UA Little Rock Honoring Bobby Martin as a Titan of Industry on Feb 27
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will welcome renowned Arkansas executive Bobby Martin for the second installment of the Titans of Industry Conversation Series on Feb. 27.
The Titans of Industry series showcases influential business leaders from across the region, providing students and guests with the opportunity to hear from and engage with visionary industry pioneers.
Annemarie Dillard, vice president of e-commerce and digital marketing at Dillard’s, and Marla Johnson, UA Little Rock’s technology entrepreneur-in-residence, will moderate a discussion with Martin at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in the Schueck, Lexicon, McCarty Auditorium in the Engineering and Information Technology Building at UA Little Rock. A reception will follow the lecture in the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center.
“UA Little Rock is committed to connecting our students with industry leaders who can share valuable insights into leadership, innovation, and career success,” said Dr. Brian Berry, vice provost for research and dean of the Graduate School. “We are honored to host Bobby Martin, one of Arkansas’s most influential business innovators and a transformative leader in global retail technology.”
Martin’s IT career is marked by industry shaping roles in two of the country’s most progressive retailers who call Arkansas home. Martin began at Dillard’s in 1969 before Walmart recruited him in 1984 to lead their technology efforts. From the first electronic point of sale, launching private satellite networks, barcode technologies, data sharing, and the development of retailing’s most advanced management systems, Martin led a digital revolution that changed retailer and supplier relationships for the benefit of the consumer.
In 1992, Martin became the first CIO to take on a top operating role, becoming CEO of Walmart International, where he grew revenue to $30 billion in seven years, setting the pace for Walmart’s global expansion.
Martin is a highly regarded corporate director. Previous public board roles include Gap Inc., where he served as lead director and chairman of the board. In 2022, he took on the role of interim CEO for 14 months, leading Gap’s turnaround through a complete corporate transformation that resulted in a $4 billion market cap recovery and a successful transition to Gap’s newly appointed CEO. Other public company board roles included Sabre Holdings, Furniture Brands International, Dillard’s, SolarWinds, Guitar Center, Edgewater Technology, and Conn’s. In the private sector, he remains affiliated with The Stephens Group as an operating partner.
Space is limited for this event, so please RSVP by filling out this form.