Nate Coulter
Executive Director
Central Arkansas Library System
Nate Coulter has served as the executive director of the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) since 2016. CALS consists of 15 branches throughout Pulaski and Perry counties in Central Arkansas, as well as the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, Ron Robinson Theater and the Galleries & Bookstore at Library Square in Little Rock. Under Coulter’s leadership, CALS has expanded outreach and programming by hiring community liaisons to better engage Black and Latino communities and launching the Count UP math tutoring program and Rock It! Lab entrepreneurial hub.
A Harvard Law School alumnus, Coulter has served as legal counsel to Gov. Bill Clinton and maintained a trial practice in Arkansas for more than 25 years. He currently serves on the Downtown Little Rock Partnership Board and was one of the original members of the Our House Board and the Arkansas Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission. In 2016, Coulter received the Arkansas Bar Association’s Equal Justice Distinguished Service Award.
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Life begins at 50, the saying goes, to which the incomparable Phyllis Diller once replied, “Maybe it’s true that life begins at 50. But everything else starts to wear out, fall out or spread out.” (The women and men included on the following pages, at least, will find that funny … not to mention, they actually know who Phyllis Diller is.)
Fifty is the new 40, or something like that, but in this Ponce de Leon age of youth worship, we at AMP thought it would be nice to recognize those business leaders in Arkansas who aren’t under 40 or in their 20s. Once one hits the milestone age of 50, life doesn’t stop, after all. For many, it speeds up. Nominated by readers, the leaders recognized in AMP’s inaugural Fifty Over 50 list haven’t slowed down — they have realized more success, achieved new goals and even launched entirely new chapters. And we salute them.
The vigor of youth is a beautiful and necessary thing. But so is the wisdom and discernment of age. Besides, like the saying goes, 50 is nothing more than the new 40, right?
The members of AMP’s inaugural Fifty Over 50 list were nominated by readers. They represent a broad spectrum of Arkansas business, industry and politics. They are former state legislators, business owners, CEOs
and more who represent industries ranging from farming and construction
to restaurants and retail.
Some of them started on an upward trajectory early in their careers and haven’t slowed down. Others began new chapters later in their journeys and achieved success — and made profound impacts on their communities — in new ways.
We’re proud to recognize these women and men-… experienced, seasoned Arkansas leaders whose collective journey is just beginning.
Click here to see the full list of 2022 AMP Fifty Over 50!