#2BFayetteville

Jeffery Koenig 2019 recipient Jeff Koenig moved to Fayetteville in 1969 to attend the University of Arkansas and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. After living and working in Kansas City, Mis- souri, and Bismarck, North Dakota, he returned to Fayetteville in 1979 to work for Upchurch Elec- trical Supply. He was the past president and CEO of Upchurch, which has been an ardent supporter of Fayetteville Public Schools since its founding in 1955. Koenig served on the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for many years. He also served on the Fayetteville Library Board of Trustees, as well as on the boards of Fayetteville School District, Fayetteville Boys and Girls Club, Fayetteville Economic Development Council, Bikes, Blues & Barbecue, Fayetteville Public Edu- cation Foundation, and the Northwest Arkansas Tourism Association. His involvement with Fayetteville Public Schools spanned three decades and he was in- ducted into the Fayetteville Public Schools Hall of Honor in 2007. He chaired many successful fund- raising campaigns for various community projects and was named the 2015 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser for Northwest Arkansas by the National Association of Fundraising Professionals. "My mentors Hugh Brewer and Joe Upchurch set a very positive example of how an individual and a business can contribute to their community," Koenig said. "I feel fortunate to follow in their example of giving back to the community you live and work in. I believe that businesses that give back to their communities receive much more back than they give." He and his wife Sara have three children, Amy, David and Carol, and four grandchildren. The family has supported numerous charities and sponsored the financial needs of underpriv- ileged children and their families in Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas through Koenig Family Works. About receiving the Wes Gordon Golden Deeds Award, Koenig said, "I was very humbled and honored to be named and included with previous honorees such as John Lewis, Clark McClinton, and most recently Larry Bittle, who have been so instrumental in almost everything that is good in Fayetteville. To be mentioned with others of their character will always be an experience I will never forget." Koenig stated that he appreciates Fayetteville as an inclusive community with great opportunities and an unequalled environment to raise a family in, with the university and the Fayetteville school system as "top-rated learning institutions." "Without a doubt, the Chamber is the collec- tive voice of business in Fayetteville," Koenig said. "A strong Chamber such as ours is a necessary resource for the success of our city." He feels that strong voice has been very instrumental in the Chamber's representation of key issues and initiatives within the city, and at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Public Schools and Washington Regional Medical Center, just to name a few. In 1992, the Chamber was instrumental in helping to fund the school district's athletic facilities, which had deteriorated to the point of condemnation. "The Chamber and its leadership challenged the community to unite and come forward with the necessary funding," Koenig recalled. "We were successful in that effort. From that time forward, the Chamber has always been supportive of all school district initiatives." Koenig is happy to see the growth in Northwest Arkansas. "As many my age, I cannot believe the changes and the unbelievable opportunities that have hap- pened. The trail systems are world class with folks from all over the world coming here to experience them. The growth of XNA is unprecedented with air connections to all the major hubs and destina- tions," he said. Recalling initial doubts about the potential success of Crystal Bridges, he said, "Alice Walton's vision has proven to be so beneficial that a sig- nificant addition has begun to accommodate the ever-increasing worldwide visitors and art works." Koenig said that he finds it difficult to narrow down his favorite aspect of Fayetteville. "With the addition of the Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville began its intense commitment to the arts that continues to grow as witnessed by Theater Squared," he said. "There is no equal anywhere to the Fayetteville Public Library and its community based programs. It provides mostly free resources to all with the number of library cards issued almost equal to Fayetteville's population." He also believes the University of Arkansas contributes so much to Fayetteville. "It truly is an asset to our community that is the envy of Northwest Arkansas," he notes. "My wife says I love it so much because I never have to grow up!" 16

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