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Robert (Bob) T. Harriell, Jr. was born and raised in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He worked to pay for his education at the University of Arkansas where he received his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering as the Outstanding Senior and then completed his M.S.C.E degree in 1968. He was selected Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities for numerous campus wide leadership activities and graduated with Tau Beta Pi honors.
Bob had the good fortune of selling for IBM during its heyday. He was in the top one percent of USA salesmen 16 times and received more than 50 leadership awards during his 31 year career. He sold 193 organizations their first computer and sold 73 additional organizations their second computer by replacing competitive systems. He worked with 348 organizations in 18 different industries to provide innovative solutions. Regarding the implementation of new Information Systems technology, he has a long list of “firsts in Arkansas”, multiple “firsts in America” and three “firsts in the world”. An example was the development and use of the world's first commercially available touchscreen product which was installed in 12,000 trucks. Bob retired at age 56.
He served his church as Chairman of Trustees, Elder, Chairman of most standing committees, Chairman of pastoral search committees, Chairman of building campaigns, and he wrote and implemented the Church Endowment Policy. He teaches Bible Study.
Bob worked with youth baseball for 29 years, serving as President of Fayetteville Babe Ruth for most of those years. Under his leadership, the teenage youth baseball program grew from 120 to 330 players. This is the most ever to play in Fayetteville, even 30 years later. He was instrumental in having baseball added to the High School athletic program.
He was President of Fayetteville Creative School, Cub Scout Pack Master, President of both the Junior High and High School Booster Clubs, coach of Youth Center programs, and active in Fayetteville civic organizations, including being Santa Claus many years.
After retirement, Bob began volunteer tutoring of underprivileged grade school students and became a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children. Bob and his wife Kathy were Foster Parents for special needs children.
Bob’s other retirement interests include working with real estate holdings, negotiating enterprise IS contracts as a corporate consultant, golfing with an 8.6 handicap, fishing, and Razorback athletics. He has been a member of the Statisticians Crew for Razorback football and basketball for more than 50 years.
Bob and Kathy have four children and six grandchildren.