OFFICIAL JOB TITLE: Sr. Director, DevOps, SDLC, & Enterprise Quality Engineering at J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc.
CITY: Lowell
How did you end up in Northwest Arkansas?
I was recruited by a colleague who came here in early 2016. I came from Charlotte, NC where I was the Director, Technical & Service Delivery for Peak 10, Inc.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Yes, Sir! I’m married to my wife of 17 years and we have a total of 4 children together with only 1 being at home. Skylar, our 8 month old daughter, is our pride and joy. My hobbies revolve around sports! I enjoy watching football and basketball.
What were your immediate impressions of the region?
Honestly, I was a bit concerned about the possibility of moving here! I didn’t know what to expect. When I came for the interview with J.B. Hunt and landed at the airport and drove from the airport to my hotel, I was a bit worried. I had a preconceived notion of Arkansas being a backwoods environment and place to live that wasn’t diverse.
How have those initial impressions evolved, if at all?
My perspective began to shift after about a month of being here permanently. I gained confidence in the area, the diversity of the environment, and how supportive the workplace was of me being a diverse candidate.
NW Arkansas is a great place to live and a hidden gem! It offers all of the things one needs in a large city, but with a small town feel. The people are great and it’s a melting pot of diversity. It’s a great place to live, work, and raise a family that offers opportunity for everyone regardless of age, background, or ethnicity.
What were your immediate impressions of the region?
Honestly, I was a bit concerned about the possibility of moving here! I didn’t know what to expect. When I came for the interview with J.B. Hunt and landed at the airport and drove from the airport to my hotel, I was a bit worried. I had a preconceived notion of Arkansas being a backwoods environment and place to live that wasn’t diverse.
How have those initial impressions evolved, if at all?
My perspective began to shift after about a month of being here permanently. I gained confidence in the area, the diversity of the environment, and how supportive the workplace was of me being a diverse candidate.
NW Arkansas is a great place to live and a hidden gem! It offers all of the things one needs in a large city, but with a small town feel. The people are great and it’s a melting pot of diversity. It’s a great place to live, work, and raise a family that offers opportunity for everyone regardless of age, background, or ethnicity.
Describe Northwest Arkansas in 3 words.
”Best. Kept. Secret.
Jermain OldhamNWA TAGLINE
What do you enjoy most about the region?
The region strikes the right balance between big and small. I enjoy everything about the area, but especially, the sports. My wife and I go to a great deal of Razorback football and basketball games. We also love the downtown scene in Bentonville—Tusk & Trotter, Oven & Tap (plays the best diverse music in town!), and the Buttered Biscuit if we want a good hearty breakfast.
Buttered Biscuit, Bentonville
School us a bit on J.B. Hunt as a company.
J.B. Hunt isn’t your old “trucking” company anymore. We are leaders in the transportation and logistics industry with our innovative technology and best-in-class transportation management systems. We’re outside-of-the-box thinkers who encourage diversity of thought, beliefs, and backgrounds. We operate with 100% integrity and provide quality service to our customers.
“Northwest Arkansas is the smallest, biggest city that you’ll ever experience. ”
Jermain OldhamNWA TAGLINE
What is something we might not know about J.B. Hunt?
The company culture at J.B. Hunt is very inclusive, and diversity is prioritized, respected and valued. We have employee resource groups that support the success of women, Latinos, and veterans in the workplace. And we just started an African American Employee Resource Group (AAmERG) that supports practicing and promoting ethical leadership roles at J.B. Hunt among African American employees, as well as throughout their daily lives. The group also promotes recruitment, retention, and career advancement opportunities for employees.
Lastly, how would you describe Northwest Arkansas to folks who have not been here?
You need to see this place! I know you have a preconceived notion of what “Arkansas” is like, but Northwest Arkansas is much different. You definitely need to experience it for yourself. I promise you, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the culture, diversity of people, and forward thinking that is happening here!
