2010 DWRGC Chairman
2010 event chairman - don soderquist
The Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation is proud to announce the 2010 Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup Chairman:
Donald G. Soderquist - retired Senior Vice Chairman & Chief Operating Officer of Walmart.
Don Soderquist Biography: In 1980, Don joined Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. as Executive Vice President. He served in several other executive positions until his appointment to Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer in 1988, and Senior Vice Chairman in 1999. Prior to his joining Wal-Mart, Don served sixteen years with Ben Franklin, including six years as President and Chief Executive Officer.
Don Soderquist was a driving force behind Wal-Mart's rise to greatness as the largest company in the world. Don became known as the “Keeper of the Culture” after Sam Walton passed away. Don firmly believes that business ethics are not a luxury, but an essential element in creating high-performance organizations.
In 1998, John Brown University created the Soderquist Center for Leadership and Ethics
in Don's honor. The Center exists to help transform companies and organizations by developing leaders to operate from a solid foundation of values for high performance and longevity. The Center also provides ethical leadership training for undergraduates, two masters programs (including an MBA), and business leadership seminars for men and women in the corporate world.
Don received a BA from Wheaton College in 1955 and has since received honorary doctorial degrees from four universities. Amongst other rewards and recognitions, Don has received the Students in Free Enterprise Champions Award, the Ohio State University Business/Education Partnership - Executive of the Year, and has been inducted in the Retailing Hall of Fame. He has written two books; The Wal-Mart Way and Live, Learn, Lead - To Make a Difference.