NW Arkansas Talent Showcase (September 2024)

Passionate, collaborative, personable, uplifting, innovative, dedicated, adaptable, and empathetic—these are just a few of the adjectives we used to describe members of our latest talent showcase. These soft skills are complemented by an impressive array of hard skills and experience. See for yourself.

Meet the Members

William Darragh - Field of Interest: Software Develompent/ Data Science

Will Darragh is a passionate computer scientist with experience in software development, data science, and research. He has a background in working with both federal agencies and local community organizations, where he demonstrated his problem-solving and communication skills in a variety of situations. He is a lifelong learner who enjoys picking up new programming languages and technologies in his free time. His adaptability and ability to learn are some of his greatest assets.

As a computer scientist, he is an independent worker who is capable of taking ownership over projects. Through his work as a software engineer at an Air Force contracting facility, he learned to be resourceful and creative. He has been published twice in Association for Computing Machinery journals, and his research background enables him to be a better engineer, who can find solutions to any problem.

Outside of work, he enjoys staying active. In college, he played for a club ultimate frisbee team, but his current sport obsession is pickleball. In his free time, you can usually find him at the local pickleball court having fun and working up a sweat. Cooking and hosting is another big hobby of his. He enjoys making creative meals and drinks and sharing food and good conversation with his friends. He is incredibly excited about the great social atmosphere of Northwest Arkansas.

Allison Nicholas - Field of Interest: Recruiting/Talent Acquisition

With 30 years of experience spanning higher education, telecommunications, big data, and high-tech industries, Allison brings a rich background of expertise in recruiting and talent acquisition. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Public Relations from Mississippi State University and a Master of Science in Counseling in College and Student Personnel Services from the University of Central Arkansas.

Throughout her career, Allison has collaborated extensively with leaders from industry, higher education institutions, and non-profit organizations to address pipeline resource challenges. Her work experience includes leading recruiting efforts for Metova Strategies LLC and First Orion, as well as overseeing college recruiting and university relations at Acxiom Corporation and ALLTEL. Her roles have allowed her to develop and implement effective recruiting strategies, manage full-cycle recruiting processes, and support diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Allison has also actively participated in the Arkansas tech community events such as collegiate and high school programming contests, hackathons, robotics competitions and technical conferences such as Northwest Arkansas TechFest and Little Rock TechFest, Northwest Arkansas AI and Tech Summits and Made By Few.

Allison's approach to work is characterized by strategic planning, clear communication, and a collaborative and friendly spirit. She is dedicated to creating positive and inclusive work environments and she is skilled at partnering with teams to achieve recruitment goals.

Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, fostering animals and participating in local art walks and attending music concerts. Her favorite bands are Crosby Stills and Nash; and Jesse Dean, a local Arkansas artist. She enjoys taking short getaways with family and friends.? She recently participated in the 2024 Total Eclipse at Moss Mountain in Roland, Arkansas with her sister and family from Portland, Oregon. These activities help her return to work with renewed energy and a fresh perspective.

Rayner Whitehead - Field of Interest: Supply Chain Management

Rayner Whitehead is known for his personable nature and his genuine enjoyment of making new connections. Guided by the motto “treat others as you wish to be treated” Rayner excels in team environments, where his collaborative spirit shines through. His early involvement in sports such as basketball, baseball, and football instilled in him a strong sense of teamwork and discipline, which he carries into his professional and personal life. These experiences have equipped him with the ability to work seamlessly with others and uplift his colleagues.

In his free time, Rayner finds joy and balance through his family. Spending quality moments with his fiancé and one-year-old daughter provides him with a refreshing break from the demands of work, allowing him to focus on the simple pleasures of life. A devoted Razorback fan, Rayner delights in attending games with friends and family, and his enthusiasm extends to professional sports, including the NBA, NFL, and MLB. His love for sports is matched by his enjoyment of binge-watching TV shows and movies, often accompanied by dining at various restaurants, which adds to his appreciation of life’s diverse experiences.

Rayner also has a passion for travel, relishing opportunities to explore different places across the country. Although he has yet to venture abroad, he looks forward to the day when he can immerse himself in different cultures and international experiences. Whether it’s through sports, family time, or travel, Rayner’s zest for life and commitment to nurturing personal connections keeps him engaged and invigorated.

Jason Palecek - Field of Interest: Business Development/Sales

Jason's experience includes 20 years of business development and strategy experience building innovative consumer-focused sales teams for both early-stage and enterprise-size companies. Jason has helped conceive and build several successful sales teams and campaigns for mobile application businesses, acquiring millions of active users and hundreds of thousands of revenue generating customers.?

His Go-To-Market sales segments, including named accounts, mid-market, inside sales, channel, compliance, across all industries. Jason is recognized for his commitment to the growth and development of his teams, and for empowering diverse talent. His strong sales leadership and business strategies drive high employee engagement and predictable revenue streams.

Currently two of his children attend The University of Arkansas, his oldest daughter graduated in 2023. In his spare time Jason is a certified pickleball professional. Also enjoys spending time with his extended family in NWA, St. Louis, NYC, and Naples FL.

Nicklaus Smolkin - Field of Interest: Operations Management/Project Management

Nicklaus Smolkin is a dedicated Operations Supervisor and Digital Systems Instructor with a robust military background spanning over six years. After enlisting immediately after high school in September 2018, Nicklaus has excelled in supervisory roles for more than four years, including managing teams of up to 15 personnel during major training events. His duties encompass a range of responsibilities from maintaining equipment and overseeing personnel to strategic planning and cross-functional training. Nicklaus is known for his servant leadership style, balancing guidance with a firm approach when necessary. With certifications including SCRUM Master, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, PMI-ACP and ongoing PMP studies, he is committed to professional growth. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, gaming, working out, and spending quality time with his family and dogs.

Kyle Wadstrom - Field of Interest: Event Management/Non-Profit

Kyle takes pride in his adaptability and empathetic communication, which are vital in his extensive experience in event management and community service. Kyle is deeply collaborative, always aiming to foster an environment where ideas can flourish and collective goals are achieved efficiently.

“My passion for service shines through in my volunteer work and my professional endeavors alike.” Kyle is driven by a commitment to bring people together for a common purpose, creating spaces and events that not only entertain, but also enrich and foster community spirit. “Whether it's planning large-scale events downtown or leading smaller community gatherings, the joy of seeing people connect and contribute positively to our community is what truly rejuvenates me.”

After work or on weekends, Kyle will often be found participating in local events or volunteering, which not only helps him unwind but also keeps him connected to the pulse of our community. This blend of service and collaboration across various platforms is not just a hobby but a core part of Kyle’s lifestyle.

We hope you will reach out and consider connecting with these bright and capable individuals.

If you would like us to facilitate an intro or know someone who might be interested in connecting with any of the members, visit and/or share this link with them: https://people.getro.com/app/shared-lists/talent-showcase

If you would like to be featured in a future showcase, we invite you to join the Northwest Arkansas Talent Network and reach out to Justin Stewart, MBA on Linkedin or via email at [email protected]

Happy Labor Day! May your holiday be filled with relaxation and gratitude for all the effort you put into your work.

Justin Stewart, MBA and Aron Shelton , Talent Initiatives Team at Northwest Arkansas Council

Previous Showcases:

• August 2024 Talent Showcase
• July 2024 Talent Showcase
• June 2024 Talent Showcase
• May 2024 Talent Showcase
• April 2024 Talent Showcase
• March 2024 Talent Showcase
• February 2024 Talent Showcase
• January 2024 Talent Showcase