Jamie Loftin, assistant dean for finance and administration at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, was recognized by the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal as an up-and-coming business star for 2013.

The business magazine named Loftin one of its 40 Under 40 in its annual listing of the area's young business leaders.

Born and raised in Arkansas, Loftin attended Arkansas State University where she earned her bachelor's degree in corporate finance.  She moved to Fort Smith where she worked for Arkansas Best Corp. as a corporate accountant. Seeking to further her education, she enrolled in the Walton Managerial M.B.A.

After earning her Master of Business Administration, she worked as a financial analyst for Sparks Health System in Fort Smith. She was hired at the Walton College in 2007 as director of its Accounting Center after obtaining the certified management accountant and certified financial manager designations.

Promoted to the assistant dean position in 2011, Loftin enjoys the atmosphere that her current position provides. "Walton College is very special to me because I was a student here," she said. "It is neat to work with professors I learned from in the M.B.A. program who are passionate about teaching business."

The publication recognizes young adults in Arkansas who have potential to make significant contributions to business in the future.  From a nominating pool of more than 130, Loftin stood out as one of 40 professionals chosen for the award.

"I was honored to be a part of the group because of the people both in the college and around the university who have been selected in the past. I enjoyed being associated with the other people from around the state of Arkansas who were similarly recognized," Loftin said.

She and the other members of the 40 Under 40 class of 2013 were recognized on Aug. 20 during a luncheon at the Embassy Suites in Rogers. With more than 500 attendees, the event included a keynote address from Doug McMillon, president and chief executive officer of Walmart International.

Loftin has no intention of leaving the University of Arkansas anytime soon.  "There is a great deal of excitement here in Walton College as we continue toward our goal of becoming a Top 20 public business school by 2020. I love the dynamic work environment," she said.

Loftin is married to a double alumnus of the University of Arkansas, Jeff Loftin, who works at Tyson Foods Inc. They have 9-year-old girl/boy twins, Kate and Cameron.