our mission

Arkansas River Valley Manufacturing Young Professionals (ARVMYP) is a professional and social organization in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and surrounding areas.  Our mission is to empower and develop future manufacturing leaders, foster professional relationships, drive industry related success, and serve the local community proactively. 

We hope to accomplish this through creating a sense of community among young professionals in the River Valley. 

who can join?

​Any individual that is driven to strengthen the local manufacturing industry, philanthropic community and professional network in the Arkansas River Valley is welcomed to join.  ARVMYP members should be 18 years or older to join.  The primary focus and involvement of ARVMYP membership is manufacturing professionals looking to form a community and progress in their career.  The age range of ARVMYP varies from 18 - 40+ years old.

Click here to join ARVMYP now!

history

​ARVMYP was founded in July of 2019 as a 501(c)(3) organization to positively transform the River Valley area to recruit, retain and encourage a sense of community for manufacturing young professionals.
The founding sponsor of ARVMYP was Gerdau, one of the largest recyclers and producers of long steel in North America.  Gerdau’s leadership noticed low retention rates among young talent and minimal rates of retention for non-local young talent.  Through this vision a group of Gerdau young professionals partnered with other manufacturing young professionals in the area to develop the vision and strategy to create the ARVMYP organization.  Shortly after the creation of ARVMYP, two other companies became founding sponsors – ABB, the world’s number-one manufacturer of NEMA motors, and Rheem, the largest manufacturer of water heating products in North America.

learn more about our founding sponsors:

Gerdau - Fort Smith, AR

ABB - Fort Smith, AR

Rheem - Fort Smith, AR

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Founding Board Members:

​President – Maggie Russell (Gerdau) 
Vice President – Eryn Rose (Gerdau)
Communications – Leslie Barnes (ABB) 
Treasurer – Stephanie Hendricks (Owens Corning)
Programming – Kyle Schmitt, Greg Vanderpluym (Gerdau)
Professional Outreach – Enrique Gonzalez (Gerdau)
Community Outreach – Adrienne Lister (Gerdau)