Saline County Executive Association

09/01/2026

Members of SCEA were invited to the Saline County Boys And Girls Club for a wonderful open house last week.

We appreciated breakfast, a tour, and hearing all about what this organization does for the youth of our community.

Thank you, Kenny Lowman! We so appreciate you!

09/01/2026

SCEA met August 20, and it is always fun to hear from Rick and Stephanie about Riverside Grocery & Catering.

RGC is truly a gathering place for family, friends, and adventurers where you can enjoy the freshest food, prepare for hunting season, and become a karaoke pro—all in one place. Best of all, Riverside Catering brings this same great experience directly to your
events!

Rick Bellinger bought a stake in Riverside Grocery in 2004 and became the sole owner in 2010. Encouraged by customers who wanted his meals served at their events, Rick launched his catering business in 2012 with his first food trailer. While it was huge, heavy, and difficult to maneuver, it got the business off the ground with its inaugural event at Almatis.

Rick initially calculated that catering three events a month would pay off the trailer in three years. Before long, he was booked for three events a day and expanded to multiple food trucks and trailers. Today, two catering trailers are equipped for frying and one for grilling. They serve fantastic breakfasts, fish, chicken, and shrimp dinners, taco and nacho bars, and hamburger bars. They are always open to new ideas, so feel free to reach out with special requests!

Finally, Riverside Grocery & Catering features standout specialties that are gaining wide renown, including their famous cinnamon rolls and fresh meats.

You can also build custom gift boxes filled with their delicious food and unique gifts, and complete the package with a new Riverside Grocery & Catering tumbler.

Thanks so much for a fun morning, Rick & Stephanie!

Riverside Grocery
Rick Bellinger
Stephanie Nicole Bellinger

08/04/2026

Come support downtown Benton tomorrow!

Some of our members are throwing a little block party!🎉

Pretties & Grace / WILD 2.0
The Corner Downtown
The EMpact One Foundation
Friends of New Beginnings Pregnancy Center

You Guys!! ❤️❤️
(Read to the end for ways to WIN!)

Your support and encouragement has made KVNE Christian Radio make US a choice for their “Summer Stop” tour! Chosen by listener nominations, we are so excited, humbled and honored to host them in Downtown Benton!

Our Market Street neighbors are so thrilled and excited to hop on board for a “mini celebration” to welcome them in a HUGE Way! We need your help!

Here’s the deets!👇🏻👇🏻

THIS Wednesday, August 5!
⏰ 11 am - 1 pm
KVNE will be broadcasting LIVE!

Flash/Sidewalk Sales all across downtown with:
🛍️ Pretties & Grace / Wild 2.0
🛍️ Stated Apparel
🛍️The Corner Downtown
🛍️Honky Tonk Honey
🛍️The Pour Lounge
🛍️Retro Rose Records

🍽️Lunch with Riverside Catering!
(Right in front of store!)
Outdoor dining and shade to be provided!

💐A Flower Bar with Ohhey Bouquet!

Visits from:
🏈⚾️The Empact One Foundation Mobile Sports Locker
🍼New Beginnings Pregnancy Center
🕊️Abba Charities

🍦Free Popsicles from Pretties & Grace!

❤️Fun, Fellowship, and a fun little summer party!

We have just a couple of days to spread the word and make this a wonderful event!

Help us like, share, and spread the word! 🫶🏻
And for a chance to win?
$100 gift card up for grabs!
Tag three buddies! Invite them to spend a little time with all of us!🫶🏻

TYJ, for the BEST Community in ALL the Land!!!🙌🏻

Xoxo!

Downtown Benton Events
Discover Benton
Benton Area Chamber of Commerce

08/04/2026

Members of SCEA met last Thursday and had special guests…our 2026 Scholarship Recipients.

It was remarkable, inspiring, and deeply gratifying. Each shared a unique story and different career goals, but they all
have one common purpose: to make a positive difference in the world around them.

Gabrielle Lattin is pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She is committed to continuing to make a difference in the lives of children and youth who need a second chance to succeed.

Lilly Taber is attending Arkansas Tech University, where she has been accepted into the School of
Nursing. She plans to return to Saline County to provide high-quality, compassionate care to those in need, helping them heal well and quickly.

Emry Pendergrass is attending the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she is studying Construction Management. Her goal is to work here in Saline County, helping plan and build
residential homes and continue our positive growth.

Abby Matthews is attending Ouachita Baptist University, where she is studying Biology and Community & Family Services. She hopes to become a physician’s assistant, providing
compassionate and thoughtful care to the citizens of Saline County.

These remarkable young women have been nurtured and guided by families who have opened their hearts to foster children, encouraged a spirit of service, prioritized strong family relationships,
and built a foundation that has already set them on the path to success.
Hearing their stories not only brought tears to our eyes, but also filled us with hope for the future.

The next generation of leaders in Saline County is bright, compassionate, and already making a difference.

07/23/2026

Last Thursday, members of SCEA met with Gabby Munson of Connect Academy for Children leading our Business Brief.

Gabby is a homegrown leader who graduated from Bryant High School in 2019. Choosing to plant her roots right here at home, she is married and a proud mom to a three-year-old, with another little one on the way.

Gabby began her career in early childhood education at age 18 and immediately knew she had found her true calling. She is deeply passionate about creating environments where children can grow, learn, and thrive.

Currently, Gabby serves as the Director of Connect Academy, located on the Empire Kids campus. The center features a unique focus on outdoor education, giving children abundant opportunities to learn from nature while burning off their youthful energy.

About Connect Academy:
⭐️ Capacity & Enrollment: Licensed for 115 children (with capacity for 36 more during the summer), the academy currently serves 108 children ranging from 6 weeks to 12 years old.

⭐️School Services: They offer convenient before- and after-school care, including transportation services
(pick-up and drop-off) for six local schools.

⭐️Safety First: All staff members are state-certified and CPR-trained.

⭐️Exclusive Perks: As a special benefit, weekly gymnastics classes at the elite Empire Kids activity center are
included in tuition for all enrolled children.

Gabby’s masterful planning and organization ensure an orderly, safe, and inviting environment for families. Connect Academy is the perfect place for your children, grandchildren, or your employees' children.

Thank you, Gabby!

07/22/2026

Members of SCEA enjoyed fun and fellowship this evening with a family outing to the Arkansas Travelers game!

Members feel free to drop any photos in the comments!👇🏻

Here are a few!

06/11/2026

Last week, SCEA met with Kim Hammer of Westrock Products leading the Business Brief.

Kim and his son purchased Westrock Products a few years ago. His daughter
Kayla is the person to contact when you need a quote or product information.
Acquiring this business has allowed Kim to provide an essential service to the
community while securing a future for his children. Westrock is more than just a business—it is a blessing to both his family and the community.

Kim has always enjoyed working with people and staying active. He has served as a pastor at Saline Missionary Baptist Church in Tull for 47 years. The church recently completed a major remodeling project and is experiencing growth. Prior to that, Kim spent 16 years on staff at Holland Chapel.

He also serves as an officer for two non-profit organizations: Faith Academy, a child care center, and SAFE, which strengthens families through faith-based parental education. Adding to his impressive background, Kim is a state senator and is currently running for Secretary of State.

Westrock Products has expanded its offerings over the past year. They provide promotional items such as banners, stand-up signs, stickers, hats, shirts, coffee mugs, water bottles, keychains, and more. They also produce road signs for the city and county and create custom business signs. One of their most eye-catching projects is the car wraps, including the distinctive Westside Pharmacy delivery cars. The embroidery section has also increased its capacity to serve you more quickly.

For quotes and design ideas, call Kayla at Westrock. They can put your logo on
almost anything!

Thank you, Senator Hammer!

05/20/2026

Last week, SCEA met with Shane Knight of the Greater Bryant Chamber of Commerce leading our Business Brief.

Shane brings a long history of business ownership, economic development, education, and public service to the Bryant Chamber. Those experiences give him an ideal background for helping Bryant and Saline County grow.

Chambers of commerce originated in Europe in the 1500s when merchants banded together to hire security after repeated thefts and insufficient law enforcement. By the 1700s, chambers had spread to the United States. Today, businesses continue to join together through chambers to help local commerce thrive.

The Bryant Chamber was established in 1974 and now has more than 600 members. The chamber’s mission is to provide networking and educational opportunities while supporting the economic growth of Saline County. Each year the chamber publishes a
calendar of events so businesses can plan their engagement.

This year the chamber is launching a new event series called Summer Nights, held the fourth Thursday of each month beginning in May. Summer Nights will take place on Progress Way, start at 5:00 p.m., and offer food, music, and shopping for businesses and the community.

With Shane’s experience, he is focusing the chamber’s efforts on economic
development. He is working closely with the airport and the Saline Career and
Technical Center to grow the aerospace industry in Saline County. He also advocates for smart, compact growth in Bryant—building up rather than out—to maximize return on investment. Multi-story development captures more dollars per square foot than single-level sprawl; a current example is the redevelopment of the former Denton Troutline property, which will feature street-level retail with quality condos and apartments above.

Shane encourages everyone to get involved with the local chamber and welcomes calls with ideas or questions.

Thank you, Shane!

04/23/2026

Applications for the Annual SCEA scholarship are LIVE!

Please email any member or [email protected] to receive a packet!

Deadline is JUNE 5, 2026

04/23/2026

Last week, SCEA met with Phil Rogers, of Document Depot leading our Business Brief!

Phil “Buck” Rogers graduated from Hope High School in 1990. He then became respiratory therapist and embarked on a career in health care. He became a part of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital team and for many years he flew on Angel One and helped transport children to and from Arkansas Children’s Hospital. He has been married for 29 years and has two daughters that are settled in their own careers.

While working at ACH he reconnected with an old friend who showed him his document storage business in
Northwest Arkansas and found out he was making $10,000 a month by storing about 4,000 boxes! Phil quickly understood the opportunities he had in central Arkansas. Shortly after this visit he started Document Depot in 2001. Phil started his new document storage company while still working at ACH. He visited with as many health care providers as possible seeking to get their business. However, 911 brought a new awareness to business owners about the importance of storing your documents off site. Many businesses in the twin towers went under after all of their records were destroyed in the attacked. Businesses who had their records stored off site were able to pick up and start working again. This awareness helped his new start up business explode!

HIPPA laws really changed the face of document storage and destruction. Because of this he had more people asking him if he shredded than took him up on storage. After the third or fourth potential client asked him if he shredded, he said “yes” and put a shredder and a generator on his truck and embarked on shredding documents as well as storing them.

In 2010 he left ACH to run his new business full time. At that point in time shredding was not a huge part of his business That all changed around 2015 when medical records became electronic and the paradigm shifter to paperless. Suddenly people needed him to destroy documents more than store them. Now 30% of his business is storage and 70% is shredding.

He offers his clients document storage and document destruction. Clients can store their documents with him and tell him routinely which boxes can be destroyed and he just takes care of it. He will also do one time document destruction if someone has several files they have gone through and need to have them shredded. He will also put bins at a client’s location and they can simply drop documents into it and he will come by when it is full and pick up the documents and destroy them. Phil has facilities in Benton and Hot Springs to allow him to cover more area.

While there is not a certification he can receive for shredding documents, he does certify to his clients that documents with personal information on them have been destroyed. This helps the client avoid accusations and lawsuits as he gives his customers documentation that the information was destroyed.

All the shredded paper is recycled in Little Rock. This past month was a record month as he shredded 52,000 pounds of paper! Phil’s new son-in-law now works with him in the business. Phil
hopes he can move forward on a path to retiring and letting his son-in-law take over.

Thank you, Phil!