The University of Central Arkansas has established a Northwest Arkansas Advisory Council, a trusted group of advisors who will help deepen the university’s connection to one of the South’s most dynamic and fastest-growing regions.
The council brings together a select group of UCA alumni leaders who will serve as strategic partners and advocates, helping to connect the university’s people, programs and resources with the energy and innovation that define Northwest Arkansas.
“Northwest Arkansas is one of the most influential regions in the South, and UCA needs to be part of that story,” UCA’s Senior Director of Northwest Arkansas Engagement Paul Gatling said. “This council is how we start treating it like a partner in shaping the university’s future.”
The council’s mission is to strengthen UCA’s presence and impact in the region by unlocking untapped potential and deepening alumni engagement. Members will advise university leadership, identify opportunities for collaboration and help shape initiatives that enhance UCA’s visibility and influence in the area.
The group held its inaugural meeting Sept. 22 at Hunt Tower in Rogers, with UCA President Houston Davis in attendance. During the session, members discussed the university’s vision for the region, shared ideas for partnerships and engagement, and explored ways to elevate UCA’s role in supporting Northwest Arkansas’s growth.
“UCA has more than 4,000 alumni in Benton and Washington counties, but we haven’t fully tapped into the opportunity that represents,” Davis said. “This council is how we begin to change that – by building stronger relationships, opening new doors and ensuring UCA plays a visible, lasting role in this region’s future.”
Members of the council will meet twice a year with university leadership to share insights, provide feedback on engagement strategies and assist in identifying potential partners. The focus is on influence, not fundraising – creating meaningful bridges between the university and a region that continues to shape the future of Arkansas.
“We were very intentional about who we asked to be part of this founding group,” Gatling said. “Each member is a proud UCA alum and has a real stake in the region.
“They’re here because they believe the university should have a stronger presence in Northwest Arkansas.”
Northwest Arkansas Advisory Council. Front: Jonathan Bricker. Back, from left: Chris Wyrick (UCA Campaign Consultant), Jeff Clifton, Michael McCullough, Ben Maddox, Jennifer Martinez Belt, Paul Gatling, Chris Brown, UCA President Houston Davis. (Not pictured: Kristin Daniel).
The founding members of the UCA Northwest Arkansas Advisory Council include:
- Jennifer Martinez Belt (’99), Bentonville – Chief Philanthropy Officer, Scott Family Amazeum. A Fort Smith native, Belt leads the Scott Family Amazeum’s efforts in fundraising, marketing and community partnerships. She previously directed development at the Peel Compton Foundation, consulted for nonprofits across Arkansas and served as chief development officer at the Arkansas Foodbank. Earlier in her career, Belt worked in Washington, D.C., holding roles with the U.S. House of Representatives, the White House and the U.S. Senate.
- Jonathan Bricker (’01), Rogers – Vice President, Commercial Banking, Regions Bank. Bricker manages Regions Bank’s commercial banking relationships across Benton County, assisting clients with credit, working capital, equipment financing and treasury needs. He previously served as vice president at Arvest Bank, focusing on commercial banking and international business development, and earlier spent 13 years with Crews & Associates as a fixed-income securities consultant. Bricker is chairman of the Arkansas District Export Council, where he’s been a member since 2019.
- Chris Brown (’00), Bentonville – Owner, Signs of Good. A Rogers native, Brown is a seasoned business leader and serial entrepreneur with a background in digital marketing, e-commerce, business development, social media and shopper marketing. He is the founder of Signs of Good, a purpose-driven media company that uses billboard advertising revenue to support single mothers, widows, food insecure families and local nonprofits. Previously, Brown was senior vice president of digital strategy and innovation at Advantage Solutions, where he led omni-channel product, media and e-commerce initiatives for major CPG and retail clients.
- Jeff Clifton (’93), Rogers – Executive Broker and Land Director, True North Realty Group. A native of Wilmot, Clinton established a real estate office specializing in recreational properties, farmland and rural homes, earning a reputation as a trusted land specialist. For a decade, he held a principal broker’s license in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Louisiana. His team, The True North Realty Group, later partnered with Keller Williams in Northwest Arkansas.
- Kristin Daniel (’06), Bentonville – Founder, Parity Financial Group. A native of Poyen, Daniel began her career in the financial industry in 2010 and launched Parity in 2020 after a decade with large firms. The woman-owned wealth management firm has offices in Little Rock, Fort Smith and Bentonville. She has earned honors such as Advisor of the Year for her broker-dealer in 2023, recognition as one of Arkansas Money & Politics’ Power Women and Future Icons in 2024, and inclusion in Celebrate Magazine’s Ones to Watch and multiple statewide “Best of” lists. Daniel is also chair of the Justin Moore Golf Classic, which has raised more than $2 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in just four years, and president of the board of the Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center in Bentonville.
- Ben Maddox (’11), Fayetteville – Chief Strategy Officer, Acres.com. A fourth-generation Fayetteville native, Maddox has built a career at the intersection of agriculture, real estate and finance. Today, he serves as chief strategy officer for Acres.com, a data platform for land analysis that provides market intelligence and insights for land professionals. Maddox co-founded AcreTrader in 2019, helping the company grow into a national farmland investment platform that was acquired in August 2025. As director of acquisitions, he led more than $400 million in farm and timberland investments across 18 states and Australia. He is an accredited farm manager with the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers and continues to be active in the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association. Maddox previously worked at Heifer International and served a two-year term with AmeriCorps.
- Michael McCullough (’11), Rogers – Commercial Director, Delta Systems & Automation. A Rogers native, McCullough handles strategic business development, including identifying new market opportunities and building customer relationships, for Delta Systems & Automation in Lowell. The company designs and builds automated packaging equipment, specializing in flow-wrapping, product-feeding systems, and robotics that serve customers worldwide, ranging from food and confectionery to pharmaceuticals and personal care. He has held various roles in his 11 years at Delta Systems, managing operations, project management and application engineering.
“This is just the beginning,” Gatling said. “There are many Bears in Northwest Arkansas whose voices belong in this effort.
“If you’re a UCA alum or friend in the region and want to plug in, I’d love to hear from you.”
The council will continue its work through 2026 and beyond, building a framework for sustained partnerships and engagement that reflect the shared growth and ambition of both UCA and Northwest Arkansas.
“Northwest Arkansas is moving fast, and UCA is ready to move with it,” Davis said. “The momentum is here, and this council will help make sure the university is part of the region’s next chapter.”