Collier Roofing Awarded Interlocal Purchasing System Vendor Contract 

Collier Roofing was recently awarded a vendor contract by The Interlocal Purchasing System, a national purchasing cooperative offering competitively solicited contracts to education, government, and nonprofit agencies. 

TIPS serves entities such as state and local governments and non-profit organizations, including school districts, charter schools, colleges and universities, cities and municipalities, state agencies, emergency services districts, and more. 

ACCOUNTING 

Bell & Company has named Abby Freeman as a shareholder of the firm. Freeman has worked at Bell & Company for 10 years, and manages the firm’s Conway location. 

Freeman graduated from Henderson State University, earning an undergraduate and Master in Business Administration. She specializes in small business and tax work.  

Lani Jennings-Hall was recently named Bell & Company’s marketing manager. Jennings-Hall contributes to the firm’s digital media, outreach, recruiting, and publication efforts. 

BANKING 

First Service Bank has hired Emily Hillian as its new commercial loan officer and business development officer. 

Hillian previously worked for Faulkner County Title as an escrow officer. She graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2014. 

EDUCATION 

Hendrix College has named Benjamin K. Carter as its assistant vice president for advancement. He will start in the role Aug. 5. 

Carter will provide strategic leadership focused on advancing the philanthropic culture of Hendrix College through coordinated development, engagement, and strategic initiatives.  

He was previously at the University of Arkansas, where he has served in a series of development roles since 2004. Most recently, he was senior director of development in the Division of Student Affairs. 

Carter is an active member of key professional and service organizations, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, Rotary International, and the board of Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center. 

The University of Central Arkansas has added Paul Gatling as its senior director of Northwest Arkansas Engagement. He will be responsible for strengthening relationships with alumni and business partners as well as sharing UCA’s story. 

Gatling joined the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal in 2011 and was promoted to editor and associate publisher in 2013, covering the region’s business news online, in print, television and radio. 

He previously spent nine years – 2001-2009 – as sports editor at the Benton County Daily Record in Bentonville. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communication from Henderson State University in 1998. 

HEALTHCARE 

Baptist Health Family Clinic-Salem Road has welcomed Meryem Maras-Casey, M.D., as a new provider at the clinic.  

Maras-Casey, an Istanbul native, received her education at Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy where she specialized in internal medicine. She completed her residency at HCA Florida Healthcare and USF Morsani College GME Oak Hill Hospital.  

MANUFACTURING 

SMC Packaging Group recently promoted Wesley Simpson to operations manager. Simpson has been with SMC Packaging Group for two years, and served in roles including customer service manager and design department manager.  

UTILITIES 

Conway Corp recently promoted Ronson Smith to electric systems senior engineer. He succeeds Dale Gottsponer, who was promoted to engineering & planning manager on April 2. 

Smith began his career with the company in 2018 as electric systems engineer 1. He was promoted to electric systems engineer 2 in 2019. 

Lane McNew recently earned his SCTE Business Class Services Specialist certification and was promoted to telecom installer technician 4. 

McNew was hired at Conway Corp as an installer trainee in 2020. In 2021, he began the telecom installer technician program.