BANKING
First Service Bank recently announced the promotions of Darla McJunkins and Anabelle LaBakis.
McJunkins has been named senior vice president of commercial loans and risk management. McJunkins has worked for First Service Bank for 26 years. She began in 1998 as a loan assistant, and has previously served as market president for Van Buren County. She was most recently senior vice president for commercial loan sales.
In her new role, McJunkins will continue to work in loans and business development for the Clinton branch, and assist other branches with their business development efforts and loan underwriting.
LaBakis has been promoted to treasury management operations specialist. LaBakis has worked for First Service Bank for two years, and previously served as a universal banker.
In her new role, she will be responsible for promoting and implementing the bank’s treasury management products with commercial and small business customers.
EDUCATION
Central Baptist College recently announced the hire of Jeremy Langley as its new executive vice president. The move was effective Aug. 12.
Langley will oversee the day-to-day operation of the College and assist the president as requested. His specific responsibilities include direct supervision of the Executive Leadership Team and the Office of Advancement. Additionally, he will collaborate with key departments such as Finance, Enrollment, Student Services, and Academic Affairs to further CBC’s strategic goals.
Prior to joining CBC, Langley served as associate pastor of Brister Baptist Church in Emerson, Arkansas. From 2008 to 2013, he was the Assistant to the President at Southern Arkansas University while also holding the title of Associate Director of Athletics. He later joined the Development Office where he worked for two years.
Langley earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Mass Communications from Ouachita Baptist University and a Master of Public Administration from Southern Arkansas University. He also holds a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology from the BMAA Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Texas. In 2023, Dr. Langley earned his Doctor of Ministry in Ministry Leadership from Liberty University.
Sterling Claypoole was recently hired as the CBC’s director of admissions.
Claypoole received an Associate of Arts degree from South Arkansas Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southern Arkansas University. After this, he received a Master of Arts in Religious Education, a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling, and a Doctorate of Educational Ministries in Educational Leadership from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He joins CBC having many years of experience working as a foster care case worker and family coach at Arkansas Baptist Children & Family Ministries, quality assurance manager for the Arkansas State Police and Arkansas Department of Public Safety, professor of psychology and director of associate arts at South Arkansas Community College, and adjunct professor at various colleges. He was also a governor-appointed member of the Arkansas School Safety Commission in 2019.
In addition, Claypoole has held many other leadership and ministry roles having served as a chaplain for the U.S. Navy since 2017 and as a youth minister at churches in Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana.
Hendrix College has named Ronnie Williams as its senior DEI strategist and advisor. Williams began in the role Aug. 19.
Williams will be responsible for developing a strategic plan for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and serve as a mentor and advisor to students and staff.
Williams retired from the University of Central Arkansas in 2021, and served in various roles including vice president for student services and chief diversity officer.
HEALTHCARE
Baptist Health Women’s Clinic-Conway recently welcomed Micah Wiegel, M.D.
Wiegel, born and raised in Benton, received his medical degree and completed his residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He went on to become board certified with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is also a fellow in the American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologists.
Wiegel specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, providing services in obstetrical care, minimally invasive surgery, treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, ovarian masses and many other gynecological issues.
Conway Regional Health System recently welcomed vascular and vein specialists Kalenda Kasangana, M.D., Kyla Shelton, M.D., and Christian Simmons, M.D., Ph.D., through a partnership with Arkansas Vascular & Vein Specialists.
The partnership allows Conway Regional Health System to offer specialized vascular surgery services, addressing a range of conditions, including peripheral artery disease, varicose veins, carotid artery disease, aneurysms, and deep vein thrombosis. All procedures will be performed at Conway Regional Medical Center.
UTILITIES
Conway Corp Plant Operator Lance Harwell recently earned his Class IV Wastewater Treatment certification from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, the top level of achievement for licensed wastewater plant operators in the state.
The requirements for Class IV Wastewater Treatment certification include 200 hours of classroom training and passing the examination. Harwell began his career with Conway Corp in July 2006 as an operator apprentice and was promoted to his current role in July 2009.
Shawn Moss was recently promoted to senior journeyman meterman in the electric department.
Moss began his career at Conway Corp in 2001 as a groundman. After being promoted to groundman / helper 2 in 2009, Moss transferred to the meter department in 2011, working as an electric meter tester and maintenance worker. He was promoted to apprentice meterman 3 in 2016. In 2017, he was promoted to apprentice meterman 4. He was promoted to journeyman meterman in 2018.
Brent Henderson was recently promoted to water systems foreman in the water department.
In his new role, he will assist with maintenance for water distribution at the Roger Q. Mills Water Treatment Plant, Tupelo Bayou Wastewater Plant and Brewer Lake. He will also maintain sewer transmission mains and sewer pumps for the Spencer Mountain at the Lake area. In addition to these tasks, he will manage air relief operations for both water and sewer distribution systems.
Henderson began his career with Conway Corp in 2019 as a utility worker apprentice. He was promoted to utility worker in 2023.