First Class of NEA Regional Leadership Accelerator Academy Announced

JONESBORO – Twenty professionals from counties across Northeast Arkansas have been selected to be part of the first class of the NEA Regional Leadership Accelerator Academy.

The men and women who make up the class, which met for the first time earlier this week, are from eight counties in Northeast Arkansas.

“The 2026 class of the NEA Regional Leadership Acceleration Academy represents the strength, talent, and potential of our region,” said Andrea Allen, executive director of the A-State Delta Center for Economic Development.

The group represents the counties of Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Greene, Jackson, Mississippi, Phillips and Poinsett.

“This diverse group of professionals brings a shared commitment to leadership, service and collaboration, and we are excited to support their growth as they work together to shape the future of Northeast Arkansas,” she added.

“I extend a huge welcome to the 2026 NEA Regional Leadership Accelerator Academy cohort,” said Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch. “I am looking forward to the powerful leadership lessons we will share with one another this year to benefit everyone in Northeast Arkansas.”

Members of the Accelerator Academy will attend six sessions for the program, which is designed to build practical skills, foster collaboration and strengthen leadership capacity across the region.

Those selected for the academy include (by county of residence):

Craighead County:
Henry Burrell of Jonesboro is the founder and executive director of the Jonesboro Business Association.

Katie Collier of Jonesboro is a manager at St. Bernards Medical Center.

Lynette Hirsch of Jonesboro is the marketing and outreach coordinator for the City of Jonesboro.

Erika Krennerich Chudy is vice chancellor for advancement at Arkansas State University..

Scott McDaniel of Jonesboro is vice president of Ramsons, Inc.

Casey Pearce of Jonesboro is director of external relations and marketing at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Cody Slater of Jonesboro is vice president of programming at the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Ashley Spencer of Jonesboro is a physical therapist assistant at St. Bernards Sports Medicine.

Dylan Tedder of Brookland is the education coordinator at UAMS Northeast.

Christy Valentine of Jonesboro is the manager of academic and philanthropic programs at Hytrol Conveyor Company, Inc.

Crittenden:
Beth Wilson of West Memphis is the economic development director for the City of Marion.

Cross:
Bevin Hunter of Wynne is president and CEO at Wynne Economic Development Corporation.

Greene:
Cecily Graham of Beech Grove is a patient advocate at A Safe Place For You Foundation.

Lindsey Partlow Smith of Paragould is regional project delivery manager and national account manager for Terracon Consultants.

Jackson:
Jeff Phillips of Newport is county judge of Jackson County.

Mississippi:
Kennedy Baker of Manila is the programs director at Studio 42 and Company.

Melisa Logan of Blytheville is the mayor of the City of Blytheville.

Tammy Winstead of Blytheville is the CEO of TrueLove Designs.

Phillips:
Lynn Hawkins of Lexa is the chief operations officer at Arkansas Rural Health Partnerships.

Poinsett:
Barett Beshears of Harrisburg is an information systems analyst at Woodruff Electric.

The six sessions will be held on Tuesdays every other month starting in January, with graduation from the program taking place in November.