Past Award Winners

Winners of the Governor’s Trade Award 

 2021 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade

The 2021 winning companies were selected on a more challenging basis than years past. We recognized exporters who through the innovative and thoughtful development of the export market were able to successfully overcome the economic impacts of the 2020 pandemic and retain at least 95% of their workforce. We congratulate these winners:

2019 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade

The 10th annual Awards saw Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson present five awards to the winners in front of 220 guests. The ArDEC congratulates the 2019 winners as follows:

  • Arkansas Rising Star – Bio-Tech Pharmacal, Inc. – Fayetteville, AR​
  • Small Company Exporter – Pinnacle Energy Services, Inc. – Fayetteville, AR
  • Medium Manufacturer Exporter – Tanners Team Sports, Inc. – Hot Springs, AR
  • Large Manufacturer Exporter – Welspun Tubular LLC – Little Rock, AR
  • Agricultural Award – Southwestern Sales Company – Rogers, AR

2018 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade

The 9th annual Awards saw Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson present five awards to the winners in front of 220 guests. The ArDEC congratulates the 2018 winners as follows:

  • Arkansas Rising Star – Clear Ballistics – Fort Smith, AR​
  • Small Manufacturer Exporter – Safe Foods Corporation – North Little Rock, AR
  • Medium Manufacturer Exporter – Allen Engineering Corporation – Paragould, AR
  • Large Manufacturer Exporter – Saint Jean Industries – Heber Springs, AR
  • Sustainability Award – ECOJOHN – North Little Rock, AR

2017 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade

The 8th annual Awards saw Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson present five awards to the winners in front of 200 guests, several Arkansas State legislators, and local media. The ArDEC congratulates the 2017 winners as follows:

  • Arkansas Rising Star – Lycus, Ltd., LLC – El Dorado, AR​
  • Advance Technologies & STEM Exporter – Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control – Camden, AR
  • Small Manufacturer Exporter – Garreco Dental, LLC – Heber Springs, AR
  • Medium Manufacturer Exporter – AK Industrial Contractors – Searcy, AR
  • Large Manufacturer Exporter- Cooper Tire & Rubber Company – Texarkana, AR

2016 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade

The Arkansas District Export Council presented five Arkansas companies with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade in May 2016.  We are excited to highlight the 2016 winners: 

  • Arkansas Rising Star – Rock Town Distillery, Inc. – Little Rock, AR
  • Agricultural Export Award – Cobb-Vantress, Inc. – Siloam Springs, AR
  • Small Manufacturer Exporter – RH Preyda – Royal, AR          
  • Medium Manufacturer Exporter – CAT Squared – Conway, AR         
  • Large Manufacturer Exporter – Esterline Defense Technologies – East Camden, AR

2015 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade

In May of 2015, the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade was presented to five Arkansas companies. 2015’s winners are:

  • Arkansas Rising Star – Collective Bias, Inc. – Rogers, AR
  • Small Service Provider – Jobco, Inc. – Fort Smith, AR
  • Medium Service Provider – Knesek Guns, Inc. – Van Buren, AR
  • Small Manufacturer – Galley Support Innovations, Inc. – Sherwood, AR
  • Large Manufacturer – Georg Fischer Harvel, LLC – Little Rock, AR

2014 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade

In May of 2014, the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade was presented to five Arkansas companies:

  • Arkansas Rising Star – POM Incorporated – Russellville, AR
  • Global Sustainability Winner – Harris International – Springdale, AR
  • Small Manufacturer Exporter – SweepScrub.com – North Little Rock, AR
  • Medium Manufacturer Exporter – Triangle Engineering – Jacksonville, AR
  • Large Manufacturer Exporter – Arkansas Steel Associates – Newport, AR

2013 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade

In May of 2013, the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade was presented to four Arkansas companies. 2013’s winners are:

  • Agricultural Exporter – Tyson Foods – Springdale, AR
  • Small Manufacturer Exporter – Conway Machine, Inc. – Conway, AR
  • Medium Manufacturer Exporter – Alliance Rubber Company – Hot Springs, AR
  • Large Manufacturer Exporter – Welspun Tubular – Little Rock, AR

2012 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade

The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade was presented to four Arkansas companies in 2013:

  • Riceland Foods
  • Coleman Dairy Products
  • Trump Tours, Inc.
  • Keith Smith Company

2011 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade

The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade was presented to four Arkansas companies in 2011:

  • Allen Engineering
  • Pernod-Ricard
  • Power Technology, Inc.
  • Keo Fish Farms

2010 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade

The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade was presented to four Arkansas companies in 2010:

  • AmerCable
  • Cobb-Vantress, Inc.
  • Weldon, Williams & Lick
  • Keith Smith Company