2020 Arkansas Conference Speakers

2B - Weathering the Storm: Navigating your long term financial plan no matter the forecast

BIO

Joel is a graduate of Texas A&M University.  He also holds the certifications of CFP, ChFC, CLU.  He has worked as a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones for more than 30 years and is a limited partner in the firm. 

2A - Know your credit score? Tips to improve your FICO score before making a major purchase

BIO

Gordon Silaski, our Little Rock Region Division President, graduated with honors from the UALR Executive MBA Program in 1999.  Gordon Silaski began his nearly 30 year commercial banking career with Twin City Bank, now Centennial Bank.  Gordon offers a broad level of banking experience, having served in various capacities in the lending area throughout his career, including Chief Lending Officer.  He has served on the executive committee since 2000 and as President for the Little Rock region, overseeing the daily operations of the bank since 2010.  Gordon serves on several boards including the Arkansas Arts Center, Heart of Arkansas United Way, Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, Quapaw Boy Scouts of America, UALR Department of Economics and Finance, and UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health.  He is also involved with Fifty for the Future and the UALR College of Business.

Panel of Experts

BIO

Jennifer Wilson-Harvey is the Managing Partner, and a member of the Executive Committee of Wilson & Associates, a three-state law firm dedicated to the representation of the real estate and mortgage banking industry in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Wilson & Associates is a certified national woman-owned business via the National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC).

Ms. Wilson-Harvey received a B.S. from Louisiana State University and an MBA and J.D. with Honors from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She was admitted to the Bar of the States of Arkansas and Tennessee in 1999 and Mississippi in 2017. Her other affiliations include membership in the USFN, Arkansas Real Estate Commission, Little Rock Realtors Association, Pulaski County and Memphis Bar Associations, Arkansas and Tennessee Land Title Associations, American Legal Financial Network (ALFN), the national and Arkansas chapters of the Mortgage Bankers Association, Association of Real Estate Owned Managers (REOMAC), the YPO Gold Arkansas Chapter, the Arkansas Chapter of International Women’s Forum, the Aesthetic Club, the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church, and she is a sustaining member of the Little Rock Junior League.

Ms. Wilson-Harvey is a licensed Arkansas Real Estate Executive Broker, an Arkansas Resident Title Agent, and a Tennessee Title Insurance Agent. Prior to joining Wilson & Associates she worked as an investment manager and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation (CFA).

BIO

For tax preparation in Little Rock AR, you can count on Candace Woodruff at Performance Tax Group. Known locally as the “Revenue Growth Strategist,” Candace assists individuals, couples, and small business owners in Little Rock AR and the surrounding communities with improving their tax strategy. She believes in believes in helping people maximize what they qualify for and educating them at the same time. She is also intentionally partnered with a talented group of people who teach wealth building financial strategies and principles including debt elimination, credit education, investment strategies, and home buying. “I absolutely love the changes we are making in people's lives across the nation! Taxes, debt, and investing are all topics that EVERYONE who makes or spends money needs to understand,” she says.

Candace has years of valuable experience as an IRS registered tax preparer. Services of the Performance Tax Group include tax preparation, tax planning, bookkeeping, estate and trust taxes, community presentations and workshops, and so much more.

CONNECT WITH MELINDA MAYO

Melinda Mayo is a Pine Bluff native who enjoys delivering the weather for her home state. She is the co-host of "Daybreak" and "Good Morning Arkansas" for KATV. She has been a part of the Little Rock television market since 1987.

Melinda is a member of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association. Her weathercasts were awarded the AMS Seal of Approval in 2004. In 2010, Melinda was named an AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist.

Melinda began her broadcasting career in news operation. She started as an overnight photographer and later became a news editor, producer, reporter and then weekend and morning anchor.

In October 1995, Mayo was vacationing in Florida when Hurricane Opal hit the Fort Walton/Destin area. She reported live on the evacuation and storm damage from the scene of the hurricane. Since that time, her interest in weather has expanded to become the focus of her television career. Mayo then joined the KATV staff in February of 1996.

After winning the Trinity Foundation Scholarship from Pine Bluff High School, Melinda went on to study communications at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia and received a BA in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Melinda continued her education at Mississippi State University where she was certified as a Broadcast Meteorologist by the Department of Geosciences.

Mayo received the Associated Press "Spot News Reporting" award in 1990 for her work on the floods that ravaged downtown Hot Springs that spring. The same stories also earned her a first place award in a six-state regional competition by the Radio/Television News Directors Association.

During her spare time, Mayo enjoys spending time with her husband, Mark and her stepson, Derek. She also enjoys playing the piano, golf and boating on Arkansas lakes.

BIO

Adrienne Baker is the Chief Operating Officer for Wright Lindsey Jennings and a partner in the firm. Her practice centers on commercial litigation, including banking and commercial lending, creditors’ rights and collections, contract disputes and surety law. Adrienne also regularly provides contract drafting and review services to a variety of businesses. In 2017, Arkansas Business named Adrienne to its “40 Under 40” list of business and political leaders. She has also been named a “Rising Star” by Mid-South Super Lawyers each year since 2012 and, in 2014, she was recognized as one of twenty-seven “Women to Watch” by Soiree Magazine. Adrienne serves as chair of the Board Engagement and Recruitment Committee of the board of directors of the American Red Cross Serving Greater Arkansas, having completed her term as Chairman of the Board. She is also a graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock, Class XXXI.

BIO

Anna Beth Gorman has served as the Executive Director of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas since 2016.

In her tenure with the Women’s Foundation she is leading the effort for the Foundation to be the leading equity partner in building women’s economic security across the state through strategic efforts. The Foundation has two signature initiatives, Girls of Promise and Women Empowered. Girls of Promise focus of work is ensuring that girls in Arkansas are being introduced, nurtured, and supported in pursuing education and career paths in emerging occupations focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. The goal of Women Empowered is to strengthen the economic worth and well-being of women in Arkansas.

Anna Beth earned her BA from Hollins University, her MPA and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from UA Little Rock.

She is a member of Leadership Little Rock, Class XXXII and Leadership Arkansas, Class XIII, sits on the boards of Arvest Bank Central Arkansas, North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, and currently serves as President of the Board, Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame. In December 2019, Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed her to the State Computer Science and Cybersecurity Taskforce. She was chosen as one of the 2017 Women to Watch in Little Rock’s Soiree Magazine, and was named in 2018 as a finalist in Arkansas Business’ Nonprofit Executive of the Year. She regularly speaks to civic groups, public, and private organizations on the benefits of strategically including women in the economic development of our state.  

BIO

Andrea Hogan Lewis is an Assistant Vice President of First Security Bank in Community Outreach/Business Development and Marketing. She is very active in emphasizing the importance of saving money at an early age and spreading financial literacy across our local school districts and communities.  In 2017, she spearheaded First Security Bank’s first in-school bank branch at Stephens Elementary and then 2 years later in 2019, there was the 2nd in-school bank branch at David O’Dodd Elementary, both here in Little Rock, AR.  In the process, she is exposing young women of color to banking career opportunities. 

Andrea is currently an Ambassador for the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, a board member of Our House and Volunteers in Public Schools, and a member of the Friends of Reading Advisory Board for AR Kids Read.

Andrea grew up in Turrell, AR and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing, and has an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Andrea is married to Marcus Lewis of Little Rock, Owner & Founder of M-Lew Clothing which is most popular for its custom hand painted ties which are featured in multiple museums across the US. Together they have three children:  Hogan, Saniya and Zari.  She is a member of the Second Baptist Church of Little Rock where she serves as the Financial Ministry leader.  In her spare time, she is an entrepreneur and has her own apparel line, “Wash & Go.”, that encourages women of color to wear & style their naturally textured hair.

Special Guest Speaker

In 2014, Andrea Lea was elected the 40th Auditor of State. As Auditor, Andrea is putting her experience to work as the state’s general accountant, administrator of the Arkansas Unclaimed Property Act, and payroll officer for over 600 elected officials and their employees. She is partnering with businesses and using technology to improve the way unclaimed property is reported to the state and returned to the rightful owners through the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt. She is also working to reduce operating expenses and establish transparency as the foundation of the Auditor’s office.

Andrea Lea has nearly two decades of leadership experience in Arkansas. She served on the Pope County Quorum Court, the Russellville City Council, and three terms in the Arkansas General Assembly before being elected Auditor of State. 

Andrea graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Administration and Management from Arkansas Tech University at the age of 47 and continues to advocate for non-traditional students to return to school and complete a degree.

She is a proud daughter, wife, and mother to U.S. Veterans. With family ties to Arkansas, she and her husband Phillip returned in 1982. They have three grown children and three grandchildren.

BIO

Erin Leigh Hohnbaum is the Owner, Founder & CEO of E.Leigh’s Contemporary Boutiques, Co-Founder of PowHer Players and Founder of The Retail Boss Consulting. In 2011, at the age of 26, Erin took a leap of faith and quit her full-time job in Public Relations to start an online accessories business. After a year of traveling around the South setting up Pop-Up Shops and selling online, Erin opened her first brick and mortar E.Leigh’s location in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2012. Within a year and half later, she opened 2 additional E.Leigh’s locations. Now, 8 years later, Erin owns 5 E.Leigh’s locations spanning Arkansas, Texas & Kentucky and employs over 100 women and men. E.Leigh’s was named the number 1 place to shop in Little Rock by Southern Living Magazine, among winning countless local and state-wide awards at all locations. Erin has always been driven by a sense of helping women feel their absolute best, believing that when a woman feels her best, she becomes unstoppable. Erin presently lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with her husband, Jackson Farrow, and her two rescue dogs, Charlotte & Penny. Erin was selected as one of the Top 20 in their 20’s by Arkansas Business and a Woman to Watch by Soiree Magazine.

1A - Budgeting 101: Creating A Spending Plan

BIO

Dr. Philip Tew is an Associate Professor of Finance at Arkansas State University as well the Director for the Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy at A-State and the Director for the Scarlet to Black Financial Literacy Program. Dr. Tew teaches courses in Personal Finance, Microeconomics, and Wealth Management. Dr. Tew is invited to speak to diverse groups ranging from 3^rd graders to individuals in industry about to retire about such topics as Financial Literacy, the Stock Market, and Entrepreneurship.

In addition to being an Associate Professor at A-State, Dr. Tew has served as in-house legal counsel to Hope Credit Union and affiliated companies. He has received an undergraduate degree in finance, a Masters of Business Administration, a Masters in Taxation, a law degree, and a PhD in Finance from the University of Mississippi. He is married to the former Kerry O’Meara of Jonesboro, who does not think he is as funny as he believes he is.

1B - Saving for Education: The Ins and Outs of a 529 Plan

BIO

Pattie Weed serves in the audit and assurance area of our Little Rock practice. She joined our team in 1999. In addition to performing routine audit services, a significant portion of Pattie’s career has been devoted to working with clients to evaluate and design business processes and internal controls. Her insight related to business process and internal control design, combined with her attention to detail and “hands-on” approach, has proven to be a valuable asset to our clients. Pattie’s client base includes primarily 529 savings plans and tax-exempt entities.

1C - Avoiding Identity Theft and Preventing Fraud

BIO

Carl F. “Trey” Cooper, III, is an attorney with Dover Dixon Horne PLLC, where he has been practicing law since 2011. During his career, which spans over 10 years, Cooper has represented individuals and business owners in an array of complex business transactions, from litigating claims for insurance companies to handling employment law issues.

Whether representing clients in the courtroom or the boardroom, Trey’s goal is to help them protect and advance their business objectives while addressing their essential legal needs. He recognizes the importance of understanding his clients’ unique business needs while focusing on results that align with their goals, and he strives to create effective legal strategies that serve his clients for years to come.

Prior to his current role, Cooper gained valuable experience while trying and prosecuting cases as a deputy prosecuting attorney in Union County, Arkansas. Later, as a Pulaski County Circuit Court law clerk, Trey was involved in every aspect of the litigation process but viewed it from another unique perspective. This perspective included overseeing the management of cases, drafting opinions and assisting the judge during courtroom proceedings.

Trey is a graduate of the Arkansas Bar Association Leadership Academy and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Leadership Arkansas Class XI. He shares his leadership ability and his legal expertise with many professional and community organizations. Cooper has been named Rising Star by Super Lawyers and was recognized three years in a row by Soiree as one of the best attorneys in Little Rock.

Trey and his wife Mary, who is also an attorney, have two young children. When not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing soccer, duck hunting and cheering for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Before entering the practice of law, Cooper was an accomplished athlete and played soccer for the University of Central Arkansas. He earned a place on the Central Arkansas All-Time Men’s Soccer Roster before leaving to pursue other educational opportunities at the University of Arkansas where he was an active member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

1D - Becoming a proactive planner: What is an estate plan, a living will, and why should I have one

BIO

With an LL.M. in Taxation, Kayleigh Dulaney advises individuals, partnerships, closely held businesses and charitable organizations in a diverse range of tax-related areas including entity formation, real estate transactions, corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and federal and state tax law. She also provides clients with planning services such as succession planning, estate planning, probate administration, and the preparation of wills and powers of attorney, and also focuses on planning for families with special needs. Kayleigh advises nonprofit entities in applying for, obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status.

2A - Know your credit score? Tips to improve your FICO score before making a major purchase

BIO

Gordon Silaski, our Little Rock Region Division President, graduated with honors from the UALR Executive MBA Program in 1999.  Gordon Silaski began his nearly 30 year commercial banking career with Twin City Bank, now Centennial Bank.  Gordon offers a broad level of banking experience, having served in various capacities in the lending area throughout his career, including Chief Lending Officer.  He has served on the executive committee since 2000 and as President for the Little Rock region, overseeing the daily operations of the bank since 2010.  Gordon serves on several boards including the Arkansas Arts Center, Heart of Arkansas United Way, Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, Quapaw Boy Scouts of America, UALR Department of Economics and Finance, and UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health.  He is also involved with Fifty for the Future and the UALR College of Business.

2B - Weathering the Storm: Navigating your long term financial plan no matter the forecast

BIO

Joel is a graduate of Texas A&M University.  He also holds the certifications of CFP, ChFC, CLU.  He has worked as a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones for more than 30 years and is a limited partner in the firm. 

2B - Weathering the Storm: Navigating your long term financial plan no matter the forecast

BIO

Ben works as a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones Investments, and his office is located in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas.

He and his team developed the Women's Financial Wellness Forum, which is an annual event hosted by his office to empower women to take control of their financial futures. He has provided hundreds of financial literacy seminars throughout the region, including large government entities, small businesses, and everything else in between.

He has a Master Degree from Harvard University in Management, with and emphasis is economics. He serves on the Foundation Board of World Services for the Blind, and he and his wife Tiffany call North Little Rock home.

2C - What to do when Mom or Dad Dies

BIO

Amy Wren focuses on the administration of revocable and irrevocable trusts, agencies, custodial accounts, individual retirement accounts, estate settlements, guardianships and special needs trusts. Having spent over twenty years in the trust services industry, Amy joined Bank OZK in 2015.  She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and her Juris Doctor from the William H. Bowen School of Law. Amy is also an honor graduate of Cannon Financial Institute - personal trust school.

2D - Planning Ahead: What types of insurance make sense for you?

BIO

Laryssa has been an agent with Shelter Insurance Companies® since 1997.  She & her husband, Paul, live in Bryant.  They have two adult children, Kenzee Wineland & Kurt Calley.

Laryssa built her agency from scratch, into an office that provides specialty products through Shelter’s multiple lines of insurance, including Life, Auto, Home & Business.  She is a member of the Shelter Insurance Companies® Hall of Fame.

Outside the office, Laryssa is active in her community.  She has served on many boards of directors, including Civitan, Boys & Girls Club of Bryant, Benton Chamber of Commerce and currently, Saline Memorial Hospital.

2D - Planning Ahead: What types of insurance make sense for you?

BIO

Grant has been an agent with Shelter Insurance Companies® since 1993.  He & his wife, Erica, life in Sheridan.  They have two Jack Russell Terriers, named Ouida Pearl & Oakley Pete.

Grant earned his Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF) designation from the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) in 1999.  He provides multi-line insurance services for Life, Auto, Home & Business.  Grant is also a member of the Shelter Insurance Companies® Hall of Fame.

Outside the office, Grant is active in his community.  He serves as a Justice of the Peace on the Grant County Quorum Court and as a director for Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry.

3A - Defeating Debt: Freedom to live within your means

BIO

Faviola Alba is a Consumer Lending Sales Manager, SVP for Arvest Bank in the Central Arkansas Region. In this role, she is responsible for the financial development and education of local consumers, including small business owners, as well as the achievement of local loan sales goals. She is Arvest’s subject matter expert on all things consumer lending, and residential construction loans, and has used her knowledge of banking regulations and loan policy to support the initiatives of Arvest’s Retail, Community Lending, & Private Banking teams.

Faviola holds more than a decade’s worth of insight on how to best help customers find financial solutions to fit their personal needs. “Every client’s situation calls for something different. I enjoy using every resource available to me to solve problems for my clients.”

Originally from Mexico, Faviola moved to Little Rock 25 years ago and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with an Associate’s Degree in Business Management. She then went on to work for Bank of America, thus starting her career in banking. She is an avid community advocate at the Consulate of Mexico in Little Rock, and a volunteer for organizations like El Zocalo Immigrant Resource Center and the Arkansas Human Development Corporation, where she offers advice through financial literacy sessions.

3B - Saving for the Future: It's Never Too Early, It's Never Too Late!

BIO

Charlene Julian is a Regional Investment Officer based in the central Arkansas region.  In this role, Charlene is responsible for business development of managed trust and investment accounts, and devotes her skills to helping people with estate planning needs and investment management. To best serve her client’s needs, she works closely with a team of experts including trust officers, client advisors and portfolio managers.

A graduate of the University of Arkansas- Fayetteville, Charlene earned her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, now Bowen School of Law in 1981.  She holds a Certified Compliance Professional (CCP) designation and is a Certified Fraud Examiner (ACFE). Her professional career path includes estate planning and work in the financial services industry. She brings a wealth of experience, counseling and thoughtful planning serving in her position. “It is so gratifying to bring together all of the pieces of a puzzle to create the client’s best picture of their trust and wealth goals and needs.”

3C - Investing 101 – Getting Started is Half the Battle

BIO

Courtney Lewis joined Bank OZK in 2015 as a Trust Investment Officer. Prior to joining the Bank, Courtney focused on financial planning at Charles Schwab and also headed up and regularly taught investment related classes on all relevant topics including asset allocation, estate planning, retirement income, tax management, and IRAs. Prior to her time at Schwab, Courtney spent six years at US Bank where she obtained her professional investment licenses, Series 7 and 66. During this time, she worked as a Financial Consultant, meeting with clients to develop relationships and discuss investment goals and needs and implementing effective strategies in various market conditions. Courtney obtained her Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Central Arkansas.

3D - From Idea to Action: How to Start a Business

BIO

Simmons Bank named Itzel Meador as Small Business Administration (SBA) Regional manager of sales and business development for its eight-state footprint in May 2019. Meador’s responsibilities include SBA loan production, oversight of Simmons’ SBA lending processes and customer experience. Meador brings more than 20 years of experience to her role at Simmons, having previously served as vice president in the commercial lending group at Regions Bank in Arkansas. Prior to joining Regions team in 2015, she spent 15 years at Arkansas Capital Corporation, an Arkansas nonprofit lending company that specialized in SBA lending.

While at Arkansas Capital Corporation, Itzel Meador saw several small business applicants with good plans, drive, and determination but who could not meet normal banking requirements for commercial loans due to the risk of the business, lack of collateral, start-up nature, or seasonal nature of the venture. To overcome this problem and to provide a financial tool to help foster entrepreneurial growth in Arkansas, Ms. Meador became a strong proponent of utilizing the Small Business Administration Guaranty Programs, as well as the SBA 504 Program. Over the past 20 years, her determination to help small business owners has led to over $450 million dollars of financial assistance to small businesses by using SBA loan products.

Meador graduated from the University of TX (Dallas) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

3D - From Idea to Action: How to Start a Business

BIO

Heather Nelson is co-founder, president and chief operating officer of Seal Solar, a solar energy solutions firm she co-founded with Josh Davenport in 2012. A corporate lender for some of the nation’s largest banks for nearly two decades, she has helped Seal Solar become one of Arkansas’s leading solar businesses. Under her leadership, the firm has completed more than 300, or approximately one in five, solar projects in the state. Today, its team of 27 certified professionals offers turnkey solutions to homeowners, businesses, government entities and farmers across Arkansas.

Heather is on the Arkansas Advanced Energy Association Board of Directors, UA Little Rock Foundation Fund Board, Restored & Renewed Ministry Board of Directors, The Excel Center at Goodwill School Advisory Council and Arkansas Advanced Energy Association Distributed Generation Task Force. She regularly travels to Haiti with the Global Orphan Project of Kansas City, Missouri. She previously served two terms on the National Board of Directors for the Arkansas Alumni Association and as president of the Sam M. Walton College of Business Alumni Society. Heather was also named by Arkansas Business to its Arkansas 250 Most Influential Leaders in 2018 and 2019.

An Arkansas native, Heather holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business and an MBA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.