The Arkansas Society of Association Executives has elected its officers and introduced its board members for the 2026-2027 term.
Greg Kirkpatrick of the Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association was elected president. Debra Wolfe of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association was elected vice president.
Michelle Bufkin Horton of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association will serve as secretary and treasurer, while Michelle Kitchens of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement will serve as immediate past president.
The 2026-2027 ASAE board members are Matt Burns of the Arkansas Optometric Association, Dennis Farmer of ARBEV, Neal Gladner of the Arkansas Broadcasters Association, Sarah Newman of the Arkansas Trucking Association, Jay Robbins of Arkansas Farm Bureau, Shay Stout of the Arkansas Hospitality Association and Anna Oberste of Oaklawn Hot Springs.
ASAE also honored Arkansas association leaders and organizations for their professional service, community leadership and communications excellence.
Bo Ryall, president and CEO of the Arkansas Hospital Association, received the Ken Graves Memorial Award.
The award recognizes exemplary work and service in association management and the community. It is named in memory of Ken Graves, a founding member of ASAE whose leadership extended beyond his professional work and into the community he served.
Ryall has devoted his career to association leadership and health care advocacy. Before becoming president and CEO of the Arkansas Hospital Association, he served as the organization’s chief state lobbyist and as executive director of the Home Care Association of Arkansas.
ASAE selected Ryall for his leadership, integrity and commitment to serving Arkansas hospitals as they navigate significant workforce and funding challenges.
Shay Stout of the Arkansas Hospitality Association received the Emerging Leader Award, while Stacey Ellis of Visit Hot Springs was named Partner of the Year.
The organization also presented its Excellence in Communications awards to 6 Arkansas organizations. The awards recognize outstanding planning, execution and evaluation in association and nonprofit communications.
2026-2027 ASAE OFFICERS:
President:
Greg Kirkpatrick — Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association
Vice President:
Debra Wolfe — Arkansas Pharmacists Association
Secretary and Treasurer:
Michelle Bufkin Horton — Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association
Immediate Past President:
Michelle Kitchens — Arkansas Center for Health Improvement
2026-2027 ASAE BOARD MEMBERS:
Matt Burns — Arkansas Optometric Association
Dennis Farmer — ARBEV
Neal Gladner — Arkansas Broadcasters Association
Sarah Newman — Arkansas Trucking Association
Jay Robbins — Arkansas Farm Bureau
Shay Stout — Arkansas Hospitality Association
Anna Oberste — Oaklawn Hot Springs
2026 ASAE SPECIAL AWARDS:
Ken Graves Memorial Award:
Bo Ryall — Arkansas Hospital Association
Emerging Leader:
Shay Stout — Arkansas Hospitality Association
Partner of the Year:
Stacey Ellis — Visit Hot Springs
EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNICATIONS AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Arkansas Bar Association — Arkansas Lawyer Winter 2026
ACECA — Building Arkansas
Arkansas Center for Health Management — Healthy Birthing Journey Podcast
EAST — 2026 EAST Conference: Our Greatest Hits
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas — Arkansas 2025 Annual Report
Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas — Big I Arkansas Roadshow
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