This week on the podcast, Brent connects with two remarkable Walton College seniors, Kennedy Blair and Jackson Walton. Both students are distinguished by their academic excellence and leadership, having earned prestigious awards; Kennedy with the Sam M. Walton College of Business Student Leadership Award, and Jackson with the Doyle Z. Williams Student Leadership Award. During the episode, Kennedy shares her journey from being an undecided business major to discovering her passion for accounting and securing a job after graduation at Credera in Chicago. Jackson discusses his path from Truman, Arkansas to becoming a finance and political science major and plans to join Walmart's Accounting and Finance Development Program after graduation. Both students highlight their extensive involvement in campus activities and mentorship roles, emphasizing how these experiences have shaped their leadership skills and prepared them for their future careers. They also provide advice for future incoming students who would be interested in leveraging their time in the best way at the Walton College.…

This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent welcomes David Guggina, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain at Walmart. They delve into the transformative strategies and technological advancements reshaping Walmart's supply chain to better serve and meet the rapidly changing needs of customers globally. David shares insights from his extensive background in supply chain management, starting from his early days at Purdue University, through roles at General Motors, Anheuser Busch, and Amazon, before joining Walmart. He discusses the integration of e-commerce and physical store operations at Walmart, emphasizing the implementation of modern software and robotics to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction. The conversation also covers Walmart's commitment to a people-led, tech-empowered approach that prioritizes both associates and customers in creating a seamless omnichannel retail experience.…

This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent welcomes Sarah Langham, a partner and office managing partner at HoganTaylor and an alum of the Walton College. They delve into Sarah's journey from her education at Walton College to her professional growth in accounting, highlighting her transition from Ernst and Young to HoganTaylor. Sarah discusses the significant growth of HoganTaylor, her engaging role with diverse clients, and the evolving landscape of the accounting industry influenced by technology and automation. She emphasizes the shift from mundane tasks to critical thinking in the field, and the potential future changes in the structure of accounting careers. Join them as they explore how modern accounting practices are adapting to new technologies and preparing the next generation for a dynamic workplace.…

This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent sits down with Judith McKenna, former president and CEO of Walmart International. They begin with Judith sharing her career journey from law school to holding numerous roles within Asda and Walmart, culminating as head of Walmart's international business across 19 countries. She discusses the importance of building empowering teams and relating to diverse cultures globally. Brent and Judith also explore the changing retail landscape and priorities around continued growth balanced with preserving quality of life. Listeners gain insights into Judith's people-focused leadership perspective developed over decades navigating massive transformation in the industry.…

This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent sits down with Varun Grover, Distinguished Professor of Information Systems and George & Boyce Billingsley Endowed Chair in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. They explore the profound effects of AI on individuals, businesses, and society. Varun highlights areas where AI can enhance lives through applications in healthcare, education, and more. However, he cautions that without understanding how AI reaches conclusions, trust remains elusive. Brent and Varun discuss improving AI through specialized models, explainability, richer inputs and contexts. Varun asserts that augmenting human skills rather than automation ensures AI uplifts roles and fuels innovation. Listeners gain insight into AI's trajectory and its role partnering with instead of replacing humans.…

This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent sits down with Nelson Peacock, President and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council. They discuss the council's work in supporting entrepreneurs, recruiting businesses, and diversifying the regional economy. Nelson shares his diverse career path working in government, higher education and economic development and how he made his way back to Arkansas after growing up in Eastern Arkansas and attending the University of Arkansas. During the discussion Nelson shares his focus and the council's emphasis on prioritizing quality of life as Northwest Arkansas faces growth pressures. Brent and Nelson also explore the opportunities for Northwest Arkansas and the University of Arkansas to continue to fuel the entrepreneurial ecosystem and venture capital investment in the region.…

This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent sits down with Olivia Meyer, a senior real estate finance student at the Walton College to discuss her internship that she secured from the career fair and how she turned that internship into a full-time role after graduation. During the episode Olivia highlights her campus involvement, goal setting and ability to constantly seek out feedback as factors that have helped her to achieve her goals. She also credits supportive mentors with empowering her growth mindset and pushing her out of comfort zones.…

This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent engages in a dynamic discussion with Mike Del Pozzo, President and General Manager of Gatorade at PepsiCo. During the episode they dive into the challenge of maintaining engagement with core and light Gatorade consumers, the importance of product timing, and strategies for PepsiCo's beverage and snack segments. Mike shares his personal journey from starting as a PepsiCo intern to leading Gatorade. He highlights the value of internships, and the benefits of having a diverse professional background. They also touch on the unique business environment in Northwest Arkansas and the comprehensive view necessary for successful brand management in the competitive CPG and retail industries.…

This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent sits down with a familiar face, Dean Emeritus Matt Waller as Matt turns the mic around for a conversation with Brent to discuss his vision and plans as the new Dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. During the episode Brent highlights his focus on innovating curricula to meet evolving industry needs, particularly in analytics and emerging technologies, and empowering faculty and staff to drive transformation. He also details more about his priorities focused on elevating the student experience through engagement opportunities as well as cultivating thought leadership and fueling the state's economy. Brent also discusses graduate program growth and the importance of industry-sponsored research in advancing knowledge, citing innovative partnerships with companies like Walmart.…

This week on the podcast, Brent sits down with two Walton College colleagues, Dr. Mary Lacity, David D. Glass Chair and Distinguished Professor of Information Systems and Dr. Remko Van Hoek, Professor of Practice in Supply Chain Management to discuss their co-authored recent work on research that is working in real-time with industry partners. During the episode they discuss their collaborative research exploring emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain, much of which is conducted in partnership with industry. In particular, Mary and Remko highlight a recent study that was done in partnership with Walmart analyzing AI applications in supply chain management. Their paper on the topic was also featured in the Harvard Business Review. They also share how they integrate learnings from collaborations directly into the classroom by bringing in industry partners to share experiences.…

This week on the Be Epic podcast we wrap up the 2024 Arkansas Business Hall of Fame series with inductee Dhu C. Thompson. Dhu is the Owner of US Irrigation and former owner/president of Delta Plastics and Revolution Bag. The episode dives into Dhu's compelling narrative of a career shift from banking to leading a major player in the plastics industry. Dhu recounts his journey from a banker in Monroe, Louisiana, to purchasing Delta Plastics in Arkansas and transforming it into a successful enterprise. He shares insights into the evolution of poly pipe for agricultural use and how Delta Plastics addressed environmental concerns by introducing recycling initiatives. This story is a testament to how entrepreneurial spirit and industry knowledge can combine to create innovative solutions.…

This week on the Be Epic podcast, we continue with the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame series as Brent is joined by Eric Jackson, the Senior Vice President of Oaklawn Hot Springs and a 2024 Arkansas Business Hall of Fame inductee. The episode delves into Eric's fascinating career, which spans over 40 years at Oaklawn, highlighting his surprising induction into the Hall of Fame and his transformative role in the racing and gaming industries in Arkansas. Eric shares his journey from his early days sneaking into races in Hot Springs, to his innovative contributions to Oaklawn that have established it as a premier racing center and gaming destination in the South. Listeners will hear about the challenges Oaklawn faced, including competition from neighboring states and their successful strategy in introducing simulcasting and electronic wagering products, which ultimately revitalized the business. Brent and Eric's conversation offers insights into the resilience and innovation required to navigate the dynamic landscape of business in the sport and gaming sectors.…

This week on the Be Epic podcast we continue the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame series with Gary George, chairman of George's Inc. and an inductee of the 2024 Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. During the episode Brent and Gary delve into the history and evolution of George’s Inc., a family-owned poultry business with roots dating back to the 1920s. Gary shares the story of the company's humble beginnings as George's Produce, its expansion into the fully integrated poultry enterprise known for serving a wide range of customers, including fast food chains, grocery stores, and institutional distributors across the United States. Reflecting on the cyclical nature of the poultry industry and its challenges, Gary discusses how he spearheaded the company's significant growth in the 1980s, following his graduation from Walton College in 1972. The conversation also touches on the values of community support, the importance of family in the business, with Gary detailing his close relationship with his father and the seamless transition of leadership to his own sons, emphasizing the company's commitment to longevity and innovation in the industry.…

In this week's episode we kickoff the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame series where we will showcase conversations with the 2024 honorees who will be inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in February 2024. The first conversation is with John Conner Jr., President of Holden-Conner Company. John, who hails from Newport, Arkansas and comes from a legacy of Arkansas farmers. He discusses his lifelong commitment to farming and his leadership role at the Holden Conner Company. He touches upon the significance of relationships in business and the Conner family's multi-generational ties to the University of Arkansas. Brent also delves into John's approach to expanding his family's farming operations, his strategic insights into land development, and the hard work that has been instrumental in cultivating a successful agricultural enterprise in Arkansas. This episode is a celebration of John's contributions to the industry and the values that have propelled his family's legacy through five generations.…

This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent sits down with Curtis Barnett, President and CEO of Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield and a member of the Walton College Dean's Executive Advisory Board. Curtis begins the conversation by sharing the mission of Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is to improve the health, financial security, and peace of mind for members and communities that they serve. They explore the company's significant statewide presence, with Barnett reflecting on his 30 years with the firm and his journey to CEO. The episode also highlights the upcoming Business Forecast Luncheon, where Curtis will serve as the moderator. Throughout the episode listeners will enjoy Curtis' perspective as a healthcare leader and his commitment to community involvement. He offers valuable takeaways for listeners interested in business strategy and healthcare innovation.…