SPRINGDALE — Some people fit helping the community around their work schedule. Chris Weiser squeezes his work into breaks between his commitments to his community.
Weiser was named the Springdale Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Civic Service Honoree at its annual ceremony Friday.
Weiser said he was surprised that he received award.
“You don’t embark on this journey to be business man of the year,” he said.
Weiser credited his mother with setting an example for him, and he said her drive and focus rubbed off on him.
A description of Weiser, owner of J.V. Manufacturing, might be similar to that of his company’s top product, Cram-A-Lot trash compactors. He crams a lot into his life, from work and community service to travel and fun.
Weiser is chairman of the Springdale Water and Sewer Commission. He also is the Washington County representative and vice president of the Beaver Water District Board of Directors.
“Chris is wonderful to work with,” said Heath Ward, executive director of Springdale Water Utilities. “He doesn’t micro-manage, but, if you have a problem, he will help anyway he can.”
“He will take ownership in an issue and work very hard to find a solution,” said Rick Pulvirenti, engineering director for the utility.
Weiser is also a member of the Downtown Springdale Alliance and chairman of the Springdale Trails Committee. Mayor Doug Sprouse said Weiser is a great asset to the city.
“He is open to looking at a problem in a new way and can bring together different groups that can solve those problems,” Sprouse said.
Weiser was the connection between the and the commission that kept both organizations working on a solution to a proposed water feature in downtown Springdale, Sprouse said.
Weiser has served two terms as chairman of the Springdale chamber board of directors, said Bill Rogers, executive vice president.
Over the years, he has also been a member of the boards of Northwest Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute, Hope Cancer Resources and the Care Foundation, and was chairman of the Springdale United Way when it combined with Fayetteville’s organization to form the United Way of Washington County, according to biographical information.
Weiser, a graduate of Springdale High School and the University of Arkansas, began his career working on oil platforms. He returned to Springdale in 1985 to work with his mother and stepfather’s business, J.V. Manufacturing.
His work in the industry was recognized in 2005, when he was named to the Environmental Industries Association Hall of Fame, according to the National Waste and Recycling Association website.
His pastimes include skiing, flying, scuba diving, fishing and cooking. He has traveled to China, Cuba and much of Central America, many times on Rotary trips to help local residents.
Weiser and his wife, Debbie, have two children, Heather and Sean.
Erin Spandorf contributed to this report.