Distinguished Alumnus
Mike McNutt Named 2011 Distinguished Alumnus
Harrison entrepreneur Mike McNutt is the North Arkansas College’s 2011 Distinguished Alumnus. He was recognized during a luncheon held in Hot Springs during the annual conference of the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges (AATYC).
McNutt founded Distribution Solutions, Inc. (DSI) in 1997 with one local customer: Claridge Products and Equipment. Now, he employs 135 people, has three other locations in Arkansas, and serves 48 states and annual revenues of $20 million. DSI serves 48 states from facilities in Harrison, Rogers, Jonesboro and Little Rock.
After graduating from Harrison High School in 1983, Mike got his start in higher education as a student at North Arkansas College for two years before finishing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas.
“Attending Northark prepared me for the University of Arkansas,” he explains. “I received personal attention from my instructors because they cared that much about my success.”
Mike appreciates Northark’s value to area high school graduates. “It’s a great, great option from the standpoint of affordability,” he says. “You can stay at home, work, and save some money.”
His wife, Kelly attended the ceremony with him. They reside in Harrison and have two children: a daughter, Isabel, who is nine and a four-year old son, Eli.
Shane Broadway, Interim Director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, presented the award to McNutt and was the keynote speaker at a brunch honoring the 22 Outstanding Alumnus winners representing each Arkansas two-college.