BNI River Valley Referrals

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Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from BNI River Valley Referrals, Business Center, 3501 Old Greenwood Road, Unit 5, Fort Smith, AR.

BNI River Valley Referrals is a group of business professionals, entrepreneurs and small business owners who have a desire to help one another grow their businesses through the power of the referral.

09/30/2026

🌟 This week’s BNI Featured Speaker: Chandler Doss with Texana Bank! 🌟

Thursday, October 1st, 8:00am

Some people bring more than expertise to the table—they bring heart, dedication, and a commitment to helping others succeed. Chandler is one of those people!

A founding member of BNI River Valley Referrals, Chandler is deeply involved in our community and active in her church. She brings that same spirit of service to her work, making partnering with Chandler a partnership with excellence. 💙

Entering her 11th year as a Mortgage Loan Originator, Chandler serves as Branch Manager of Texana Bank’s Fort Smith location. She also serves as Branch Ambassador for the corporate mortgage office, giving branch managers across the country a voice in improving processes and developing products.

With banking roots dating back to 1914 and a mortgage division able to lend in all 50 states, Texana Bank brings a long history to the table. Chandler adds the personal connection, local knowledge, and care that make relationships matter.

Join us this week as Chandler shares more about her work, her growing lending team, and how we can connect her with people who need knowledgeable mortgage guidance.

We’re proud to have you in our chapter, Chandler! 👏

09/16/2026

🚘 BNI FEATURED SPEAKER: GRANT NEAL

General Manager | Rhodes Chevrolet

Some businesses measure their history in years. Rhodes Chevrolet measures its legacy in generations.

For more than 90 years and across four generations, Rhodes Chevrolet has served families throughout Van Buren and the River Valley. Vehicles, technology, and the way people shop have changed tremendously—but the values behind this family-owned dealership have endured: integrity, trusted relationships, dependable service, and care that continues long after the sale.

Today, Grant Neal is helping carry that legacy forward as General Manager. His role is not simply to preserve what previous generations built, but to honor that foundation while preparing Rhodes Chevrolet to serve a new generation of customers.

Grant’s commitment to building strong local relationships extends beyond the dealership. As a founding member and current Vice President of BNI River Valley Referrals, he has played an important role in building and leading our chapter from the beginning.

Join us this Thursday as Grant shares more about the history and continued growth of Rhodes Chevrolet, today’s automotive market, and what consumers should know when purchasing their next vehicle.

A great referral for Grant is anyone considering buying, selling, or trading a vehicle—or someone who values doing business with a trusted, locally owned company that has served the River Valley for generations.

More than 90 years. Four generations. One enduring legacy.

📍 Rhodes Chevrolet
2800 Alma Highway | Van Buren, Arkansas
🌐 [www.rhodeschevy.com](http://www.rhodeschevy.com)

09/12/2026

🌟 BNI MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: MATTHEW BEYER, CPA 🌟

July 10th Featured Speaker — Matthew Beyer, CPA

Matthew Beyer, owner of Beyer CPA & Advisors, PLLC, was the featured speaker for the July 10th BNI meeting, giving members an opportunity to learn more about his firm, his approach to client service and the types of individuals and businesses he is looking to help.

After spending 11 years in public accounting, Matthew opened Beyer CPA & Advisors, PLLC. He graduated cm laude from UAFS with degrees in Accounting and Business Administration and has extensive experience serving individuals and businesses across a wide range of industries and tax situations.

Matthew’s approach can be summed up simply:
“Advice first. Tax returns second.”

His ideal referral is a growing small- to mid-sized business owner or high-income investor who wants to plan ahead rather than simply discover what they owe after the year has ended.

His services include:
• Proactive individual and business tax planning
• Business and individual tax return preparation
• New business formation and entity selection
• Entity-structure planning
• Real estate and multi-state tax planning
• Accounting and financial-statement support
• Payroll, bookkeeping, and compliance services
• General business and accounting advisory

Beyer CPA & Advisors is built around a hands-on, approachable, responsive, and solution-driven style of service. The goal is to understand what clients are trying to accomplish, explain their options clearly and help them make informed decisions before the tax consequences have already occurred.

Matthew also places a strong emphasis on communication and helping clients feel comfortable asking questions. Whether a client is dealing with business growth, tax planning, financial reporting or a more complicated accounting situation, the focus is on providing practical guidance that can be used to make better decisions.

For a business owner experiencing growth, a high-income individual with an increasingly complex financial situation, or someone looking for more proactive guidance from a CPA throughout the year, Matthew Beyer and Beyer CPA & Advisors, PLLC would be an excellent referral.

Beyer CPA & Advisors, PLLC

09/10/2026

Learning, Growth and a Little Razorback Spirit!

Our founding BNI member and featured speaker, Jackson Mendenhall, CCIM, with Seiter & Wright Commercial Properties, gave us an informative and engaging look into the world of commercial real estate today.

Jackson explained several important commercial leasing terms that business owners should understand—including “rental abatement.”

This negotiated period of reduced or waived rent can give a tenant valuable time to prepare a space, complete improvements, or begin operations, while also helping the landlord secure a strong, long-term tenant. It was a great reminder that the right lease should create value for both sides.

He also shared an exciting trend in community development: thoughtfully planned, walkable neighborhoods where homes, parks, businesses, and essential services are located within the same community hub.

In many ways, it is a return to how communities were once designed—neighbors connected to one another and everyday needs close at hand—but now enhanced by modern technology and today’s conveniences.

Beyond his knowledge and experience, what stands out about Jackson is how much he genuinely loves what he does. He understands our area, enjoys helping businesses and communities grow, and brings real enthusiasm to every conversation—especially if that conversation includes his beloved Arkansas Razorbacks! 🐗❤️

Thank you, Jackson, for an excellent presentation and for continuing to invest your knowledge, experience, and leadership in our BNI chapter and our community.

09/09/2026

🏢 BNI FEATURED SPEAKER: JACKSON MENDENHALL, CCIM

September 10th, 8:00 a.m. at the AR BCBS community room at 3501 Old Greenwood Rd, Suite 3, Fort Smith AR 72903

Tomorrow, we’re putting the spotlight on Jackson Mendenhall with Seiter & Wright Commercial Properties

A Fort Smith native and longtime member of our community, Jackson is an experienced commercial real estate broker licensed in both Arkansas and Oklahoma. He helps clients with:

🔑 Buying, selling, and leasing commercial property
📍 Business location and site selection
📊 Investment property opportunities
🏢 Commercial property management
🤝 Lease and purchase negotiations

Jackson has also earned the respected **CCIM designation**, reflecting advanced expertise in commercial and investment real estate. He serves on the Board of Trustees for his alma mater, Subiaco Academy, and previously served on the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce Board.

When Jackson isn’t helping businesses and investors find the right property, you may find him enjoying a round of golf or spending time with his wife and family and of course his fur babies!

Whether you’re looking for the right place to grow your business, need professional management for a commercial property, or want insight into the local investment market, Jackson is someone you’ll want to know.

Please join us tomorrow and learn more about the opportunities—and expertise—Jackson brings to commercial real estate in our community and what is going on with commercial real estate!

🌐 seiterwright.com
📞 479-785-4343

08/31/2026

🌳 BNI FEATURED SPEAKER — Colton McEvoy

Thursday, September 3 at 8:00 a.m.

What happens when two 13-year-old boys get caught causing a little neighborhood mischief?

Apparently… you build a business. 😂

At age 13, Colton McEvoy and a close friend got themselves into some ding-dong-ditch trouble. Colton’s dad decided the appropriate punishment was to “donate” their labor to a local lawn guy—for an entire week, with no pay.

But something unexpected happened.

They worked so hard that at the end of the week, the owner offered them jobs for split pay for 10-hour days.

And Colton loved it.

By 16, he already knew he wanted a business of his own. His parents helped establish an LLC, A Cut Above, which he went on to operate for 15 years before selling it and turning his focus fully toward "Total Tree and Land Solutions, LLC."

Today, Colton is still doing what that 13-year-old kid discovered he loved—working hard, working outdoors, and helping people.

And somehow, that isn't enough service for one person. 😊 Colton is also a full-time firefighter, where he gets to make an even greater difference for people in his community when they need someone most.

When he actually finds some spare time, you'll likely find him with his cat and dog or exploring the mountains, lakes and rivers with his girlfriend, Jordan.

🌲 Tree & land services
🚒 Full-time firefighter
🌎 Outdoorsman
💪 Entrepreneur since 16

Come hear Colton's story and learn more about Total Tree and Land Solutions this Thursday at BNI.

And perhaps the biggest lesson of all?

Never underestimate what can come from a really good punishment. 😂

08/10/2026

📸 This Thursday (August 13) at BNI:

Lisa S. Portrait Co.

There’s a difference between taking a picture and creating a portrait that makes someone feel confident, comfortable and genuinely seen.

This Thursday, we get to hear from someone who understands that difference.

Lisa S. of Lisa S. Portrait Co. is probably familiar to many of us for her professional headshots—but her photography reaches far beyond the business world.

From senior portraits and family sessions to bo***ir photography and milestone moments, Lisa brings the same attention to detail and pride in her finished work to every person who steps in front of her camera.

And I hope this week we learn a little more about what happens before that shutter ever clicks.

How does she prepare someone who doesn't feel comfortable in front of a camera?

What makes lighting, posing, wardrobe and location work together?

What separates an ordinary photograph from one you want to keep for a lifetime?

And how did Lisa discover photography in the first place?

There’s another side of Lisa worth knowing, too. By day, she works as a medical laboratory technologist. She’s an equestrian at heart, and she generously donates her time and professional photography skills to Manes & Miracles of the River Valley—combining two things she loves in service to an organization doing meaningful work in our community.

Many of us in BNI already know to call Lisa when we need a headshot.

This week, I want us to listen for something bigger:

Who do we know outside this room who needs Lisa?

Maybe it's the executive whose LinkedIn photo is ten years old.

The realtor building a personal brand.

The high-school senior whose family wants to capture this season.

The woman ready to do something beautiful just for herself.

Or the family who keeps saying, “We really need to get pictures while everyone is together.”

Come Thursday ready to learn about the woman behind the camera—and ready to discover who we can introduce to her next.

📸 Lisa S. Portrait CO

This Thursday at BNI

Because sometimes the best referral isn't someone who needs a photograph. It's someone who has a moment worth preserving.

08/07/2026

🍞 The Ingredients of a Good Restoration Company

Yesterday’s featured speaker, Ginger Kelley with SERVPRO, reminded us that some of the best business lessons can be found in something as simple as a loaf of bread.

Good bread starts with the right ingredients—but ingredients alone aren’t enough. It takes preparation. Timing. Experience. Patience. Knowing how each element works together…and knowing what to do when things don’t go according to plan.

Sound familiar?

Ginger used her love of cooking and entertaining to show us that a quality restoration company is built much the same way.

When water, fire, mold or storm damage turns someone's home or business upside down, the equipment matters.

Training matters.

Preparation matters.

Response time REALLY matters.

But there is another ingredient that can't be purchased or stored on a truck:

Heart.

Ginger and Jason Kelley brought that message to life this morning as they shared not only what SERVPRO does, but how they believe it should be done—with preparation, experience, urgency and genuine care for the people standing in the middle of a very bad day.

And because Ginger never does anything halfway, they didn't just talk about bread.

They brought bread. ❤️🍞

Jason sliced while Ginger taught, and our BNI family got to quite literally break bread together.

It was a wonderful reminder that whether you're building a loaf of bread, a business, a referral partnership—or restoring someone's property—the quality of what comes out depends a great deal on what you put into it.

Thank you, Ginger and Jason, for feeding our minds, our relationships…and apparently our BNI chapter. 😂

Great ingredients. Good timing. Skilled hands. And a whole lot of heart.

That's a recipe worth remembering.

08/04/2026

🌟 BNI Featured Speaker: Ginger Kelley | SERVPRO 🌟

Some people don't simply do a job—they orchestrate solutions.

This week's featured speaker is Ginger Kelley with SERVPRO, our trusted Restoration seat in BNI. If you've ever faced fire damage, water damage, storm damage, mold, biohazard cleanup, or the unexpected disaster that turns life upside down, then you know how valuable it is to have someone who doesn't panic—they take charge.

That's Ginger.

When you call Ginger, you're not just reaching a company. You're reaching someone who immediately begins coordinating people, equipment, timelines, and communication to get life moving forward again. She understands that restoration isn't just about drying buildings—it's about restoring peace of mind.

Alongside her husband, Jason, they have built a business known for professionalism, responsiveness, and genuine care throughout Arkansas and Oklahoma.

But what many people may not know is everything Ginger gives outside of business.

She is a passionate supporter of Girls Inc., continually investing in opportunities that strengthen young women in our community. She also has a gift for hospitality. Ginger and Jason have graciously hosted several of our BNI visitor events, creating evenings that felt less like networking functions and more like gathering around the table with friends.

They're true foodies who love discovering great chefs, memorable wines, and new cultures through travel. That appreciation for excellence seems to spill into everything they do. Whether she's planning an event, serving clients during a catastrophe, or supporting a local nonprofit, Ginger leaves her unmistakable signature of quality on it.

If you've never heard Ginger speak about restoration, emergency response, and what really happens behind the scenes after disaster strikes, you're in for a treat.

Come hear someone who doesn't just clean up after disasters...
She helps people begin again.

We can't wait to hear from Ginger Kelley of SERVPRO this week!

Thursday. August 6. 8:00 am
Located at the Blue Cross Blue Shield office on Greenwood Road

07/28/2026

A GOOD NAME IS WORTH BUILDING. ❤️

For Jason McMillan, that idea isn’t just something printed on the side of a company vehicle. It’s woven into the name of his business.

5J Fence & Exteriors represents Jason, his wife, and their three sons—a family of five whose names all begin with “J.” And when your family is part of the name on the truck, the work you leave behind matters.

Proverbs 22:1 reminds us, “A good name is more desirable than great riches.”

This week, we’re proud to feature Jason McMillan of 5J Fence & Exteriors, who holds the Fence Seat in our BNI chapter.

Jason will share more about the work 5J provides, the standards behind that work, and what it means to build a business around reputation, family, hard work, and doing the job in a way that makes you proud to put your own name on it.

Come learn more about Jason, 5J Fence & Exteriors, and the kind of referral he’s looking to meet.

Because a fence may define a property line—but a good name defines a business.

Address

3501 Old Greenwood Road, Unit 5
Fort Smith, AR
72903

Opening Hours

8:30am - 9:30am

Website

https://bnioftheozarks.com/en-US/chapterdetail?chapterId=cEQTdrvxWBh%2FAhN5ATDM9g%3D%3D&name=BNI+River+Valley+Referrals

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