meet our leadership team

leslie barnes

president

​Leslie graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2018 with a BS in Industrial & Systems Engineering. She was a founding leader of ARVMYP as she saw a gap of young professional networks in Fort Smith. She has a strong passion and vision to develop an organization that transforms the culture of welcoming, developing, and retaining young leaders in the community. Outside of work, she enjoys going to music festivals, visiting new places and spending time with her family and friends.​

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maggie russell

vice president

Maggie graduated from UNC Charlotte in 2016 with a BS in Industrial Engineering and began working for Gerdau as a Process Engineer in the Melt Shop. She was a founding leader of ARVMYP as she saw a gap in the community for young professionals in Fort Smith. She has a passion to develop an organization to bring people together to create a sense of community in Fort Smith. In her free time, she enjoys stand up paddle boarding and brewing and drinking craft beer.​

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mick weiss

marketing & communications

Mick graduated from Western Governors University in 2023 with a MBA in IT Management.  He moved to Fort Smith in 2022 from Bloomington, Illinois to work at Pernod Ricard as an Operational Technology Engineer.   Mick joined ARVMYP to build strong relationships with other like-minded young professionals in the River Valley.  When Mick isn’t working, he enjoys golfing, reading, playing guitar, or playing video games with friends from home.  Previously, Mick lead marketing at his own business.

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logan long

professional outreach

Logan graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2018 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He began working at Hytrol August 2021 and previously worked at ABB as a Manufacturing Engineer. He joined ARVMYP to engage with others in a meaningful way professionally and in support of his community. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family outdoors.

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travis gregory

professional outreach

Travis holds BS degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the University of Arkansas.  Currently, he works as an R&D engineer at Rheem’s Air Conditioning Division. As a River Valley native, he is passionate about developing and retaining the immense talent of our local community. In his free time, Travis enjoys traveling and any excuse to be outdoors.

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chris garland

programming - social

Chris graduated from Texas Tech University in 2017 with a BS in Chemical Engineering.  He was passionate to join ARVMYP to socialize and grow connections in Fort Smith's professional community. Outside of work he enjoys golfing, video games, and traveling.

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stephanie hendricks

programming - social

Stephanie graduated from Missouri S&T in 2016 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. She currently holds the role of Manufacturing Engineer for ABB at the Ozark Plant. In her free time she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband

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brooke mclaughlin

early tale​nt outreach

Brooke graduated from Missouri University of Science and Technology in 2019 with a BS in Chemical Engineering. She began working at Gerdau as Management Associate in the Melt Shop in April 2021 and previously worked at Bridgestone as a Process Engineer. She currently is an Improvement Facilitator over the Caster. She joined ARVMYP to network with YPs just like herself and is eager to take on the role of Early Talent Co-chair. She was very involved in many leadership positions in her various organizations in college and she cannot wait to dive back into it with ARVMYP. In her free time she enjoys cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs, playing with her three sweet dogs (Diesel, Archie, and Stella) , and traveling with her Fiancé. 

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zack hall

early tale​nt outreach

​Zack graduated from Arkansas Tech University in 2022 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and began working as a Manufacturing Engineering in the machine shop for ABB in Ozark. He joined ARVMYP to grow professionally and make new connections. After joining he saw an opportunity to share his experiences with early talent about what a career in manufacturing has to offer and joined the leadership team. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, working on vehicles, hunting, and spending time off road.     

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Jess Cummings

Community outreach

Jessica has worked for Trane for 17 years and is currently on the Operational Excellence team leading process improvement initiatives. She graduated from the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith in 2019 with an AAS in Workforce Leadership, Commercial Pilot - Helicopter in 2021 from FlyARH and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt in 2023 from the UAFS Center for Economic Development. She joined ARVMYP to network and grow connections within the industry. In her free time she flies helicopters for FlyARH and is a member of Western Arkansas Runners.

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arvmyp leadership history

​Term 2022 - 2023
​• Communications – Jennifer Souvandy

Term 2021 - 2022
​• President – Leslie Barnes
• Vice President – Maggie Russell
• Programming – Chris Garland, Stephanie Hendricks
• Professional Outreach – Logan Long
• Early Talent Outreach – Jennifer Souvandy, Trey Rodgers
• Community Outreach – Courtney Pickett

Term 2020 – 2021
• President – Maggie Russell
• Vice President – Eryn Rose
• Treasurer – Stephanie Hendricks
• Communications – Hillary Cook, Adam Ecker
• Programming – Chris Garland, Greg Vanderpluym

ARVMYP Founders (June 2019)
• President – Maggie Russell
• Vice President – Eryn Rose
• Communications – Leslie Barnes
• Treasurer – Stephanie Hendricks
• Programming – Kyle Schmitt, Greg Vanderpluym
• Professional Outreach – Enrique Gonzalez
• Community Outreach – Adrienne Lister