The Rodeo of the Ozarks has expanded its board of directors to continue its commitment to provide year-round family entertainment for all of Northwest Arkansas.
Three new seats were added to the board in February. Sach Oliver, Brian Adams and Sam Mathias will fill those seats. Joe Rollins and David Hoffarth also join the board, replacing retiring directors Jim Rollins and John Reddish.
“The rodeo has grown,” said Steve Smith, president of the rodeo’s board of directors. “It’s more than just the rodeo. It’s the Denim and Diamonds gala. It’s the demolition derby. It’s monster trucks. And we want to look into events to tie with Bikes, Blues & BBQ.
“We’re having more events more frequently. We’ve just got a lot more going on,” he said.
The new board members all have ties with the community and rodeo.
Joe Rollins is an assistant principal at Springdale High School. He served many years as an associate director of the rodeo and co-chairman of several committees. He and wife, Paige, have a daughter, Kinley.
David Hoffarth also served as an associate director and has been associated with the rodeo for years. His father, the late Jack Hoffarth, helped to haul bleachers in 1944 for the first rodeo in Springdale. He is president of the Springdale Riding Club and a member of the board of directors for the Norman Bryant Foundation. He has worked 30 years in the local trucking industry, currently with FirstFleet Trucking. Hoffarth and his wife, the late Debbie Hoffarth, have one daughter, Jessica.
Sam Mathias has worked in commercial and residential real estate development, construction and management for 34 years. He is the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Mathias Properties and Mathias Shopping Centers; president and board chairman of MP Construction; and chairman of the board of First State Bank of Northwest Arkansas and Mathias Bancshares.
Brian Adams has worked as a Realtor in Northwest Arkansas since 1995, and currently is a principal broker and property manager for Crye-Leike Commercial Realtors. He is also co-owner of ARCO Excavation and Paving. He and his wife Rebecca ride cutting horses.
Sach Oliver is a trial lawyer with the Bailey & Oliver Law Firm in Rogers and serves as auctioneer for many charity events. He roped for the Arkansas State University rodeo team, and riding horses remains one of his favorite past times. Sach and wife, Cody, have two daughters, Reesa and Reagan.
“We’ve got a diverse group that gives us a balance,” Smith said. “Each one has different strengths. They’ve got some new ideas and are excited about being a part of the rodeo.”
The 69th annual Rodeo of the Ozarks runs July 3-6 at Parsons Stadium in Springdale.
LAURINDA JOENKS IS A FEATURES REPORTER AT THE MORNING NEWS AND HAS LIVED IN SPRINGDALE SINCE 1990.