Simply the Best!

About FBLA-PBL

• Overview
• National History
• Creed
• Code of Ethics
• Goals

About Arkansas PBL

• State History
• Bylaws
• Program of Work

State History

In 1959, Arkansas Phi Beta Lambda came into existence. The opportunity for involvement was taken in Arkansas first by the FBLA division on May 1, 1954. Arkansas held its first FBLA conference at the Marion Hotel in Little Rock where it adopted a constitution, elected state officers, and petitioned a state charter. The national office approved a division to be open to college members in 1958. This division came to be known as Phi Beta Lambda.

In February of 1959, Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas) was the first Arkansas post-secondary school to be chartered as a chapter of Phi Beta Lambda.

At the 1962 FBLA conference, the PBL college chapters voted to hold a conference the following year, independent from the high school organizations. Under the leadership of William Hooper, the Phi Beta Lambda state president, the first PBL State Conference was held March 22-23, 1963.

In 2009, Arkansas Phi Beta Lambda celebrated its 50th year anniversary. During the past 50 years, Arkansas PBL has grown from several chapters to over 20 chapters with approximately 800 members. Arkansas has a rich tradition of being not only a leader in the southern region but also in the entire national organization. Arkansas students continue to be recognized at the National Leadership Conference for their achievements in the national awards program. The state organization is a recognized leader in the national arena because of the dedication and talent of its many members, state officers, state advisers, and state chairs.

Important Dates

1954	The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) division was started in Arkansas. The first Arkansas FBLA conference was held at the Marion Hotel in Little Rock where the members adopted a constitution, elected state officers, and petitioned for a state charter.
1958	The Board of Directors recognized Phi Beta Lambda as its own collegiate division of FBLA. The University of Northern Iowa is the first PBL chapter
1959	Arkansas Phi Beta Lambda came into existence. In February, Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway (now the University of Central Arkansas) became the first Arkansas postsecondary school to charter a PBL chapter.
1962	At the FBLA conference, the PBL college chapters voted to hold a conference the following year, independent from the high school organization.
1963	On March 22-23, under the leadership of State PBL President William Hooper, Arkansas PBL conducted it first Spring Leadership Conference that was not held in conjunction with FBLA.
1965	For the first time PBL and FBLA separated their awards for competitive event participants.
1966	At the NLC in New Orleans, PBL was defined. PBL is a professional organization for business students above the secondary school level who are preparing for careers in business or in business education. The overall purpose of PBL is to provide the experience essential in the areas of leadership, cooperative enterprise, scholarship, occupational understanding, and professional development; thus, assisting in the preparation for the student’s chosen profession.
1968	The first year Phi Beta Lambda and FBLA had separate NLCs. PBL met in Washington, DC in June and FBLA met in August. Dr. Hollis Guy retired as executive director of NBEA. At the NLC Hollis and Kitty Guy received life membership in FBLA and PBL and FBLA renames the local chapter merit awards to be the Hollis and Kitty Guy Gold Seal Chapter Award of Merit. PBL also established a scholarship in their honor.
1969	FBLA-PBL is granted independent status as a non-profit educational students association under IRS Code 501c3. At the NLC in Dallas, TX, FBLA signed articles of incorporation and officially became, FBLA-PBL, Inc. FBLA-PBL, Inc. acquires its own board of directors and full-time staff led by Dr. Edward Miller, Executive Director. FBLA-PBL virtually began again with Dr. Miller as a one-person staff. He performed all the operational functions.
1970s	FBLA-PBL grew from 80,000 to 174,000 members FBLA-PBL kicked off the Project H.E.L.P. partnership which has helped raise over 1 million dollars for the March of Dimes. Arkansas’s State Department of Education appointed department staff members to serve as state advisers. James Perritt served as the first State Adviser of Arkansas PBL.
1970	Arkansas State Department of Education appointed department staff members to serve as state advisers.
1971	Linda Beene Ballard was the first female to serve as PBL State President and the first Arkansan to hold a National office. She was the second female to serve as National President. Following her time in office, she was employed with the FBLA-PBL national center and later became Arkansas PBL state adviser.
1971-1972	Allen Beckett served as National Presiden
1974-1975	Randy Sims served as National Vice President for the Southern Region
1977-1978	David Martin from Ouachita Baptist University served as National Vice President for the Southern Region
1979	The Board of Directors approved the establishment of the FBLA-PBL Alumni Division.
1979-1980	David Martin from the University of Arkansas served as National President
1981	The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation purchases 1.6 acres of land (the last parcel of land available) on Association Drive in Reston, VA, as the site for a future FBLA-PBL National Center.
1981-1982	Michelle Martin Moore from the University of Arkansas served as National Vice President from the Southern Region
1982-1983	Suzi Reed Cotton from the University of Arkansas served as National Treasurer
1983-1984	Ellen Reid Owen from Harding University served as National President
1984-1987	Rodney LaGrone from Southern Arkansas University served as National Vice President for the Southern Region
1987-1988	John Cowart from the University of the Ozarks served as National Treasurer
1988-1989	Chad Dillard from the University of Arkansas served as National Treasurer
1989	The Professional Division was formed to include alumni members and professional business leaders.
1989-1990	The PBL Business Leader was created. Wayne Floyd from Southern Arkansas University served as National President
1990	Ground Breaking for the FBLA-PBL, Inc. National Center in Reston, VA.
1991	Over 300 members, advisers, staff, and friends attended the Grand Opening during Management Series in August. The largest room in the National Center is named the Arkansas Room because Arkansas FBLA-PBL raised the most money for the building fund.
1991-1992	Joe Gossett from Arkansas Tech University served as National Vice President for the Southern Region
1992-1993	Selena Belt Blair from Southern Arkansas University served as National Treasurer
1996-1997	Darlene Tickle from Southern Arkansas University served as National Vice President for the Southern Region. Estella Tullgren served as National President of the Professional Division.
1996	Mrs. Tommie Butler retired from her position as Arkansas FBLA-PBL State Chair. During the NLC in Washington, DC, the Arkansas Room at the National Center was dedicated to Mrs. Butler.
1997	Dr. Edward Miller retired as President and CEO of FBLA-PBL, Inc. After searching through 200 applications, Ms. Jean Buckley from Colorado, formerly an executive with Junior Achievement, was appointed FBLA-PBL’s second President and CEO For the first time, the Institute for Leaders was held in conjunction with the NLC. With over 1000 graduates, the program has tripled the number of leaders involved in national leadership.
1998-1999	Traci Hughes from Southern Arkansas University served as National Vice President for the Southern Region
2001	FBLA-PBL National Center mortgage was retired.
2002-2003	Candace Cullipher Drozal from the University of Central Arkansas served as National Secretary
2003-2004	Brad Howard from Hendrix College served as National Parliamentarian
2004-2005	Brad Howard from Hendrix College served as National Vice President for the Southern Region
2006-2007	Ashley Keymer from North Arkansas College served as National Vice President for the Southern Region
2007-2008	Ashley Keymer from North Arkansas College served as National President
2007	Arkansas PBL voted to restructure the state officer team with the following positions: President Executive Vice President of Membership Director of Marketing & Public Relations Director of Communications Director of State Programs Secretary/Treasurer Parliamentarian For the first time in several years, the Arkansas PBL Spring State Leadership Conference was not held in Little Rock - it was held in Hot Springs.