Category: Featured

Hank Kelley recognized by UALR School of Business

Posted on 06/24/20

Hank Kelley, CEO, Executive Broker, and Partner at Kelley Commercial Partners
Whitney Burgess, Vice President of Client Services and Strategy at Team SI

Today the University of Arkansas Little Rock School of Business announced it will honor Kelley Commercial Partners’ CEO, Hank Kelley, as Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for his the mark he has made in business and for his service to the community and UA Little Rock. Whitney Burgess, vice president of client services and strategy at Team SI, will receive the Dean’s Award for Excellence. Awards will be presented at the Distinguished Alumni Luncheon to be held Oct. 16.

Kelley received his MBA from the UA Little Rock School of Business in 1984, the same year he joined the firm which is now Kelley Commercial Partners. He has stayed connected at UA Little Rock over the years by serving on the Business Advisory Council and as adjunct instructor at the School of Business. Last year, Kelley and his wife, Stephanie, made a generous donation to A.P. Vibhakar Endowed Scholarship.

“I’m honored to be recognized by the university and appreciate the efforts of the faculty and administration to engage and stay connected to the business community,” said Kelley.

Morrilton — Small City. No limits.

Posted on 06/03/20

Our vice president of government relations, Jim Dailey, made a recent trip to the City of Morrilton and visited with Mayor Allen Lipsmeyer. This charming, historic city in the heart of the Arkansas River Valley is located in Conway County, just 50 miles northwest of Little Rock and about 20 minutes from Petit Jean State Park.

Mayor Lipsmeyer has been in office since 2015 and has dedicated himself to improving housing, employment, and business opportunities in Morrilton. Some of the city’s major employers include Green Bay Packaging, South Conway County School District, Walmart, and the University of Arkansas Community College Morrilton.

Watch the video

The residential real estate market in Morrilton is booming. One of the newest subdivisions has already sold every home built so far and further development is still in the works. Lipsmeyer is proud of this small town and the sense of community it offers its residents and visitors alike. The historic downtown includes the Rialto Community Arts Center, a venue for stage performances, concerts, and other events. Their first Thursday Farmer’s Market will reopen this Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. as a drive-thru market on the 100 block of Commerce.

On your next trip west on interstate 40, take a break and spend some time in Morrilton. Small city. No limits.

Flake & Kelley Commercial Transitions to Kelley Commercial Partners

Posted on 05/08/20

Hank Kelley, CEO Kelley Commercial Partners

Hank Kelley, CEO, is pleased to announce that Flake & Kelley Commercial is now Kelley Commercial Partners. An amicable stock purchase transaction was finalized on May 6^th, and an agreement entered to purchase John Flake’s stock in Flake & Kelley Commercial.

Day-to-day operations will continue to be led by Hank Kelley, with Daryl Peeples, Maggie Hogan, and Nicholas Kelley in executive management roles. The Little Rock partner team also includes Cheryl White, Bill Pendergist, Brooke Miller, Eric Varner, Cynthia Lu, and Kevin Pledger. Jay Pearcy serves as principal broker in Northwest Arkansas.

Kelley Commercial Partners will continue to provide brokerage, property management, development management, and consulting services. Kelley Commercial Partners is a Chainlinks member helping to connect retail and hospitality clients through this productive network of commercial real estate companies across the United States.

“Aside from a new name, Kelley Commercial Partners remains Arkansas’s premier commercial real estate firm with the same commitment to first-class client service,” said Kelley.

The firm maintains an award-winning team of more than 80 trusted, skilled professionals and support staff. The team is experienced in meeting the real estate needs of our clients and customers and are laser-focused on delivering superior commercial real estate services.

“We are excited about the future of the company. While we are proud of what we have accomplished over the past three decades, looking forward, we know the best is yet to come,” said Kelley.

Kelley Commercial Partners remains headquartered in Little Rock with a Northwest Arkansas Office to serve the entire state.

Start-Up Story: By Design

Posted on 02/12/20

If you work in or around Simmons Tower, chances are good you’ve seen the small salon, By Design, in the southeast corner of the lobby. Cassy Harrelson has owned and operated the salon since 2009, but she’s been a part of the business for much longer than that. In 1995 she became a part-owner but sold her half of the business when she moved to California in 2000. Lucky for us, she moved back to Arkansas in 2009, bought the business outright, and has been running the popular downtown salon ever since.

Cassy is a certified nail technician with decades of experience, but when she began her journey, she might not have predicted just where she would end up. Her whole career started when she decided that she wanted to try to learn how to do her own nails. She really liked this new hobby and seemed to have a knack for it, so she began doing manicures for friends and family out of her own home. When she realized that she could actually go to nail school and get officially licensed, it just seemed like the most natural choice. So that’s just what she did, but she didn’t start working in a salon right away. Cassy was a stay at home mom for many years and was able to run her nail business out of her home. She had never even worked in a salon until she started at By Design in 1995 and just look at her now!

Cassy loves working downtown. The heavy foot traffic around the building keeps things interesting and helps her stay connected with her customers. Plus, most stylists have to work on Saturdays, but not Cassy. Because the building closes on the weekends, she doesn’t have to keep regular salon hours and she’s grateful for the freedom that brings.

By Design is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., though they are flexible to accommodate customers. Services provided include haircuts and coloring, extensions, styling, waxing, and of course, manicures and pedicures! Walk-ins are almost always welcome, but appointments are encouraged. So next time you need to spruce up a bit for that business meeting or dinner right after work, Cassy and her team at By Design have you covered.

Start-Up Story: Taylor & Taylor Law Firm

Posted on 01/03/20

This start-up story features Tasha and Andy Taylor, who’ve teamed up in life, love, and law to form one of Little Rock’s most unique and dynamic power couples.

Husband and wife attorney team Tasha and Andy Taylor met at the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, where they both graduated in 2005. Five years into their careers, the couple founded Taylor & Taylor Law Firm, P.A. in 2010. Since the beginning, the Taylors have focused on taking excellent care of their clients. Their motto, “we love helping people” is not just something they say, but it’s how the Taylors and their team approach every person they talk to at their firm.

The Taylors now manage a statewide personal injury practice and appellate practice. Their firm also handles family law matters, education law, and social security disability claims. Taylor & Taylor Law Firm is located in West Little Rock at the Centre at 10 building on Highway 10. They can be found online at www.TaylorLawFirm.com.