LITTLE ROCK, AR – February 18, 2025 – The Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition, Arkansas’ premier student entrepreneurship competition, is pleased to announce that Miles Stephens and John Stephens, newly announced Co-Chief Executive Officers of Stephens, will participate in the 25th Anniversary award luncheon on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Little Rock, Arkansas.
“Warren Stephens was the inaugural speaker of this event 25 years ago and has been a tireless advocate for entrepreneurship and capitalism,” said Sam Walls III, CEO of Arkansas Capital. “We are honored to have Miles and John join us to share their views on these subjects as the next generation of Stephens leadership at this anniversary event.”
Founded in 1957, Arkansas Capital Corporation (ACC) is a mission-driven nonprofit financial institution dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship, small business growth, and economic development. Through lending programs, strategic resources, and educational initiatives, ACC provides businesses with the tools they need to thrive, particularly in underserved communities.
Since its inception, the Governor’s Cup has helped launch and accelerate the careers of more than 3,250 students, awarding over $2.9 million in cash prizes and supporting business creation, commercialization, and innovation across the state. The competition continues to serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurial success, providing university students with a real-world platform to pitch and develop their business ideas.
The 25th Anniversary Awards Luncheon will bring together students, business leaders, past winners, and community stakeholders to celebrate the impact and future of entrepreneurship in Arkansas. For more information about the Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition, visit www.argovernorscup.org.
– – – – – –
Arkansas Capital Corporation is a private, nonprofit special project finance company formed in 1957. Through its affiliates and subsidiaries, Arkansas Capital partners with commercial banks, small businesses, and others from the private and public sectors to create and preserve employment opportunities and stimulate economic development in Arkansas and its bordering states. In addition, Arkansas Capital facilitates entrepreneurial development in students through programs like the Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition and the Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase.
Mr. Miles Stephens was appointed Co-Chief Executive Officer of Stephens Inc. on January 7, 2025. Mr. Stephens had been the President and CEO of Stephens Insurance before becoming Co-CEO at Stephens Inc. Prior to his role at Stephens Insurance, Mr. Stephens served as a Senior Vice President in the Investment Banking division of Stephens Inc., where he advised mid-to-large sized businesses with a focus on the Energy and Auto Retail sectors. Before joining Stephens Inc., Mr. Stephens held research positions at Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management and Lehman Brothers. Mr. Stephens is a graduate of Dartmouth College and received his MBA from Columbia Business School. He is currently a director of Vanguard Truck Centers, LLC.
Mr. John Stephens was appointed Co-Chief Executive Officer of Stephens Inc. on January 7, 2025. Mr. Stephens most recently served as a Managing Director and member of the Family Advisory Services Group at Stephens Inc. Prior to that role, Mr. Stephens was an Associate Director of Stephens Europe, where he has served on the Management Committee since 2019, and previously had been part of the Consumer Investment Banking team at Stephens Inc. in New York, NY. Mr. Stephens began his career as an equity analyst for Stephens Investment Management Group based in Houston, TX. As an analyst he assisted four portfolio managers across all industry sectors in their research of small and mid-cap domestic growth equities. Mr. Stephens is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and received his MBA from Columbia Business School. He serves on the Investment Committee for Firethorn Trust, a London based real estate firm. Mr. Stephens also earned the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
