From Arkansas Communications:
Razorback Foundation Adds Four Community Leaders to Board of Directors
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., Dec. 13, 2023 – The Razorback Foundation announced today four new Board of Directors – Bryan Hunt, Gerald (JJ) Hurley, Marsha Martin, and Shelley Simpson.
“Throughout this year we have had the privilege of adding exceptional community leaders to the Razorback Foundation Board of Directors,” said Ryan White, executive director of the Razorback Foundation. “JJ and Marsha joined us earlier this year while Shelley and Bryan were approved at a quarterly board meeting on December 5th, Shelley as a new member and Bryan for a second term. These four individuals are passionate about the Razorbacks and have a combined total of more than 100 years as Razorback Foundation members. JJ, Marsha, Bryan and Shelley all have either graduated from or have close ties to the University of Arkansas and bring unique qualifications that will help strengthen our team and propel us forward as we navigate the changing landscape of college athletics.”
Board of Directors are nominated and approved by voting members of the Razorback Foundation and serve six-year terms. The Board provides oversight and support to advance the mission of the Razorback Foundation, and Board members serve as ambassadors in their respective communities to educate non-Foundation members about the investment and impact the Foundation has on Razorback student-athletes and Razorback Athletics, encouraging them to join the non-profit organization.
“We want to thank our outgoing Board Member Rick Chapman for his leadership and guidance,” continued White. “Rick graciously served on our board for 25 years and his institutional knowledge was paramount to our success. He continues to be an avid Razorback supporter and will be a lifelong friend of the Foundation.”
Hurley and Martin were instated in January 2023 and Hunt and Simpson’s terms will begin January 2024.
As Founder and CEO of GDH Consulting in Tulsa, Okla., JJ Hurley leads a workforce solutions firm that provides top talent to companies across the country. With his passion for empowering employee career growth, JJ has been recognized twice by Glassdoor as a Top-Rated CEO in the industry. Hurley graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2000 and is a lifelong Razorback fan.
Marsha Martin is CEO and founder of Onyx Brands, a multinational manufacturer and distributor servicing mass drug and beauty retailers and Dream Big Investments, LLC that invest in commercial and luxury residential real estate. Marsha and her husband Marty’s two sons and granddaughter graduated from the University of Arkansas, and the family attends as many Razorback events as possible together.
Bryan Hunt, son of Johnelle Hunt and the late JB Hunt, graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BSBA in marketing and transportation in 1983. He and his wife Mandy and their children are passionate about the Razorbacks. The Hunt Family has had a profound impact on Arkansas Athletics for more than three decades.
Originally from Russellville, Ark., Shelley Simpson was named President of J.B. Hunt Transport Services in August 2022. In her role, she oversees all management duties and performance for all company business units, working with emerging technology, developing services and people and human resources. Shelley and her husband David, have three children and their son, Payton, is a former Razorback football student-athlete.
The current Razorback Foundation Board of Directors consist of:
The mission of The Razorback Foundation, Inc., is to support the athletic endeavors of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. The Foundation assists Razorback student-athletes by providing financial support for scholarships, facilities and various programs that enable them to realize their dreams of achieving a quality college education while participating in athletics on a nationally competitive level. Razorback Athletics is one of a handful of NCAA Division I Athletic Departments in the nation that is financially self-sustaining and requires no UA student fees revenue or taxpayer support.
Razorback Foundation Adds Four Community Leaders to Board of Directors
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., Dec. 13, 2023 – The Razorback Foundation announced today four new Board of Directors – Bryan Hunt, Gerald (JJ) Hurley, Marsha Martin, and Shelley Simpson.
“Throughout this year we have had the privilege of adding exceptional community leaders to the Razorback Foundation Board of Directors,” said Ryan White, executive director of the Razorback Foundation. “JJ and Marsha joined us earlier this year while Shelley and Bryan were approved at a quarterly board meeting on December 5th, Shelley as a new member and Bryan for a second term. These four individuals are passionate about the Razorbacks and have a combined total of more than 100 years as Razorback Foundation members. JJ, Marsha, Bryan and Shelley all have either graduated from or have close ties to the University of Arkansas and bring unique qualifications that will help strengthen our team and propel us forward as we navigate the changing landscape of college athletics.”
Board of Directors are nominated and approved by voting members of the Razorback Foundation and serve six-year terms. The Board provides oversight and support to advance the mission of the Razorback Foundation, and Board members serve as ambassadors in their respective communities to educate non-Foundation members about the investment and impact the Foundation has on Razorback student-athletes and Razorback Athletics, encouraging them to join the non-profit organization.
“We want to thank our outgoing Board Member Rick Chapman for his leadership and guidance,” continued White. “Rick graciously served on our board for 25 years and his institutional knowledge was paramount to our success. He continues to be an avid Razorback supporter and will be a lifelong friend of the Foundation.”
Hurley and Martin were instated in January 2023 and Hunt and Simpson’s terms will begin January 2024.
As Founder and CEO of GDH Consulting in Tulsa, Okla., JJ Hurley leads a workforce solutions firm that provides top talent to companies across the country. With his passion for empowering employee career growth, JJ has been recognized twice by Glassdoor as a Top-Rated CEO in the industry. Hurley graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2000 and is a lifelong Razorback fan.
Marsha Martin is CEO and founder of Onyx Brands, a multinational manufacturer and distributor servicing mass drug and beauty retailers and Dream Big Investments, LLC that invest in commercial and luxury residential real estate. Marsha and her husband Marty’s two sons and granddaughter graduated from the University of Arkansas, and the family attends as many Razorback events as possible together.
Bryan Hunt, son of Johnelle Hunt and the late JB Hunt, graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BSBA in marketing and transportation in 1983. He and his wife Mandy and their children are passionate about the Razorbacks. The Hunt Family has had a profound impact on Arkansas Athletics for more than three decades.
Originally from Russellville, Ark., Shelley Simpson was named President of J.B. Hunt Transport Services in August 2022. In her role, she oversees all management duties and performance for all company business units, working with emerging technology, developing services and people and human resources. Shelley and her husband David, have three children and their son, Payton, is a former Razorback football student-athlete.
The current Razorback Foundation Board of Directors consist of:
- Kevin Scanlon, Board Chair, '79, Little Rock, AR
- Mindy West, Vice President, '92, El Dorado, AR
- John R. Rutledge, Jr., Treasurer, '01, Little Rock, AR
- Angela McBride Ryan, Secretary, '86, Fayetteville, AR
- Bryan Hunt, ‘83, Rogers, AR
- JJ Hurley, ’00, Tulsa, OK
- Marsha Martin, Little Rock, AR
- Rick Massey, ’84, Little Rock , AR
- Derrick Richardson, ‘85, Fort Smith, AR
- Shelley Simpson, ’94, Rogers, AR
- Derrick Thomas, ‘88, Memphis, TN
- Lisa Walker, ‘03 Little Rock, AR
The mission of The Razorback Foundation, Inc., is to support the athletic endeavors of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. The Foundation assists Razorback student-athletes by providing financial support for scholarships, facilities and various programs that enable them to realize their dreams of achieving a quality college education while participating in athletics on a nationally competitive level. Razorback Athletics is one of a handful of NCAA Division I Athletic Departments in the nation that is financially self-sustaining and requires no UA student fees revenue or taxpayer support.
