2021 Chamber of Commerce officers
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President
Michael Jacques A long-time and highly respected business professional in Blytheville, Mike Jacques was a founder of Steel Related Technologies, a company that serviced the steel industry not only with technology, but also by providing innovative solutions to manufacturing barriers. SRT sold to the Siemens Corporation, which later joined forces with Mitsubishi to form Primetals, where Mike still today heads up the business. Mike is 2021 president of Blytheville Unlimited, serves as treasurer of the National Cold War Center Board of Directors, and was appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson to the Blytheville Gosnell Regional Airport Authority. "I worked for a long time without giving back to this community. The Chamber, especially, has given me an excellent opportunity to be of value in a new way." Mike is a resident of Gosnell, where he and wife Christy are hard at work with two teenagers and three dogs. |
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President-elect
Sam Jackson An officer at Farmers Bank & Trust, and principal in Jackson Holdings, Sam Jackson is an active community member whose talents span the world of finance and the real estate rental industry. Sam and his wife Molly are an area "power couple," sharing their home with their children Lilly and Sam Henry. Sam, a native of Arkansas, is an avid flyer and is appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson to the state aviation board. He has served two previous terms on the Chamber board and has been a leader in his church, First United Methodist. He also works in the political action arm of The National Cold War Center. " I am fully vested in Blytheville, and it is exciting to take part in revitalizing a community made up of good people who are dedicated to their town." |
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Past President
Billy Curl Billy Curl, owner of Cobb Funeral Home, as well as several other funeral homes in the tri-state area, brings strong leadership experience to the Chamber. Appointed by the governor to the state funeral home commission, he is a retired helicopter pilot who spent twenty-two years in the U.S. Army and National Guard. Decorated for service with valor in Iraq, he is a recipient of the highest of Mississippi military honors, the Mississippi Magnolia Cross. “This is my community, where I am raising a family and investing in business. I see no other entity that has a better opportunity to mold Blytheville than this Chamber of Commerce. It is influential, smart and determined and I am proud to take a key role in that effort." Billy also serves as PAC Chair on the National Cold War Center Board of Directors. Billy serves on the Municipal Airport Commission, the BGRAA Board of Trustees and is a member of Blytheville Unlimited and the Blytheville Rotary Club. Billy and his wife Freda have four children, Gabrielle, Abby, Brandon and Rick. |
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Treasurer
Justin Bell
A native of Blytheville and a graduate of the University of Arkansas, Justin returned home after college to a position at Farmers Bank & Trust. Today he continues at the bank as a senior officer and also continues as a well-known community member. Justin is active in the Blytheville Lions Club and has served his church, First United Methodist, as finance chair and as head of the administrative board. He has served on the Chamber board for a number of years, becoming a part of the executive committee in 2019, as treasurer. Justin and wife Alicia, a former educator, have one child, the adorable Hayes!
Justin Bell
A native of Blytheville and a graduate of the University of Arkansas, Justin returned home after college to a position at Farmers Bank & Trust. Today he continues at the bank as a senior officer and also continues as a well-known community member. Justin is active in the Blytheville Lions Club and has served his church, First United Methodist, as finance chair and as head of the administrative board. He has served on the Chamber board for a number of years, becoming a part of the executive committee in 2019, as treasurer. Justin and wife Alicia, a former educator, have one child, the adorable Hayes!
2021 board of directors
BOBBY ASHLEY - Blytheville School District
CHRIS BROWN - Walker & Knight
JESSICA CARR - Nucor Steel Arkansas
PHIL GEBHARDT - Five Star Hydraulics
MAX GURLEY - Southern Bancorp
LORI HIXSON - Me & My Sister;i
DR. CHASE HODGE - Hodge Dental
JENNIFER JOHNSON - Blytheville School District
DR. MATTHEW JONES - Family Eye Care
JOHN DAVID NELSON - City of Blytheville
AUSTIN PITZER - Nucor-Yamato Steel
CHRIS RAYMER - Mississippi Co. Hospital Systems
TRACEY RITCHEY - Tenaris
KATIE THOMASON - Wagner Medical
ABBY WHITENER - Houseworth Hotels
JANIECE WREN - Temps Plus Staffing
CHRIS BROWN - Walker & Knight
JESSICA CARR - Nucor Steel Arkansas
PHIL GEBHARDT - Five Star Hydraulics
MAX GURLEY - Southern Bancorp
LORI HIXSON - Me & My Sister;i
DR. CHASE HODGE - Hodge Dental
JENNIFER JOHNSON - Blytheville School District
DR. MATTHEW JONES - Family Eye Care
JOHN DAVID NELSON - City of Blytheville
AUSTIN PITZER - Nucor-Yamato Steel
CHRIS RAYMER - Mississippi Co. Hospital Systems
TRACEY RITCHEY - Tenaris
KATIE THOMASON - Wagner Medical
ABBY WHITENER - Houseworth Hotels
JANIECE WREN - Temps Plus Staffing
