The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce has hired Payne Warren as a director of development. He began the role Dec. 28.

The Conway Area Leadership Institute graduated 48 in its 2022 class and recognized several honorees in a ceremony at the University of Central Arkansas McCastlain Hall on Jan. 27. 

The City of Conway was selected recently as the host site for spring high school state championship games by the Arkansas Activities Association board of directors. The Weekend of Champions will take place at the University of Central Arkansas in 2023-2025. The state championship event includes finals for baseball, softball, and boys and girls soccer.

Leo Cummings III has been promoted to senior vice president of development for the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. Leo Cummings III has been promoted to senior vice president of development for the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. With the promotion, Cummings becomes part of the chamber’s leadership team. He will also oversee two staff members, both directors of development.

The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce has hired Jordan Ester as its director of development. He began the role on Dec. 1.

Leo Cummings III has been appointed to the Institute of Organization Management’s national board of trustees. As a member of the trustees, Cummings will help set the strategic direction of Institute, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and will take an active role in advancing Institute’s standard operating and curriculum policies.

Conway has more than 60 miles of bike lanes, shared paths and trails of all kinds, but recently added something that was even unique for its cycling repertoire: Pompe Park.

Chris Crain thinks Conway has the chance to have one of the premier downtowns in the mid-south. As a business owner, he’s called Conway home for 25 years and has seen the progress made and what could lie ahead. “It is the heart and soul of our city,” he said. “I’ve watched the evolution of our downtown into a progressive and vibrant community filled with local shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, seasonal events, and much more.”

Osmar Garcia is co-founder and CEO of Northwestern Mutual-Garcia Wealth Management in Conway. He started cycling in 2013 and quickly realized he’d found a new hobby, especially road riding, that gave him a good workout with a fun group and gave him a chance to enjoy a good stretch of scenery riding through Conway and central Arkansas.

Jessica Crum is the founder and creative director of Silverlake Design Studio and executive director of the Creative Institute of Central Arkansas, a gap-year program designed for young adults, ages 18 to 24, to explore careers in marketing, photography, videography, copywriting, and design. As a business owner, Jessica wants to be able to attract young, creative talent to Conway and has seen many leave for larger cities in recent years.