What inspired Hytrol and the other manufacturing partners to establish the Workforce Training Consortium Endowment?
This endowment began with my grandfather’s belief that workforce development was the key to long-term community success. He understood that Hytrol’s investment in the workforce solely for the benefit of our company wouldn’t create the larger impact our region needed. By bringing manufacturers together, there was a multiplier impact on the resources that could provide more advanced training options with better accessibility than any of us could achieve on our own. We do this work not for the recognition, but rather because Community is one of our core values. We believe in doing the right things for the right reason.
Why did you choose to structure this investment as an endowment?
Another core value of ours is Commitment, which we define in part by taking the long-term view. An endowment ensures this commitment doesn’t end after a few years of investment in workforce development. It allows us to continually reinvest in employees, students, educators, and training programs making this work part of the fabric of our community, no matter how specific needs change over time.
Hytrol is known for being a leader in manufacturing. How does supporting workforce training through philanthropy fit into your company’s overall mission and values?
At Hytrol, we create material handling technology and relationships that move the world, but it’s the people and communities behind each relationship that drive our philanthropic commitment. Supporting workforce training through philanthropy reflects our values of stewardship, responsibility, and partnership. It’s our way of extending opportunity, not just for our company but for every business and individual in our region.
Since its creation, the fund has already granted nearly $83,000 back into the community. How have those grants made an impact?
The projects funded through this endowment show both the diversity of our region and the creativity of our educators. The impact goes farther than Craighead County and includes initiatives in robotics engineering programs, manufacturing camps for middle school students, career awareness projects, scholarships for engineering camps, software, and virtual reality headsets. Each project creates a spark — helping students imagine career pathways and giving teachers new ways to prepare them for the workforce.
Why was Arkansas Community Foundation the right partner to hold and manage this endowment?
The Community Foundation’s mission of building stronger communities is at the heart of our efforts, too. Their local presence means decisions are guided by people who understand our workforce needs firsthand. My wife currently serves alongside other leaders in our community on the Craighead County Community Foundation board, and I have been a past member. We know how this organization functions, and we actively work to continue supporting others who also invest.
What do you see as the biggest workforce challenges facing Arkansas right now, and how do you hope this endowment helps address them?
One of the biggest challenges is preparing students early enough so they can intentionally pursue career pathways, whether in manufacturing, engineering, or other fields critical to Arkansas’ future. Another challenge is making sure the labs and spaces for learning are state of the art. These funds help bridge those gaps, by investing in projects that expose students to careers and empower teachers to bring learning to life in innovative ways.
Looking ahead, what is your ultimate hope for this fund?
My hope is that the funds from this investment will make a huge impact for decades to come because they help people create a better life for themselves. Workforce development is crucial for business, but at the heart of the issue is creating opportunities for people in our community to have meaningful work and live their lives to the fullest. We know that when students, employees, and educators are living this kind of life, our businesses are going to be successful, and our community is going to thrive for generations.