Story by Kelsey Boyd
Members of the Russellville Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious Red Coat Committee are well known and respected in the River Valley for the time, effort and enthusiasm they bring to the community. Serving as liaisons between the Chamber and local businesses, the Red Coats work to recruit new members and represent the Chamber at community functions.
The Red Coats recently selected Roy Beth Kelley as Red Coat of the Year in recognition of her service to the organization that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
A surprised Roy Beth received her award at the Chamber’s annual awards banquet in January. In fact, Roy Beth was on the selection committee that voted for the Red Coat of the Year award, and, voting for someone other than herself, was told the vote was unanimous.
“They tricked me!” she joked.
Roy Beth has served on the invitation only committee since 2005. As a Red Coat, Roy Beth recruited 15 new members for the Chamber in 2007 (including her current partner); attended 38 official Chamber functions, 21 of which were ribbon cuttings for new businesses; made 80 visits to existing Chamber members along with her partner; volunteered her time at the Chamber at Prime Time and the Russellville Business Expo; and attended 11 of the 12 Red Coat committee meetings in 2007. Her peers also recently voted her Chairperson of the Red Coats for 2008.
Originally from Harrison, Roy Beth’s first experience with Russellville was during her college years at Tech. Upon graduation, she taught English to junior high and high school students in Harrison, Warren, Lead Hill and Mt. Judy. She went on to earn a law degree from the University of Arkansas and has been practicing law ever since. She and her business partner Carol Collins have owned their practice, Kelley & Collins, since October 2006. They also co-own Pope County Title.
Roy Beth admits that Russellville was not her first choice in which to live. Her husband’s job transfer forced her to move to Russellville 10 years ago. Ed, current Dover football coach, and Roy Beth reluctantly made the move to Russellville with their sons, Jonathan and Mark. Though a little uneasy about moving to an unfamiliar town, she quickly became involved with Leadership Russellville, and her love of the River Valley began to blossom.
The Red Coats recently selected Roy Beth Kelley as Red Coat of the Year in recognition of her service to the organization that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
A surprised Roy Beth received her award at the Chamber’s annual awards banquet in January. In fact, Roy Beth was on the selection committee that voted for the Red Coat of the Year award, and, voting for someone other than herself, was told the vote was unanimous.
“They tricked me!” she joked.
Roy Beth has served on the invitation only committee since 2005. As a Red Coat, Roy Beth recruited 15 new members for the Chamber in 2007 (including her current partner); attended 38 official Chamber functions, 21 of which were ribbon cuttings for new businesses; made 80 visits to existing Chamber members along with her partner; volunteered her time at the Chamber at Prime Time and the Russellville Business Expo; and attended 11 of the 12 Red Coat committee meetings in 2007. Her peers also recently voted her Chairperson of the Red Coats for 2008.
Originally from Harrison, Roy Beth’s first experience with Russellville was during her college years at Tech. Upon graduation, she taught English to junior high and high school students in Harrison, Warren, Lead Hill and Mt. Judy. She went on to earn a law degree from the University of Arkansas and has been practicing law ever since. She and her business partner Carol Collins have owned their practice, Kelley & Collins, since October 2006. They also co-own Pope County Title.
Roy Beth admits that Russellville was not her first choice in which to live. Her husband’s job transfer forced her to move to Russellville 10 years ago. Ed, current Dover football coach, and Roy Beth reluctantly made the move to Russellville with their sons, Jonathan and Mark. Though a little uneasy about moving to an unfamiliar town, she quickly became involved with Leadership Russellville, and her love of the River Valley began to blossom.
The Red Coats recently selected Roy Beth Kelley as Red Coat of the Year in recognition of her service to the organization that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
A surprised Roy Beth received her award at the Chamber’s annual awards banquet in January. In fact, Roy Beth was on the selection committee that voted for the Red Coat of the Year award, and, voting for someone other than herself, was told the vote was unanimous.
“They tricked me!” she joked.
Roy Beth has served on the invitation only committee since 2005. As a Red Coat, Roy Beth recruited 15 new members for the Chamber in 2007 (including her current partner); attended 38 official Chamber functions, 21 of which were ribbon cuttings for new businesses; made 80 visits to existing Chamber members along with her partner; volunteered her time at the Chamber at Prime Time and the Russellville Business Expo; and attended 11 of the 12 Red Coat committee meetings in 2007. Her peers also recently voted her Chairperson of the Red Coats for 2008.
Originally from Harrison, Roy Beth’s first experience with Russellville was during her college years at Tech. Upon graduation, she taught English to junior high and high school students in Harrison, Warren, Lead Hill and Mt. Judy. She went on to earn a law degree from the University of Arkansas and has been practicing law ever since. She and her business partner Carol Collins have owned their practice, Kelley & Collins, since October 2006. They also co-own Pope County Title.
Roy Beth admits that Russellville was not her first choice in which to live. Her husband’s job transfer forced her to move to Russellville 10 years ago. Ed, current Dover football coach, and Roy Beth reluctantly made the move to Russellville with their sons, Jonathan and Mark. Though a little uneasy about moving to an unfamiliar town, she quickly became involved with Leadership Russellville, and her love of the River Valley began to blossom.
A surprised Roy Beth received her award at the Chamber’s annual awards banquet in January. In fact, Roy Beth was on the selection committee that voted for the Red Coat of the Year award, and, voting for someone other than herself, was told the vote was unanimous.
“They tricked me!” she joked.
Roy Beth has served on the invitation only committee since 2005. As a Red Coat, Roy Beth recruited 15 new members for the Chamber in 2007 (including her current partner); attended 38 official Chamber functions, 21 of which were ribbon cuttings for new businesses; made 80 visits to existing Chamber members along with her partner; volunteered her time at the Chamber at Prime Time and the Russellville Business Expo; and attended 11 of the 12 Red Coat committee meetings in 2007. Her peers also recently voted her Chairperson of the Red Coats for 2008.
Originally from Harrison, Roy Beth’s first experience with Russellville was during her college years at Tech. Upon graduation, she taught English to junior high and high school students in Harrison, Warren, Lead Hill and Mt. Judy. She went on to earn a law degree from the University of Arkansas and has been practicing law ever since. She and her business partner Carol Collins have owned their practice, Kelley & Collins, since October 2006. They also co-own Pope County Title.
Roy Beth admits that Russellville was not her first choice in which to live. Her husband’s job transfer forced her to move to Russellville 10 years ago. Ed, current Dover football coach, and Roy Beth reluctantly made the move to Russellville with their sons, Jonathan and Mark. Though a little uneasy about moving to an unfamiliar town, she quickly became involved with Leadership Russellville, and her love of the River Valley began to blossom.
The Red Coats recently selected Roy Beth Kelley as Red Coat of the Year in recognition of her service to the organization that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
A surprised Roy Beth received her award at the Chamber’s annual awards banquet in January. In fact, Roy Beth was on the selection committee that voted for the Red Coat of the Year award, and, voting for someone other than herself, was told the vote was unanimous.
“They tricked me!” she joked.
Roy Beth has served on the invitation only committee since 2005. As a Red Coat, Roy Beth recruited 15 new members for the Chamber in 2007 (including her current partner); attended 38 official Chamber functions, 21 of which were ribbon cuttings for new businesses; made 80 visits to existing Chamber members along with her partner; volunteered her time at the Chamber at Prime Time and the Russellville Business Expo; and attended 11 of the 12 Red Coat committee meetings in 2007. Her peers also recently voted her Chairperson of the Red Coats for 2008.
Originally from Harrison, Roy Beth’s first experience with Russellville was during her college years at Tech. Upon graduation, she taught English to junior high and high school students in Harrison, Warren, Lead Hill and Mt. Judy. She went on to earn a law degree from the University of Arkansas and has been practicing law ever since. She and her business partner Carol Collins have owned their practice, Kelley & Collins, since October 2006. They also co-own Pope County Title.
Roy Beth admits that Russellville was not her first choice in which to live. Her husband’s job transfer forced her to move to Russellville 10 years ago. Ed, current Dover football coach, and Roy Beth reluctantly made the move to Russellville with their sons, Jonathan and Mark. Though a little uneasy about moving to an unfamiliar town, she quickly became involved with Leadership Russellville, and her love of the River Valley began to blossom.
A surprised Roy Beth received her award at the Chamber’s annual awards banquet in January. In fact, Roy Beth was on the selection committee that voted for the Red Coat of the Year award, and, voting for someone other than herself, was told the vote was unanimous.
“They tricked me!” she joked.
Roy Beth has served on the invitation only committee since 2005. As a Red Coat, Roy Beth recruited 15 new members for the Chamber in 2007 (including her current partner); attended 38 official Chamber functions, 21 of which were ribbon cuttings for new businesses; made 80 visits to existing Chamber members along with her partner; volunteered her time at the Chamber at Prime Time and the Russellville Business Expo; and attended 11 of the 12 Red Coat committee meetings in 2007. Her peers also recently voted her Chairperson of the Red Coats for 2008.
Originally from Harrison, Roy Beth’s first experience with Russellville was during her college years at Tech. Upon graduation, she taught English to junior high and high school students in Harrison, Warren, Lead Hill and Mt. Judy. She went on to earn a law degree from the University of Arkansas and has been practicing law ever since. She and her business partner Carol Collins have owned their practice, Kelley & Collins, since October 2006. They also co-own Pope County Title.
Roy Beth admits that Russellville was not her first choice in which to live. Her husband’s job transfer forced her to move to Russellville 10 years ago. Ed, current Dover football coach, and Roy Beth reluctantly made the move to Russellville with their sons, Jonathan and Mark. Though a little uneasy about moving to an unfamiliar town, she quickly became involved with Leadership Russellville, and her love of the River Valley began to blossom.
The Red Coats recently selected Roy Beth Kelley as Red Coat of the Year in recognition of her service to the organization that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
A surprised Roy Beth received her award at the Chamber’s annual awards banquet in January. In fact, Roy Beth was on the selection committee that voted for the Red Coat of the Year award, and, voting for someone other than herself, was told the vote was unanimous.
“They tricked me!” she joked.
Roy Beth has served on the invitation only committee since 2005. As a Red Coat, Roy Beth recruited 15 new members for the Chamber in 2007 (including her current partner); attended 38 official Chamber functions, 21 of which were ribbon cuttings for new businesses; made 80 visits to existing Chamber members along with her partner; volunteered her time at the Chamber at Prime Time and the Russellville Business Expo; and attended 11 of the 12 Red Coat committee meetings in 2007. Her peers also recently voted her Chairperson of the Red Coats for 2008.
Originally from Harrison, Roy Beth’s first experience with Russellville was during her college years at Tech. Upon graduation, she taught English to junior high and high school students in Harrison, Warren, Lead Hill and Mt. Judy. She went on to earn a law degree from the University of Arkansas and has been practicing law ever since. She and her business partner Carol Collins have owned their practice, Kelley & Collins, since October 2006. They also co-own Pope County Title.
Roy Beth admits that Russellville was not her first choice in which to live. Her husband’s job transfer forced her to move to Russellville 10 years ago. Ed, current Dover football coach, and Roy Beth reluctantly made the move to Russellville with their sons, Jonathan and Mark. Though a little uneasy about moving to an unfamiliar town, she quickly became involved with Leadership Russellville, and her love of the River Valley began to blossom.
A surprised Roy Beth received her award at the Chamber’s annual awards banquet in January. In fact, Roy Beth was on the selection committee that voted for the Red Coat of the Year award, and, voting for someone other than herself, was told the vote was unanimous.
“They tricked me!” she joked.
Roy Beth has served on the invitation only committee since 2005. As a Red Coat, Roy Beth recruited 15 new members for the Chamber in 2007 (including her current partner); attended 38 official Chamber functions, 21 of which were ribbon cuttings for new businesses; made 80 visits to existing Chamber members along with her partner; volunteered her time at the Chamber at Prime Time and the Russellville Business Expo; and attended 11 of the 12 Red Coat committee meetings in 2007. Her peers also recently voted her Chairperson of the Red Coats for 2008.
Originally from Harrison, Roy Beth’s first experience with Russellville was during her college years at Tech. Upon graduation, she taught English to junior high and high school students in Harrison, Warren, Lead Hill and Mt. Judy. She went on to earn a law degree from the University of Arkansas and has been practicing law ever since. She and her business partner Carol Collins have owned their practice, Kelley & Collins, since October 2006. They also co-own Pope County Title.
Roy Beth admits that Russellville was not her first choice in which to live. Her husband’s job transfer forced her to move to Russellville 10 years ago. Ed, current Dover football coach, and Roy Beth reluctantly made the move to Russellville with their sons, Jonathan and Mark. Though a little uneasy about moving to an unfamiliar town, she quickly became involved with Leadership Russellville, and her love of the River Valley began to blossom.
“Leadership Russellville really shows you different areas where you can get involved,” she said. “It’s a good program to show you around the community.”
Roy Beth’s involvement in Leadership Russellville encouraged her to become active in the Chamber. She soon joined the Chamber’s education committee and began promoting the Arkansas Scholars program for high school graduates in Arkansas. She traveled to schools across the state and spoke to students about the scholarship program. In 2005, because of her hard work and accomplishments on the education committee, she was asked to be on the renowned Red Coat Committee.
Roy Beth’s involvement in Leadership Russellville encouraged her to become active in the Chamber. She soon joined the Chamber’s education committee and began promoting the Arkansas Scholars program for high school graduates in Arkansas. She traveled to schools across the state and spoke to students about the scholarship program. In 2005, because of her hard work and accomplishments on the education committee, she was asked to be on the renowned Red Coat Committee.
“I had to think about it for a little while because it’s a ten-year commitment,” she said. In looking back on her decision, she said, “I’m really glad that I agreed to do it. It’s been my favorite thing to be involved in at the Chamber. We have a lot of fun.”
According to Roy Beth, getting to know the Chamber staff and teaming up with fellow Red Coats has been the highlight of her experience with the organization. She enjoys working with her partner at the Chamber, Sabrina Kendrick, and with the Chamber staff.
When thinking back on her family’s decision to settle in Russellville 10 years ago in spite of her unwillingness to move, Roy Beth said, “We came here anyway, and I’m glad we did.”
When thinking back on her family’s decision to settle in Russellville 10 years ago in spite of her unwillingness to move, Roy Beth said, “We came here anyway, and I’m glad we did.”
