Stafford to receive Pioneer Impact Award

Steve Stafford, chairman and CEO of Anstaff Bank, will be honored with the 2025 Pioneer Impact Award for his longstanding contributions to North Arkansas College in Harrison.

This award was established in 2018 to recognize an individual from the area who has made an impact with their notable service in support of Northark and the community.

Stafford will be honored during the North Arkansas College Foundation’s annual Evening on the Plaza dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, in the Signature Bank Community Room. The dinner will be preceded by a reception at 6 p.m. in the atrium.

A graduate of the University of Arkansas with a bachelor of science in business administration in 1972, Stafford began his career at First National Bank of Green Forest (now Anstaff Bank) in 1973. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming president in 1978 and chairman in 1980. Today, he also serves as chairman and president of First National Bancorp, Inc.

Beyond his leadership in banking, Stafford has dedicated his time and expertise to numerous organizations. He is a director at Legacy National Bank in Springdale, First National Bankers Bank in Baton Rouge, and the Area Agency on Aging Foundation in Harrison. He also serves on the board of Arkansas Children’s Northwest in Springdale and previously led Arkansas Community Bankers as president.

Stafford has been a director on the Northark Foundation Board for 31 years.

Stafford and his wife, Sharon, have three children — Stephanie King, Stacy Lile, and Stephen Ray Stafford — along with five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Other awardees to be recognized are Ken Reeves, who will receive the 2025 Ozarks Ambassador Award; Cheryl Laramore, who will be presented with the 2024-25 Distinguished Alumna Award; and Lewis Villines, who will receive the 2025 Distinguished Alumnus award.

Tickets are $55 each or a table of six for $275 and can be purchased before October 8, 2025, by calling Micki Somers at 870-391-3242.