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Panelist

Mr. John McCurdy

Director of Community Development City of Rogers

John McCurdy is a Rogers native currently employed with the City of Rogers as the Director of Community Development overseeing city planning and major construction projects. Mr. McCurdy graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Math, Science, and Engineering, and retired from active duty on March 31st, 2016 at the rank of Colonel. During a 5-year break in service in the 1990s, John was a retail Brand Manager at Tyson Foods, and Director of Retail Sales and Marketing at Simmons Foods. During his military career he was an instructor pilot in T-37, T-41, T-1, C-5, and RQ-4 aircraft. He was the Director of the Dover Air Force Base Command Post on 9/11, and oversaw immediate actions taken at Dover and around the world during the days that followed. He commanded the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, conducting intelligence and surveillance operations over Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa; as well as natural disaster and drug interdiction operations throughout the world. He later commanded the joint, international 738th Air Expeditionary Advisor Squadron in Kabul, Afghanistan during 2010, and oversaw the establishment of all formal training programs to support the newly formed Afghan Air Force. Upon redeployment, he was assigned to the Air Force Academy to establish an unmanned aerial vehicles training program, served as the Director of Research for the Dean of the Faculty, and then retired as the Director of the Air Force Center for Character and Leadership Development. He is a Command Pilot and the recipient of the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and the Legion of Merit. Mr. McCurdy accepted his current position with the City of Rogers following a 1-year stint as a private contractor advising the United Arab Emirates regarding leadership and professional development programs. He is accredited in city planning with the Congress for the New Urbanism and hold

Speaking at

Fri 14 Nov 10:15 AM — 11:00 AM (GMT-06:00) Central Time Fayetteville Town Center, Ozark Ballroom 1

Authentic Growth: The Past and Future of Downtown Rogers 

Downtown Rogers stands as one of Northwest Arkansas’s most successful examples of intentional, authentic growth. This session explores how a clear master plan and strategic public investment helped transform the district from a pass-through corridor into a thriving destination for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

Panelists will discuss the city’s approach to “government acting like a business” — leveraging public revenue to unlock private development — and how thoughtful placemaking, street design, and mixed-use integration have shaped the downtown experience.

Looking ahead, the conversation will address upcoming opportunities and challenges, including the 71B corridor redevelopment, improved connectivity to the new Walmart Home Office campus, enhanced parking strategies, and ongoing collaboration with regional partners like the railroad and ARDOT.

Three days of innovation, insights, and meaningful connections.


Fayetteville, AR

November 12-14, 2025

Join us in Fayetteville, Arkansas on November 12-14, 2025