Walton Productions Be EPIC Podcast

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.

This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent engages in a fascinating conversation with Brett Biggs, the former CFO of Walmart. He is currently a Senior Advisor for Blackstone and member of the board of directors for Adobe, Procter & Gamble and Yum! Brands. Their discussion spans a range of topics including Brett's early career experiences, his journey to becoming a CFO, and his personal insights on management and motivation. Brett's narrative reflects how his initial pursuit of a medical career in college took a sharp turn towards accounting, a path that ultimately led him to top leadership roles in major corporations. Brent and Brett also delve into the world of mergers and acquisitions, recounting Brett's time at Leggett & Platt where he acquired significant experience in the field. This episode offers a unique glimpse into the life and career of a key player in the global business landscape, providing listeners with valuable insights into leadership, career transitions, and the dynamic world of M&A, finance and retail.

This week on the podcast Brent sits down with Judith Ann Garretson Folse, Department Chair, and John Ballentine, the sales program director, both from the Department of Marketing at the Walton College. The conversation focuses on the importance of sales skills in both your professional and personal life. Judith and John discuss their passion for creating opportunities for students to succeed in the marketplace by honing their sales abilities. The conversation also covers how the Walton College's sales program and sales competition, with its rich blend of academic and practical experience, is set apart from others. They also discuss their vision for the sales program and the potential for growth, underscoring the importance of sales in every aspect of commercialization and product marketing.

In this week's episode of the Be Epic Podcast, Brent converses with Josh Stanley, CEO of Cartwheel Studios, and Fahad Siddiqui, Principal and Senior Vice President at SSI. They delve into their unique career transitions from corporate roles to entrepreneurship, their individual contributions in the thriving ecosystem of Northwest Arkansas, and the dynamics of the startup studio and venture studio models. This episode offers valuable insights into the world of startups, making it a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts.

This week on the Be Epic podcast, host Brent Williams welcomes guest Mario Ramirez, President of M Ramirez Group and Chief Client Officer for Golden Rod Companies. They delve into the importance of relationships in business, with Mario emphasizing the value of conveying your principles and work ethic in every interaction. Mario shares his career journey, starting with architecture and moving into finance, which included a stint at Merrill Lynch and a 21-year tenure at TIAA. He discusses his diverse roles, from starting a Trust Company to leading the executive relations forum and the Hispanic market nationally. Furthermore, he shares his experience of shifting to entrepreneurship and the formation of his own consulting firm, M Ramirez Group. This episode offers invaluable insights into career transitions, the power of relationships, and the importance of adaptability in business.

This week on the podcast, Brent is joined by fellow Walton College colleagues, Andy Murray, Molly Rapert, and Rod Thomas, to discuss their newly released white paper on retail media networks. The conversation dives into their research on retail media networks over the past few years, especially highlighting what exactly constitutes a retail media network, and emphasizing its omni-channel presence, utilization of first-party data, and closed-loop reporting. They continue on in the episode with a conversation around the transformative power of these networks in providing targeted marketing efforts and detailed insights into consumer behavior. They also stress the growing understanding and significance of retail media networks in the business landscape. Tune in to this episode for an enlightening exploration of this intersection between retail and media, and the unprecedented opportunities it presents for advertisers and marketers alike.

This week on the podcast, Brent sits down with Nathan, Adam, and John Rutledge from First Security Bank. All three, along with their father, are alumni of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas and have made a significant impact in the state of Arkansas through their involvement with First Security Bank. During the episode, the brothers touch on the Rutledge family's history of growing the community bank throughout Arkansas since their father and grandfather first took over the bank in Searcy in 1977. The bank's asset size has grown from $46 million in 1977 to $7.5 billion today. They also discuss their focus on relationships and local communities while thoughtfully adapting to industry changes. The discussion offers a window into a multigenerational family business that is rooted deeply in communities across Arkansas.

This week on the podcast, Brent is joined by Kya Sainsbury-Carter, the Corporate Vice President for Microsoft Advertising. During the episode Kya kicks off by sharing her personal journey, from studying international business at the University of Arkansas to her unexpected but rewarding career in technology. As they continue in the episode, Kya discusses the rapidly changing landscape of advertising and how Microsoft is driving innovation in this space. Kya also highlights the diverse range of products and platforms that Microsoft offers for advertising, including MSN, Bing, Outlook, Xbox, and Skype. She explains how Microsoft Advertising works closely with advertisers, agencies, and publishers to find audiences within the Microsoft ecosystem and extend their reach across the web. Finally, Kya emphasizes the importance of building a business that matters and the goal of making a substantial impact in the industry.

This week on the podcast, Brent sits down with Spencer Frazier, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at JB Hunt. They discuss Spencer's career journey from starting at JB Hunt 31 years ago to now leading sales and marketing. Spencer outlines JB Hunt's diverse suite of transportation and logistics services and the customer-centric methodology the company uses. He shares his vision for the future of digitally-enabled sales and how technologies like AI can enhance productivity. Listeners gain insight into how JB Hunt partners with customers to solve complex supply chain problems through data-driven solutions and a collaborative approach focused on efficiency and value creation.

This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent sits down with Dr. Sharmila Makhija, the founding dean and CEO of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Dr. Makhija shares her insights and experiences in establishing a medical school from scratch, highlighting the unique opportunity it presents. Listeners will learn about the school's innovative whole-health approach to its MD curriculum and partnerships with the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Whole Health Institute. Later in the episode Dr. Makhija discusses her background, growing up in a family of educators, and her early passion for medicine. She recounts how her exposure to her grandfather's medical practice in India solidified her desire to become a doctor. Dr. Makhija also shares her journey through medical school and her chosen specialty, highlighting the value of being curious and continuously learning. The episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the challenges and rewards of building a medical school and the personal motivations that drive Dr. Makhija's commitment to healthcare.

This week on the podcast, Brent sits down with Marcy Doderer, President and CEO of Arkansas Children's where she leads the state of Arkansas' only pediatric health system serving the children of Arkansas and beyond. They begin by discussing the unique aspects of pediatric healthcare, including the wide variations in patient size and conditions that drive increased costs. Marcy shares how she is focused on innovation to find new solutions while maintaining incremental improvements in care delivery. She offers leadership advice on authenticity, being a student of your work, and how everyone can lead from their role. Marcy also talks about the mission-driven culture at Arkansas Children's and her aim to partner across the state to elevate child health.

This week on the podcast we continue with the Business of Outdoor Recreation series with Dennis Nelms to discuss the growing industry of climbing in Arkansas. Dennis is the owner of Climb Solutions LLC and Vertical LLC. During the episode Dennis shares his personal journey with climbing in Northwest Arkansas and throughout the United States as well as his work now to expand climbing in the state of Arkansas. He outlines Arkansas' abundance of high quality, accessible rock formations and highlights the accessibility that is available only in our state for the sport. Dennis also shares his passion-driven path and important advice for pursuing interests, no matter the job.

This week on the podcast we are continuing our Business of Outdoor Recreation series with Austin Albers, President and Owner of the Buffalo Outdoor Center in Arkansas. Brent and Austin discuss the growth of Buffalo Outdoor Center and how Austin listens to customers to develop new offerings like mountain biking and backcountry aviation. Austin explains how outdoor recreation experiences improve quality of life and are driving economic growth in Arkansas. He describes opportunities for students interested in the industry, emphasizing the value of listening to customers, finding opportunities and following your passion.

This week on the podcast we continue our Business of Outdoor Recreation series with Kile Graves, Director of Operations at beardedgoat and Walton College alum, an outdoor apparel brand that is based in Northwest Arkansas and quickly expanding nationally. They discuss the burgeoning outdoor recreation economy in Arkansas and Kyle shares about his transition from the corporate world to the startup space with beardedgat. He discusses his passion for the outdoors, the challenges of establishing a brand in a growing sector, and how beardedgoat has capitalized on the growing popularity of outdoor recreation in Northwest Arkansas especially.

This week on the podcast we are continuing with the Business of Outdoor Recreation series as Brent sits down with Gary Vernon, Director of Outdoor Recreation and Trail Innovation at Runway Group. They discuss the growth of mountain biking and outdoor recreation in Arkansas. Gary shares his background growing up in Missouri and his 30 year career at Walmart before leaving to work with Tom Walton on developing Bentonville's trail ecosystem. He describes the evolution of mountain biking in Northwest Arkansas and the economic impact of $157 million annually. Gary also explores the growing gravel biking scene and trail developments across the state of Arkansas.

This week on the podcast we kick off a new series called the Business of Outdoor Recreation series where Brent will sit down with leaders in the outdoor recreation industry in the state of Arkansas. For the first episode, Brent sits down with Austin Booth, director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The conversation explores Austin's role in conserving and preserving the diverse landscapes of Arkansas, including our state's unique fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Austin shares his philosophy of conservation, contrasting it with preservation, and emphasizes the public trust and use of these natural resources. He also shares more about his background, growing up in a small town in Arkansas, his journey through law school, and his time serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, which culminated in his return to Arkansas and his current role.

This week on the podcast, Brent sits down with Laura Merling, Chief Transformation and Operations Officer at Arvest Bank. They start the discussion with a review of Laura's background leading transformations at companies like Ford, AT&T and Google. Laura then goes on to share the multi-year process underway to transform Arvest Bank into a technology-enabled community bank of the future. Laura outlines her 90-day framework for transformation, focusing on understanding customers, assessing technology and defining metrics. She highlights successes like the me at Arvest program and cloud migration. Gain insight into Arvest's new Centers of Excellence and how customer-centric innovation is driving momentum in the evolving financial services industry.

This week on the Be Epic podcast, Brent sits down with Simon Miles, Vice President of Global Omnichannel at The Coca-Cola Company. They discuss the omni-channel retail space and innovations including those in retail media, AI, and e-commerce. Simon shares his global perspective gained from working with his team that operates in 206 countries and the important role of collaboration across functions and with retailers. Simon also offers guidance for students entering CPG and retail marketing, emphasizing the value of curiosity, action-orientation, and resilience in building a career.

This week on the podcast, Brent sits down with Wendy Jean Bennett, vice president of retail commerce leadership at Tyson Foods. They discuss Wendy Jean's career in the food industry spanning over 30 years, mostly at Tyson. Wendy Jean shares her passion for food and desire to influence the company to make it better each day. They also discuss the evolving food industry landscape including trends towards convenience, sustainability and global cuisines, and how Tyson is navigating the omni-channel retail transformation. Finally, Wendy Jean reflects on the value of mentors, exposure, networking and saying yes to new challenges throughout her career journey.

For his last episode as host of the podcast before transitioning the hosting duties, Matt sits down with incoming interim dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business, Brent Williams, to discuss the future of the Walton College and Brent's experience that has prepared him for this role. They begin the episode with Brent discussing his broad range of experiences at the Walton College and Matt and Brent's relationship for 20+ years that began with Brent as a Walton College student. They then move into a discussion around the future of the Walton College and what Brent's focus will be. Brent hopes to instill in students at the College a mindset of solving business problems at the intersection of technology, data, people and processes to prepare them for the future. Brent also shares details of the Walton College's strategic plan that was recently revised with an emphasis on developing the student experience, growing graduate programs, and increasing research impact. He also discusses the College's connectivity throughout the state of Arkansas, our unique connection with industry and how the optimism in Northwest Arkansas acts as a tailwind for the College.

This week on the podcast, we turn the mic to Matt as he is interviewed by incoming interim dean and new podcast host, Brent Williams. They reflect on Matt's transformative 8-year tenure as dean and how they initially met when Brent was a student of Matt's. They discuss key highlights during Matt's time as dean and then look to the future. Looking ahead, Matt shares his plans to return to research and teaching, while also supporting entrepreneurs across Northwest Arkansas. Stay tuned for next week's episode where Matt will interview Brent about the future of the Walton College in his final episode as host.

This week on the podcast, Matt talks to Chad Clinehens, President and CEO of Zweig Group. They begin the episode by discussing Chad's background as a two time graduate of the University of Arkansas in engineering and business. Chad was able to leverage his engineering and MBA background to elevate his work in the AEC (architecture, engineering and construction) industry through strategic planning, M&A, consulting, and more. Later in the episode Chad provides insights on implementing strategic plans, engaging employees, confronting weaknesses, and driving growth. He also shares how Zweig Group leverages decades of data and case studies to help firms grow, and stresses the importance of intersecting business with other disciplines.

This week on the podcast Matt sits down with Becky Lumly, Chief Financial Officer at Front Range Capital Partners in Denver. During the episode they discuss Front Range Capital Partners and their funding model along with Becky's background and an overview of how she pivoted from the world of public accounting into hospitality and then to her current role. Front Range is a real estate private equity firm specializing in growth capital and property investments in partnership with other real estate operating partners. They have committed over $1 billion of equity capital to investments across the US since being founded in 2010.

This week on the podcast Matt sits down with Josh Smith, CEO and Jonathan Sasse, Chief Strategy Officer of Metova Strategies. During the episode they discuss their roles at Metova and how the company has pivoted through the years since the initial founding in Franklin, Tennessee. They then dive into how empathy and effective listening to customers gives Metova a competitive advantage. They focus on understanding what customers actually need, not just building technologically capable products. They finish with a discussion around the importance of mobile-first design, the Internet of Things and other technology shifts like generative AI.

This week on the podcast Matt sits down with Josh Pack, co-CEO of Fortress, a global asset management firm. They discuss how Fortress invests in an unconventional way in debts and assets by lending against intellectual property, patents, trademarks, legal claims and more to generate high returns. Josh shares his unlikely career path to joining Fortress, the people-focused culture that encourages input from all levels, along with Fortress' investments in supply chains and logistics. Gain insight into the world of alternative investing and how Fortress finds value where traditional investors cannot.

This week on the podcast, Matt sits down with Zach Wiegert, Managing Principal and Founder at Goldenrod Capital Advisors. The episode begins with Matt and Zach diving into Zach's journey from professional football player to commercial real estate to leading acquisition developments as Managing Principal and Founder at Goldenrod Capital Advisors. Zach shares how lessons from his football career have translated to business and how he helps his team solve problems on a daily basis. They then discuss some of the projects Zach has worked on over the years and what he has learned from them. The episode concludes with Zach offering advice for graduating college students.

This week on the podcast Matt sits down with Michael Brown, Principal US Economist for Visa and member of the Walton College's Dean's Executive Advisory Board. They begin the conversation with Michael sharing how he got interested in economics during his undergraduate studies at the University of Arkansas, what he does in his role at Visa in the macroeconomic space and how he synthesizes so much data down to communicate it to their clients. They go on to discuss the methods of forecasting the US economy and also the challenges and trade offs associated with short term versus medium term versus long term predictions. They also touch on the most challenging pieces to forecast. They end the discussion with a focus on supply chain and the macro picture of the economy as well as some medium to long run trends on the consumer side of the economy that Michael sees coming up.

This week on the podcast, Matt sits down with Heartland Forward's President and CEO Ross DeVol and Chief Communications and Development Officer Blake Woolsey. They begin with Ross explaining what Heartland Forward does and their goal of focusing on improving economic performance in the American Heartland. They then dive into how Ross and Blake became involved in Heartland Forward and where their passions for economic development in the Heartland comes from. They close out by discussing how Heartland Forward supports and encourages entrepreneurs to experiment and grow their ideas through their Community Growth Program.

This week on the Be Epic podcast we are introducing a new kind of episode, a conversation with ChatGPT-4. During the episode Matt asks ChatGPT-4, the generative AI tool, a series of questions regarding how generative AI is created, how AI and machine learning are shaping the future of supply chain and retail, why someone would want to live in Northwest Arkansas (including a poem about the area!) and more. Tune in for this unique conversation highlighting the amazing ability of new generative artificial intelligence platforms and also showcasing the challenges that it still faces. ChatGPT-4 is voiced by local voice over artist Mike Maloney.

This week on the Be Epic podcast Matt sits down with Craig Geiger, full time instructor and Director of the newly launched Master's of Science in Marketing degree at the Walton College. To begin the episode, Craig and Matt discuss Craig's rich history in the consumer packaged goods industry, working across customer insights, sales, marketing and category management for Walmart, Kellogg, Kraft Foods, Campbell Soup Company, and more. Craig's background has positioned him perfectly to lead the new master's degree program with a curriculum designed specifically for students who are interested in a career in brand management, retail marketing and marketing services. As they continue through the episode they discuss the types of courses that students in this program will be able to take to prepare them to enter the fast paced and rapidly changing industry. They finish the discussion with a focus on how leaders in the industry will be able to participate in this master's program through partnerships and projects promoting experiential learning and networking. They then end the discussion with Craig sharing advice for prospective students on how to get into this program and how they can prepare for success. Learn more about the Master's of Science in Marketing here: https://walton.uark.edu/graduate-programs/

This week on the podcast, Matt sits down with venture capitalist Earnest Sweat. The conversation begins with Earnest discussing his journey from traditional investments to alternative investments and how he became interested in venture capital. Earnest then dives into how he became an investor in FreightWaves and Platform Science by going through his process for deciding where to invest. The conversation concludes with Earnest walking through his involvement with his portfolio companies as well as advice for young entrepreneurs.

This week on the podcast Matt sits down with Marc de Beer, President of Aviagen North America. They begin by diving into how Marc got involved with animal science and nutrition and how Aviagen uses genetics in the boiler breeding business to supply the best breeding stock to poultry companies around the world. They continue by discussing Marc's journey from scientist to president of the North America division of the company and how he approaches changes and challenges, such as the rise of artificial intelligence and the ongoing issue of Avian Influenza. The conversation concludes with Marc elaborating on the mission of Aviagen and their efforts toward efficiency and sustainability.

This week on the podcast, Matt sits down with Chuck Bauer, partner and head of investor relations for EnCap Investments. The episode begins with Chuck walking through what EnCap does as a private investment firm focused on North American energy markets. Matt and Chuck then dive into what alternative investments are as well as the importance of establishing and maintaining relationships in this industry. The conversation concludes with Chuck discussing his journey from working for a Congressman, to going back to school for his MBA, to ultimately working in alternative investments.

This week on the podcast Matt sits down with Tracy Rosser, current Strategic Advisor at NewRoad Capital Partners and previous EVP of Operations at Transplace (now Uber Freight) and SVP of Transportation and Supply Chain at Walmart. Tracy and Matt begin by discussing Tracy's experiences in logistics, operations, and supply chain: specifically Tracy's journey from managing a Walmart Distribution Center to SVP of Transportation and Supply Chain. Tracy then dives into the valuable lessons he learned during his time at Transplace (now Uber Freight) in the midst of the pandemic, touching on the importance of bringing the right people to the table to make data-backed decisions. The conversation concludes with a discussion about supply chain resiliency, doing things right the first time, and the importance of having a strategic understanding of supplier relationships.

This week on the podcast, Matt sits down with Jason Ridge, Taryn Mead, and Matthew Myers with the Sam M. Walton College of Business. Jason is the Chair of the Department of Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Venture Innovation (SEVI), Taryn is an Assistant Professor of Product Design, Innovation, and Management, and Matthew is the program manager for Outdoor Industries. Matt and Jason begin by discussing why the SEVI Department was developed, the various degree options, and the Micro Certificates available through the department. The conversation continues with Taryn detailing the Masters of Science in Product Innovation and its launch along with the product innovation practicum. The conversation concluded with Matthew walking through the advantages of the Masters of Science in Product Innovation as it applies to working professionals.

This week on the podcast Matt sits down with Mike Malone, Vice Chancellor for Economic Development at the University of Arkansas. Mike has been very involved in the growth of Northwest Arkansas, serving previously as the VP of Community and Corporate Affairs at Runway Group and President and CEO of Northwest Arkansas Council. The discussion begins with Mike explaining what economic development at the University of Arkansas is and how he intends to use the partnerships of the University to continue creating a positive impact on the state of Arkansas. Mike and Matt then dive into the emergence of next generation mobility and how the University of Arkansas will influence research in this new sector. The episode concludes with Mike discussing the importance of preparing the next generation of the workforce and connecting students with Arkansas-based companies.

This week on the podcast Matt sits down with Barbara Marchini-Ellis, Partner at EY. They begin the episode with Barbara discussing her journey through the accounting field, from her diverse background in Silicon Valley to leading EY's work with Walmart in Northwest Arkansas. Barbara then walks through how the accounting industry has changed during her 35 years of experience, touching on the importance of business ethics and integrity. The conversation concludes with Matt asking Barbara what has kept her at EY for the entirety of her career and Barbara's work with the Endeavor Board in Northwest Arkansas.