Mario Ramirez is President of MRamirez Group, LLC, a consulting firm focused on the needs of high net worth families, business development, public-private partnerships and multi-cultural marketing. He is an also an investment banker with Avalon Securities, a boutique investment banking firm based in New York. Mario works with Lipscomb Insurance as well as with NewRoad Capital Partners focusing on investor relations and building strategic alliances.

Mario was previously with TIAA, a Fortune 100, $1 trillion financial services company where he served on the Senior Leadership Team in the role of Managing Director of Executive Relations and Hispanic Markets. He built strategic relationships with leaders in government, higher education and industry. He also led the national Hispanic market strategy and represented the company on Capitol Hill, providing Congressional briefings and exploring collaborative opportunities.

A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Mario serves on the Sam M. Walton College of Business Dean’s Executive Advisory Board, formerly on the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame Selection Committee, the Garrison Financial Institute Board of Directors and the Arkansas Executive Forum. In addition, he serves on the Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee and chairs the campaign committee for Diverse Programs.

Mario was a member of the Senior Executive Corporate Advisory Board for the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2015-2017 and served on the National Hispanic Advisory Committee for the 2016 Jeb Bush Presidential Campaign. In addition, Mario is on the Board of Directors for Liberty Christian School.

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Angela Grayson believes in always having your A-game, don’t be sorry but take ownership, and be ethical always. Listen to Angela’s full podcast at:

https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/angela-grayson

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Mike Duke believes in integrity, developing people, and innovation. Listen to Mike’s full podcast at:

https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/mike-duke

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Mike Johnson believes in integrity, professionalism, and commitment. Listen to Mike’s full podcast at:

https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/mike-johnson

Scott Bennett is the Director of the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT). Scott began his career at ArDOT as an engineering intern in ArDOT’s District 10 Office in northeast Arkansas. In 1989 he moved to the Planning and Research Division and in 2004 he became the Assistant Chief Engineer for Planning. In September, 2011, he moved into the Director position. Scott is currently serving on the AASHTO Board of Directors and is the chair of AASHTO’s Committee on Planning. He is also heavily involved with both the General Contractors of America and on the American Road and Transportation Builders Association Joint Committee. Finally, Scott is currently serving as the president of Arkansas Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyor. Scott has won numerous awards including the 2005 University of Arkansas Young Engineer Alumni of the Year and the 2016 AASHTO’s Thomas H. MacDonald Memorial Award for outstanding service in highway engineering. He was also inducted into the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineering in 2010. Scott received both his BS and MS from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in Civil Engineering.

Kelly Barnes is the Global and US Health Industries leader at PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers). In her more than 30 years at PwC she has guided healthcare payers, providers, pharmaceutical/life sciences companies during an unprecedented time of change. Known as a change agent and decisive leader with distinctive points of view, Kelly founded PwC’s first independent think tank, the Health Research Institute (HRI), 13 years ago. Kelly is active in the International Women’s Forum and one of Health Data Management’s Most Powerful Women in Healthcare IT. At the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business, Kelly and her husband Steve created the Health and Wellbeing Innovation Fund to promote healthcare-business collaboration. Kelly also serves on the executive advisory board of the Walton College at the University of Arkansas, where she earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting.

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Shelley Simpson believes in work ethic and hustle, leading by example, and blends professional values with personal values. Listen to Shelley’s full podcast at:

https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/shelley-simpson

Mr. JR Jones is the former CEO and President of Rheem Manufacturing Company and currently is the executive chairman of the board. Mr. Jones received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas and has worked with multiple heating, ventilation, and air conditioning companies over the years. He was previously the vice-president and director of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and is a member of the University of Arkansas engineering Hall of Fame. Mr. Jones grew up just outside of Fort Smith, Arkansas and is the first member of his family to graduate from college.

Matt Waller and Andrew Braham discuss how Chris McCoy is a student of leadership, how leadership can be a value, and the importance of collaboration. Listen to Chris’ full podcast at:

https://soundcloud.com/user-561194034/chris-mccoy

Dr. Charles Robinson is the vice chancellor for the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Arkansas (UA). He earned his bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Houston, his master’s degree in history from Rice University and his doctorate in history from the University of Houston. Dr. Robinson served as vice provost for diversity affairs within the UA division of academic affairs before being named vice chancellor in 2013. He joined the UA faculty in 1999, achieved the rank of full professor of history and served as director of the African American Studies program.