Jim Walton Biography

The youngest son of the “Wal-Mart” founder Sam Walton, Jim Walton is the Chairman and CEO of “Arvest Bank” and the 20th richest person in the world. Third child (and youngest son) of Sam and Helen Walton; sibling of Rob, Alice, and John (deceased).Born in 1948 in Arkansas, Jim acquired a bachelor’s degree from the “University of Arkansas” before becoming the Chairman of the diversified, family operated, financial services company “Arvest Bank”, which manages branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.Wal-Mart remains the exception to the rule in the crumbling retail sector thanks to its global footprint and deeply discounted prices. Also helping: the exodus of competitors like Circuit City and Linens N' Things. Shares down 25% since September. Fourth-quarter profit hurt by lawsuit settlements, poor currency exchange; still beat analyst expectations. Stake in solar-paneling outfit First Solar fared far worse; shares down 60% since August after surging 120% in previous 12 months. Sam Walton started as J.C. Penney clerk in 1940; opened Newport, Ark. five-and-dime store Benjamin Franklin 5 years later. Lost lease in 1950. With brother James started general-store chain in Bentonville, Ark., 1962. Today Wal-Mart is world's largest retailer: 7,200 stores, 2 million employees serve 200 million customers. Sales: $378 billion.

Jim Walton and his Wife

 Jim chairs Arvest Bank Group, Community Publishers.The American billionaire is married to “Lynne McNabb Walton” and the couple stays happily in Bentonville, Arkansas with their four children. Shy natured Jim is the quietest member of the Walton family.Mr. Jim C. Walton serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Arvest Bank Group Inc., a group of banks operating in 91 communities in the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. Mr. Walton joined Wal-Mart and worked for four years in its real estate area. He left Wal-Mart in 1975 and joined the Walton's diversified family business, Walton Enterprises. He serves as Chairman and Member of the Board at Community Publishers, Inc. Mr. Walton has been a Director of Wal-mart Stores Inc., since September 28, 2005. He serves as a Director of Arvest Bank Group Inc. He attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and Graduated with a Marketing Degree in 1971. Jim Walton drew attention in late 2012 for state-level contributions in Arkansas to extremist politicians and causes. Walton and his wife Lynne have contributed $3,000 to extremist Arkansas State Senator Jason Rapert (R-Conway) since December 2010, according to financial reports filed with the Arkansas Secretary of State. Rapert has faced recent public scrutiny for his anti-gay and anti-choice positions – and for using racially-tinged language to attack President Obama at a rally in 2011. Rapert invited national criticism in early 2013 by pushing radical anti-choice legislation through the Arkansas State Senate. In 2012, Jim Walton also contributed to the re-election campaign of Loy Mauch, an Arkansas state legislator who has called the Confederate flag a “symbol of Jesus Christ” and acknowledged membership in the “neoconfederate” secessionist group known as League of the South.Additionally, through the Walton Family Foundation, Jim Walton and his family support the American Legislative Exchange Council, the right wing group known for propagating Stand Your Ground, Arizona’s anti-immigrant SB 1070, anti-worker legislation, and discriminatory voter ID laws.Walmart shareholders have increasingly expressed concern about Walton’s leadership of the company. In 2013, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System voted against all of Walmart’s board members, including Jim Walton.

World Richest Person:
Jim Walton is an heir to the Walmart fortune with an estimated net worth of $35.1 billion dollars. Jim Walton is the youngest son of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. Jim Walton is Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Arvest Bank Group Inc., a company in the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri operating banks in 91 communities. Jim Walton worked in the family business Wal-Mart in its real estate area, until leaving Wal-Mart to join Walton Enterprises, the Walton's diversified family business. Wal-Mart is the worldÕs largest retailer, with 7,300 stores employing 2 million workers and serving 200 million customers. Little is known about him, as he does not grant interviews. He currently lives in Bentonville, Arkansas with his family.