Our Team:
Stuart Everett, Vice-President
Don Johnson, Business Development
Jerome D. “JD” Hamilton- CEO - Chairman
Jerome D. “J.D.” Hamilton was born in Clarendon, AR, USA, on July 27th, 1957. His childhood was spent in rural America in what is known as the Grand Delta and the Grand Prairie of Eastern Arkansas. JD graduated from Lee High School, Marianna, AR in 1975.
In February 1977 he was cleared for NIS Top Secret Security Clearance and honorably discharged in October 1982 after six loyal years, combat ready Carrier Duty, of Naval Service as Captain’s Yeoman, privy to three Commanding Officers.
In the interim J.D. gained civilian employment with a large IT Federal Contractor headquartered in Washington DC. February 1981 he obtained the Department of Defense Industrial Security Management Clearance and Certification, Richmond, VA. He worked as Staff Coordinator, Purchasing Manager and Corporate Security Manager for thirty-eight world wide facilities. He was promoted as the youngest department head in the company’s history.
As an entrepreneur he owns and operates Arkansas Corporations that are deeply rooted in the agriculture and construction equipment industries. His combined civilian and military environments provide him a true understanding of the value of man and machine. JD’s unique and diverse security, agriculture, and equipment background provides him an excellent understanding of emergency management and operations relating to preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.
J.D. proudly serves FBI-InfraGard Program, Little Rock Chapter, and Governing Body for the Arkansas IT Summit via Paramount World Group, the Arkansas State Troopers Association, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
On a more personal note, J.D. co authored, collaborated and serves as the main character YN3 Lain Byrd in the Military Writers 2007 Silver Star Award Winning novel “Constant Bearing – Decreasing Range (A Makeover for Sailor Sam): The Collision of Public Policy and National Defense.
Stuart Everett- Vice President
Stuart Everett is a professional entrepreneur and has been actively involved in the farming industry for over twenty years. His childhood was spent on a large beef cattle farm in Greenbrier, Arkansas, and was actively involved in the operation and management of that farm.
Stuart became and remains owner-operator of his own large cattle operation.
In 1993 Stuart was employed with a John Deere Dealership in Damascus, Arkansas where he served as parts and warranty manager and rapidly proved to be successful in marketing and sales of agriculture and construction equipment. Stuart’s people skills, industry knowledge, and unselfish commitment was recognized and rewarded. Stuart was promoted as one of the youngest Store Managers within the Deere Dealership Network.
In that capacity Stuart was directly involved in all aspects of Dealership – Owner Management and Manufacturer – Dealer relationships. Under Stuart’s leadership the store received various John Deere Dealership Awards by capturing a high percentage of market shares.
Stuart successfully developed an unprecedented private sector continuity plan supporting community level emergency management in offering company owned equipment to local officials in times of need. As a result, he continues to be recognized for his equipment industry influence and leadership.
Stuart has served as president of the Cattlemen’s Association, member of the Farm Family of the Year selection committee, member of the Central Arkansas Two Cylinder Antique Tractor Club, and contributor of input for the County Extension Service for farm and equipment education programs.
Leroy E. “Skip” Vogel- Military Affairs
Leroy E. “Skip” Vogel was born in Bruno, Saskatchewan, Canada. He cut his agricultural teeth at an early age in the wheat fields of Southeastern Nebraska. He is a graduate of Harvard University, the Naval Academy and Professor Emeritus of Concordia University while earning two Masters Degrees and a doctorate in early American History.
Skip served for twenty years as a Naval Officer, retiring with the rank of Captain in 1982. He taught post-graduate courses in History, Politics and Public Policy, and Politics and American Life from 1983-1998. He was selected by the Navy for post-graduate education before deploying to Vietnam where he conducted a program in cross-cultural interaction with the Combined Action Platoons attached to the Third Marine Amphibious Force. He currently holds workshops on Islam and the Clash of Cultures.
Skip restores vintage agricultural equipment. His restorations continue to be featured on the cover of Green Magazine. He farms a small acreage of beans, oats, and corn in Fillmore County Minnesota using green manure techniques and no chemical pesticides.
He holds a Top Secret clearance and is well-versed in the issue of emergency management as it relates to agro-terrorism and its threat to National life.
Skip retired as Head of Research and Development for the Chief of Navy Chaplains. He continues to stay active with the American Legion and VFW.
In 2006, Skip co authored and penned Military Writers 2007 Silver Star Award Winning novel “Constant Bearing – Decreasing Range (A Makeover for Sailor Sam): The Collision of Public Policy and National Defense.
Donald R. Johnson, PhD Business Development Manager
Don Johnson received a Doctorate degree from North Carolina State University. Prior to this, he received a Masters and Bachelors Degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He also served in the military, retiring from the National Guard as Lieutenant Colonel after 26 years of service. Dr. Johnson was previously employed by the University of Arkansas as a Professor of Entomology before retiring. He received extensive organizational training in the military primarily in medical organization and entomological preventive medicine. As entomologist with the University of Arkansas, he received the John W. White outstanding extension educator award. While an entomologist, Dr. Johnson was active in the Entomological Society of America, elected as President of the Southeastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America.
Sunni Comstock-Booker, Marketing Coordinator
Sunni Comstock-Booker was born and raised in Conway, Arkansas. She grew up a country girl, enjoying horseback riding, hunting, and fishing. During her education at the University of Central Arkansas, she was an active member of Delta Zeta social sorority, serving as pledge class secretary and alumni relations chairperson. She was the Central Arkansas College Chapter of Ducks Unlimited secretary/treasurer for two consecutive years, and also served as an officer’s assistant for Phi Beta Lambda business fraternity.
After graduating in three years from the UCA with a degree in business management, Sunni focused on agriculture sales and marketing. She acted as the co-products division sales assistant for Producers Rice Mill in Stuttgart, Arkansas, followed by a two-year field internship with Bayer Crop Science in northeast Arkansas while pursuing her MBA at Arkansas State University. She went on to be the mid-South sales manager for Nachurs-Alpine Solutions in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. In each professional endeavor, Sunni has facilitated new sales records. She also holds a crop consultants license. After taking time to start a family, Sunni joined the Tractorfax team in 2007.