Ross Whipple
Ross Whipple has been an active member of the Arkadelphia community for most of his life. He graduated from Henderson State University in 1973 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. He earned his master of business administration degree in 1976 at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He and his wife, Mary McCombs Whipple, were married in 1975 and have three daughters, Margaret and Emily Whipple and May Elizabeth Eldridge.
Whipple served as president of the Ross Foundation from 1982 to 1999 and as chairman from 1999 to present. Under his leadership, the Ross Foundation has funded new programs, such as the Cone Foundation, Arkadelphia Early Childhood Program, and the Arkadelphia School System Computer Project, while offering continuing support to Group Living, the Joint Education Consortium and other established programs.
He is managing partner of the Whipple Family Limited Partnership, Whipple Family Banking Partnership and managing member of Horizon Timer Services. He is also chairman and CEO of Summit Bank and Summit Bancorp, Inc. Whipple presently serves on the Henderson State University Board of Trustees, Henderson State University Foundation, the Arkansas Forestry Association Board, and the Clark County Industrial Council.