BUSINESS PEOPLE Northwest Arkansas

Heath Ward, executive director of Springdale Water Utilities, was named manager of the year by the Arkansas Water and Wastewater Managers Association during the group's 2017 annual conference in Memphis in July. He was cited for his work in the organization and supporting sound policies and legislation that have benefited water and wastewater providers across the state. Recipients of the award are selected by past winners. Ward is the association's secretary-treasurer and legislative chairman.

Dr. Song Zang joined Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas' Fayetteville Diagnostic Clinic. He graduated from Peking Union Medical College in Beijing in 1998, completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in Lexington and completed his fellowship in rheumatology at the University of Alabama Medical Center in Tuscaloosa. Zang specializes in rheumatology and is certified in internal medicine and rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Jason N. Bramlett of Friday, Eldredge & Clark LLP's Fayeytteville office was named to the 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. His practice focuses on the representation of financial institutions and commercial parties across many issues including structuring, negotiation and drafting of real estate and asset-based credit facilities for both lenders and borrowers; and providing advice, counsel, and representation regarding troubled debt restructurings, bankruptcy, foreclosure and workouts.

Clifford W. Plunkett of Friday, Eldredge & Clark LLP's Fayeytteville office was named to the 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Plunkett handles a broad range of civil litigation, including class actions, professional liability defense in the medical, legal and insurance fields, commercial litigation, product liability, construction, motor vehicle and intentional torts.

Marshall S. Ney of Friday, Eldredge & Clark LLP's Rogers office was named to the 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. He serves as litigation counsel to businesses, insurance companies, school districts and individuals in most types of complex and commercial disputes, employment claims and insurance coverage issues.

Patrick Haley of Bentonville was elected as a delegate to the 134th annual American Angus Association Convention of Delegates on Nov. 6 in Fort Worth, Texas. Haley is one of 331 Angus breeders who have been elected by fellow members in their state to serve as a representative at the annual meeting.

Dean Payton was promoted by Harps Food Stores Inc. to director of the grocer's 10Box Division. Payton spent the past 14 years as a district manager after working as a store manager for eight years.

Mike Roberts was promoted by Harps Food Stores Inc. to director of produce operations. He has worked as a produce merchandiser and a produce manager. He is a member of the Southeast Produce Council, the Produce Marketing Association. He is also a member of Produce for Kids, Fort Smith Anti-Och Food Bank and the Fort Smith Community Health Council. He recently attended the National Grocer's Association Cornell University Executive Leadership Program.

Robert Garlington was promoted by George's Inc. to senior vice president of operations. He is a 30-year veteran of the food industry and joined George's in 2014 as vice president of operations to oversee the company's production and processing facilities in Arkansas and Missouri. He will now add the responsibilities of operations in Virginia.

Mishelle Cauldwell, Dr. Harvey Potts and James Sheffield recently joined the Mercy Fort Smith Board of Advisors. Cauldwell is branch manager for United Federal Credit Union; Potts is director of program assessment and simulation center and assistant professor of medical education at the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine; and Sheffield is chief financial officer for Umarex and Walther. The hospital advisory board members serve three-year terms.

Briefs are for people in Northwest Arkansas who are new hires, were promoted, received an award from outside their organization or received a certification. Email: [email protected] or send your item to: Christie Swanson, P.O. Box 7, Springdale, AR. 72765. Information must be received by noon Wednesday prior to the Sunday the item is to be published.

SundayMonday Business on 08/27/2017

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