XNA manager wins Athena Award

TONYA MCKIEVER Staff Writer tonyam@nwanews.com

Posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2008

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ROGERS - Shelley Parson, committee chairwoman for the huge Northwest Arkansas Business Women's Conference, made a prediction as the one-day conference opened Tuesday morning at the John Q. Hammons Center here.

"This will be one outstanding day," Parson declared.

Was she ever right. From Emory Austin, the morning motivational speaker who kicked things off, to Gladys Knight, who gave the keynote address and closed the day with wise words and her b e s t - k n o w n song, " Midnight Train to Georgia," the 10 th annual event was nonstop information, fun and good food. The conference was hosted by the Bentonville-Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce with founding sponsor Mercy Heath System of Northwest Arkansas and presenting sponsor Wal-Mart.

A highlight during the lunch hour was the announcement of the winner of the prestigious Athena Award. Honored for striving for the highest levels of professional accomplishment and devoting her resources to the community was Kelly L. Johnson, manager of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport. Other nominees were Mary Beth Brooks, Kathy McFettridge and Ladonna Penner.

Several seminar speakers offered topics ranging from personal image to selfdefense strategies. Women attended both a morning and an afternoon seminar session.

There was a silent auction filled with a gigantic variety of items up for bids. The auction benefited the Benton County Women's Shelter.

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