Conway Regional Health System Names Angie Longing as Its New President and CEO

Conway Regional Health System has named Angie Longing, MHSM, BSN, RN, NE-BC, as president and CEO, effective July 20.

Longing joins Conway Regional from CHI St. Vincent, where she most recently served as interim president of CHI St. Vincent Infirmary and senior vice president and chief nurse executive for the Arkansas market across a four-hospital health system.

Prior to her executive leadership roles at CHI St. Vincent, Longing served as chief nursing officer at Conway Regional Health System from 2016 to 2022, where she helped lead the organization through significant advancements in nursing excellence, employee engagement, patient experience, and the achievement of its first Magnet designation.

“Angie is an accomplished healthcare executive whose career has been defined by her commitment to quality, patient-centered care, employee engagement, and organizational excellence,” said Jeff Standridge, chair of the Conway Regional Health System Board of Directors. “The Board of Directors is confident in her ability to lead Conway Regional through its next chapter while continuing to advance our mission and strengthen the health of the communities we serve.”

Longing brings more than 30 years of healthcare experience holding leadership roles across clinical operations and health system management, helping drive improvements in quality, patient experience, and workforce engagement.

“Angie is a respected and highly effective healthcare leader who has earned the trust of colleagues throughout our organization,” said William G. Jones, market president for CHI St. Vincent. “Conway Regional and CHI St. Vincent have enjoyed a longstanding affiliation that has benefited both organizations and the communities we serve. Conway Regional plays a vital role in our state’s healthcare delivery system and we fully support Angie in this new role and are confident she will continue to make a positive impact for patients, employees, and communities throughout central Arkansas.”

As president and CEO, Longing will provide leadership for Conway Regional Health System’s strategic growth, operational excellence, quality outcomes, workforce engagement, and long-term financial sustainability while advancing the organization’s mission to improve the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

“I am honored and excited for the next chapter of my life to be dedicated to quality care in Conway. As a lifetime resident of the Natural State, my career has been dedicated to improving the healthcare of the communities of central Arkansas,” said Angie Longing. “I am fortunate to be able to continue to live out my mission and passion of serving this wonderful community.”

---

EDUCATION

Julie Agee Gillaspy has been named the inaugural executive director of career success at Hendrix College ahead of the launch of Via Hendrix, its new program that centers career preparation as a cornerstone of the undergraduate liberal arts experience. 

Gillaspy returns to her alma mater after more than 20 years at Acxiom. She served as the company’s strategic advisor to senior executives across its worldwide workforce, partnering with leaders on talent development and strategy. 

Via Hendrix will position Hendrix as the only college or university in Arkansas, and the only liberal arts college in the region, to require professional work experience, or coop, for every student who graduates.

UTILITIES

Crystal Kemp has been named chief customer officer for Conway Corp. The change in title reflects the expansion of her leadership responsibilities. 

Kemp will continue to lead the company’s marketing, communications, video production, business solutions, and community engagement efforts while providing strategic oversight for customer experience, customer service, business solutions, brand strategy, and local programming.  The updated title aligns with her role in shaping and enhancing the customer experience across every interaction with the utility provider.

Conway Corp Water Systems Manager Lee Tedford has earned his Basic Industrial Wastewater Treatment license from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. Tedford began at Conway Corp in 2010.