Dan Hendrix Lives World Trade Center Mission

Last updated Saturday, January 12, 2008 8:34 PM CST in Our Town

By Bettina Lehovec
THE MORNING NEWS

The center opened Jan. 15, 2007. It is a member of the World Trade Centers Association, which comprises 309 trade centers in more than 90 countries. Businesses that affiliate with the centers -- more than 1 million companies are represented -- form a global network of connections.

"This whole global market is really about making those connections," Hendrix said. "We're dealing with representative companies and individuals throughout the globe -- and building trust."

The goal is peace and stability through trade, Hendrix said.

"The idea is that companies who trade together and build relationships don't fight."

A Statewide Effort

The Arkansas center operates on three levels -- bringing business representatives together, expanding economic development for the state and educating students, Hendrix said.

The center is one of three in the nation affiliated with a college or university. The University of Arkansas holds the license. Most trade centers are associated with some type of commercial entity, Hendrix explained. He and his staff work with the Walton College of Business, educating students in global commerce. Internships are open to students from any state university.

Tong "Lucca" Wu, a student from Guangdong Province in China, worked an internship at the center last semester as she finished a master's degree in international business at Harding University in Searcy.

In many internships, students do little more than provide office support, Wu said. At the world trade center, she had the opportunity to meet with clients and conduct market research on all levels.

"What we do really makes a difference for our clients," she said in December. "This is a very nice place to work. Everyone in this office takes care of the students, (assists) in their desire to learn and develop themselves."

The center is located in Northwest Arkansas, but it serves the entire state. Hendrix works with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to expand trade opportunities. The companies he targets are small and medium sized, defined as having 500 employees or fewer. Agricultural producers are included.

"It's such a daunting task (for smaller companies to break into world trade)," said U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers. The congressman initiated efforts to bring a world trade center to Arkansas, convinced such an entity would benefit the state.

"I deal with a lot of difficult problems. We could talk about Iraq or health care, but if you don't have a job, if you can't support your family, all that becomes secondary."

Boozman is frustrated by the container ships that arrive in U.S. ports laden with goods and return to their home countries empty, he said. His goal is to fill ships with Arkansas products and move them the other way.

Other partners include the U.S. Department of Commerce; various state chambers of commerce; the Crossroads Coalition in Wynne; the Cornerstone Coalition in McGehee; the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture; and the offices of Sen. Blanche Lincoln and Sen. Mark Pryor.

Global giants such as Wal-Mart Stores and Tyson Foods bring international traders to the state, enhancing opportunities for smaller companies. The large corporations support the trade center, understanding that economic growth in Arkansas benefits all, Hendrix said.

'A Corporate Citizen'

University officials knew Hendrix was the right person to head the center, Gearhart said.

The Fort Smith native spent 32 years in the transportation industry, including 12 years as president and CEO of a company that dealt with the import/export of ocean containers, both within the United States and abroad.

The Container Carrier Corp. was a subsidiary of Arkansas Best, which Hendrix worked for in Little Rock, Hot Springs and Fort Smith.

He moved back to Fayetteville in 1998 to head a transportation company here. He'd spent a couple of years at UA before completing his bachelor's degree in business at Arkansas State University in 1968.

Hendrix stepped into the newly created role of director of corporate and foundation relations at UA in 2001. He rose to the challenge, building a network of goodwill and exceeding financial expectations, Gearhart said. He worked with a committee chaired by John Tyson of Tyson Foods. Other players included Lee Scott of Wal-Mart, Gary George of George's poultry company and the late J.B. Hunt.

His success in the capital campaign garnered him the attention of the World Trade Center task force, Gearhart said. Hendrix has been part of the planning team from the first.

"Dan did a marvelous job -- such a good job he was stolen away to run the World Trade Center. We hated to see him go, but this is a tailor made job for him. ...

"He's a good corporate citizen, with a high energy level and a get-it-done attitude. He's done a wonderful job of moving the World Trade Center forward. He's opened up so many doors for the state."

Boozman has known Hendrix's family all his life, he said. Hendrix's father, B.G. Hendrix, served 34 years in the Arkansas legislature. The former speaker of the house inspired his son by giving him a sense of community service, Hendrix said. He watched his father enhance economic development in the Fort Smith area.

"Dan has a very good business mind," Boozman said. "He's been out in the real world. He works well with both small businesses and larger corporations. ...

"His strength is that he's very personable. He has a reputation for getting things done -- as he's shown."

Hendrix took the center from a concept to reality in eight short months, Boozman said. The facility anchors the World Trade Center District in Rogers -- located between the headquarters of Wal-Mart Stores and Tyson Foods, Hendrix points out. The UA is just down the road.

The 6,000-square-foot suite features an art gallery and reception area with a view of Pinnacle Hills. The seminar room is equipped with the latest technological aids. A teaching library holds informational publications from around the globe. The Centradex database provides a powerful tool for research, Hendrix said.

"Our mantra is to do business in a first class way."

A Man Of His Word

The World Trade Center pin on Hendrix's lapel shows three connecting ovals that represent the world in two dimensions. Those who do business around the world must focus on similarities instead of differences, he said.

"We have to be tolerant of others' beliefs and understandings and political motives."

He pronounces the names of international trade partners with care, stressing the 't' in Italy and the 'h' sound in Mexico. The words sound natural rolling from his lips, yet it's clear they are the result of studied care.

A shelf in his office displays gifts and mementos from around the world. There's a decorated plate from China, a silver box from Mexico, a stylized sculpture from the Philippines.

Arkansas is represented, too, with an autographed hog hat and a plaque commemorating his success with the UA capital campaign. Framed letters from state and national lawmakers hang on the wall. A highlight in recent months was the lunch the trade center hosted for President Bush at the Whole Hog Cafe in Bentonville.

Plans for the coming year include hosting delegations from Japan, Hong Kong, Colombia and Brazil. Hendrix will join Boozman on a trade mission to India next month and lead a trade mission to South America in August.

Hendrix is pleased with what the center has accomplished to date, but his focus remains on continued growth. His years in the transportation industry taught him a style of leadership he calls "anticipation management."

"You can never be satisfied," he said. "You have to continually seek, explore, discover opportunities that can help you. ... The more companies that we assist equate to economic development for the state."

He never loses sight of that goal, those who know him agreed.

"Dan thinks before he speaks," said Cameron Smith, president of Cameron Smith and Associates and a personal friend. Smith also serves on the World Trade Center board. "Some people talk about things (and don't follow through). He puts his words into action. When he wants to accomplish something, he gets it done."

Morales agreed.

"He's not going to make any promises he's not going to keep." The Latin American trade coordinator described Hendrix as ethical and dependable, with an easy going personality others find easy to trust. His relaxed style doesn't detract from the focus he brings to his work, Morales said.

"When it's time to work, he's willing." That might be 5 a.m. or 1 a.m., depending on the time zone and the travel involved.

Tong Wu, the intern, said that while other employers might be hard to satisfy, Hendrix always presents a clear goal.

"He's a very detailed person. He always knows what he wants."

The 61-year-old executive has no plans to retire, Smith said.

"That's not even on his radar. ... Dan is motivated by challenge, and this is a big one -- to take something from an idea and make it into reality."

Profile

Dan Hendrix

Born: June 27, 1946, in Fort Smith

Parents: B.G. and the late Jan Hendrix

Wife: Marilyn

Children: Danny Hendrix, Kristin Henbest, Evan Hendrix and Ann Hendrix, all of Northwest Arkansas

Education: Bachelor's degree in business from Arkansas State University, minors in marketing and management

Career: 32 years in transportation industry, including 20 with Arkansas Best Corp.; director of corporate and foundation relations for University of Arkansas, 2001-2006; World Trade Center president and CEO.

Community involvement: Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce board, Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce board, North Arkansas Symphony board, Sigma Nu housing committee, recently nominated for the Arkansas District Export Council.

Leisure activities: Watching movies, eating out, playing golf, tennis, snow skiing, duck and pheasant hunting, spending time with family.

In his words: "I think you have to persevere. You have to survive adversity through education, capitalize on opportunities."

Source: Staff Report

At A Glance

Arkansas World Trade Center

Mission: To connect Arkansas to the world by providing international trade services to companies and individuals and by educating students in global commerce.

Membership: Member companies gain access to the center's worldwide network of contacts, its Centradex database, resource library, research services and trade missions. Fees vary depending on level of membership.

Information: 418-4800, www.arwtc.org.

Source: Staff Report

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