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The Young Professionals Network (YPN) recently welcomed United States Marshal Robert G. (J.R.) Howard, Jr. as the guest speaker of their second Professional Development Series of the year. J.R. was appointed United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Arkansas on May 2, 2007, by President George W. Bush following confirmation by the United States Senate. Prior to this appointment, J.R. served as the Director of the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for three years and, subsequent to that, worked with the Arkansas State Police for thirty-three years where he retired with the rank of Major in charge of the Law Enforcement Operations Bureau which included the Highway Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division, and Crimes Against Children Division. Howard’s career in criminal investigation has been extremely interesting. He has apprehended some of Arkansas’s most infamous criminals and has appeared on Cold Case Files and America’s Most Wanted. Howard focused on things he had learned about leadership in the field. “I never planned to go into law enforcement,” Howard said. “I went to college and became a teacher.” But after going on patrol with a friend, Howard knew he was in the wrong profession. His passion for law enforcement allowed him to excel in the field. Recounting the Cox Case, Howard said “Many people think I have some unique ability to get a confession. It’s really about timing, luck and seizing opportunities that present themselves. Honestly, after three weeks hiding out in the woods living on a diet of Polk Salad, anyone with a Baby Ruth could have gotten a confession out of him”.
One key to success Howard offered was “surround yourself with good people and let them do what they do best.” Howard stated that his success is largely due to the people he works with and his wife Kathy. “Without Kathy, I would not have been able to do it,” Howard said. The seminar was sponsored by Centennial Bank, First Community Bank, First Security Bank, First Southern Bank, Liberty Bank and Regions Bank. The Young Professionals Network (YPN) is a group organized by the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce. The YPN strives to retain and advance the young workforce in Searcy by providing them with professional development, social activities and service opportunities. The organization currently has 60 members. For more information concerning the Young Professionals Network, contact the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce at (501) 268-2458. |
