Board Member Q&A: Amy Finster, Vice President

What is your favorite part about Arkansas?

North Central Arkansas

What is your favorite memory from living in Arkansas?

My favorite memories are from visiting family and friends' farm land in the delta after the fields have been plowed, and searching for arrowheads. I found one when I was eight years old that was still intact.

What was your motivation for joining the KAB Foundation board?

Many Arkansans feel a deep connection to their home. Serving on the board is a tangible way I can invest in something lasting and visible.

As a board member, do you have a specific goal you want to achieve?

Strengthen the Foundation’s long-term financial stability so it can continue its mission for decades to come.

What needs do you see that the Foundation can work to fill?

Volunteer Recognition - Volunteers are the lifeblood of cleanups and beautification, but often their work goes unseen. The Foundation can recognize and celebrate volunteers, provide leadership training, and create a stronger sense of pride and connection.

What would be your one message to someone to get them involved in the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission and Foundation mission? 

When you get involved with Keep Arkansas Beautiful, you're not just picking up trash- you're preserving the beauty of our home, strengthening our towns, and setting an example for the next generation. It's work that leaves a mark you can see and feel.

Check out Amy's biography.

Board Member Q&A: Mandy Shoptaw

What is your favorite part about Arkansas?

I grew up in Hot Springs and our family had land just outside the city with forest, creeks, and mountains. I love the peacefulness of this natural setting. You can see something new and inspiring every visit.

What is your favorite memory from living in Arkansas?

When my son was a toddler the City of Little Rock began work on the Big Dam Bridge. We used to take walks to check on the progress and he would toddle along or enjoy a wagon ride. It’s so neat that we’ve been able to see so many positive changes to our city just in the past two decades.

What was your motivation for joining the KAB Foundation board?

I was inspired by the passion of Colbie Jones for the work of KAB. I see the tremendous impact that a clean Arkansas has on our tourism economy.

As a board member, do you have a specific goal you want to achieve?

I hope that in the next 10 years that people become aware of the work of KAB and engage on a daily basis by doing their part to prevent litter in our environment.

What needs do you see that the Foundation can work to fill?

I think the foundation can be the fundraising arm of KAB and work towards specific objectives like purchasing items for clean ups or funding projects. I would love for us to one day get to a point where we can offer grants and provide training for groups around the state.

What would be your one message to someone to get them involved in the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission and Foundation mission? 

It starts with picking up one piece of trash and committing to being an everyday advocate for litter prevention. If everyone can take responsibility for their waste then we would be much better off.

Check out Mandy's biography.

KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL FOUNDATION PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

September 25, 2023

McKenzie McMath Coronel

Foundation Board Member | Marketing Chair

mmc@mcmathstrategies.com | 501.529.6633

Keep Arkansas Beautiful Foundation Names New Members

Little Rock, Ark. – The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Foundation (the Foundation) announces a slate of new foundation board members with terms beginning immediately and lasting for three years.

The new members are:

Tom Arens

McKenzie McMath Coronel

Ryan Di Salvo

Amy Finster

Daniel Fudge

Meagan Bowling Fudge

Brad Peterson

Billy Ray

Mandy Stanage Shoptaw

Bowling Fudge was named as chairperson, Ray as vice chair, Di Salvo as secretary and Arens as treasurer.

“The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Foundation is thrilled to again be an active voice and participant in the efforts to support the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission and the positive work of ensuring that The Natural State remains a beautiful place for our citizens to live, work, and enjoy,” said Bowling Fudge. “We are proud to be a board that is truly statewide with members from all regions of Arkansas who deeply care about education, recycling and community cleanup initiatives. We look forward to connecting the work of the Foundation to individuals and organizations across Arkansas who share our common goals.”

The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the purpose of promoting the public interest in the general environment and quality of life within the State of Arkansas and its communities. The Foundation is organized and operated exclusively for the benefit and to support the programs and activities of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission. Keep Arkansas Beautiful is one of four state agencies that share proceeds from the Amendment 75 1/8-cent Conservation Tax. Keep Arkansas Beautiful is a certified affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., and an agency of Arkansas State Parks, a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. The mission is to inspire individuals to improve their communities by educating, preventing litter, promoting recycling and keeping Arkansas beautiful.

Arens, of Fayetteville, Washington County, is the chief technology officer at ARcare; McMath Coronel, from Little Rock, Pulaski County, is the communications strategist for McMath Trial Consultants; Di Salvo, of Bentonville, Benton County, serves as chair and director of events for Thaden School’s Advancement Council; Finster, from Batesville, Independence County, is the community engagement manager and registered dietitian at White River Health; Fudge, of Ft. Smith, Sebastian County, is an assistant professor of political science at the University of the Ozarks; Bowling Fudge, from Ft. Smith, Sebastian County, is the director of student information systems initiatives at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith; Peterson, of Little Rock, Pulaski County, is the vice president of infrastructure for the Little Rock office of Crafton Tull and is a licensed professional engineer in multiple states; Ray, of Stuttgart, Arkansas County, is director of human resources for Saracan Casino; and Stanage Shoptaw, from Little Rock, Pulaski County, is associate state director of communications and outreach for AARP Arkansas.

The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Foundation’s website is www.kabfoundation.org. The Foundation meets bi-monthly through online means. For public access to the meetings or copies of minutes, please contact the Keep Arkansas Beautiful office at 501.682.3507.