Dr. Ronnie Floyd has been a pastor for over 35 years. His experience, wisdom and passion for God make him a powerful proclaimer of God’s Word. He teaches principles from the Bible that encourage and uplift thousands of people all over the world via TV, the Internet, podcasts, radio, speaking engagements and books.

Since 1986, Pastor Floyd has served as the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, Northwest Arkansas. Dr. Floyd’s ministry as a local church pastor has been one of commitment to evangelism, discipleship, and the advancement of the Gospel to America and around the world. In Dr. Floyd’s 25 years of ministry in Northwest Arkansas, the church has baptized over 17,000 persons. In 2001, First Baptist Church of Springdale became a multi-campus ministry with the beginning of The Church at Pinnacle Hills.  In 2010, the church changed its name to Cross Church, and in 2011, the church further expanded its ministry with the beginning of a campus in the city of Fayetteville.  Thousands gather in multiple worship venues weekly.  While meeting at various local sites and three campuses, the church is committed to planting churches regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Dr. Floyd is the leader, founder, and host of The Summit, the Businesspersons Luncheon of Northwest Arkansas, a weekly lunch seminar which hosts guest speakers from across the country. Each spring and fall, leaders share their insights on business, leadership, ethics, success, and life principles and values. Speakers have included John Maxwell, Former Governor Mike Huckabee, Reggie White, John Tyson, Truett Cathy, JB Hunt and many others, including Dr. Floyd himself. The Summit currently reaches 500 business people each week.

Pastor Floyd has spoken at many national and international conferences such as Promise Keepers, has been featured on numerous television and radio programs including Focus on the Family. He has also held several positions in the Southern Baptist Convention. He recently led a Great Commission Resurgence movement, which was overwhelmingly approved by the messengers to the 2010 Southern Baptist Convention and generated great change in the Convention. In his three decades of ministry, Pastor Floyd has authored 20 books including The Power of Prayer and Fasting, revised and expanded, 10 Things Every Minister Needs to Know, and Our Last Great Hope: Awakening the Great Commission.

Pastor Floyd’s proudest accomplishments stem from his personal life. He and his wife, Jeana, have been married for almost 35 years. They have two sons, Josh and Nick. Josh is married to Kate, and they have three sons, Peyton, Parker, and Jack. Nick is married to Meredith, and they have one daughter, Reese, and a son, Beckham.

This week at the Summit, Pastor Floyd will be speaking on “Turning Your Crisis Into A Turning Point”.

Bo Mattingly

Bo Mattingly is the host of SportsTalk with Bo Mattingly and has been covering sports in Arkansas for 13-years on Radio and Television. He has developed a reputation delivering credible information in a fun and entertaining way. His radio show is well know for its nationally recognized guest list. He is married to his wife Ashley and they have 3 boys and enjoy doing life in Northwest Arkansas.

Jimmy Dykes

Jimmy Dykes is entering his 15th year as a college basketball analyst for ESPN and ABC Sports. Dykes was a three year basketball letterman for the University of Arkansas, and went on to become an assistant basketball coach at the University of Arkansas, the University of Kentucky, and Oklahoma State University. He also served as a scout in the NBA for 2 seasons prior to his time with ESPN.

Dykes also works as an analyst for the Arkansas Razorback Network, covering both football and basketball for his alma mater. He currently lives in Springdale, AR with his wife Tiffany and daughter Kennedy. He is a highly sought after motivational speaker for companies, corporations, and groups across the country. He is the President and founder of Raise The Bar ministry.

Aaron Peters

Aaron Peters has ten years of award winning TV experience covering Arkansas Sports. As the main sports anchor, you will see Aaron doing a little bit of everything for Razorback Nation for both KNWA (Fayetteville) and KARK (Little Rock), from anchoring on the desk, to reporting live, to traveling around the country covering the Razorbacks. He is also the lead anchor for the state wide Pig Trail show. “My favorite part is covering the Hogs from coast to coast” Aaron says. “I have a passion for the Razorbacks and want to cover every Arkansas sporting event- from New York City to cover McFadden and his Heisman Race, to Omaha to cover the Diamond Hogs quest for a World Series title.”

Aaron loves being the guy that brings viewers the coverage they deserve, “whether I am in Tampa covering the SEC basketball tourney or Dallas for the Cotton Bowl” “I am doing what I love and care about deeply!”

Rick Schaeffer

Communications Director of the Springdale School District and co-host of Drive Time Sports, Rick Schaeffer was sports information director at the University of Arkansas and still serves as color analyst on Razorback basketball and baseball broadcasts.

Schaeffer worked in the UA SID office 24 years before joining the staff of The Fellowship of Christian Athletes in August, 2000. In the spring of 2003, he and his wife, Adelaide, founded Champions For Kids, a support and training organization that works with youth-oriented non-profits.

He joined the Springdale School District staff in July, 2006 and still does part time work for Champions For Kids. He works with Randy Rainwater daily on Drive Time Sports, heard statewide daily from 4-7 p.m.

He has partnered with Mike Nail on UA basketball broadcasts for 24 seasons and has worked with Chuck Barrett on Razorback baseball broadcasts for 11 years. He also serves with the UA football broadcast team on the pre-game, halftime and post-game shows and as statistician.

Schaeffer’s second book, “Inside the Razorback Vault” was released in June of 2008. He wrote “The Game of My Life” in 2005.

Schaeffer and his wife have been married 25 years. They have a 15-year old son, Benny and eight dogs.

Clint Purvis was born the son of a US Army Officer in France. Part of a military family, he traveled much of the world and US growing up.

He graduated from Mississippi College with a BA in Bible and a Minor in English and Physical Education. Clint went on to seminary at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he got his MA in Counseling. He then became a youth pastor. He served three churches in MS and TX before landing in Tallahassee, FL where he ministered to students for 23 years.
It was then he began his career as Team Chaplain for Florida State University Football. As Chaplain, Clint served with Bobby Bowden for 21 seasons and is starting his second season with Jimbo Fisher. Clint has chaplained at FSU for 16 years. And, three years ago stepped down as Minister of Students at FBC Tallahassee to step up full time as FSU Chaplain.

Bill Akins

Bill Akins has ushered in multiple marketing technology solutions with the Walmart vendor community for fifteen years in numerous management positions including President of Genofish (subsidiary of Rockfish Interactive and SVI), Vice President of Market Development for Shiloh Technologies, Director of Global Category Development for U.S. Cotton, Category Manager for Pfizer, and Senior On-Site Manager for Nielsen. Key clients where Bill has held a pivotal role in bridging the gap between traditional consumer research and cutting-edge marketing information systems include Walmart U.S., Walmart International, Redbox, 3M, and Walt Disney Merchandising.

Bill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from California State University and an MBA concentrated on strategic retail alliances from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. For the past ten years Bill has been a guest lecturer at the Walton College, international retail summits, industry trade conferences, and over twenty Retail Link User Groups around the world with continuing efforts to engage the vendor business community on the philosophy of store-centric micromarketing and the technology platforms used to deliver it. Bill is also the developer of the Trait Master product suite used by hundreds of CPG companies for consumer insights on Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Target shoppers and he has played an integral part in the development and marketing success of Walmart’s latest addition to its social media efforts for private label manufacturers – SupplierHub. He was the founding leader of the Category and Shopper Insights sub-group of the Northwest Arkansas Retail Link User Group in 2009, and has also served as a keynote content presenter and trainer for the RLUG Online user community.

His community involvement has included sitting on the Board of Directors for Champions for Kids, winning regional “Big Brother of the Year” for Big Brothers Big Sisters, as well as historically holding a position on their board. He was recently chosen by the NWA Business Journal as one of the “40 Under 40” for his contributions to the Walmart vendor community and he teaches undergraduate and MBA-level courses in marketing management, marketing research, consumer behavior, and shopper insights at the John Sperling School of Business & Technology and 8th & Walton’s School of Category Management & Shopper Insights. Bill is also passionate about personal financial management and is a facilitator for Financial Peace University at New Heights Church in Fayetteville, AR.

Brian Armas

Brian is Director of Web and Social Media Development for all campuses of Cross Church. Brian has been developing websites for over 10 years and has consulted with fortune 500 companies giving direction for web presence, social media marketing and brand development. Brian specializes in user interface, and prides himself in being able to think like the end user. Brian enjoys spending time with his family, and writing awkward bios about himself in the third person.

Maxie Carpenter

Maxie Carpenter is an independent consultant and advisor. He was formerly Vice President of the People & Training/Development Divisions for Wal-Mart Stores, benefiting from a 27+ year career.  As a Senior Management Advisor, he brings an experiential corporate perspective to individuals and organizations assisting them with process management and development that includes, but is not limited to:
- Organizational Development  / Culture / Ethics
- Leading Change / Building Teams
- Executive Coaching / Leadership Development / Training
- Non-Profit / For Profit Board Development

Current Participations
- Board of Advisors, The Influencers, Bentonville, AR
- Adjunct Professor, Masters in Servant Leadership (MSLE), John Brown University
- Students In Free Enterprise Council (SIFE) Executive Council, John Brown University
- Board of Directors, Circle of Life Hospice & Palliative Care
- Board of Directors, Arkansas Coalition for Excellence Promoting Non-Profit Success

Publications
Author of:
- “I Didn’t Ask You to Dance! I Asked You to Talk!”
- “Managing Difficult People in the Workplace!”

Tiffany Hellerstedt

Tiffany A. Hellerstedt is currently the President of tiroa consulting, inc., a synergistic social marketing
consulting company with 10+ years of experience working in the world of higher education. Ms. Hellerstedt has a Master’s in Education with an emphasis on Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in French.

Ms. Hellerstedt is a subject matter expert in advising and training individuals and business entities with social media, planning large scale events, and has facilitated over 100 educational sessions. Her expertise also extends itself to
sales and marketing.

Ms. Hellerstedt is an active volunteer in the community, a member of Cross Church Pinnacle Hills, currently a member of the Junior League of Northwest Arkansas, a published author, and a three-time marathoner.

Jeff Struecker was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa. At age 18, he enlisted the US Army as Infantryman and retired as a Chaplain with over 22 years of active federal service. He currently serves as Associate Pastor of Ministry Development at Calvary Baptist Church in Columbus, GA.

He served for ten years in the 75th Ranger Regiment in positions from Private to Platoon Sergeant. While serving in this unit Jeff competed in the David L. Grange Best Ranger Competition for three consecutive years. His efforts culminated with a first place finish in 1996. He also served as an Assistant Instructor of Military Science at the University of Louisville and was recognized in 1998 as the US Army ROTC, Noncommissioned Officer of the year.

Throughout his career Jeff has attended numerous professional military schools and has received many awards and commendations. Some of his awards include the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutists Wings, Military Freefall Master Parachutist Wings, British Parachutist Wings, Thai Parachutist Wings, German Parachutist Wings, and German Sports Efficiency Badge. He has been awarded other commendations and decorations for successful completion of professional military schools throughout his military career.

His combat experience includes participation in Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Iris Gold in Kuwait, Operation Gothic Serpent, in Mogadishu, Somalia, and multiple tours in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Some of his awards for these actions include the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal and several Bronze Star Medals. He has received other medals as recognition for his service in the United States Army.

Jeff holds a Master of Divinity Degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, a Bachelor of Science Degree and Associate of Science Degree from Troy University in Alabama.

Jeff and his wife, Dawn, have five children: Aaron, Jacob, Joseph, Abigail and Lydia.

Michael Catt has served as the Senior Pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church since 1989. The church has 3,000 members and has averaged one hundred baptisms each year. Since 1989, over 5,000 people have joined Sherwood, in a community with a declining population and high rate of job transfers. The church has members from twenty-nine surrounding communities.

Sherwood has three campuses covering over 130 acres-the main church campus, the lower school campus and the upper school campus. The church is developing a eighty-two acre sports complex using Upward sports to reach the community. Sherwood operates a 24/7 cable channel. Path to Truth, their weekly service, is currently seen in over ninety markets around the nation on FAITH TV, as well as on many FamilyNet stations in the southeast.

Michael has been interviewed by Leadership Journal and has appeared on The Fox News Channel, CNN Headline News, The Glenn Beck Show, Janet Parshall’s America, American Family Radio, The 700 Club, Richard Land Live! and Citizen Link. Sherwood’s media and movie ministry, Sherwood Pictures, has been featured on The Drudge Report, Baptist Press, AP radio, American Family Radio, Focus on the Family, Good Morning America, Agape Press, Christianity Today, CNS News, National Public Radio, The Laura Ingraham Show, The Michael Reagan Show, The Conservative Voice and The LA Times.

Michael is the author of several books, including: I Left My Mind in Mississippi…But I Still Have My Ministry, I May Be Wrong…But I Doubt It and Reflections on the Gospels by Vance Havner (editor).

Michael is the editor of www.2prophetu.com, a resource website for pastors developed with Warren Wiersbe, as well as the official Vance Havner website, www.vancehavner.com. He served as Executive Producer of Flywheel and Facing the Giants.

He has served the Southern Baptist Convention as an IMB Trustee, President of the Georgia Baptist Convention Preaching Conference and Vice President of the Georgia Baptist Convention, as well as numerous committees. He is the recipient of The Martin Luther King Award, The MLK Unity Award and a Georgia Senate Resolution in recognition of his work in the community and in racial reconciliation.

Michael is the founder of ReFRESH, a conference on revival and awakening and a co-founder (with Warren Wiersbe) of Bridge Builders, a conference for pastors. He has been a coach for John Maxwell(s equipping ministry and has preached in churches, conferences and revivals in thirteen states.

Michael and his wife, Terri, have been married since 1974 and have two grown daughters, Erin and Hayley.

Dr. Gary J. Oliver is a father, university and seminary professor, psychologist, author, Executive Director of the Center for Relationship Enrichment and Professor of Psychology and Practical Theology at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

He received his B.A. from Biola University, an M.Div. from Talbot Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from Fuller Theological Seminary, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He is a licensed clinical psychologist in both Arkansas and Colorado. Dr. Oliver is a Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). He has earned the Certified Family Life Educator (C.F.L.E.) diploma by The National Council on Family Relations.

Dr. Oliver has over 30 years experience in individual, premarital, marital and family counseling. For several years he worked as senior psychologist with a group of family practice physicians and for over 12 years he was Clinical Director of a large non-profit counseling center in Littleton, Colorado. For the past 25 years he has had an extensive nationwide teaching ministry. He has founded, developed and directed several counseling centers. He served on the Executive Board and the national speaking team of Promise Keepers and is on the Executive Board of the American Association of Christian Counselors.

In addition to his clinical experience, Dr. Oliver has over ten years experience serving on the staff of churches in California, Nebraska and Colorado. He is also the founder of and professor in the D. Min. in Marriage and Family Counseling Program at Denver Seminary. For the past several years Dr. Oliver has been included in Who’s Who in America.

He has authored or co-authored over 20 books including Mad About Us: Moving from Anger to Intimacy with Your Spouse, published by Bethany House and Raising Sons.and Loving It!, published by Zondervan. He is also the co-author of ten books with H. Norman Wright including Fears, Doubts, Blues and Pouts published by Victor Books and A Woman’s Forbidden Emotion published by Regal Books, as well as over 150 articles in national magazines and journals. For several years Dr. Oliver served as editor of Marriage and Family: A Christian Journal and contributes a regular column in Home Life magazine.

Dr. Oliver travels both nationally and internationally providing his Emotional and Relational Intelligence (ERQ™) workshops, Growth-Focused™ Marriage Enrichment Seminars as well as seminars and workshops on a variety of relationship-related topics. He resides in Siloam Springs, Arkansas with his wife, Linda.

Congressman Stephen A. Womack, 54, is a native of Russellville, Arkansas. After starting school in Moberly, Missouri, Womack’s family moved to Russellville in 1973. He graduated from Russellville High School in 1975. In 1979, Womack received his bachelor’s degree from Arkansas Tech University and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Arkansas Army National Guard.

In the fall of 1979, Womack relocated to Rogers where he and his father established KURM Radio. Womack managed KURM from 1979-1990. In August of 1990, Womack accepted an assignment with the Army National Guard at the University of Arkansas. Womack served as the executive officer of the U.S. Army ROTC program at the U of A from 1990-1996.

After a brief return to broadcasting in 1996, Womack was hired by Merrill Lynch in Rogers where he became a financial consultant in the spring of 1997.

On November 3, 1998, Womack was elected Mayor of Rogers where he held the office until his run for Congress in 2010.

In the Army, Womack served in a variety of command and staff positions with the Arkansas Army National Guard-including platoon leader, troop commander, battalion commander, and regimental commander.

Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, while commanding 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment of Arkansas’ 39th Infantry Brigade, his unit was called to active duty for service with the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), Sinai, Egypt. His task force was trained at Fort Carson, Colorado and deployed overseas in January 2002. On 13 January 2002, TF 2-153 became the first pure National Guard unit to receive the mission as the United States Battalion (US BATT) in the MFO. It also marked the first time in the 35-year history of the 39th Brigade that a battalion was mobilized for overseas duty.

Womack retired with over thirty years of service from the Arkansas Army National Guard October 31, 2009 at the rank of Colonel. Prior to his retirement, he commanded the 233rd Regiment, Arkansas’ Regional Training Institute. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Global War on Terror Expeditionary and Service Medals.

The Congressman is married to the former Terri Williams of DeWitt, Arkansas and they have three grown sons. He currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee and is a member of the Whip Team.

Charles S. Lowery, Ph.D. is president and CEO of Lowery Institute for Excellence, Inc., a non-profit training and consulting organization. Dr. Lowery’s diverse background includes private practice, college professor, management consultant and corporate motivator.

Charles’ unique style of humor, encouragement, and motivation has made him one of the most sought after speakers in the country. Dr. Lowery has helped to train and motivate sales forces, management teams, and employees from companies across America. Dr. Lowery holds a Doctorate in Psychology from the University of South Carolina, and has completed post-doctoral work at Columbia International University.

“Charles is a talented psychologist who gives practical, humorous, down-to-earth approaches to business communication, understanding relationships, and life.” – Zig Ziglar

LIFE, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to encourage, inspire and motivate men and women through teaching the essential principles of success in the workplace, relationships, and in all areas of life. LIFE, Inc. offers practical and helpful seminars that assist each person in achieving his or her full potential. LIFE, Inc. also provides resources addressing a wide variety of subjects. Dr. Lowery currently lives in Texas with his wife. They are the parents of three daughters and are grandparents.

Join us for a great Holiday Tradition – The Christmas Summit!

Rick Schaeffer

Former Sports Information Director at the University of Arkansas, Schaeffer is in his 28th season as color analyst on Razorback basketball broadcasts. He also is in his ninth year of working with Chuck Barrett on Razorback baseball radio broadcasts. He does statistics and pre-game, halftime and post-game comments on the UA football broadcasts and writes a column for the Arkansas Razorback Sports Network website.

In the spring of 2003 he and his wife, Adelaide, founded Champions For Kids, a support and training organization that works with youth oriented non-profits. Adelaide is executive director for Champions For Kids and Rick does part time work for the organization.

Author of “The Game of My Life” that was published in 2005, Schaeffer has just completed his second book, “Inside The Razorback Vault,” a history of University of Arkansas football that is filled with photos, some rare, and memorabilia. It is scheduled to be in bookstores in the spring.

He and his wife have been married 25 years. They have nine dogs, Chelsea, Shiloh, Jasmine, Happy, Allie, Buddy, Bitty, Molly and Ripken.

Randy Rainwater

As a lifetime resident of Arkansas, Randy has made his mark in the Natural State in sports. He has hosted Drivetime Sports for the last 15 years. He has done play-by-play for the University of Arkansas Ladybacks and for the UALR men’s basketball team. He also served as the voice of ASU’s football and men’s basketball team in 1993 and was honored with the Sportscaster of the Year Award.