Cox Charities, a newly created foundation funded by donations from local employees of Cox Communications, said it plans to award its inaugural grants to Arkansas nonprofits and schools this year. The charity is now accepting applications for the Community Investment and Innovation in Education grant programs at this website. 
 
The grants are designed to assist 501(c)(3) organizations and pre-K through 12 grade schools with programs that benefit the Arkansas Cox Communications service areas. The Community Investment grants are targeted toward nonprofit programs focused on education, technology, social issues and the arts. Innovation in Education grants will support needed classroom resources and collaborative school-wide projects, the release states.

       
“Cox Charities is completely funded and guided by Arkansas employees who decide how every dollar is invested back into the community,” said Curt Stamp, market vice president for Arkansas. “Our company and our employees are passionate about supporting local programs that positively impact Arkansans and the areas where we do business.”
 

Laura Rudolph, director of community outreach for Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus, has been named director of Leadership Franklin County.

Housed at Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus, Leadership Franklin County develops leaders to work together to serve the good of Franklin County, as well as the surrounding areas throughout the area. The program provides four basic services to the communities and members: leadership development, in-depth knowledge of the county, community impact projects and networking.

Rudolph, an alumna of Leadership Franklin County’s inaugural class in 2012, succeeds former director Marci Gage.

“I look forward to working with the community to foster new leaders and continue the success of the Leadership Franklin County program,” she said.

A Franklin County native, Rudolph is a three-time recipient of the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year award and recently was elected to the Ozark School Board of Directors. Rudolph is or has served on the following boards: Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador’s and Education committees, Altus Area Sunset Rotary Club, Arts Society of Ozark, Main Street Ozark, Franklin County CHOICES Coalition Board, Fort Smith Regional Alliance, Franklin County Single Parent Scholarship fundraising committee, Keep Ozark Beautiful and United Way of Fort Smith.

Applications and nominations for the 2015-16 Leadership Franklin County class are now being accepted. Persons interested in making a difference for the future of Franklin County must submit applications and nomination forms by Friday, May 29.

When shareholders gather in Fayetteville June 5, they will not hear a proposal that sought director oversight on certain gun sales at the mass retailer, according to a federal appeals court ruling on Tuesday (April 14).

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia lifted an injunction imposed late last year by U.S. District Judge Leonard Stark that would have required a shareholder vote regarding more oversight on gun sales at the retail giant.The court is to issue a formal opinion in the next few days on their ruling.

The proposal by Trinity Church in downtown Manhattan would have required Wal-Mart's board to more closely examine the sale of products that might endanger public safety, hurt Wal-Mart's reputation or offend "family and community values" integral to the retailer's brand.

Trinity has said these products might include guns with clips holding more than 10 rounds, a type it said "enabled" mass killings in Newtown, Connecticut and Aurora, Colo.

Wal-Mart spokesman Randy Hargrove told The City Wire the court of appeals “reached the right decision in reversing the district court’s ruling. We appreciate the court’s quick consideration of the issues.”

ABF Freight has been named the national LTL (less than truckload) Carrier of the Year by the National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council. It’s the third consecutive year ABF Freight has received the honor.

The company, which is the largest subsidiary of Fort Smith-based ArcBest, also received the award in 2011 and 2010.

“Being named the 2015 National LTL Carrier of the Year is indeed an honor. Recognition from NASSTRAC is particularly rewarding since this council represents the vitally important voice of shippers,” ABF Freight President Tim Thorne said in a statement. “By giving ABF Freight this award, NASSTRAC is honoring employees whose dedication to safety, cargo handling and customer service inspires confidence among customers throughout North America. Our people have earned a reputation as the safest, most conscientious, highly innovative members of our industry, and it’s gratifying to have their efforts once again recognized as exemplary.”

The NASSTRAC program helps shippers to identify the best of the best in carrier performance and value. Regular members of NASSTRAC who are qualified buyers of transportation services grade all carriers that are members on a quantitative scale in five key areas: customer service; operational excellence; pricing; business relationship; and leadership and technology.

The NASSTRAC Carrier of the Year program is co-sponsored by Logistics Management, a leading trade magazine for buyers of logistics services.

Brooke Elder has been hired by Beall Barclay & Company as an in-charge accountant in the firm’s Fort Smith office.

Prior to Beall Barclay, Elder worked for a private accounting firm in Texas for four years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a focus on entrepreneurship and tax from Texas A&M University.

Beall Barclay & Company is one of the largest locally owned certified public accounting firms in Arkansas with offices in Fort Smith, Rogers and Russellville.

Tyson Foods recently handed out eight award to its top suppliers for 2014. The “Supplier of the Year” winners include:
• Newly Weds Foods Inc.,
• Zip-Pak,
• Hantover Inc.,
• Hugg & Hall Equipment Co.,
• Kerry Ingredients & Flavours,
• Zones Inc.,
• Midland Industrial Service, and
• Reliance Construction.

The recipients were chosen based on supply-chain performance, total cost of ownership, pricing programs, customer-service performance, sustainability initiatives and other performance metrics observed throughout the year.

“We believe it’s important for us to recognize our top our suppliers, since they’re an important part of our success as a company,” said Melanie Russell, senior vice president of procurement for Tyson Foods.

More than three dozen employers and training providers plan to take part in the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce annual job expo slated for Friday (April 24). The event will take place between noon and 3:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Hill Inn located at 1325 N. Palak Drive, Fayetteville.

The job expo is open to the public and gives area employers the opportunity to fill open positions. The expo will also allow job seekers to sign up for training provided by a number of participating firms.

The participating employers and training providers include:
Arkansas Department of Human Services
Arkansas Health & Wellness
Arkansas Workforce Services
Best Buy
BioLife Plasma Services
Braum's
Bright Technology
Candlewood Suites
Central EMS
CH2M Hill
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Cedar Crest Academy
Consumer Testing Laboratories
Courthouse Concepts
DaVita Fayetteville
Domino's Pizza
Fayetteville Auto Park
Fayetteville Health & Rehab
Fayetteville Police
Goodwill Industries
Hilton Garden Inn
Jefferson Adult Education Center
JMark Staffing
Life Styles
Marshalltown Company
Northwest Technical Institute
NWA Community College
PenMac
PRN Medical Staffing
TEC Staffing
The Job Guide
Transportation & Refrigeration
Tyson Foods
University of Arkansas
U.S. Postal Service
Walmart Optical Lab
Webster University
Whataburger

Students and officials at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith held a groundbreaking Wednesday (April 15) for the new Recreation and Wellness Center.

Construction will begin on the student-initiated and student-approved facility this summer, and it will be located at the corner of Kinkead Ave. and North 51st St. The 47,000 square-foot center will feature a rock climbing wall, two basketball courts, four volleyball courts, and additional space for multipurpose use.

“This new center will provide more square footage, more facilities, and additional studios that will be used simultaneously between intramurals, fitness classes, and our students,” UAFS Chancellor Dr. Paul Beran said in a statement.

The ceremony took place in the Gymnasium on the UAFS campus and marked the culmination of a two-year effort by students to construct a new facility following numerous requests from the student body asking for an improved fitness center.

Beran recounted the story of the center’s conception during his remarks at the ceremony. The university’s Student Government Association spearheaded the initiative to build the new wellness center in 2013, passing a resolution in support of a self-imposed fee of $5 per semester credit hour to fund the facility’s construction. But when SGA brought the proposal to the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees, the board requested a more broad-based demonstration of support for the facility. SGA held a special election for students to vote on the fee, and the vote passed.

The students returned to the UA System Board of Trustees in March 2014, and the board questioned the students again about the necessity of the building.

“After the students answered some tough questions, the Board passed their proposal,” Beran said. “And when we stepped into the hallway afterwards, I told them ‘Congratulations. You just broke your first $11 million deal.’”

Beran ended his speech by lauding the efforts of the students involved.

“The story behind the center’s creation is a fitting manifestation of the drive and dedication of our students who will use the building,” Beran said. “These students ran a great campaign, and I couldn’t be more proud to stand in front of you today and tell you this story. It’s a story I’ve told many times before, and it’s a story I’ll tell many times again.”

SGA President Annsley Garner of Greenwood and SGA Secretary Nawar Hudefi of Fort Smith, president and secretary of SGA, recounted the story from their perspective and emphasized the importance and necessity of the building.

The university plans to open the facility in fall 2016.

NorthWest Arkansas Community College President Dr. Evelyn Jorgenson announced a restructuring of her administrative team, effective immediately. 

The new organizational chart eliminates the level of senior vice president. Debi Buckley’s title will change to vice president for administrative services and chief financial officer. She will continue reporting directly to Jorgenson.

Dr. Steve Gates’ duties will change to include special projects. He will serve as vice president for special projects through August. Dr. Gates will continue reporting directly to Jorgenson.

“I want to thank Dr. Gates for his dedication and commitment during the time he has served as provost, senior vice president for learning,” said Jorgenson.

Dr. Meredith Brunen, executive director for development, and Steven Hinds, executive director of public relations and marketing, will continue reporting directly to Jorgenson.

The following individuals will begin reporting directly to Jorgensen with this restructure.
• Tim Cornelius, vice president for learning, global business, health professions;
• Jim Hall, executive director of community and government relations;
• Dr. Todd Kitchen, vice president for learner support services;
• Dr. Ricky Tompkins, vice president for learning; and
• Dr. Tompkins will serve as chief academic officer.

“This restructuring of our administration will allow us to be more efficient,” said Jorgenson.  “Everything I’m trying to do is for the benefit of the students. By removing the level of senior vice president, I believe we will operate more effectively as we continue moving the college forward.”

Mike Duke, the former CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., has joined the global consumer and retail group of private equity firm The Carlyle Group.

He will began work at Carlyle this month, according to a release from the Washington, D.C.-based company.

Duke stepped down from Wal-Mart in February of last year and joins a group of more than 25 senior business executives who provide strategic guidance to Carlyle to help it buy and invest in companies.

Carlyle has invested about $12 billion of equity in dozens of retailers like Dunkin Brands and Beats headphones. The private equity firm had about $194 billion of assets under management as of Dec. 31.

Duke remains on the Wal-Mart board of directors.

University of Arkansas Chancellor David Gearhart and his wife Jane, announced plans to make a $1 million donation to the college’s upcoming campaign efforts.

The campaign, known as Campaign Arkansas, is still in the organizational phase and will become public at a later date.

“David Gearhart is a fundraising pioneer, and he and Jane have always believed in the importance of private gift support,” said Chris Wyrick, vice chancellor for university advancement.

Ealier this year Gearhart announced his decision to step down as Chancellor as of July 31, but said he would remain a professor at the University after taking a brief time off.

“Jane and I wanted to make this gift to show our support for the University of Arkansas and our belief in higher education,” said Gearhart. “It is our hope that, through leading by example, others will follow suit and step up to support the flagship campus of Arkansas.

“This university has been a major part of our lives, and this gift pays tribute to what it has meant to us. We are honored that it is a part of our past and look forward to seeing what it achieves in the future.”

The gift is being made with cash and a deferred commitment, and its purpose will be determined at a later date

Matthew Waller was named interim dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas and will assume the duties of dean Eli Jones who is leaving the UA to return to his alma mater — Texas A&M.

Waller was appointed by Provost Sharon Gaber. He serves as the college’s first associate dean for executive education and as the chair of the college’s Department of Supply Chain Management. He also holds the Garrison Endowed Chair in Supply Chain Management.

“I am excited about serving the Walton College,” Waller said. “I think Dean Jones has done a fabulous job. I like the strategic direction of the college, and I intend to continue in this direction. We are going to keep going forward.”

Gaber said Waller’s appointment was for one year but could be extended as the college searches for a new dean. A timeline for the search has not been established. The next provost, Ashok Saxena, in conjunction with interim Chancellor Dan Ferritor, will decide on the timeline, but Gaber indicated that a nationwide search is expected to begin this year.

“I am very excited and comfortable with Matt’s selection and pleased that he agreed to serve in this interim position,” Gaber said. “I want to thank Dean Jones for his service to the Walton College,” she said. “ He has worked hard for the college and put a plan in place for continued growth and excellence.”

Waller said his tenure as interim dean would come with the assistance of Walton’s other associate deans, Anne O’Leary-Kelly and Javier Reyes.

“We are going to be leading as a team,” Waller said. “We have really good chemistry. I would not be taking this interim position if not for them.”

Mac & Cheese giant Kraft Foods plans to remove artificial preservatives and synthetic colors from its “Original Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner” product by January 2016.

Instead of Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, the company said it will use colors sourced from spices such as paprika, annatto and turmeric. The changes are the latest steps Kraft is taking to appeal to consumer demand for simple ingredients and improved nutrition.

In 2014, the company relaunched its “Boxed Shapes Macaroni & Cheese” products with lower sodium, reduced saturated fat, more whole grains and no synthetic colors, and has since removed artificial preservatives. The company said all of its macaroni and cheese products will debut nationally later in 2016 without artificial colors, preservatives and synthetic colors.

A Kraft marketing vice president said this move comes as a result of their listening to what consumers want as well as learnings from their own research and efforts to improve their products.

Kraft Foods is a major supplier to Wal-Mart Stores and maintains a sales office in Northwest Arkansas.

•Flowers Foods to reduce ingredients in Nature’s Own bread
Flowers Foods is in the process of cutting the number of ingredients in Nature’s Own bread to 14 from 26, according to Bradley Alexander, executive vice-president and chief operating officer of the food company. Alexander described the change as fitting within the evolution of Nature’s Own dating back decades; as well as part of a clean label initiative underway at the company.

“To grow our sales beyond the core white bread segment, we introduced the Nature’s Own brand in 1977,” he said. “It offered consumers a soft wheat bread with no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. Over the years, we’ve continued to introduce varieties under the brand with better-for-you attributes, including sugar free, low carbs, high fiber and whole grains.”

Flowers is a supplier to Wal-Mart Stores with a local sale team located in Northwest Arkansas.

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board on Monday (April 20) stating that the 2,200 employees recently laid off at five Wal-Mart Stores were subject of “retaliation for their labor activism.”

Wal-Mart recently announced it would temporarily close 5 of its stores for up to six months as they underwent major plumbing overhauls. Store workers in Tulsa; Midland and Livingston, Texas; Brandon, Fla., and Pico Rivera, Calif. were given only hours notice before they were called to the back of their stores and handed pick slips.

The food and commercial workers union made its filing on behalf of OUR Wal-Mart, a group of Wal-Mart employees that it backs that has pushed for better pay and working conditions.

"This is a new low, even for Wal-Mart," Venanzi Luna, an eight-year Wal-Mart worker and member of OUR Walmart, said in a statement. "Through OUR Wal-Mart, we're going to keep fighting back until the company gives us our jobs back."

Wal-Mart said in a statement that it does not believe there is any basis for this claim.

"As we have said all along, these stores were closed temporarily so we could fix the ongoing plumbing issues and it would be unfortunate if this outside group attempts to slow this process down for our associates and customers," the company said.

The company has said that the workers would be put on paid leave for two months and it would look to transfer some to nearby stores.

Tupelo, Miss.-based BancorpSouth reported Monday (April 20) that first quarter net income reached $32.2 million, up 13.3% compared to the 28.4 million in the first quarter of 2014. The earnings of 33 cents per share was on target with the consensus of analyst estimates.

Net interest revenue was $106.1 million for the first quarter, up 4.5% compared to the 2014 quarter. Noninterest revenue was $73.3 million, better than the $66.5 million for the first quarter of 2014.

“We are pleased to report quarterly results that reflect continued improvement in profitability and core operating performance. Earnings for the quarter benefited from growth in our noninterest products. Our insurance team generated $33.5 million of commission revenue, which is the largest quarterly insurance commission revenue total in our Company’s history,” Dan Rollins, chairman and CEO, said in the earnings statement issued after the markets closed.

Earnings were adversely impacted by a $5.5 million increase to the litigation reserve for probable losses related to certain ongoing legal matters.

BancorpSouth, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Tupelo, Miss., with $13.6 billion in assets. The company operates 284 commercial banking, mortgage, and insurance locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas, including an insurance location in Illinois.

Company shares (NYSE: BXS) closed Monday at $24.70, up 28 cents. During the past 52 weeks the share price has ranged from a $25.43 high to a $19.22 low.

There is no substitute for having a safe city and a recent gang resurgence in Springdale has prompted Mayor Doug Sprouse to put more officers in schools and the neighborhoods.

Sprouse announced with city leaders on Tuesday (April 21) plans to add seven new school resource officers to the police force. He said the school resource officers will be paid for by federal funding and they will also spend time in neighborhoods across the city.

"With expansion and growth come new challenges," said Sprouse. "That's true not just of Springdale but of every growing city. Great things are happening in Springdale on almost a daily basis. But no matter how strong a community is, it must be continually and carefully nurtured. We must not allow our city to be defined by the actions of a few."
 
Sprouse emphasized the priority of citizen safety. He plans to ask the city council to approve the funding for 10 new police officer hires as well as specific and tactical measures that are also in the works to crack down on gang related violence.

"Make no mistake. We're going to do what it takes to protect the people of this community and keep this a safe place for every citizen," said Sprouse. "When crimes happen, we solve them. We will arrest those responsible. And, we will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law."

On April 11, 20-year-old Jimmy Rodriguez was fatally shot in his driveway in a reported gang altercation involving three teenagers — ages 13, 17 and 18. This was the second fatal gang shooting in Springdale neighborhoods in recent weeks.

Springdale Police Chief Kathy O’Kelley said local law enforcement is engaged in addressing the uptick in gang-related violence. At Tuesday’s press conference O'Kelley said the police department is redeploying its crime suppression unit and has implemented directed patrols specific to youth crime.  The city discontinued the crime suppression unit in 2012, when it ran into staffing issues.

Mercy Clinic Northwest Arkansas and Community Clinic got a funding boost from the Endeavor Foundation on Wednesday (April 22)  totaling $996,000 to further their work for low cost and accessible health care across Benton and Washington counties.

Endeavor Foundation awarded $411,000 to Mercy Clinic to develop a holistic regional agenda geared toward the physical health, mental health, and basic needs of school-aged children. With 23% of children in Northwest Arkansas living below the poverty threshold and more than half of the region's homeless population under the age of 18, the challenges are daunting. 

"It is very difficult to teach a child who is hungry, sick, chronically absent from school, or suffering from ongoing behavioral issues," said Dr. Janie Darr, superintendent of Rogers Public Schools.

"This concept holds great promise to help us resolve some of the biggest issues facing kids outside the classroom so that we can refocus our attention on what we do best...teaching them inside the classroom. By working with Mercy, our school district peers, and other key leaders in the community, we're confident we can develop a solution that not only supports the whole child, but the whole family unit as well,” Darr added.

Dr. Steve Goss, president of Mercy Clinic NWA, agreed that more needs to be done to expand health care access and overall wellbeing services for at-risk school children.

"We at Mercy are thrilled at the chance to bring our resources and expertise to bear on helping our kids become physically and emotionally healthier and more stable,” Goss said.

Another $585,000 grant was awarded to Community Clinic which will fund an expansion of a new facility to be located in southwestern Fayetteville. The south Fayetteville clinic will provide comprehensive, coordinated and continuous primary and preventive healthcare services to patients regardless of their ability to pay.

Southern Washington County is a high need area largely unsupported by Community Clinic's twelve existing locations. The new Martin Luther King Boulevard location will be accessible via Ozark Regional Transit and University of Arkansas Bus routes. The clinic will include twelve exam rooms, a Behavioral Health office, a lab, and general amenities to support up to 6,200 patients annually.

"Endeavor has supported Community Clinic for more than a decade, and we continue to be impressed by the number of people they serve and the quality of affordable care they are able to offer to those most in need," stated Anita Scism, President and CEO, Endeavor Foundation. "We commend Community Clinic for offering an alternative to emergency room visits and providing an ongoing continuum of care for thousands of people. Improving the health status of our community’s most economically disadvantaged is an important step in alleviating poverty."

The Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Giving Recognition in Tourism (GRIT) Award recipients were announced Thursday (April 23), with the Robert Westphal Family capturing the Polly Crews Hospitality Person of the Year.

The 4th Annual GRIT Awards were presented at the MovieLounge, and the event serves to showcase the accomplishments of finalists who demonstrated GRIT – within the area’s growing hospitality and tourism profession – through the dedication of their time, energy and expertise.

During the awards ceremony, the Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau also honored the past year’s Hometown Hospitality Heroes, who had all been highlighted in City of Fort Smith’s Fast Focus e-newsletter for supporting area tourism through efforts related to hosting or bringing conventions to the city in 2014 and early 2015. The Hometown Hospitality Honorees were:
• Kermit Walsh & Jackie Hoffarth for their efforts in the development of Fort Smith Western Heritage Month and related events;

• Bill Ladd & Larry Rhodes for their efforts in bringing the Arkansas Realtors Association convention to Fort Smith;

• Daniel Shue for his efforts in bringing the Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association conventions to Fort Smith;

• Patrick Pendleton for his efforts and leadership in the development of the very first Fort Smith Marathon; and

• Alie Bahsoon for his efforts in bringing the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing convention to Fort Smith.

This year’s GRIT Award winners were:
• Restaurant Partner of the Year: Bricktown Brewery
• Lodging Partner of the Year: Comfort Inn & Suites
• Attraction Partner of the Year: Chaffee Crossing (Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority)
• Business Partner of the Year: Mercy Fort Smith
• Polly Crews Hospitality Person of the Year: Robert Westphal Family

Traci Sowersby has been named vice president-controller and chief accounting officer for Fort Smith-based ArcBest Corporation, with her first day set for April 27.

Sowersby, a certified public accountant, most recently served as executive director with Ernst & Young in their Phoenix office. She has worked at EY for the previous 17 years in various locations and had also served in the U.S. Army Reserves. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University at Fort Wayne.

“We are very pleased to have Traci join ArcBest in this important role as she brings a great deal of technical expertise and management experience,” said ArcBest President and CEO Judy McReynolds said in a statement. “As we continue to better serve our customers across the supply chain, Traci will be instrumental in ensuring our financial reporting continues to live up to the same high expectations that we have for all of our companies and employees, who are known for going above and beyond for customers every day.”

Sowersby will report to Chief Financial Officer David Cobb.

“I’m delighted that Traci will be relocating to Fort Smith bringing knowledge and depth to our financial area as a result of her previous experience with public companies and their financial reporting and internal control requirements,” said Cobb.

The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS) has named Little Rock-based CJRW a Webby Award Honoree for the development and design of Riceland Foods’ new website. The Webby Awards are the leading international awards honoring excellence on the Internet.

The Riceland site was among nearly 13,000 entries in the Academy’s competition received from all 50 U.S. states and 60 countries. Only 20% of entries receive honors from the Webby Awards. Riceland’s site won in the “Interactive Advertising & Media: Consumer Packaged Goods” category. Packaged consumer goods and shopper marketing are among CJRW’s specialties.

In addition to Riceland, other brands honored in the “Interactive Advertising: Consumer Packaged Goods” category included Gillette, Keurig and Pantene. Riceland Foods, headquartered in Stuttgart, is an iconic Arkansas brand with markets worldwide.

“This is an exceptional honor for Riceland and for CJRW,” Zack Hill, CJRW vice president and director of digital services, said in a statement. “It puts our work alongside some of the most recognized developers and brands in the world. Being recognized on an international stage like this is a testament to the work we and our clients like Riceland are doing in the digital realm.”

CJRW’s work for Riceland included a revamping of the company’s website and a series of microsites for each of Riceland’s divisions. The site features a variety of products, recipes and other information, as well as videos featuring growers telling their stories and describing their passion for farming. Jones Film Video, a CJRW subsidiary, produced the video vignettes.
 
The Riceland site also includes videos of renowned chef Georgia Pelligrini preparing a variety of dishes using Riceland products.

“This award puts our digital team in very exclusive company,” said Darin Gray, CJRW president. “We are successfully competing not just on the local and state levels, but nationally and internationally as well. And people are taking notice.”

Established in 1996, during the Web’s infancy, The Webby Awards are presented by IADAS – a 1,000+ member judging body.