The Arkansas Business Hall of Fame inducted four new members Friday night.
Walter E. Hussman, Jr., publisher of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Wayne Cranford, an advertising executive; John Ed Anthony, a timber business owner; and Jack C. Shewmaker, a former Wal-Mart president, were inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Statehouse Convention Center.
The University of Arkansas' Sam M. Walton College of Business founded the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame, which has 58 members, including the 2012 inductees.
Hussman, who was born in Texarkana, also serves as chief executive officer of WEHCO Media. The organization operates 14 daily newspapers, 11 weekly newspapers and 13 cable television companies. At age 27, he became the publisher of the Arkansas Democrat in 1974.
"As one looks back over a lifetime, you realize chance has a lot to do with where you go," Hussman said. "You realize there is something really important at play here...One thing that is not a mystery is that I've been very fortunate in my life, and I'm very grateful. I'm grateful to the people of the state of Arkansas for helping me live the impossible dream."
Anthony, who is the owner of Anthony Timberlands Inc., has more than 175,000 acres of timberlands, making his business the largest owner of timberlands in the state.
"I stand here in the knowledge that the company I've been blessed with keeping is as fine as a man could ever hope for," Anthony said. "The strength I've received from all of you who have been a part of my life has been invaluable."
Cranford founded Cranford-Johnson advertising agency in 1961. The agency, which was renamed Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods in 1991, has become one of the largest in the South. Almost 100 people work for the agency in Arkansas offices.
"Tonight I'm in awe of past honorees who have inspired us," Cranford said. "Tonight I give thanks to the power of words, the beauty of design, the marvels of technology and the powers of persuasion."
Shewmaker, who died in November 2010, served as president for Wal-Mart and chief operating officer.
"My dad didn't go after awards and recognition but he accepted them proudly," Daniel Shewmaker said, accepting the award for his father.