Join other CEOs and business leaders in Central & Northwest Arkansas who are building great businesses for a greater purpose.

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It can be lonely at the top, but it doesn’t have to be.

We know leaders limit their potential when they lead from isolation. But, when surrounded by trusted advisors with a common goal and a biblical worldview, they can maximize performance and energize cultures. With faith as the foundation, this powerful group of peers meet in an exclusive, confidential forums in central Arkansas to have their questions answered and their answers questioned.

Chairs

Business Forum Leaders in the Central & Northwest Arkansas Area

DEE BROWN

Dee has over 30 years of experience in engineering and business leadership. He co-founded Brown Engineers, an electrical, mechanical, and…

DEE BROWN

Dee has over 30 years of experience in engineering and business leadership. He co-founded Brown Engineers, an electrical, mechanical, and automation engineering consulting firm in Little Rock, AR. As a co-founder, Dee has designed award-winning, major automation and controls systems, including city-wide Supervisory Control Systems for utilities and the manufacturing sectors. He has helped lead Brown Engineers to be a Circle of Excellence award winner which identifies the best-in-class architecture and engineering firms demonstrating outstanding achievements in areas such as profitability, staff growth, cash flow, business development, and turnover. Dee loves the local church. He serves as an Elder at his church and serves on the board of the CityChurch Network of Arkansas, which develops leaders and seeks to unite churches for the good of the city. Knowing home is his first area of impact, he partnered with his wife, Kim, to intentionally pour into their three children. Their children have developed their own passion for a personal relationship with Christ, and the older two have launched their own businesses, the youngest will attend Baylor University this fall. Dee is a dedicated life-long learner and is a Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. It has been this experience and his commitment to honing his skills as a learner and leader that has created a drive to disciple, mentor, and teach others about living an intentional life as an art of walking with God in key areas of Biblical Leadership Development and Christian Worldview. Dee’s proven capabilities and faithful stewardship unleashes the power of the C12 platform, along with his gifts for facilitation and insightful inquiry, to spur business leaders to build GREAT Businesses for a GREATER purpose in central Arkansas.

JOHN MECKFESSEL

In his role as a C12 Chair for the Little Rock area, John is looking forward to taking what he…

JOHN MECKFESSEL

In his role as a C12 Chair for the Little Rock area, John is looking forward to taking what he has learned in life, faith, family and business to help others flourish in their lives and businesses. John is passionate about encouraging others to find margin in their lives in order to be more present and effective at work and at home. John spent 25 years in the Dry-Cleaning industry, owning and operating several franchises and independent businesses. He grew these businesses to volumes two to three times the national average. He helped three of his managers own and operate their own businesses. Two of these individuals have owned the same business for over 20 years. John has also been involved in the building and development of several other startup businesses. Some of these ventures were great successes and a few were opportunities to trust God and learn an expensive lesson. Through all of this, it has become abundantly clear, we make our plans, but the Lord decides where we will go. In this season of his life, John wants Christian businessmen and women to fully realize God has an eternal plan for their lives and that plan includes their business. John and his wife Cara have been married for 29 years. They are the proud parents of three adult children who love the Lord and are successfully navigating life. They are also the proud grandparents of four wonderful and very active grandchildren. John and Cara are active in the church they have attended for the past 21 years. John has served on the elder board since 2019.

LAWSON HEMBREE

Lawson Hembree understands that Christians in the marketplace have a unique calling to advance the gospel through their vocation. As…

LAWSON HEMBREE

Lawson Hembree understands that Christians in the marketplace have a unique calling to advance the gospel through their vocation. As a C12 Chair and strategic thinker, Lawson enjoys partnering with Christian business owners to lead and steward their companies by defining a strategy, promoting clarity, creating a healthy culture, and implementing systems and processes that drive execution.   From his first job in his father’s automotive service business, to promoting trade at the World Trade Center Arkansas, to launching a startup out of college, to helping lead an entrepreneurial company, Lawson has grown up in and around small and midsize businesses. Prior to C12, Lawson served on the leadership team for Safe Foods Corporation, where he led a sales team transformation, helped implement a strategic planning framework, shaped company culture, and oversaw marketing, product, and international strategies. As a result, the company’s revenue more than doubled in eight years and the company was acquired for a double-digit multiple. Lawson received his degree in Marketing from John Brown University, where he currently serves as President of the Alumni Board of Directors. In addition, Lawson serves as an elder at the Bible Church of Little Rock where he teaches Equipping Hour classes and provides leadership for the Young Adult Ministry. In his free time, Lawson enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and playing sports or board games.  Lawson is grateful for the opportunity to equip Christian CEOs and owners to build great businesses for a greater purpose as a part of the C12 cadre. 

“C12 is everything I was looking for and more of what I didn’t know I needed. My peers challenge me in my blind spots, love me in hard times, and encourage me to glorify God in the way I lead my team. It’s a home for business leaders.”

Brittany Zeller, founder and director of Tiny Feet Early Intervention / South Carolina C12 member

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