The Jones Center
Emilio Rivera, MBA, PHR has a diverse work experience in people management and HR roles. Emilio is currently serving as the Director of People and Inclusion at The Jones Center since September 2022. Prior to this, Emilio worked at Art and Wellness Enterprises, LLC from June 2018 to August 2022, where they held the positions of HR Manager and HR Director. In this role, they supported non-profit organizations founded by Alice Walton.
Before that, Emilio worked at Walmart as a Senior HR Manager from February 2014 to January 2017, where they gained experience in HR management. Additionally, they worked at Banco Popular de Puerto Rico from April 2002 to May 2013 in various roles including Business Innovation Manager, Account Executive, Assistant Vice President, and HR Officer.
Emilio's robust work experience in diverse industries highlights their expertise in HR management, people development, and inclusive practices.
Emilio Rivera, MBA, PHR, pursued their education at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico - Metropolitan Campus, where they earned a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) with a focus on Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General. Prior to that, they obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Finance from the Universidad de Puerto Rico. Emilio also holds certifications in Professional in Human Resources (PHR) from HRCI and Diversity Equity and Inclusion from Cornell University.
The Jones Center
The Jones Center is a regional destination in downtown Springdale where everyone can learn, play and thrive. The 220,000 square-foot center features Northwest Arkansas’ only indoor ice arena — an important amenity for the growing region — as well as the Tyson Foods Fitness Center, an indoor pools complex, a gymnasium with indoor track and a conference center. The Jones Center hosts arts, cultural and STEM-based programming that celebrates the diversity of the region, as well as classes for youth in sports, recreation and education. The center’s 50+ acre campus features the world-class Runway Bike Park and Velosolutions pump track and provides housing and collaborative space for dozens of regional nonprofits. The Center was founded in 1995 by Springdale philanthropist Bernice Jones, the wife of Jones Truck Lines founder Harvey Jones. The Jones Center continues to follow Bernice Jones’ vision of being a destination where all are welcome and no one is turned away based on their ability to pay. Through the generous support of the Walmart Foundation, The Jones Center proudly provides program scholarships and activity passes to area children and families. To learn more about The Jones Center, visit thejonescenter.net.