Following are news brief items from the Fort Smith metro.
ArcBest Board Move
The board of directors at Fort Smith-based ArcBest have appointed Chris Sultemeier as a new director, effective Oct. 29, 2025. He follows Dr. Craig Philip, a director since 2011, who is retiring from the board after the January 2026 meeting.
Sultemeier will be on the board’s compensation and nominating/corporate governance committees. Sultemeier has more than 30 years of experience in logistics, transportation, supply chain operations, and high-growth supply chain and logistics ventures to the board.
He spent 28 years with Walmart as an executive vice president of logistics and as president and CEO of Walmart Transportation. He is an operating partner at NewRoad Capital Partners where he serves on the boards of several portfolio companies.
“We are pleased to welcome Chris to the ArcBest Board of Directors,” Judy McReynolds, ArcBest chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “His impressive experience leading supply chain and logistics at Walmart, as well as his experience on multiple boards, brings valuable operational insight and industry perspective to our board as we continue to execute on our long-term strategy.”
Philip joined the board of directors in 2011 and serves as a member of the audit committee. He previously served on the compensation and nominating/corporate governance committees.
“I have enjoyed working with Craig over the last fourteen years,” said McReynolds. “He brought broad expertise to the board that combined business, academia and future-driven thinking. Craig’s experience leading large transportation and logistics companies, his experience with M&A and his focus on innovation were key to helping guide ArcBest’s transformation into an integrated logistics company.”
Stipins Jury Verdict
A Sebastian County Circuit Court jury has awarded the estate and family of the late Stephanie Stipins $15 million in a wrongful death case against Mercy Hospital Fort Smith Communities and Dr. Brock Wilson.
The jury did not find negligence in the actions of Drs. John McClanahan and Zachary Ray.
Stipins, the executive director of the Greater Fort Smith Association of Homebuilders, died July 5, 2022, following complications from surgery. She was 47. She was married to Eric Stipins for 29 years, and they have four children – Ericka Shrum, Isabella, Samantha, and Colton Stipins. They have two grandchildren.
Stephanie Stipins also was the co-founder of Laney Bell Productions, an event planning company in the Fort Smith area. She served as a board member for Manes and Miracles, Therapeutic Equestrian Center at Chaffee Crossing, and Next Step Day Center.
Fort Smith attorneys Joey McCutchen and Stephen Napurano represented the Stipins family.
“Stephanie Stipins was a remarkable woman,” McCutchen said in a statement. “It was not Stephanie’s time to die. We lost a saint here on earth too soon.”
Teen Center Opening
The Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs recently held a grand opening celebrated the grand opening of its new Teen Center on the Future School of Fort Smith campus, and the dedication of the First National Bank Court.
The ribbon cutting, hosted in partnership with the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, welcomed Teen Center students, FSBGC Board and Alumni Board members, Future School staff and school board members, Mayor George McGill, representatives from the city of Fort Smith, and Fort Smith Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Martin Mahan.
The new Teen Center, located on the Future School campus at 622 N. 7th St., provides a safe, engaging, and inspiring environment designed specifically for high school students, according to the club. In partnership with area middle and high schools, the Teen Center offers programs focused on leadership, academic success, and career readiness. The addition of the First National Bank Court provides a multi-use outdoor space for recreation, teamwork, and community engagement.
“Our Teen Center represents the future of youth development in Fort Smith,” said Beth Presley, CEO of the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs. “This space was built for teens — to give them a voice, a place to belong, and opportunities to build the skills and confidence they need to succeed. We are so grateful to our partners, sponsors, and community supporters who made this possible.”
New Mercy Procedure
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith has completed its first transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) procedure. The less-invasive surgery, performed by vascular surgeon Dr. Brian Rapp, marks an advancement in the hospital’s ability to treat patients with carotid artery disease.
Carotid artery disease occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the brain become narrowed by plaque buildup. TCAR is an alternative to traditional open surgery. It uses a small neck incision and advanced technology to guide a stent into place, briefly reversing blood flow to keep plaque from reaching the brain during the procedure. During the procedure, blood is filtered outside the body to catch any debris or particles before returning to the vein. This stops the risk of a stroke during the repair, according to Mercy.
“TCAR represents the next generation of stroke prevention,” Dr. Rapp said. “It gives us another tool to treat carotid disease at a low risk to the patient. TCAR enables faster recovery while providing many of the benefits of carotid endarterectomy, or open surgery to remove plaque. I’m excited that we are now able to offer this innovative treatment option to our community, in addition to carotid endarterectomy.”
TCAR, an FDA-approved procedure, has been studied extensively. Published data from clinical trials show the procedure has better outcomes, including a low risk of stroke in even the highest-risk patients. And with the less-invasive approach, TCAR has a shorter recovery time. Most patients go home the day after the procedure.
Arvest Shutdown Support
Arvest Bank is offering assistance to customers impacted by the federal government shutdown.
Through the Arvest Assist program, which was launched after the 2018-2019 federal government shutdown, Arvest customers experiencing a paycheck disruption may receive accommodations depending on their circumstances. The bank also is offering a Disaster Relief Loan Program to help customers impacted by the shutdown. The program, offered through Nov. 21, is specifically designed to provide qualified customers quick access to funds.
“We understand that many Americans are facing uncertainty and hardship during the government shutdown,” said Lori Winesburg, sales manager with Arvest Bank – Fort Smith Region. “As a community-focused bank, our mission has always been about helping others succeed and thrive. Our hope is that this assistance will give customers some relief and peace of mind.”
For the Disaster Relief Loan Program, call (888) 812-7407, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Customers seeking assistance due to paycheck disruptions should contact their local bank or visit arvest.com/assistance for more information.