Recent Promotions and New Additions in Northwest Arkansas Healthcare and Business Sectors
Local Leaders Step Up: Key Promotions and New Hires in Northwest Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas – In a series of significant developments, local businesses and healthcare institutions are welcoming new leadership and expertise, promising enhanced services and care for the community.
Greg Blair has been promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing/General Manager at Harrison Energy Partners. Blair, who joined the company in 1999 as a salesman, has climbed the ranks through various management roles in the sales department. Since 2018, he has served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Under his leadership, the Northwest Arkansas office in Springdale, which employs nearly 60 people, continues to thrive in providing HVAC equipment sales, service, and controls.
In the healthcare sector, Catherine Flannigan has joined the oncology and hematology care team at Baptist Health Cancer Center-Fort Smith. Flannigan brings a wealth of experience, having earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Tyler. With a background in trauma and transplant surgery, she will work alongside Dr. Varant Arzoumanian and other specialists to provide comprehensive care for patients undergoing cancer and blood disorder treatments.
Dr. Brent Ryals has also made a return to Washington Regional’s Emergency Department, specializing in acute illnesses and injuries. With 14 years of experience in emergency medicine, Ryals previously served at Washington Regional from 2017 to 2020. A native of Little Rock, he earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and most recently held the position of medical director of emergency medicine at CHI St. Vincent Infirmary.
In another key appointment, Dr. Cole Wood has been named the medical director of Washington Regional’s Infection Prevention and Control Department. He will also lead the hospital’s antimicrobial stewardship program, which focuses on the safe and effective use of antibiotics to improve patient outcomes and combat antibiotic resistance. Wood, a Jonesboro native, earned his medical degree at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and previously directed antimicrobial stewardship at St. Bernards Medical Center.
These appointments reflect a commitment to excellence and innovation in both business and healthcare sectors in Northwest Arkansas. As these leaders step into their new roles, they are poised to make a significant impact on the community.
For more updates on local promotions and new hires, please send your news to cswindle@nwaonline.com by noon Wednesday for inclusion in our Sunday publication.

