JasonFreeman

age: 38 | Irrigation and Hardscape Supervisor | Freeman Landscape

Jason Freeman designs and installs drainage, pavers, koi ponds, and irrigation systems for both commercial and residential locations for his family’s business, Freeman Landscape.  “Starting at the age of 16, I have always loved my craft, and I strive to be the best that I can be,” he mentions.  “I enjoy seeing my customers satisfied and happy with their new yard and outdoor living area as the end result.  Building things with my hands and being able to use my talents and creativity to provide enjoyment for others is very fulfilling to me.”

Jason takes pride in being known as a leader in the landscaping industry, specifically with koi ponds, drainage, irrigation, and hardscapes.  A licensed irrigator and licensed pesticide applicator, Jason is also certified in landscape lighting. “I dedicate a lot of my time continuing to learn how to improve my craft in order to continue growing and remaining as knowledgeable as I can regarding the outdoor industry,” he says.

Some of Jason’s greatest personal accomplishments include being a husband to wife, Kristen, and a father to three children, Kaitlyn, Jude, and Moriah. “Our oldest daughter, Kaitlyn, recently graduated from Pleasant Grove High School,” he says proudly. “If you have a teenager, you know how big of an accomplishment raising them can be!”  Jason also lost over 100 pounds last year. Regaining his health has really helped him see things from a different perspective, as well as provide him with the opportunity to accomplish even more things in life.

Throughout the years, Jason has taught classes for the Master Gardeners and was featured on a television show on a local channel informing others how to grow gardens organically by brewing compost teams.  He enjoys sharing his knowledge with others in order to help provide information that will help beautify the community.  In the near future, he will also be helping with some classes at Arkansas High School in their greenhouses to teach students how to grow plants and care for them successfully.  

As for the future, Jason hopes to be continuing to help beautify Texarkana and surrounding areas through landscaping and outdoor living. “It is always a joy to drive around town and see the projects we’ve worked on maturing and providing a more welcoming and scenic environment,” he explains. “Our family business has grown tremendously throughout the years, and I look forward to playing a big role in continuing to improve and grow our landscaping and outdoor living business in the future.” 

Best piece of advice:

“If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra

Name something about you that very few people know:

“I love to play guitar with my oldest daughter while doing small gigs around town. Deep down, I’d still love to be a rock star!”

Holly Cunningham,DC

age: 33 | Chiropractor/Owner | Border City Chiropractic

“Professionally, I am most proud of fulfilling my dream of creating a thriving female-owned business in the town where I was raised,” states Dr. Holly Cunningham.  “I love being a small business owner in Texarkana!”  As a wellness chiropractor who can treat the entire family, Holly uses her expertise aligning the spine so that people’s bodies embrace their innate ability to heal.   

“I truly believe every person has a calling for what they are supposed to do in life. I feel so honored that I was called to be a chiropractor. I’ve made lifelong friends along my journey to becoming a chiropractor.  Now with a practice of my own, I get to interact with and help so many amazing people of diverse backgrounds,” she acknowledges. “My clients include pregnant women, babies (my youngest patient so far was 1 day old), local area student athletes, and our seniors.”

As an adjunct science faculty member at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, Holly has enjoyed being a part of her students’ learning journeys. She has worked with UAHT for the past four years teaching human anatomy which is one of the main classes students must pass before being accepted into the nursing program. 

Holly also provides chiropractic services through an organization she founded, Hands For Life. This nonprofit gives others in the Texarkana community an opportunity to see if chiropractic care is right for them. Police officers, firefighters, and other first responders are a vital part of our community and have always been important to Holly, so she makes a point to keep her office hours very flexible in order to accommodate hours that are best for these vital service workers.

Traveling and exploring new places are two things that Holly enjoys doing for fun.  She is currently planning a trip to Antarctica next year and admits that she is a frequent visitor to Walt Disney World (she used to work there).  What does Holly look forward to in the future?  “I hope to continue growing my practice and helping to better the city of Texarkana – one spine at a time!”

Best piece of advice:

“Never throw anything away; you never know when you might need it later.” -Willard Bryant, Holly’s grandfather

Name something about you that very few people know:

“I have a twin brother; we were born on Christmas Day, hence my name: Holly!”

Esteban Ochoa

age: 39 | Owner | SmartPhone EMT

Outgoing and friendly, Esteban Ochoa, also known as E.O., is the owner of SmartPhone EMT and stays busy repairing cell phones, computers, tablets, etc.  “I have always enjoyed sales, and I like interacting with people,” he explains.  “My love of sales started back in elementary school while selling chocolate bars.  I’ve sold Cutco knives door-to-door and worked at RadioShack selling car stereos and cell phones.”

E.O. taught himself how to repair cell phones by working on broken ones brought in to RadioShack.  He then decided to open his own cell phone repair store. “The first year required me to stay alone in the back of the store during the week.  I only saw my family on the weekends,” he explains. “Now, I have a successful business that allows me to help support my family and allows me to give my coworkers an opportunity to help raise their families.” 

Being able to overcome adversity in his life is E.O.’s greatest personal achievement.  “I went from not having my mom or my dad around to having my own family,” he says, proudly.  “I am so glad that I didn’t end up going down the wrong path in life. I love being a dad to Alexander and Natalie, and husband to Tabitha.” 

E.O. enjoys creating memories with his family and friends, coaching and playing soccer, being around people, playing fantasy football, and playing poker.  He loves giving back to his community whether participating in Haircuts for the Homeless, donating to local schools, supporting local businesses, or volunteering his time to coach soccer.  

Looking toward the future, E.O. sees himself selling real estate, continuing to make memories with his wife and children, finishing up Samaritan Fields Soccer Complex, helping the community in any way needed, and starting other business ventures.

Best piece of advice:

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

• Steve Jobs

Name something about you that very few people know:

“I was sprayed by a skunk at 16 while running during cross country practice.”

Ashley Aylett, Ed.D., MBA

age: 36 | Vice Chancellor for Academics | University of Arkansas Cossatot

As the Vice Chancellor for Academics, Dr. Ashley Aylett oversees so many facets of University of Arkansas Cossatot’s educational programs, especially many of the “behind-the-scenes” components of education. “A major part of what I do is work to develop new programs, ways to attract students, and partnerships to benefit current and potential students,” she describes. “As a community college, we serve such a diverse population – high school students, non-traditional students returning to education, students starting with us before transferring, and students working toward a technical skill set. I absolutely love helping students in working toward their dream! Our commencement ceremonies are always such an emotional and joyful time for me. It’s so fulfilling to watch students as they reach that milestone and walk across the stage in front of their support group. As a smaller institution, we have the ability to know the majority of our students and their personal journeys, and that makes it even more special!”

Ashley’s family is her greatest personal accomplishment.  She and her husband, Wes, have two children, Adalie and Cash.  “I am extremely proud of my husband and both of our children,” she says.  “I’ve been blessed with a support system that allows me to balance a professional career and being a mother.”   As a family, the Ayletts spend their summers on Lake Greeson and are avid UA Razorback fans.  She loves taking adventures with her family, spending time on her family’s farm, landscaping, and exercising.  

 Earning a doctorate in Community College Leadership and being selected the Outstanding Doctoral Student for the program at the University of Arkansas serves as Ashley’s greatest professional achievement. Although it was time-consuming and not the most enjoyable journey for her, after defending her dissertation and being welcomed back to the room as Dr. Aylett, Ashley knew that her educational milestone was something that she would treasure forever.

Helping out in the community is important to Ashley.  She is involved in Rotary Club and serves on the Little River Chamber board and the Ashdown PTO.  She says, “My main contribution is developing and building partnerships that benefit the future workforce pipeline.

“I try not to think too much about 10 years from now because both of my children will be in college or starting college,” Ashley concludes. “However, I do hope that I’m still making a difference in higher education.”

Best piece of advice:

“You don’t need good luck. you make your luck.” – Bruce Flemens, Ashley’s father

Name something about you that very few people know:

“I love ‘Little House on the Prairie.’ A couple of years ago, my daughter and I read the entire series and then traveled to Laura Ingalls-Wilder’s home/farm. It was the BEST trip!”

Cole Riddell, JD

age: 29 | Attorney | Haltom & Doan

“Marrying my high school sweetheart, Shane, and moving back home to Texarkana to start our family is my greatest personal accomplishment,” Cole Riddell admits.  “We were both raised in this town, and I can’t think of a better place to raise our daughter (due in November).”

Graduating from law school with honors and passing the bar exam in Texas and Arkansas is Cole’s greatest professional achievement. As an attorney with Halton & Doan, Cole’s law practice includes a wide range of civil litigation, primarily business and commercial litigation, patent litigation, and trademark litigation throughout state and federal courts in Texas and Arkansas. “From a young age, I knew that I wanted to be an attorney,” he says.  “I thoroughly enjoy being an advocate for my clients, in and out of the courtroom.”

Cole is actively involved in the Texarkana Bar as a member of the Texarkana Bar Association and president of the Texarkana Young Lawyers Association.  He is a 2019 graduate of Leadership Texarkana and is constantly looking for ways to advocate for Texarkana and embrace the riches that the community has to offer.  He was elected as the vice president of the Men’s Golf Association at Northridge Country Club in 2020. Since then, he has worked with members and staff at Northridge to increase membership and participation at various events there.  He also supports Pleasant Grove Independent School District, Clay’s Golf and Guitars, Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, For the Sake of One, Temple Memorial Pediatric Center, and the Texarkana Children Charities Open.

For fun, Cole enjoys travelling with his wife and playing golf.  He looks forward to continuing to practice law in Texarkana in the future, and coaching a Little League baseball or softball team on the side.

Best piece of advice:

“Always assume the other side is better than you.” – Jennifer Doan, Cole’s boss

Name something about you that very few people know:

“I survived a hot air balloon crash-landing as a kid. Many years ago, my closest friend (Jackson Tidwell) and I had the opportunity to ride in one of the balloons in town for a festival at the Four States Fairgrounds. Our pilot missed our scheduled landing spot, and he was forced to crash the balloon into a field before we hit the Red River. Other than a few scrapes and bruises, that crash-landing has given us one of the best ‘icebreaker’ stories to tell for years to come.”