, an elusive character trait that never grows old and that will never go out of style.

You might notice that this year we’ve introduced a new format for these profiles, one we hope will allow our honorees’ experiences and personalities to shine brighter. But you can also meet these outstanding individuals at a special luncheon later this month, during which we hear inspiring stories from each and every member of the class. For more details, go to arkansasbusiness.com/40lunch.

Congratulations to each of our honorees. Here’s to a bright future.

— Lance Turner, Editor, Arkansas Business