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4 business leaders enter hall of fame Four Arkansas business leaders have been named to the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business' Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. The honorees are Sue Walk Burnett, president of Texas-based staffing agency Burnett Specialists; James Dyke, former chairman of building materials distributor Dyke Industries in Little Rock; Scott Ford, co-founder and chief executive officer of Westrock Coffee Company; and Dave Stickler, CEO of Hybar LLC in Osceola. "From transforming industries to creating opportunities across Arkansas and beyond, (the honorees') leadership and integrity continue to inspire our students and strengthen the state's business legacy," Brent Williams, dean of UA's business school, said in a statement. The school annually recognizes Arkansans who have achieved success in business and demonstrate a lasting influence on the state's economy, according to a news release. Past honorees include former Stephens Inc. CEO Jackson Stephens and former Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller. There will be a ceremony honoring the four business leaders in February. For information about tables, tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact the Walton College Office of External Relations at (479) 575-6146 or abhf@walton.uark.edu. -- Lucas Dufalla Anchor Packaging acquisition finalized Georgia-Pacific finalized its purchase of Anchor Packaging Wednesday. The paper products titan began the acquisition September 8 by signing an agreement with their chief investor, private equity firm TJC. Financial details are not public. However, the deal includes manufacturing facilities in Jonesboro, Marmaduke and Paragould in addition to a fourth plant in Janesville, Wis. "We are very excited to welcome the talented employees of Anchor Packaging," Fernando Gonzalez, president of Georgia-Pacific's Foodservice Solutions business, said in a statement. Best known for making rigid food containers and cling film, Anchor Packaging employs about 1,250 people. "We are thrilled to join Georgia-Pacific and start a new chapter of innovation, growth, and creating value for our customers," Jeff Wolff, president and CEO of Anchor Packaging, said. Georgia-Pacific's brands include Angel Soft, Brawny, Dixie, Quilted Northern and Sparkle. They also supply products to building materials sellers and do-it-yourself warehouse retailers. Operating over 150 facilities, they employ about 30,000 people. -- Jon Walker State index closes at 934.81, up 6.26 The Arkansas Index, a price-weighted index that tracks the largest public companies based in the state, closed Wednesday at 934.81, up 6.26 points. "Stocks sold off in afternoon trading following reports of possible software controls with China as investors continue to digest quarterly earnings for the third quarter," said Leon Lants, managing director at Stephens Inc. The index was developed by Bloomberg News and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette with a base value of 100 as of Dec. 30, 1997.
