Conway has more than 60 miles of bike lanes, shared paths and trails of all kinds, but recently added something that was even unique for its cycling repertoire: Pompe Park.

Chris Crain thinks Conway has the chance to have one of the premier downtowns in the mid-south. As a business owner, he’s called Conway home for 25 years and has seen the progress made and what could lie ahead. “It is the heart and soul of our city,” he said. “I’ve watched the evolution of our downtown into a progressive and vibrant community filled with local shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, seasonal events, and much more.”

Osmar Garcia is co-founder and CEO of Northwestern Mutual-Garcia Wealth Management in Conway. He started cycling in 2013 and quickly realized he’d found a new hobby, especially road riding, that gave him a good workout with a fun group and gave him a chance to enjoy a good stretch of scenery riding through Conway and central Arkansas.

Jessica Crum is the founder and creative director of Silverlake Design Studio and executive director of the Creative Institute of Central Arkansas, a gap-year program designed for young adults, ages 18 to 24, to explore careers in marketing, photography, videography, copywriting, and design. As a business owner, Jessica wants to be able to attract young, creative talent to Conway and has seen many leave for larger cities in recent years.

Based in Searcy, Arkansas, First Security Bancorp has the most complete and diverse product offering of any Arkansas-based financial services holding company. Conway+ spoke with Johnny Adams, president and CEO of First Security Bank’s Conway market, about how community banks have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and trends in the local housing market. First Security Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. 

If you asked most Conway residents to name a local educational institution that attracts students from approximately 15 countries every year, many would guess the University of Central Arkansas. If you gave them a hint and said “name one that is in downtown Conway,” they might say Hendrix College. And while those institutions do serve many international students, there is another organization discretely located on Markham Street helping people from around the world learn English.

Conway Public Schools superintendent Jeff Collum knows a thing or two about teamwork. The former basketball coach turned school administrator said a culture of collaboration has guided his 25-year career in education, both on and off the court.

Drive through downtown Conway, and you’re likely to see Kim Williams talking with shopkeepers, meeting with property owners, watering plants, or cleaning up a sidewalk – anything to keep downtown Conway prosperous and looking top-notch for patrons, businesses, and residents.

When searching for one’s passion or purpose, a common piece of advice is to remember what you loved to do as a child. Lucas Strack – an architectural designer, draftsman, craftsman, furniture maker, and woodworker – has designed a career and a life he loves by embracing the activities that brought him joy when he was a kid.

Each piece of wood has a story. There are the years of growth shown through its rings, but a closer look might detail a broken limb or branch, or a split. “That’s what the wood shows,” Felix Maull said. “Its life.”