Staff

Connie Hendrix-Kral, Executive Director

Connie Hendrix Kral has more than twenty years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Previous experience included serving as Executive Director of the North Arkansas Symphony, Director of Donor Relations for the Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation, and Assistant Director of Development for The University of Georgia Foundation. As a native Arkansan on her father’s side going back five generations, she is very excited to have this opportunity to help Northwest Arkansas at this critical juncture in its history. Blending her love of history and the arts, her goal is to have The Peel Compton Foundation “ready to meet the world.”

Educational background includes a B.A. in journalism and history from the University of Arkansas, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. She received her M.A. in journalism from The University of Georgia and her Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the UA. Her dissertation was funded by the Indiana University Center of Philanthropy and the title was “Student Services Divisions in Public Universities During Capital Campaigns.”

Her volunteer experience has spanned from serving as the first national chairman of the Advisory Council in conjunction with the national board of directors for RESOLVE, the national organization for infertility. She also served as one of three co-chairs to form the local chapter as well as president. Professionally, she volunteered to serve on the steering committee for the first chapter of AFP (the Association of Fundraising Professionals) and later as its third president. She also was responsible as the first chairman of National Philanthropy Day, which has become an important event to honor those giving back to northwest Arkansas. She was also recruited to serve as the first district chairman for Leave a Legacy.

As Executive Director, Hendrix-Kral is responsible for the fundraising and strategic planning.

Ann Ramage, Office Manager

Ann Ramage has a background of over 30 years in financial services and accounting. She came to the Foundation in June of 2006 as a bookkeeper, and later assumed the role of office manager. Ann enjoys the variety that comes with her job; no two days are ever the same. As someone with a life-long interest in history and education, Ann finds a good fit with the mission of the Peel Compton Foundation. She appreciates the opportunity to work in the 19th century Peel Mansion and enjoys the serenity of her beautiful surroundings.

Corrin Troutman, chief horticulturist and director of foundation gardens

Corrin has been gardening since she was two years old in West Fork, Arkansas. In 2001, she graduated with a B.S. in Horticulture from the University of Arkansas. She worked as a garden nursery sales representative in Dallas, Texas and the Northeast Texas area after graduation. She has been with The Peel Compton Foundation since 2004. Corrin is a member of the Bentonville Garden Club, Arkansas Certified Nursery & Landscaper Professional, and the American Public Gardens Association. Her interests are in Arkansas native plants, public gardens, urban forests, community volunteering, and public education of gardening, conservation and native plants.

Russ Kuhn, Marketing and Sales Director

Russ Kuhn came to the Peel Compton Foundation after 8 years in sales and marketing in the financial services industry. A graduate of Oklahoma State University with a marketing degree, Russ focuses his time and effort on building strong business relationships, networking, and spreading the message of the unique venues and priceless treasures that are The Peel Mansion and Compton Gardens. In addition, Russ has a strong background in web development, social media marketing, and print design, all of which he has had the opportunity to use in his work with The Peel Compton Foundation.

Zella Norman, Horticulturist

Zella started working for the Peel Compton Foundation full time as Horticulturist in July 2007. She takes care of the greenhouse, supervises the Peel crew and supports the Site Manager and the crew at Compton. She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a B.S. in Landscape Horticulture. While she was attending school, she worked for the University of Arkansas maintaining the horticulture gardens. She also did her horticulture internship for the Peel Compton Foundation in the summer of 2003.

Zella became interested in plants when she was a young child and still finds great delight in watching new plants emerge. She hopes to pass some of that interest on to one of her children or to anyone that is interested in learning about plants.

Amber Rice, Special Events Coordinator

Amber graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Her event planning training began while working at a local bed and breakfast. She gained experience coordinating luncheons, intimate showers, and other special events. Later, she decided to focus less on hotels, restaurants, and B&Bs and more on event planning, taking an internship with a local non-profit while planning and coordinating her own wedding from start to finish. Helping people with their special events is her passion, and it is what ultimately brought her to the Peel Compton Foundation in July 2010. She helps with our special events, handles many of the rental inquiries, and coordinates with staff members and volunteers to help make each event a success. Amber's hobbies include anything Martha Stewart, gardening, and cooking.