Taylor Hasley Named Startup Junkie Foundation Executive Director

Calvin Smith to Succeed Brett Amerine as Foundation Chairman

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Startup Junkie Foundation announced that executive consultant Taylor Hasley has been named executive director of the nonprofit devoted to empowering innovators and entrepreneurs. 

 “I’m honored to take over the role as executive director for Startup Junkie Foundation,” said Hasley. “I couldn’t be more excited to lead our team as we continue to achieve our mission of improving lives through innovation and entrepreneurship.

Hasley, who also leads Startup Junkie’s Fuel Accelerator, succeeds Haley Allgood, who has served as the foundation’s executive director since 2017 and whose hard work has helped nurture and develop the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

 “I couldn’t be more excited about what the future of Startup Junkie Foundation holds. Haley has set an incredible example, and I look forward to taking this opportunity in full stride,” he added. “We have an amazing team that will continue to empower innovators and entrepreneurs. Thanks to the work Haley has put in over the years, our ecosystem is now more vibrant than ever before.

“We will continue to build off the great foundation she and the rest of our team have created.”

 Hasley has extensive experience in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic planning. Before joining the Startup Junkie Foundation in 2019, he served as a private equity analyst at New Road Capital and as a senior analyst at Zweig Group, supporting the M&A and strategic planning teams. He’s aided in his efforts to carry out Startup Junkie’s mission by Executive Consultant Martha Londagin and Marketing Director Caleb Talley, both of whom joined the Startup Junkie team last summer.  

 For the last five years, Allgood has impacted thousands of entrepreneurs across Northwest Arkansas in her role. She passes the torch to Hasley after having laid a foundation for lasting success in carrying out Startup Junkie’s mission.

 “I appreciate all of the entrepreneurs of our community for allowing me to serve them over the past five years in my capacity as an ecosystem builder,” said Allgood. “It has been amazing to work in Northwest Arkansas during such a time of growth for our vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

 “During my time as executive director, the Startup Junkie Foundation team impacted over 2,000 entrepreneurs through individual mentorship and consulting. We hosted close to 600 events with tens of thousands of attendees. Our team has launched programs like the Fuel Accelerator to support high growth technology companies and also the NWA Kiva Hub to provide microloans to solopreneurs and small businesses. I know Startup Junkie Foundation will continue to grow and meet the needs of our community as we have done since launching in 2015.” 

 Startup Junkie Foundation has also named a new board chairman, who will take the helm effective March 23. Calvin Smith, a Walton MBA and co-founder of NowDiagnostics, has been named chairman of the Startup Junkie Foundation Board. 

Smith is a native of Mountainburg, Ark. He served on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2003 to 2008 and served in Iraq from 2007 to 2008. Smith received my BSBA and E.M.B.A from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas.

 After the Marine Corps, Smith worked as the Director of Business Development during the launch and initial years of the UAMS Northwest campus in Fayetteville. After leaving UAMS, he co-founded NowDiagnostics, helping to raise the company’s initial round of funding, acquire its proprietary technology and bringing on the leadership team that is still in place today.

“I am excited about the Startup Junkie Foundation Chairman position as it will give me a platform to impact the entrepreneurial community that has helped me achieve my goals so far,” said Smith. “The Startup Junkie Foundation is the key catalyst behind the growth in interest, as well as the success of entrepreneurial ventures in Northwest Arkansas. The consulting, events and more importantly, the relationships that the Startup Junkie Foundation helps bring together will be pivotal as the next Sam Walton and Don Tyson launch and grow their businesses in Northwest Arkansas.” 

 Amerine established the foundation board and has served as chairman since its inception. He is transitioning from the board and is confident that the organization is in great hands with the leadership of Smith and Hasley.