Bank names marketing chief
Farmers and Merchants Bank and the Bank of Fayetteville announced the hiring of Lee Ann Hoskyn as marketing director and vice president of marketing.
A Wabbaseka native, Hoskyn has had leadership roles in marketing, development, outreach, communications strategy and regional workforce engagement, according to a news release.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Lee Ann Hoskyn as our new marketing director,” said Lydia Frizzell, general counsel and chief of staff. “We are truly excited about her dynamic energy and her commitment to fostering a collaborative, customer-centric culture. She not only understands our markets but also truly believes in the mission that drives our team every day — being the best community bank for our customers. We look forward to her leadership.”
Most recently, Hoskyn was director of east Arkansas operations for Express Employment Professionals of Pine Bluff, where she led regional strategy, strengthened client relationships and oversaw targeted marketing initiatives. Previously, she was director of community outreach for the University of Arkansas-Phillips Community College in Stuttgart, where she directed development and fundraising efforts, managed donor relations and scholarships, and led marketing and event strategies.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“Joining Farmers and Merchants Bank feels like coming home to the values and communities that shaped me,” Hoskyn said. “I am honored to support an institution so deeply rooted in service, and I look forward to elevating the stories, people and places that make Arkansas special.”
Hoskyn serves on the Southeast Arkansas Development District Workforce Development Board, the Baptist Health Stuttgart Advisory Board and the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce Executive Board. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Stuttgart and co-chaired the 2023 Community for Stuttgart Millage campaign.
Hoskyn earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations at the University of Central Arkansas. She also completed multiple leadership development programs, including Leadership Arkansas County through the Arkansas Delta Women’s Leadership Academy, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce and the Arkansas Community Colleges Leadership Institute.
Hoskyn lives in Stuttgart with her husband, Stuart, and their daughter, Mary Tate.
Reception, Pre-Coon Supper set
The 14th annual Berry Pre-Coon Supper Reception will be held Jan. 10 at the Berry Farm Shop in Gillett. The reception starts at 3:30 p.m. at the farm followed by the 82nd Gillett Coon Supper at the Gillett School Gymnasium at 6:30 p.m., according to a news release.
“The Pre-Coon Supper represents decades of fellowship, public service, and commitment to the people of Arkansas. I’m proud to help carry that legacy forward,” said Mitch Berry. “We have been able to raise $247,000 for public service related scholarships at Arkansas State University. My parents dedicated their lives to public service and knew the importance of investing in the next generation,” said Berry. “We continue to honor them through this event.”
The Marion and Carolyn Berry Scholarship is awarded to qualifying A-State students who show an interest in public policy and public service. The 2025 scholarship recipients were Casen May, Sarai Stubblefield, and Taylor Hoover.
“Thank you so much for the scholarship. You’re giving me an opportunity I thought I’d never have,” said Stubblefield.
May shared that it was a “life changing trip” for him.
Tickets to the pre-supper reception are $50 each. Sponsorships are available to be a Berry Good Partner for $5,000, a Berry Good Supporter for $2,500, a Berry Good Host for $1,000 and a Berry Good Friend for $500. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. For more information about becoming a sponsor, contact Becky Barnes Campbell at (501) 912-7560 or Gabe Holmstrom at (479) 409-3329 or visit the Berry Pre-Coon Supper Reception Facebook page.
Founding hosts of the reception are Campbell Ward, Capitol + Main, Mitch Berry, Woosley Gaming Advisors and Wright Lindsey Jennings. The Gillett Coon Supper is hosted by the Gillett Farmers and Businessman’s Club and has long been a required stop on the Arkansas political circuit. Politicians are tested on their political acumen by their willingness to eat the smoked raccoon, according to the news release. Tickets to the Coon Supper may be purchased by contacting Tyler Place at (870) 830-4422.
Black Caucus PAC backs Jones
Chris Jones, Democratic candidate for Congress in Arkansas’s Second District, announced that the Congressional Black Caucus PAC has endorsed his campaign.
Jones is a Pine Bluff native.
“As one of the most influential political organizations in the country, the CBCPAC works to increase the number of African Americans in Congress and to promote African American participation in the political process,” according to a news release. “When he ran for governor in 2022, Dr. Jones became the first Black Democrat to win a statewide primary in Arkansas. If elected, he would be the first African American to represent the state in Congress.”
Jones said he is honored to earn the support of the CBCPAC.