David Cone, a 1965 graduate of UALR’s predecessor institution, Little Rock University, will be honored as the UALR College of Business Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Dean Jane Wayland has announced.

The annual luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock’s River Market District.

Tickets are $100 each or $1,000 for a table of 10. For more information about other sponsorship opportunities, contact Will Elliott, director of development in the College of Business, at 501-569-3208 or jwelliott@ualr.edu.

Cone’s first professional job was with Strauss Distributors Inc. By 1985, he was president of the firm, became a partner in 1989, and chief executive officer in 1995.

His unique strategy for developing the fine wine business by partnering with charities was a major success in exposing his wines with patrons who attended such events, while at the same time helping hundreds of charities advance their missions.

In 2004, his business was sold to Glazer’s, the third-largest wine and spirits wholesaler in the country that is headquartered in Dallas. Cone served as Glazer’s regional vice president for Arkansas in charge of business development for the company’s wine business and on-premise business.

He still assists the business while serving as the director of wines for Glazer’s Distributors. Cone and his wife Donna have been active with the UALR Alumni Association for many years. In addition, they have positively impacted dozens of other charitable organizations throughout Arkansas and beyond.

Jay W. Wisener, executive vice president of Arkansas Capital Corp., will receive the Dean’s Award for Excellence.

Wisener was a member of the fifth class of UALR’s Executive MBA program and holds a master’s degree in business administration from UALR. He is also a graduate of the inaugural class of the Leadership Arkansas program. In 2006, he was selected as one of Arkansas Business’ 40 under 40 citizens.