Workmatters Messages

Shelley Simpson is the President of J.B. Hunt Transportation Services, Inc. Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) and is an Executive Vice President for the parent company.  Founded in January 2007, ICS provides an alternate, non-asset based transportation solution. Shelley graduated in 1994 from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., with a degree in marketing, and began her career with J.B. Hunt as an Account Representative.  Her career has included positions across various business segments including Director of Pricing for both the Truck and Intermodal business segments, Vice President of Economic Analysis and Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration for the corporation. Shelley is a member at the Church at Pinnacle Hills, in Rogers, Ark., and she is a full-time wife and mother of three.

Brad Jones is the Executive Vice President and co-founder of New Creature, Inc., an in-store marketing solution provider located in Rogers, Ark.  A graduate of the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in business, Brad spent the first four years of his career at J.B. Hunt Transportation Services, Inc., working primarily in logistics. In 1999 Patrick Sbarra and Brad started New Creature by fulfilling the needs of Wal-Mart and its supplier community located here in northwest Arkansas.  Having recently celebrated its 11th birthday, New Creature is continuing to meet the marketing and design needs of suppliers throughout the country.  Brad and his wife, Tamera, live in Bentonville with their three children:  Gentry, 11, Raven, 9, and Walker, 7.  

Terry Turpin is a partner and Chief Operating Officer of Acumen Holdings, LLC, a Fayetteville-based ecommerce company in northwest Arkansas.  Prior to joining Acumen Holdings, he was one of the original partners in ThompsonMurray, Inc., an advertising agency that pioneered the field of shopper marketing.  ThompsonMurray sold to Saatchi & Saatchi in 2004, and Terry served as COO of Saatchi & Saatchi X until 2007.  Terry graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1992 and received his J.D. from the UofA School of Law in 1995.  He lives in Fayetteville with his wife, Kirsty, and his three kids, Lauren, Seth and Kate.

Steve Graves is the co-author of nearly a dozen books on leadership, business and the booming faith/work movement. His last two releases, Life@Work and The Power of One, were co-authored with best selling author Dr. John C. Maxwell. Steve is the founder of Coaching by Cornerstone and co-founder of the Life@Work Company, and he has been coaching senior leaders, business owners and entrepreneurs for over two decades. He is known for his wisdom, wit and ability to see through the complex to a simple path of progress. As a friend and Board member he has been instrumental in the growth of WorkMatters. 

Tommy Van Zandt has over 24 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry and a primary focus on office leasing, corporate services, site acquisition and development. His experience encompasses several million square feet of lease transactions, office development project management, retail and office site selection, and consulting. Following a devastating ice storm in 2009 in Fayetteville, Arkansas Tommy fell from a ladder while cutting tree limbs and suffered a severe neck injury leaving him paralyzed from the shoulders down. His attitude and continued servant heart through this experience has been an incredible example for all.   

Since 1991, Susan Barrett has been a part of the St. Louis-based Mercy organization, when she joined Mercy Health System of Kansas as director of outreach services. She was named chief operating officer of Mercy Hospital in Independence, Kan., later that year, before taking over as president and CEO of Mercy Health System of Kansas. Barrett moved to Rogers in 1999 to accept the role of president and CEO of Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas.

Andy Wilson, Executive Leader of the Ministry & Operations, FBC and Church at Pinnacle Hills, is responsible for day-to-day Ministry, Operations and Administration and serves as Second Chair to Dr. Ronnie Floyd. He is Board Chairman of Shiloh Christian School. Prior to joining FBC and CPH, Andy served as the Chief Executive Officer for The Soderquist Center for Leadership and Ethics where he successfully led the team through a time of growth and sharpened focus. Prior to his tenure with The Soderquist Center, Andy spent 25 years as an innovative leader at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc as Vice President and Officer of Store Operations, and as Vice President of People Division

David Roth invested 25 years in his career in the marketplace before becoming President of WorkMatters, Inc. in 2003. Prior to taking on full-time leadership of WorkMatters, he was Vice President, Business Development and Marketing for J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. In addition, he was Senior Vice President, Marketing for Manugistics in Maryland, and Vice President Marketing for American Software in Atlanta, Ga. 

Bob McCaslin had an extraordinarily successful career with Kraft Foods for 30 years. He retired in 2002 and subsequently became involved in making northwest Arkansas a better place to live. He now serves as Mayor of Bentonville. Bob has always believed in living his faith in all aspects of his life.

Chris Crossland is Executive VP of Crossland Construction. Crossland Construction is one of the country's top 200 contracting firms with offices in Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Crossland Construction has performed local projects such as The Embassy Suites, Springdale High School, Fayetteville Library, Ft. Smith Airport, Pinnacle Shopping and Retail Center, Tyson Discovery Center and Arvest Baseball Park. More importantly, Chris has a philosophy about life: "I exist to be a builder of buildings, men, my family and the Kingdom of God."

Elise Mitchell, President and CEO, Mitchell Communications Group About Elise Mitchell: Elise has over 20 years of experience in all aspects of corporate and agency public relations. She is President and CEO of Mitchell Communications Group and is a member of the prestigious PRSA College of Fellows.

John Roberts, President, DCS, J.B. Hunt Transport, will deliver a powerful faith-at-work testimony at the June year-End Eight-to-Five Unplugged event. John is a long-time friend and supporter of WorkMatters, and advocate for faith in the workplace in Northwest Arkansas.

Jose Seevedra spoke this month at Eight-to-Five. Have you ever felt like things were going pretty well at work, but then sense God may have other plans for you? If you want to truly live for Him at work, he may use you in ways you could never imagine. Jose Seevedra overcame all kinds of obstacles and barriers to get where he thought God wanted him at McKee Foods, yet God seemed to be calling him to do more. Come hear how Jose handled the questions we all have when God asks us to step out of our comfort zone and trust His plans at work.

Jim McCorkmick, VP of Shell Oil, spoke this month at Eight-to-Five. The reality of the current economic environment can create significant adversity in our life. Adversity leads to fear, which can have a negative impact on us and the ones we lead and love. If adversity is put in check, it can create strength and peace. This month, you will learn how to put your faith to work and restore your peace.

David Roth, President of WorkMatters, spoke this month at Eight-to-Five. Without question, our economy and its impact on our work and personal lives is influencing all of us in extraordinary ways. Some of us have lost our jobs. Some of us are fearful we will lose our jobs. Some of us feel secure in our work, but are impacted personally in other ways. As we begin this new year, all of us have a unique opportunity to use these "difficult times" to put a new level of meaning and purpose in our lives!

Sam Hannon, Teaching Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church You can influence your organization from wherever you are. Come hear Fellowship Bible Teaching Pastor, Sam Hannon share his thoughts about working with excellence and influence through the life of Joseph, a man of skill and a man of God. He rose from the bottom rung on the ladder to be the most influential person in the organization.

Steve Lampkin, VP of Benefits Services and Strategic Initiatives at Wal-Mart, spoke this month at Eight-to-Five. Are you having any significant impact on those around you? Do you strive to make each day really count for something or are you just hoping to survive the day? Steve Lampkin will share a powerful message about how your influence is closely linked to how well you serve those around you and how willing you are to let God's plans and purposes be the road map for your day.  

Todd Simmons, COO of Simmons Foods, spoke this month at Eight-to-Five. The Bible calls us to do our work with excellence, but what does that really mean? Many people are smart. Many people work hard. But where is the heart? Is work just our head and our hands? Or can we really have a heart for it? Come hear Todd share his experiences, perspectives and recommendations for working with your head, hands...and your heart.

Dr. Steve Graves is the Founder of Coaching by Cornerstone.   Steve shares his talk "The Summer of Your Life: Making Progress Where it Matters Most" and how to Bridge the gap between Faith and Work.

David Roth spent 20+ years of his business career as a Sunday Christian. One set of goals and aspirations for his spiritual life, and a completely different set of goals and aspirations for his career. Sound familiar? Let's dive into this faith-and-work journey and walk away with some answers to the question, but, how do I do it?