Distinguished Insurance Professionals With Strong Ties To Arkansas
The Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame was created in 2015 to identify and honor distinguished insurance industry professionals with strong ties to Arkansas who exemplify innovation, social responsibility, leadership and professional excellence; have made broad, encompassing and lasting contributions to advance the role of insurance in society; and have significantly impacted the lives of many Arkansans.
UCA was chosen as the host and beneficiary of the Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame because of its diligent work to create and nurture a nationally recognised undergraduate degree program in insurance and risk management.
The Hall seeks to remind the public of the important role the insurance industry plays in securing the well-being of both individuals and businesses, to inspire the next generation of leadership, and to encourage young Arkansans to consider careers in insurance.
Arkansas Insurance Hall Of Fame Announces 2026 Class Of Inductees
CONWAY, Ark. (UCA) — The Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 class of distinguished inductees. Seven new Arkansans will be honored at the 2026 Induction Banquet Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Thomas C. Courtway Student Recreation Center on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas (UCA).
The 2026 Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame inductees are:
- Regina “Reggie” Favors of Cedar Hill, Texas, retired president and chief executive officer, Pinnacle Business Solutions Inc., a subsidiary of Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield.
- Lynn Harbert, CIOP, of Cabot, retired senior vice president and chief operating officer, Delta Dental of Arkansas.
- T. Ark Monroe III, J.D., of Little Rock, retired partner, Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates and Woodyard, PLLC, and former Arkansas Insurance Commissioner, 1972–1976.
- Richard L. Patterson, CLU, ChFC, ARPC, AEP, of Little Rock, financial advisor, Patterson Financial Group.
- Victor A. Puleo Jr., Ph.D., CIC, CCI (1964–2025), formerly of Little Rock, Arkansas, educator, UCA College of Business, 2003–2017.
- J.B. Smith of Marianna, agency owner, retired, Smith and Company Insurance Inc.
- Dennis Young of Texarkana, Arkansas, agency owner, retired, Young and Youngblood Insurance.
2022 Hall Of Fame Inductees
5 Inductees
B.J. Dunn
Kim Ellis
Greg Hatcher
Stephen Hoffmann
Allan Kennedy
2021 Hall Of Fame Inductees
5 Inductees
Jim Bailey
Robbi Deweese Davis
Thomas Sanders
Greg Standridge
Wayne White
2019 Hall Of Fame Inductees
6 Inductees
Gail James
James Howard "Bum" Atkins
Jim Spradley
Matthew "Knight" Cashion
Ron Lensing
Daryl Coker
2018 Hall Of Fame Inductees
6 Inductees
Dick Horne
Fred Bean
Jim Lareau
Dr. John Bratton
Mark Brockinton
Philip McCarty
2017 Hall Of Fame Inductees
8 Inductees
Alwyn Dalrymple
Adrian Luttrell
Robert W. Owens, Sr.
Louis Rosen
Steve Russell
E. Grainger Williams
Mark V. Williamson
Lynn Zeno
2016 Hall Of Fame Inductees
8 Inductees
Harold Campbell
Larry Clark
Dr. Bob Hall
Waner Marks
Dr. George Mitchell
Raymond Rebsamen
Don Spharler
Karen Yezzi
2015 Hall Of Fame Inductees
8 Inductees
Lenita Blasingame
Jay Bradford
George Frazier
Robert Hickman
Tad Krug
Allan Meadors
Walter "Jiggs" Ramsey
Steve Strange SR
University Of Central Arkansas
The Hall is housed at the University of Central Arkansas, which has the only program offering a major in insurance and risk management in the state of Arkansas. Approved in 2000, this baccalaureate degree program serves as a valuable resource for the insurance and financial services industry throughout the region.