LeadAR Class 20 Member Spotlight: Stacy Walley

by Lisa Davis - June 20, 2023

We have a dynamic new LeadAR Class 20. Let’s introduce the first of 21 members, Stacy Walley. Walley is the Southern Lumber Sales Manager for Weyerhaeuser Company. We asked him to respond to the following questions.

Why did you apply to the LeadAR program? What motivated you?
I want to continue to grow as a leader and improve my leadership skills. I would also like to understand the issues facing our state and local communities and help develop solutions to solve them.

What leadership quality do you admire most in others? Why?
I admire servant leaders who invest in the people around them and are willing to step in and help. I admire people who are inclusive and collaborative and value the input of others.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Why is this surprising?
I was born without one ear. As a child, the doctors performed several plastic surgeries to build my ear. Most people would not recognize that today and are surprised when I tell them about it.

What are your top three ingredients necessary for success?
Here are my top three ingredients for success 1. Be a lifelong learner. Always be willing to challenge yourself and learn new things. 2. Set high expectations for yourself. We can achieve more than we think we can, and we need to push ourselves continually. 3. Have a strong work ethic. This will help set you apart from others.

What are your top three ingredients necessary for happiness?
Here are my top three ingredients for happiness 1. Having a strong faith. Always staying focused on what is most important in life. 2. Find what you are passionate about. When we find things we enjoy, we are more productive and find fulfillment. 3. Maintain and good work-life balance. It is essential to take time for yourself and spend time with family and friends.

Describe your personal leadership style.
My leadership style is coaching and mentoring. It is essential to build trust to develop and inspire your team. Therefore, I strive to create a culture of teamwork and collaboration.

What is something you hope to gain from your LeadAR experience?
I hope to sharpen my leadership skills and broaden my network. I also want to gain a deeper understanding of how we can bring additional economic opportunities to Arkansas.

How can effective leadership help move the state of Arkansas forward?
I believe we are stronger when we come together to work on opportunities for our state. Having strong leadership that creates a culture of collaboration and sharing of ideas will help us address the needs of our state.

You are stranded on a desert island. What are your three MUST HAVE items?
My three must-have items are: 1. My Bible and other books to read 2. Matches or fire starter 3. A Knife or Machete

What else do you want others to know about you?
I am very excited about being a part of this program and getting to know my fellow classmates. I enjoy getting to know people and learning from their experiences.

LeadAR is a program designed to help Arkansans broaden their understanding of issues and opportunities facing our state and strengthen their ability to make a difference. For more information about LeadAR, visit the website or contact Robinson, jrobinson@uada.edu, or Lisa Davis, ldavis@uada.edu.