05/13/2026
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders visited ABB’s motor manufacturing facility in Fort Smith, marking her first visit to the global headquarters of ABB’s NEMA Motors Division and highlighting the company’s ongoing investment in workforce development and community growth across the River Valley.
Dr. Ken Warden, Commissioner of the Arkansas Division of Higher Education; Ryan Fitts, EVP Global Operations; Alison Mathieu, EVP Global Human Resources; Bridget Jones, Community Relations Manager; Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders; Jesse Henson, President, NEMA Motors Division; Dr. Terisa Riley, UAFS Chancellor; Jason Green, Country Human Resources Manager US, ABB; Kendall Ross, UAFS Associate Vice Chancellor for Economic and Workforce Development (left to right)
The visit followed the governor’s participation in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for new Advanced Manufacturing and Workforce Development Centers at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, supported in part by ABB’s $1 million contribution. This investment is part of ABB’s broader commitment to strengthening talent pipelines and preparing workers for careers in modern manufacturing.
“The River Valley has a clear and urgent need for continued investment in workforce development, and ABB is proud to be part of the solution,” said Jesse Henson, President, NEMA Motors Division, ABB. “We are deeply committed to building opportunities for people in this community. We believe investing in people is the most powerful way to strengthen both our industry and the region we call home.”
During her visit, Gov. Sanders toured the ABB manufacturing facility and met with employees, gaining insight into ABB’s operations in Fort Smith, its largest U.S. manufacturing location, employing approximately 2,500 people.
ABB’s long-term investment in Arkansas includes hands-on workforce initiatives such as its apprenticeship program, which has trained 35 apprentices since 2019. The company also supports regional education through its role as an underwriter of the PEAK Innovation Center, student plant tours reaching more than 1,200 individuals and partnerships with local organizations, including Boys & Girls Clubs, to promote STEAM education.
The new UAFS centers are designed to meet growing demand for skills in robotics, automation, data analytics and industrial systems, further aligning with ABB’s commitment to advancing technology while supporting the communities it serves.
About ABB
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. The company has over 140 years of history and more than 105,000 employees worldwide. For more information, visit https://www.abb.com.
