A talent shortage can stall a thriving market, or it can spark a movement. We sit down with logistics leaders, program directors, founders, recruiters, and graduates to map how Northwest Arkansas built a reliable pipeline of Walmart-ready professionals and a repeatable path from idea to shelf. From warehouse tech that boosts pick efficiency by 40 percent to a curriculum that teaches real Retail Link analysis, this is a playbook for anyone aiming to break into the supplier world.
You’ll hear how the Certified Retail Analyst program at NWACC formed through a rare three-way partnership: Walmart provided system access and data, the college delivered accredited instruction, and a supplier steering committee defined the exact skills that drive results in category management, account management, and supply chain. A graduate-turned-director explains how that framework has helped more than a thousand people land roles, while a former school psychologist shares a candid look at reskilling into a sales analyst position at a leading confectionery brand, proof that transferable data skills can power a bold career pivot.
Innovation and recruiting round out the story. The founders behind AON Invent and Double Dog Display recount the whiteboard sprint that led to the first swipe-activated prepaid card, what we now know as the gift card, and how they now connect inventors with the manufacturing, engineering, and display support needed to win retail placement. An executive search leader from Cameron Smith and Associates reveals how Bentonville’s dense supplier network fuels hiring for Walmart, Target, Kroger, and more, and why the region’s ecosystem lowers risk for both companies and candidates.
If you’re targeting a role in the Walmart supplier community, want to turn a product idea into a retail reality, or need a roadmap to upskill with impact, this conversation delivers practical steps and real outcomes. Follow the show, share with a friend who’s Bentonville-bound, and leave a quick review to tell us what you’re aiming to learn next.
More About this Episode
From Classroom to Career: How the Certified Retail Analyst Program Became a Cornerstone of the CPG Industry in Northwest Arkansas
In the heart of Northwest Arkansas, a unique program quietly transformed thousands of careers and helped shape the region into a powerhouse for retail and consumer packaged goods (CPG) professionals. At a recent gala hosted at the Shewmaker Center, leaders, graduates, and innovators gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Certified Retail Analyst (CRA) Program at NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC), a program that has become a game-changer for the Walmart supplier community and beyond.
This event wasn’t just a celebration. It was a testament to the power of community, innovation, and education coming together to solve a critical need in one of America’s most competitive retail ecosystems.
The Origin Story: Solving a Talent Shortage in Retail Analytics
Back in the late 1990s, the retail industry was facing a significant problem: a shortage of trained analytical talent. With Walmart and its supplier network growing rapidly, demand for professionals who could navigate systems like Retail Link, Walmart's proprietary data platform, far outpaced supply. Companies were stuck in a cycle of poaching talent from each other, creating instability and limited long-term growth.
A group of forward-thinking leaders decided to take a different approach. One of them had a simple but powerful idea: what if Walmart provided access to its systems, NWACC provided the classrooms and instructors, and a steering committee of experienced suppliers designed the curriculum?
This trifecta of support laid the foundation for the Certified Retail Analyst Program. With Walmart’s endorsement, NWACC’s institutional backing, and industry expertise from top CPG suppliers, the first cohort of just 12 students began a journey that would eventually lead to more than 1,000 graduates successfully entering the workforce.
Why the CRA Program Works: A Direct Line into the CPG World
Unlike traditional academic paths that often struggle to keep up with industry trends, the CRA Program was built by the industry, for the industry. It offers:
- Hands-on Retail Link training
- Supplier-focused curriculum, covering data analysis, forecasting, supply chain, and sales strategy
- Real-world exposure through partnerships with companies actively hiring for Walmart supplier roles
- Flexible learning options, allowing students, many of whom are working professionals, to complete the program online
Graduates aren’t just receiving a certificate. They’re gaining skills that immediately translate into jobs with companies ranging from global CPG giants to nimble startups.
From Psychologist to Sales Analyst: Life-Changing Career Shifts
Take Claire Patton, for example. A former school psychologist with nearly a decade of experience in public education, Claire leveraged her background in data analytics and transitioned into a role as a Sales Analyst at Lindt Chocolate. She credits the CRA Program with giving her the skills and credibility needed to break into the highly competitive supplier industry.
“I wholeheartedly believe I could not have made the transition into the consumer packaged goods industry without this program,” she said.
Her story is far from unique. The CRA Program has become a critical bridge for career changers, newcomers to the area, and professionals looking to upskill in a growing industry.
A Community Built Around Growth
What sets the Bentonville region apart is how deeply intertwined the local ecosystem is. Companies, educators, entrepreneurs, and recruiters all see the CRA Program as a vital component of their growth strategies.
Scott Crossett, CEO of Cameron Smith & Associates, an executive search firm that’s been recruiting Walmart supplier talent for over 30 years, reflected on the region’s transformation. “When we started, there were maybe 50 supplier companies here. Now, there are more than 1,500,” he said.
Crossett’s team has worked closely with NWACC over the years, participating in mock interviews and hiring events, ensuring that students are not only learning but also landing jobs.
Innovation in the Supplier Ecosystem
The program’s success is also reflected in the broader entrepreneurial landscape. Companies like AON Invent and Double Dog Display, co-founded by Larry Robertson and Andrew Bojie, are helping inventors and startups break into the retail space with everything from product development to in-store displays. Their collaboration began with a shared goal of helping innovators commercialize their ideas, particularly within the Walmart ecosystem.
“Years ago, people just blundered in off the street with ideas,” Robertson said. “Now, thanks to structured programs like CRA and experienced support networks, they can navigate the process more effectively and successfully.”
Bojie, an engineer by trade, emphasized the value of connecting inventors with real product development and supply chain expertise. Their journey as entrepreneurs in this space highlights how NWACC’s CRA Program doesn’t just feed existing companies, it helps spark new ones.
Logistics and Tech: Modernizing the Supply Chain
Taryn Smith, a sales executive with FST Logistics, shared how his company is expanding into Northwest Arkansas to better serve Walmart suppliers. FST’s recent investments in warehouse technology have boosted picking efficiency by 40%, showing how critical innovation is in the 3PL and logistics side of the supplier equation.
Taryn is one of many professionals relocating to the region as companies deepen their presence here. His move from Columbus, Ohio to Bentonville symbolizes the continued pull of Northwest Arkansas as a retail and logistics hub.
A Legacy Worth Building On
The Shewmaker Center, home of the CRA Program, was named after Jack Shewmaker, a beloved figure who played a major role in shaping NWACC and the program itself. Several speakers during the gala referenced Jack’s legacy and the many stories that continue to inspire today’s students.
The program’s director, a 2017 graduate, reflected on their journey from student to leader. “It was a stepping stone for me,” they said. “Now, I hope I can lead the charge and carry on that legacy.”
With over 1,000 graduates, a growing national reputation, and close partnerships with Walmart, suppliers, recruiters, and entrepreneurs, the Certified Retail Analyst Program has proven that community-driven education can make a profound economic impact.
Looking Ahead: The Next 25 Years
As retail continues to evolve with advances in e-commerce, supply chain automation, and data science, the need for skilled professionals will only grow. Programs like CRA are uniquely positioned to adapt quickly and continue filling that talent pipeline with individuals who are not just trained, but truly prepared.
For those in Northwest Arkansas, or those looking to join one of the most dynamic retail communities in the U.S., the message is clear: there’s a proven path into the industry, and it starts at the Shewmaker Center.
Whether you're a career changer like Claire, an innovator like Andrew and Larry, or a growing business like FST Logistics, this region offers a rare combination of opportunity, collaboration, and support.
And at the center of it all is a community college program that began as a solution to a hiring problem, and ended up reshaping a region.
