How can Arkansas become more attractive to young professionals? It’s one of the questions we asked this year’s class of 20 in Their 20s honorees.
Their responses are below.
Mariana Abarca, multicultural liaison, City of Little Rock
“Creating more spaces and opportunities for young professionals would significantly enhance Arkansas’ appeal. Organizations, government entities, businesses and various industries need to actively engage with young talent, offering them a seat at the table and a chance to apply their skills. Additionally, providing more opportunities for professional development and improving our public school system are crucial steps. By reforming the education system, we can inspire young people to utilize their talents to better our state and encourage them to stay and make meaningful changes.
“One issue I often see in our state is a mindset that equates success with age. While I acknowledge that age can bring wisdom, I strongly believe that success is not solely determined by age. Arkansas should foster environments where experienced individuals are willing to share their knowledge with younger generations. Providing these opportunities and improvements would motivate young professionals to contribute to Arkansas’ growth and success.”
Manuel Barrantes, director of merchandise operations, Walmart Inc.
“Creating job opportunities in high-growth sectors such as technology and health care. Improving urban and suburban areas by investing in vibrant cultural scenes, recreational amenities and affordable housing options. And fostering a supportive ecosystem for startups and innovation hubs will encourage entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth.”
George Friedmann, principal & vice president of development, Moses Tucker Partners
“It is crucial to showcase the state’s diverse business environment and the numerous career advancement opportunities that exist. By promoting Arkansas as a hub for innovation and professional growth, and emphasizing the supportive communities and quality of life, we can draw attention to the state as an ideal place for young professionals to build successful careers and lives.”
Eden Garrett, owner and chief flower officer, Eden’s Flower Truck + Eden’s Botanicals
“Arkansas already has a lot of appeal for all age ranges, especially young professionals who want to live in a supportive community. Where I live in northwest Arkansas, the metro feel is just taking off with the cultural and entertainment experiences seemingly reaching new heights on a monthly basis. It is a special region of the state and is already such an amazing place to live, work and raise a family.”
Jorge Gonzalez, director of business inclusion, North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce
“More parks in downtown areas, building more walkable and bikeable infrastructure in our cities, and promoting community-driven events. After living in Europe, I came to appreciate the value of being able to walk everywhere as well as having designated time to socialize and learn about others’ cultures.”
Tanner Green, co-founder & chief growth officer, Ox
“Northwest Arkansas has made strides in becoming more appealing to young professionals. However, the state needs increased capital resources, investors willing to take on greater risks and several significant business exits over the next decade. These efforts are crucial for fostering intergenerational wealth transformation and creating more opportunities.”
Myranda Grulke, realtor, The Charlotte John Co.
“Better economic conditions overall. A healthy economy produces jobs to attract young professionals.”
Trent Hanna, president & CEO, SSI Inc. of NW Arkansas
“I think we as a state are on the right track. We are increasing the number of outdoor activities in each municipality. In northwest Arkansas, each city is connected by a series of bike trails so that you could ride from Fayetteville to Bentonville without getting out on any major roads.”
Clara Henderson, continuous improvement facilitator, Hytrol Conveyor Co. Inc.
“I think additional investments in recreation and entertainment would go a long way with the younger generations. I would love to eventually see a professional athletics team established in Arkansas.”
Hayden Lewellen, forensic, valuation & litigation services manager, HoganTaylor LLP
“To make Arkansas more attractive to young professionals, we need to focus on fostering new and innovative career opportunities beyond traditional roles. It’s essential to change the perception of Arkansas as being stuck in the past and instead position it as a micro-innovation hub.
“By investing in cutting-edge industries, supporting startups, and creating a vibrant ecosystem for tech and creative sectors, we can attract fresh talent and forward-thinking individuals. Arkansas has the potential to be a place where young professionals can thrive, grow and make meaningful contributions while enjoying the state’s unique culture and lifestyle. Plus, who wouldn’t want to live in a place where natural beauty meets innovative spirit?”
Justin McCarty, community regional executive, Simmons Bank
“I think more awareness of the success that you can have and the wide variety of opportunities the state can bring would be a huge benefit for those young professionals either coming out of college or early in their careers. Sometimes, you can feel that only age brings success, but recognition like being selected for 20 in Their 20s is a testament that the hard work you put in early in your career is noticed and success will follow.”
Kylie McClanahan, chief technology officer, Bastazo
“I see many housing-related opportunities for Arkansas to attract and retain young professionals. To name just a few: more stringent renter protections, affordable housing, mixed-use developments designed for public transit, and schools within walking or biking distance.”
Sheridan Owens, senior closing agent, Waco Title Co.
“I think Arkansas is already an attractive place to many young professionals. People just have to see it for themselves. Before visiting, I wasn’t aware of how much Arkansas truly had to offer. But after visiting and eventually moving here, I found so many great little communities and opportunities that I wouldn’t have expected.”
Venesha Sasser, chief development officer, Walnut Hill Communications
“Young professionals want to feel invested in their careers and respected for the unique perspectives they bring to table. We all understand we can always do a ‘job’ anywhere, but we want to build careers at home. As young professionals, my colleagues and I most often speak highly of our companies when we feel like their investments in us as professionals are based on mutual respect and understanding.
“We want to feel valued, not used; it’s a thin line when it isn’t genuine. By nature, we are more diverse. I believe entities across Arkansas have a unique opportunity to prepare for the next cohort of leaders by being open to nontraditional methods and strategies while also taking the time to shape the society around us to be more welcoming to the talent we should want to keep here.”
Tori Scott, communities manager, Excel by 8
“Cultivating our sense of statewide community and investing in our infrastructure, such as public transit.”
Ashlee Smith, chief retail officer, Farmers & Merchants Bank
“Being from a smaller town in Arkansas, I’m very fortunate that my rural town has a lot of job opportunities to offer someone with my background. Several of my friends from school ran to the booming towns of Fayetteville, Conway, Little Rock and Jonesboro. But what I’ve been enjoying seeing in the past two years is how many of them have started to migrate back to our small town of Mountain Home.
“Therefore, with all that being said, there is some significant growth happening in our state. I hope to see these smaller towns continue to have opportunities for larger employers to invest in those areas so that we can offer young professionals the opportunity to make a good living, reinvigorate the small towns that they used to call home, and not have to rely on the markets of northwest or central Arkansas to be where we all want to migrate to.”
Itzel Velazquez, capital access manager, Kiva Little Rock
“Central Arkansas and northwest Arkansas are excelling in connecting young professionals through various groups and networking opportunities. However, more investment is needed in rural and smaller communities to ensure that young professionals in these areas also have access to similar opportunities.”
Evan Wheatley, Camden site communications lead, Lockheed Martin
“According to Forbes Advisor, the Little Rock metro area ranked among the country’s top 10 best places to live for young professionals. This recognition, paired with the continual development and growth in northwest Arkansas, serves as evidence that the Natural State is attractive to young professionals. South Arkansas, my home, is a different story. The populations of towns in the Golden Triangle (Camden, El Dorado and Magnolia) continue to decline.
“The robust defense industry presence in East Camden and its growing employee population is somewhat combating this, attracting young professionals via exciting work with a global impact, career growth opportunities and competitive pay and benefits. However, this talent often leaves within a couple of years due to south Arkansas’ limited cultural amenities and lack of diversity of opportunity outside of the workplace. This is a multifaceted problem that must be addressed if south Arkansas is ever to retain the young professionals its companies attract.”
Sage White, manager of merchandise finance, Sam’s Club
“I have had countless conversations with other young professionals at Walmart who say that Arkansas is far better than what they expected. Arkansas is home to a tremendous amount of natural beauty, world-class biking trails, major concert venues and so much more. Continuing to market these things is important.
“But one barrier is the lack of available ‘starter’ homes. Some of my peers at Walmart have expressed a desire to buy a house in northwest Arkansas, but there is nothing in their price range. If we can provide more opportunities for young professionals to buy a house, we can get them to stay here for the long haul.”
Andrew Wiechern, broker, Colliers Arkansas
“Expansion of arts and entertainment. Arkansas offers a lot of opportunity professionally. Supplementing more activities that enrich life outside of work would make the state more enticing to young people.”
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