2026 Hall of Fame Business Luncheon
2026 Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Business Luncheon
When: Thursday, May 07, 2026
Where: North Little Rock Event Centet
EVENT OVERVIEW
Join us for the 2026 Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Business Luncheon on May 7, 2026, at the North Little Rock Event Center. This annual celebration honors exceptional business leadership and strengthens JA’s mission to prepare Arkansas students for future success. We are proud to recognize Marsha Martin as our 2026 Laureate and Ally as our Nelson Summit Honoree. We are also honored to have Neill Linebarier of Summit Utilities serving as our 2026 Honorary Chair, providing leadership and guidance to this year’s event. With support from Experian, JA will award $30,000 in student scholarships.
Junior Achievement is currently seeking committee members to assist with planning and organizing this year’s luncheon. Those interested in serving may contact Neill Linebarier at nlinebarier@summitutilities.com.
Your sponsorship or donation directly supports JA programs in Central Arkansas.
PAST HONOREES
The Legacy Award (Hall of Fame Award) was established in 2008 to honor the visionary leaders who founded Junior Achievement of Arkansas in 1987. Since that time, the Legacy Award (Hall of Fame Award) has been given to individuals who have displayed exceptional leadership in supporting academic excellence in Arkansas. Past recipients include: Mack McLarty, Sheffield Nelson, Walter E. Hussman JR., Dr. George K. Mitchell, Jerry Jones, Ed Drilling, Governor Mike Beebe, James House, Thomas May, Ed Penick, Jr., Sherman Tate, Don Jack, Stephen Jones, Sidney Moncrief, Keith Jackson, Jim Bailey, Sam Alley, Ronnie Dedman, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, Michael Poore, Anne Marie Doramus, Rush Harding, Mayor Frank Scott and Dr. Gary Arnold, Troy Wells, Dr. Alonzo D. Williams, Steve Straessle, Sharon Tallach Vogelpohl, Miguel Lopez and Dr. Fitz Hill, Doug McMillon, and Arkansas Attorney General, Tim Griffin.
The Nelson Summit Award is bestowed on the company that has shown a deep commitment to educating Arkansas’ youth. The award is named after Junior Achievement’s founder, Sheffield Nelson. Recipients have exhibited commitment to Junior Achievement through volunteer and financial support. Past recipients include Acxiom, Domtar, Windstream, AT&T, CenterPoint Energy, Southwestern Energy, Simmons Bank, USAble Life, Walmart, Bank of America, Centennial Bank, Seal Solar and USBank, Arvest Bank, and Relyance Bank.
Join us for the 2026 Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Business Luncheon on May 7, 2026, at the North Little Rock Event Center. This annual celebration honors exceptional business leadership and strengthens JA’s mission to prepare Arkansas students for future success. We are proud to recognize Marsha Martin as our 2026 Laureate and Ally as our Nelson Summit Honoree. We are also honored to have Neill Linebarier of Summit Utilities serving as our 2026 Honorary Chair, providing leadership and guidance to this year’s event. With support from Experian, JA will award $30,000 in student scholarships.
Junior Achievement is currently seeking committee members to assist with planning and organizing this year’s luncheon. Those interested in serving may contact Neill Linebarier at nlinebarier@summitutilities.com.
Your sponsorship or donation directly supports JA programs in Central Arkansas.
PAST HONOREES
The Legacy Award (Hall of Fame Award) was established in 2008 to honor the visionary leaders who founded Junior Achievement of Arkansas in 1987. Since that time, the Legacy Award (Hall of Fame Award) has been given to individuals who have displayed exceptional leadership in supporting academic excellence in Arkansas. Past recipients include: Mack McLarty, Sheffield Nelson, Walter E. Hussman JR., Dr. George K. Mitchell, Jerry Jones, Ed Drilling, Governor Mike Beebe, James House, Thomas May, Ed Penick, Jr., Sherman Tate, Don Jack, Stephen Jones, Sidney Moncrief, Keith Jackson, Jim Bailey, Sam Alley, Ronnie Dedman, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, Michael Poore, Anne Marie Doramus, Rush Harding, Mayor Frank Scott and Dr. Gary Arnold, Troy Wells, Dr. Alonzo D. Williams, Steve Straessle, Sharon Tallach Vogelpohl, Miguel Lopez and Dr. Fitz Hill, Doug McMillon, and Arkansas Attorney General, Tim Griffin.
The Nelson Summit Award is bestowed on the company that has shown a deep commitment to educating Arkansas’ youth. The award is named after Junior Achievement’s founder, Sheffield Nelson. Recipients have exhibited commitment to Junior Achievement through volunteer and financial support. Past recipients include Acxiom, Domtar, Windstream, AT&T, CenterPoint Energy, Southwestern Energy, Simmons Bank, USAble Life, Walmart, Bank of America, Centennial Bank, Seal Solar and USBank, Arvest Bank, and Relyance Bank.
Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Experian Scholarship
Platinum Sponsor
Honoree Video Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Ambassador Sponsor
Award Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Event Program Sponsor
Table Sponsor
Become a Sponsor!
Sponsorships for these events are critical for Junior Achievement to continue providing life-changing programs to students in our community. These programs are delivered at no cost to students. You can make a difference in the lives of these students by participating in this world-class event! Contact us to get more information on how to sponsor a JA Event!
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