2024
ASSOCIATE COUNCIL
Dean Pendergrass
Chairman, Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders Commercial/Fleet Sales Manager, Breeden Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram
Dean Pendergrass works as a Commercial/Fleet Sales Manager for Breeden Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram. For the last six years Dean has been Certified in Chrysler Commercial sales and is a Certified Ag Dealer. He’s served as a board member for Downtown Fort Smith Business Association, been involved with the Steel Horse Rally along with the Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Center. He’s the Associate Chair for the GFSHBA, a member of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association and a member of Business By Referral.
His involvement with GFSAHB came about naturally through the organization’s partnership with Ram. He’s proud to be involved with an organization that brings the local Builders and Remodlers of the industry together.
He’s married to Misty Pendergrass, has 4 children and one son-in-law.
Robin Arnold
Chuck Fawcett Real Estate
Jeff Arzola
Community Loan Officer, First National Bank
Jeff Arzola is the Community Loan Officer for The First National Bank of Fort Smith. He began his
banking career nearly a decade ago as a floater teller while still in college. Upon graduating with his
bachelor’s degree, he decided to pursue a career in banking, specifically in lending. Jeff has progressed
through various positions at the bank, gaining invaluable experience to best serve his customers and the
community.
In 2020, Jeff began his lending career as a Mortgage Loan Officer. At the start of 2024, he
transitioned to the role of Community Loan Officer, where he now offers an expanded line of lending
products. Jeff is enthusiastic about his new role, aiming to be a one-stop shop for his clients. He provides
a full Secondary Market Home Loan product line, Personal Construction Loans, and HELOCs.
During his time at FNB, Jeff has built relationships with other community and real estate
industry leaders. It was through FNB that he was introduced to the Greater Fort Smith Association of
Home Builders, where he serves as an Associate Council member.
In his free time, Jeff enjoys spending quality time with his beautiful wife, Sandra, and their
daughter, Emma. They love spending time outdoors, whether hiking, swimming, or fishing!
Emma Bridwell
Closing Manager, WACO Title Company
Emma Bridewell works as a Closing Manager for the Waco Title of Fort Smith. She has 15 years of experience in the banking and title industry. Emma is new to the Fort Smith community, with previous experience serving on the board of the NorthWest Arkansas Home Builders Association. She’s excited to be a part of the Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders and the amazing programs that she’s heard so much about.
She is married to David Robertson and they have a one year old daughter, Madeleine. Emma enjoys traveling, reading, and roller skating. A motto she lives by is: “Can’t never did do anything”.
Laura Christensen
Arkansas Oklahoma Gas
Laura Christensen is a Customer Development Sales Analyst for Arkansas Oklahoma Gas (AOG). She is a native of Fort Smith and a long resident of Van Buren. She has spent her entire career working in different capacities of customer relations and understands the importance of listening to and meeting the needs of others. These include Compliance Coordinator, Vendor Relations, Executive Sales Support, and Human Resources. She serves on committees such as Commercial/Industrial Markets, and Customer Growth/Development at the Southern Gas Association and is on the Hospitality Team at Merge Church. Laura wanted to expand in areas of service and is excited to serve The Greater Fort Smith Home Builders Association to
support the community and its members.
Kirby Cockrum
Risk Management Adviser, BHC Insurance
Randy Davis
Arkansas Oklahoma Gas
Aimee Edens
Chuck Fawcett Real Estate
Wendy Kozeny
Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative
Wendy Kozeny works for Arkansas Valley Electric Company. She holds a Building Analyst Certification, a BA in psychology, as well as an Associates Degree in Deaf Communications System/American Sign Language. Wendy fell in love with Arkansas in 1995 but it took 8 years before she was able to make Arkansas her home after she accepted a potter’s apprenticeship at Terra Studios in Washington County—known for their glass-blown Bluebirds of Happiness.
She has been serving on the Associate Council with The Greater Fort Smith Home Builders’ Association since 2017 as the representative for Arkansas Valley Electric and received the Associate of the Year award in 2018. She is passionate about energy efficiency and sustainable living and has used her knowledge and skills to build and insulate her own Tiny House. She was a Master Gardener in Washington County for 5 years and received the Rookie of the Year award in 2011. She loves the outdoors, making wheel thrown pottery, felines, cooking, baking and gardening. She and her fiancé are looking forward to building their own house with energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy as the guiding principles.
Wendy feels that the Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders facilitates continuity and community within the region through its volunteer efforts, community outreach, educational programs and the annual Home Builders show each February.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Gandhi
“Out beyond the field of right doing and wrong doing there is a field, I’ll meet you there.”-Rumi
Jimsie Looper
Firstar Bank
Michele McGowen
Manager, Better Homes Supply
Michelle McGowen has worked in the building supply industry for over 32 years. She started working at Payless Cashways Lumber when she was only 16 in 1987. She worked there until the store closed. From there she went on to work at Sutherland Lumber for 10 years as an Outside Salesmen. After that Michelle was employed National Home Center for 5 years until it was bought out. Michelle turned entrepreneur for a couple of years and sold Lighting and Appliances on her own until offered a position at Better Homes Supply in 2014. She’s been there since then and is the Manager.
Michelle became involved with GFSAHB when she was working her first job and their store opened their Commercial Sales department. She feels that the association is a great opportunity to meet with community leaders and individuals in our area wanting to better our industry and promote our town and businesses.
Michelle has been married to her husband, Mike McGowen, for 25 years and together they have on son, Dustin. She lives by the adage, “ Treat everyone with the respect you want in return.”
Travis Neer
Vice President, Resident Director, and Senior Portfolio Advisor at Merrill Lynch
Travis Neer has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years. Travis has the pleasure of working at Merrill Lynch and serving the River Valley community. He works with business owners and high net worth families to provide comprehensive financial solutions and tailored wealth strategies. Travis has been involved with the Greater Fort Smith Home Builders Association since 2017. He lives in Sallisaw with his wife Jennifer and five children. Travis is involved with the Baptist Health Foundation Fort Smith Advisory Committee and is a graduate of Leadership Fort Smith with the Chamber of Commerce.
A saying that resonates with Travis is one written by Thomas Edison. “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
Collin Ogilvie
Foster Roofing
Emma Pratt
Godfrey & Black Brick & Stone
After 25 years in public Accounting, Emma Pratt and her husband, Irvin, needed a change of view. They purchased Godfrey and Black Brick And Stone. They combined its location with their previously purchased business: Fort Smith Medical and Janitorial. After a while their businesses grew—adding locations in Clarksville and Rogers. In addition to Brick and Stone they also operate two more Fireplace stores – Fireplaces and More. For the last 15 years they have enjoyed the success of their business and being self-employed.
They have four grown children and seven grandchildren. Emma and Irvin enjoy living with their dear son Cody, who is 38 years old; Cody works at Abilities Unlimited and has Down Syndrome. They love the time spent with family when all the kids and grandkids are together.
Emma loves working in the children’s ministry at Grand Avenue Baptist and going to Honduras to visit lots of friends at Orphanage Emmanuel.
Emma and Irvin saw the importance’s of being a member at GFSAHB early on in our business. They took the adage, “you get out of something what you put into it” seriously, and for that reason they are active members on the Associate Council. Emma enjoys working on several committees and being active in the community. They are proud to be a part of an organization that is active in community-building by offering scholarships and working in the schools with Little Builders.
Emma’s father always told her “you needed to learn something every day or you wasted a day!”; she tries hard not to let one day get wasted and believes that there is always something new to learn.
Lorie Robertson
Chuck Fawcett Real Estate
Andy Smith
Weather Barr
Brandon Sterling
Inside & Outside Sales, Lumber One
Brandon Sterling is an outside sales representative for Lumber One, a local full service home center in the river valley, serving here and in Northwest Arkansas. Lumber One has been a stalwart member of the Greater Ft. Smith Association of Home Builders since its inception. Brandon has worked at Lumber One for 21 years, starting in the yard and on deliveries. Through hard work and commitment, he has worked his way up the old fashioned way. He is easy going and has thick skin, as one has to have in this business of dealing with builders and all that goes with it in this industry, but it’s never a dull moment! He believes in his word and service and that’s what makes Him such a valuable member of the Greater Ft. Smith Association of Home Builders. He has served faithfully and diligently on our associate council for several years. Brandon, shuns the limelight, preferring to serve quietly and he is always willing to lend a helping hand. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Larissa for 21 years and they have one young adult daughter, Addison. He loves spending time with his family and friends. He is an avid golfer and lifelong, die-hard Razorback fan, rain or shine! You can always depend on Brandon and we commend him and appreciate His service to the Greater Ft. Smith Association of Home Builders…
Lacey Witcher
Godfrey & Black Brick & Stone
Lacey Witcher, a Fort Smith native, loves being involved with the Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders and helping her community grow. She works in the family business as the office manager for Godfrey & Black Brick & Stone. The best part of her job is helping people design the home of their dreams. As a member of GFSAHB, she believes that the organization brings positive relationships through community involvement and growth. She lives with her husband, Garret and their three children, Will, Beau, and Ruby, along with two dogs, one cat and several chickens. She tries to live by the motto “God did not give me a spirit of fear and I know that through Him I can do all things.”
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