The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will honor Marcus Guinn, executive vice president and loan manager at Arvest Bank, as the College of Business Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. The university will also honor Drew Holbert, principal and vice president of brokerage at Colliers International, as the Dean’s Award for Excellence winner at the 2018 College of Business Distinguished Alumni Luncheon on Oct. 17. 

The special award luncheon, presented by Arvest Bank, will be held at the Little Rock Marriott, 3 Statehouse Plaza. Registration opens at 10:45 a.m. with lunch served at 11:30 a.m.

The highest honor granted by the UA Little Rock College of Business, the Distinguished Alumni award is given to a graduate who has made a significant impact in business or a nonprofit organization and who has served the community and UA Little Rock.

Guinn is a 1998 graduate of UA Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree of finance. He is a seven-year veteran of Arvest Bank and has enjoyed a successful 33-year career in banking. In his current position, Guinn leads a team of 50 commercial bankers and is responsible for the overall growth and profitability of Arvest’s loan portfolios in central, southwest and northeast Arkansas, worth more than $1.5 billion. Guinn and his wife, Valencia, live in Little Rock. He is the father of one daughter, two sons, and one grandson.

Guinn is an active alumnus of UA Little Rock dedicated to the future success of College of Business students. He is a member of the College of Business Advisory Board. Through his work at Arvest, which often partners with the UA Little Rock College of Business, Guinn attends many College of Business events and fundraisers, advising business students, giving valuable advice as a guest speaker, and mentoring those who intern at Arvest.

“The College of Business is pleased to honor Marcus Guinn as the Distinguished Alumnus for 2018,” said Dr. Jane Wayland, Stephen Harrow Smith Dean of Business. “Marcus has been a very active member of the College of Business Advisory Board and has taken time to talk to our students and tell his story. He represents everything we want for our students – achievement and leadership.”

In his other volunteer roles, Guinn serves as president of the Central Arkansas Risk Management Association as well as a board member of Baptist Health Foundation, Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids (P.A.R.K), and TENDAJI Community Development Corporation. He is also a regular presenter at Money Matters, a financial literacy and education program at Saint Mark Baptist Church sponsored by Arvest.

“I am very honored to be recognized,” Guinn said. “UA Little Rock will always be near and dear to my heart. I am really appreciative of the university education and what it has allowed me to do professionally. I think this award is a testament that I have done some positive things to make the university proud.”

Dean’s Award for Excellence

The Dean’s Award for Excellence is granted to a graduate of the past 10 years who has shown promise as a leader in business or nonprofit work, and who is actively involved in serving Little Rock and the university.

Holbert received his Master of Business Administration from UA Little Rock in 2010. He is a member of the UA Little Rock Alumni Association and an active participant in the annual College of Business Golf Tournament. He started his career at Colliers International | Arkansas (then Dickson Flake Partners) in 2005 as an intern, was named a shareholder in 2013, and a principal in 2015.

Since that time, Colliers Arkansas has grown from 50 employees and approximately 6 million managed square feet to 120 employees and over 18 million managed square feet. Colliers Arkansas was founded in 1971 as Barnes, Quinn, Flake and Anderson, and is the state’s largest commercial real estate, property management and development management firm. Holbert and his wife Lindsey live in Little Rock with their three children, Beau, Tess and Violet.

“Drew has moved rapidly in his firm and proves that success can be achieved with a vision and a good work ethic,” Wayland said. “He has found time to serve his community and is an excellent role model for our students.”

In 2017, Holbert was selected as one of Arkansas Business’ 40 Under 40. He was a founding member of Create Little Rock, a 2010 initiative of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce to retain, attract and develop young professional talent. He is also a board member and past president of the Downtown Little Rock Kiwanis Club, a member of the activities board of the Joseph Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp, and president of the Arkansas Chapter of the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute, which recognizes expertise in commercial and investment real estate.

“I am so honored to receive this award,” Holbert said. “I wasn’t expecting it, and it’s such an honor for me to be chosen when so many talented people have come of out this university and the College of Business.”

Tickets for the event are $100 and can be purchased online. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Dr. Wayland at 501-569-3356 or jpwayland@ualr.edu.