Kellie Black
Vice President, People Operations at ArcBest
Kellie Black leads compensation, people analytics, total health, payroll and human resources operations at ArcBest. She previously served as director of candidate and employee experience, leading employee communications, succession planning and leadership development. Black began her career as a high school educator before joining ArcBest as a corporate trainer. She later transitioned into human resources leadership while earning a master's degree in leadership and ethics from John Brown University. Under her guidance, Black's team has earned industry recognitions, including Cornerstone Client RAVE Awards, Training Magazine APEX Awards and Brandon Hall Excellence Awards.
Deeply committed to community service, Black is a sustaining member and former board president of the Junior League of Fort Smith. She also serves on the board of Fort Kids Children’s Museum and the advisory council for the Strata Institute for Emerging Leaders, and volunteers with the Isaiah Joe Family Foundation and Community Bible Church. She lives in the area with her husband, Jantzen, and their two daughters, Avery and Marin.
Jo Alice Blondin, Ph.D.
Interim President of the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Jo Alice Blondin became interim president of the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in July 2026. She previously served as president of Clark State College from 2013 to 2026, where she was granted the title of president emerita. Blondin has also held senior leadership and academic roles at Arkansas Tech University–Ozark and the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith. She holds a doctorate and a master's degree in English from Arizona State University and a bachelor's degree from Purdue University.
Nationally recognized for her leadership in strategic planning, workforce development and accreditation, Blondin transformed Clark State by launching four baccalaureate degrees, securing over $56 million in capital and grant funding, and growing the college's foundation from $13 million to more than $35 million. She is a past chair of the Higher Learning Commission Board of Trustees and has held national leadership roles with the American Association of Community Colleges and the National Council for Workforce Education. She lives in Springfield with her husband, Andy Fox, and has one daughter.
Dr. Terisa C. Riley
Chancellor, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Terisa C. Riley is in her eighth year as chancellor of the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith. She spent more than 35 years in higher education administration—including 12 years as senior vice president at Texas A&M University–Kingsville—before taking the helm at UAFS. She also held roles at the University of Missouri–Columbia, Central Methodist University, Saint Louis University and the University of South Dakota. Riley holds a bachelor's degree in communication and a master's degree in higher education administration from the University of Missouri, and a doctorate in higher education administration and research methodology from Saint Louis University.
An active community leader, Riley serves on the boards of the Fort Smith Regional and Van Buren chambers of commerce, Arvest Bank, the Fort Smith Symphony and the Criminal Justice Institute. She chairs the boards of the U.S. Marshals Museum and the University of Arkansas System Emergency Preparation Committee, and serves on executive committees for the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and the Arkansas Research Education and Optical Network. Riley is married to Ricardo Maestas, and they have seven children and four grandchildren.
Maddie Stojanovic
Resource Development Director for the United Way of Fort Smith Area
Maddie Stojanovic is the resource development director for the United Way of Fort Smith Area, where she has helped drive record growth in the organization’s annual campaign. A Fort Smith-area native, Stojanovic graduated from Greenwood High School and attended the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith, playing on the volleyball team while earning a business degree. She began her career at First National Bank of Fort Smith as a community relations officer and travel club director, organizing client trips to more than 19 countries in one year. She later served as a corporate social responsibility analyst at ArcBest.
Now in her third year with the United Way, Stojanovic has helped lead the annual campaign, which is projected to approach $5 million in March. She serves on the UAFS Alumni Advisory Council, the UAFS College of Business Advisory Board, the Center for Nonprofits Advisory Board and the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education Board of Advocates. She lives in the area with her husband, Dusan, and their son, Luka.
Kenzie White
Senior Learning Business Partner, Arvest Bank
With 20 years of experience at Arvest Bank across sales, strategy, coaching, learning and development and management, Kenzie White serves as a senior learning business partner. Driven by a passion for empowering others, White focuses on equipping individuals with the tools and resources necessary to reach their potential. As a leader and advocate for excellence, she strives to lead by example, serving colleagues and teams with purpose and integrity.
