04 Nov 2025 Artist of the Month: Justin Hoadley

By Phyllis Ormsby

The themes of collaboration, creativity and community are woven throughout the life and career of Justin Hoadley, who has been director of special events at the University of Central Arkansas since 2021.

In this position, Hoadley oversees anywhere from 75 to 100 events per year that are staged at the UCA President’s House or in connection with the UCA Foundation. This usually means he is responsible for choosing everything: the theme, color scheme, menu, linens, china and decorations. A trained florist, he also creates the floral designs.

How does he do it all? “Coffee and Jesus,” Hoadley said, laughing. But that’s not all. Everything he’s done in his life so far has prepared him for what he does now, and for that, he said, he is truly grateful.

“I’m the oldest of six kids,” he said. “So I feel like I’ve been a chaos manager most of my life. I sat down and did a rough calculation, and I believe there are around 2,400 weddings and other events that I have been involved in during my career.”

When Hoadley came to UCA in July of 2021, his title was Special Events Coordinator, Office of the President, but about a year later his responsibilities expanded and so did the title. “I kept offering to do more and more. I have a real hard time staying in my lane,” he said, laughing.

While it is a symbol of the university and a place to host official events, the UCA President’s House is also the private residence of Dr. Houston Davis and his wife, Jenny. Hoadley wants to make sure events at the house reflect the university and also the people who live there. “I felt like the house had started to feel more like an event center than a home,” he said. “Since I have gotten here, we have worked to make it feel like you’re coming to someone’s home and you’re going to get to enjoy a really great party.”

One of the things Hoadley is very thankful for is the collaboration he has found at the university. “I love that I get to work with lots of creative people,” he said. “There are a lot of moving parts to what we do and having people who are in your corner is so important, [as is] having great vendors to work with.”

Amanda Horton, executive director of public appearances at UCA, said Hoadley’s events are “thoughtfully planned and flawlessly executed.”

“Justin possesses a remarkable ability to transform vision into reality, consistently delivering exceptional and memorable events,” Horton said. “His creativity, passion and attention to detail are evident in every experience he curates. We are fortunate to have him at the University of Central Arkansas, where he continues to elevate the campus experience for both visitors and the university community. When Justin leads an event, I have complete confidence that it will be meaningful, stunning and meticulously organized.”

Of all the events that Hoadley is involved in each year at UCA, at least six are major affairs that host up to 500 people. One of those, Laurels & Stripes, a celebration of distinguished UCA alumni held in the spring, was Hoadley’s concept from beginning to end. “I feel very humbled that when I have ideas, they usually just let me run with it,” he said.

Hoadley started out working in Conway for a family friend, Pam Teague, at Events Rental and Floral. “I was the kid in the back scraping plates and loading trucks,” Hoadley said. “I got some floral training there and then went to Little Rock to study more. I went to work for Tanarah Luxe Floral (TLF), which at the time was the largest event designer in the state.” 

The owner, Tanarah Haynie, was a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers and stressed the need for formal training, Hoadley said. “I’ve always been very thankful because so much of my career has been built and influenced by other people,” he said. “I’ve been surrounded by fantastic women.”

His passion for creating memorable events was also greatly influenced by his mother, Marilyn Moix, who was a sacristan at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for more than 20 years. Each week, she made sure everything was in place for the services and coordinated weddings held at the church.

It all comes down to people, Hoadley said. “Events for me are about connections,” he said. “The opportunity to be with your friends and enjoy life — to love what you have at the moment.”

Events even fill much of Hoadley’s time away from UCA. He has gotten so many requests for event planning that he created a side hustle, JK Event & Design, he runs with his wife, JoAnna Treviño-Hoadley. “My parents are real ‘doers’ and very much impressed on us that if you can do something, you should,” he said.

Even though they are busy, the couple prioritizes time for friends and family and loves to welcome them to their downtown Conway home.

“How wonderful that I have the ability to sit on my back porch with a coffee and enjoy it here,” Hoadley said. “How fortunate of me to be at a place to do what I love, and have so many people who believe in what I do, and to have a partner who supports me.”