Meet the Team
Experience Matters
Our instructors bring decades of hands-on experience from manufacturing floors, C-suite offices, and classrooms across Arkansas. Each trainer combines technical skill with a passion for helping people grow. Whether you’re learning Excel, Lean Six Sigma, or leadership, you’ll learn from professionals who’ve applied these tools in the real world.
Kendall Ross
Associate Vice Chancellor of Economic and Workforce Development
Kendall leads the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith’s Center for Economic Development, connecting education, industry, and innovation across the region. He spent nearly two decades as an engineer and manager with a leading Fort Smith manufacturer, where he earned several patents for product design and process improvement. A Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and certified IMPLAN economic analyst, Kendall also authors the Compass Regional Economic Report, tracking key trends in Arkansas’s economy.
Training & Expertise: Lean Six Sigma. Workforce Strategy. Economic Impact Analysis. Leadership Development.
Dr. Kim Gordon
Professor, Leadership and Profession Development
Dr. Kim Gordon helps professionals strengthen leadership, communication, and human resources skills through training with the UAFS Center for Business and Professional Development. She combines years of real-world HR and organizational leadership experience with her background in higher education to create programs that are practical and results-oriented. Dr. Gordon is known for helping new and emerging leaders build confidence, manage change, and communicate effectively in today’s dynamic workplaces.
Training & Expertise: Leadership Development. Human Resources. Communication Skills. Organizational Effectiveness.
Dr. Micki Voelkel
Professor, Professional Communication and Development
Dr. Micki Voelkel helps professionals strengthen communication, leadership, and planning skills through training with the UAFS Center for Business and Professional Development. Drawing on years of experience teaching business communication, professional writing, and organizational leadership, she focuses on practical strategies for writing clearly, presenting confidently, and leading effective teams. In addition to training, Dr. Voelkel assists organizations with strategic and business planning, helping them set priorities, improve collaboration, and achieve long-term goals.
Training & Expertise: Business Communication. Professional Writing. Presentation Skills. Leadership Communication. Strategic Planning.
Ty Barrett
Director, Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at UAFS
With more than 30 years of experience in finance and community banking, Ty Barrett leads the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at UAFS. He helps entrepreneurs and business owners strengthen operations, secure funding, and plan for growth. Before joining UAFS, Ty served as president and CEO of Spiro State Bank for 27 years, including a decade as chairman of the board. His expertise in business consulting, loan development, and strategic planning supports clients throughout the River Valley and beyond.
Training & Expertise: Small Business Finance. Business Consulting. Loan Development. Strategic Planning.
Justin Smith
Director, Jim Wallcot Family Enterprise Center
Justin Smith leads the Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center at UAFS, helping family-owned companies strengthen leadership, governance, and continuity. His background includes both private and public sector experience, starting out in the transportation and logistics field with a Fortune 500 third-party logistics company from 2005–2008. He later spent more than six years with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, focusing on workforce partnerships in industry and logistics, and served as chief business and community outreach officer at Arkansas Tech University–Ozark Campus.
Training & Expertise: Family Business. Strategic & Success Planning. Workforce Partnerships. Logistics & Industry Outreach.
Emily Treadaway
Director, UAFS Center for Nonprofits
Emily Treadaway leads the UAFS Center for Nonprofits, strengthening nonprofit organizations across Fort Smith, the River Valley, and Arkansas. With more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience, she has worked extensively in community service, organizational growth, and partnership development. Most recently, she served as executive director of The CALL in Crawford and Sebastian Counties, where she expanded regional services, secured significant funding, and built collaborative relationships to support foster care and adoption initiatives. At UAFS, Emily oversees professional development programs, grant support, networking initiatives, and strategic partnerships designed to build nonprofit capacity and long-term sustainability.
Training & Expertise: Nonprofit Leadership. Capacity Building. Community Partnerships. Grant Development. Board Engagement. Program Growth.
Gary Cude
Senior Instructor, Electronics and Industrial Maintenance Training
With more than 30 years of experience as an electronics technician, Gary Cude brings extensive hands-on industry knowledge to his training with the UAFS Center for Business and Professional Development. His career has taken him across the globe, working in remote and demanding environments that required precision, problem solving, and technical innovation. Gary now helps organizations and professionals strengthen skills in electronics, maintenance, and automation. His training prepares teams to keep today’s advanced manufacturing systems running safely and efficiently.
Training & Expertise: Electronics Technology. Industrial Maintenance. Technical Skills Development. Automation Systems.
Marcus Smith
Instructor, Electrical Mechanical Maintenance
Marcus Smith brings more than 25 years of hands-on experience in machining, welding, and industrial maintenance to the UAFS Center for Business and Professional Development. Before joining UAFS, he worked 14 years as a Supervisor and CNC Programmer at Baldor Electric Company (ABB) and taught machining for 11 years at Arkansas Tech University–Ozark Campus. Marcus holds multiple NIMS and NCCER certifications and is known for helping professionals and students master CNC programming, precision manufacturing, and maintenance skills that keep production running smoothly and safely.
Training & Expertise: Machining. CNC Programming. Welding. Industrial Maintenance. Workforce Training.
Chelsea Cowan
Executive Assistant/Program Coordinator, UAFS Center for Economic Development
Chelsea Cowan coordinates training programs, events, and client communication for the UAFS Center for Business and Professional Development. She ensures that scheduling, logistics, and instructor support run smoothly at the Bakery District and across partner sites. Before joining UAFS, Chelsea worked in the Fort Smith Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, gaining extensive experience in administration, records management, and compliance. Her strong attention to detail and commitment to service help business and community partners have a seamless training experience.
Training & Expertise: Program Coordination. Event Management. Client Communication. Administrative Operations.
Amanda Norris
Analyst, Grants and Financial Operations
Amanda Norris supports workforce training and community partnerships for the UAFS Center for Business and Professional Development. She focuses on helping individuals and organizations access programs that build skills, advance careers, and strengthen the regional economy. A graduate of the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith with a B.B.A. in Business Administration, Amanda is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Her passion for connecting people with opportunity drives her work in workforce and talent development.
Training & Expertise: Workforce Development. Training Support. Community Engagement. Organizational Leadership.
Train With Our Team
The instructors and professionals of the Center for Business and Professional Development bring decades of experience from industry, education, and leadership. Their experience powers every course, workshop, and partnership we deliver.
Ready to strengthen your team?
Explore our upcoming trainings or connect with us to discuss custom workforce solutions.