2020 Chamber of Commerce officers
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. Active in the Blytheville Rotary Club and the First United Methodist Church, 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 Museum Board of Directors. Billy and his wife Freda have four children, Gabrielle, Abby, Brandon and Rick.
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. Active in the Blytheville Rotary Club and the First United Methodist Church, 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 Museum Board of Directors. Billy and his wife Freda have four children, Gabrielle, Abby, Brandon and Rick.
|
President-elect
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 2020 president of Blytheville Unlimited, serves as treasurer of the National Cold War Museum Board of Directors, and is in his fourth year on the Chamber board. "I worked for a long time without giving back to this community. The Chamber 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. |
|
|
Vice President
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 Lily 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 Museum. " 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." |
Past President
Courtney Fisher
Courtney Fisher has spent her life in the Blytheville area, where she is strongly invested in many aspects of community. With a well-established career at Arkansas Northeastern College, Courtney is also active in a variety of organizations, where she shares her considerable skills as an organizer and master event planner. "We have a great Chamber in Blytheville and we work to provide varied opportunities for people to network and enjoy the experience." A bit of a sports-a-holic--appropriately, given her two sons, Patrick and Moses-- Courtney themed her 2019 presidency year "In It to Win It." "We must have a winning attitude about our community," she continued. "Winning strategies, winning programs...that's the standard that will move us ahead."
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!
2020 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
BRAD HARRISON - Mississippi Co. Electric Coop
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
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
BRAD HARRISON - Mississippi Co. Electric Coop
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
CHRIS RAYMER - Mississippi Co. Hospital Systems
TRACEY RITCHEY - Tenaris
KATIE THOMASON - Wagner Medical
ABBY WHITENER - Houseworth Hotels
JANIECE WREN - Temps Plus Staffing
