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Mobility

Creating the Safest and Most Connected Community

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jessica Pearson, Manager of the Bentonville Moves Coalition, a vibrant alliance of more than five hundred community organizations, local businesses, schools, institutions, civic leaders and engaged residents working together to make the Greater Bentonville Area the safest and most connected city in the Heartland by 2027. With a commitment to creating a mobility network that is equitable to all users, the Bentonville Moves Coalition supports increased transportation choices for Bentonville’s bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, plus policies and initiatives that improve prosperity, health and quality of life.

As a visionary leader, Jessica previously oversaw the development of twenty-five miles of natural surface trails in Springfield, Missouri. She now leads the Bentonville Moves Coalition to keep the Greater Bentonville Area community informed about projects headed by Trailblazers and the City of Bentonville.

Throughout the episode, Jessica expands on how the Bentonville Moves Coalition’s is bringing their vision to life, emphasizing tactical urbanism, protected routes, and clear road rules to further bolster Bentonville’s amazing quality of life. Additionally, Jessica highlights how upcoming projects, active committees, and a mini-grant program are accelerating Bentonville’s transportation and mobility innovations.

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2023 NWA Tech Summit Live Part 3

Join host James Bell in this third episode of a special four-part series of The Bentonville Beacon podcast, featuring live-recorded conversations at the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit with the thinkers and doers shaping the future of global tech in Bentonville. The NWA Tech Summit is the Heartland’s premier technology conference and serves to enhance, prepare and diversify the Northwest Arkansas economy. Now in its tenth year, the event is hosted by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce and is supported by nearly 100 partners, including the Walton Family Foundation, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Verizon, Salesforce, T-Mobile for Business, Zebra, Scott Family Amazeum and Arvest. These episodes bring together voices from the event to share their company’s stories, personal insights and unique #BecauseBentonville moments that define the community’s character. Tune in as we explore the innovations and experiences that are fostering a culture where technology meets the essence of Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas!

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Pedal-Powered Tales

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Scott Fitzgerald, Founder and CEO of Buddy Pegs, for a captivating conversation about how Buddy Pegs is shaping the future through cycling programming and community engagement. For two years, Scott took his passion for cycling education and programming to Thaden School, where he served as the Wheels Program Specialist and inspired junior high and high school students to get on bikes and discover their own passion. Throughout the episode, James and Scott discuss Buddy Pegs’ cycling programming, Bentonville’s unique cycling and entrepreneurial opportunities, Scott’s time at Thaden School and how he uses storytelling to inspire the next generation of riders.

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Making the Wild More Accessible to All

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jeremy McGhee, Founder of The UNPavement, a movement that’s helping everyone get off the pavement and into the wild to heal our hurting culture of Nature Deficit Disorder. Jeremy is also Founder of JPM PRO, the US distributor of Sport-ON, off-road handcycles, providing adaptive mountain bikes and accessories to disabled riders, including options for paraplegics and quadriplegics. Additionally, Jeremy is a pro athlete, YouTuber, blogger, podcaster and consultant that partners with public, private and nonprofit land managers to design safe and fun universal trail systems. Throughout the episode, James and Jeremy discuss his business venture distributing off-road handcycles, his mission of ensuring disabled athletes have full access to the outdoors and how he is pioneering trails for everybody.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Exploring the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host Allie Johnston welcomes back to the show Kris Adams, Director of the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit. The NWA Tech Summit is the Heartland’s premier technology conference, and it serves to further enhance, diversify and catalyze the economy of Bentonville and the Northwest Arkansas region. Throughout the episode, Kris breaks down what it takes to plan the NWA Tech Summit–and he shares what attendees may expect from this year’s gathering, the positive impact this important annual event has on the NWA community and why tech startups and scaleups are relocating, launching and growing in Bentonville.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Propelling the Future of Mobility

On this special episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Cyrus Sigari, who was appointed by former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson as Chairman of the Arkansas Council on Future Mobility (ACFM). The ACFM recently released its Arkansas Future Mobility Report, which provides a bold, visionary and specific plan to ensure the state’s leadership in advanced mobility. Cyrus is also Co-founder and Managing Partner of UP.Partners. UP.Partners is an early venture capital firm building companies that move people and goods cleaner, faster, safer and at a lower cost on the ground, in the air, over the sea and in space. Additionally, Cyrus is Co-founder and Executive Chairman for jetAVIVA, a global brand that selects, acquires and sells high-performance aircraft–and he serves as a Board Member of Bentonville-based Game Composites, which designs and manufactures the world’s finest and most nimble aerobatic aircraft. Furthermore, he leads UP.Summit, the definitive annual gathering of leaders from around the world who are rethinking the future of transportation. Throughout the episode, James and Cyrus discuss the Arkansas Future Mobility Council’s recommendations and how Bentonville is a key driver in the State of Arkansas’ leadership in advanced mobility.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Revolutionizing the Trucking Industry

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Aayush Thakur and Deme Yuan, a husband and wife team who co-founded FR8relay, where Aayush serves as the CEO and Deme is the COO. Aayush is also a board member for the Arkansas Association of Asian Businesses and a council member on the Forbes Business Council. FR8relay is a technology company working to create a more efficient and equitable trucking logistics ecosystem by introducing a collaborative model where multiple drivers work together to transport shipments. Throughout the episode, James, Aayush and Deme discuss how FR8relay is working to revolutionize the long-haul trucking industry, what entrepreneurial resources they have tapped into and their relocation to Bentonville.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Catalyzing Bentonville’s Innovation Ecosystem

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Toby Teeter, Director of the University of Arkansas Bentonville Collaborative. The Collaborative is an impetus for innovation in Bentonville, where the University of Arkansas’ presence focuses on outdoor recreation, bio-design, whole health, advanced mobility, and technologies for retail, supply chain, logistics, and corporate enablement. Additionally, Toby is a serial entrepreneur and investor, with his most current venture being Omni Brands, a company that designs, builds and scales ecommerce businesses with its product studio, third-party logistics and ad agency services. Toby also serves on the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Throughout the episode, James and Toby discuss modernization in Bentonville and The Collaborative’s mission and vision for the future.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Transforming Workplace Mobility

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Kourtney Barrett, a serial entrepreneur and the current Director of Workplace Mobility at Walmart. Kourtney launched Junk Brands, a successful direct-to-consumer headwear brand, and is a co-founder of Women of OZ NWA, an inclusive nonprofit and the largest women’s mountain biking organization in the USA. Curious by nature and motivated by fun, it’s no surprise Kourtney was hired to lead workplace mobility efforts for Walmart’s new corporate campus. Throughout the episode, James and Kourtney discuss Bentonville’s bike-friendly environment, Walmart’s emphasis on mobility, and how to encourage more people to ride bikes.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Because Bentonville Highlight Episode

Welcome to a special episode of The Bentonville Beacon Podcast. This week, we’re taking a break from our regular episodes to highlight why Bentonville is so amazing. We’ve chosen a few clips from some of our favorite moments of The Bentonville Beacon Podcast so far. Sit back and enjoy these clips, and check out Bentonville, where you get more of what you want, and less of what you don’t!

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