Kirk Dupps is an extremely accomplished and widely recognized authority in retailing and specifically in the one trillion dollar retail food industry. With more than 35 years of experience, innovation, and leadership in all aspects of food distribution, Mr. Dupps is now available to advise, consult, troubleshoot and assist with the design and implementation of strategic plans to launch your business into the 21st century.

Mr. Dupps began his career with Kroger Food Stores where he advanced for almost twenty years through every facet of food distribution and retailing.

Viewed by James Herring (then President of the Kroger Company) as an outstanding talent, Mr. Dupps was identified as a “fast track” Senior Management candidate. He was selected to attend the prestigious Food Industry Management School at the University of Southern California where he led his graduating team to win the "Most Successful Retailer" award.

An extremely diversified career in operations, procurement, advertising, and merchandising led Mr. Dupps through two Kroger divisions as well as their corporate headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kirk left Kroger when he was asked by Mr. Sam Walton to join the Walton Family owned grocery chain, The Phillips Companies. Mr. Dupps moved to Arkansas as Senior Vice President of sales and marketing for Walton Enterprises grocery operations. Instrumental in a significant positive turn around of the company, he quickly became the Executive Vice President for all areas of business. One year later Dupps was named president of what he had helped become the fastest growing privately held business in Arkansas.

Mr. Dupps and a partner proposed to buy the company from the Waltons, and successfully acquired it 1991. After several periods of continued growth and consistent sales and earnings increases, Mr. Dupps approached Wal-Mart Stores, INC. with the concept of teaming together with Phillips Companies to significantly expand the Wal-Mart presence in the retail food industry. In 1993 Mr. Dupps executed a reverse triangular merger of his company and Wal-Mart Stores, INC.

Mr. Dupps was then asked by Mr. Sam Walton (Chairman) and Mr. David Glass (CEO) to join Wal-Mart as Senior Vice President of Wal-Mart Stores, INC. and as President of the newly acquired Phillips Companies.

Mr. Dupps served as the head of Sam’s Wholesale Club 30 billion dollar grocery business while he helped design and shape the Supercenter concept for Wal-Mart. He was instrumental in the development of Wal-Mart’s first grocery distribution center. This facility in Clarksville, AR was the pilot and became the model for the companies numerous distribution centers that support the fastest growing grocery company in the world.

Recognized as an individual with exceptional leadership qualities, Mr. Dupps serves on numerous boards and advisory councils. As a tribute to his abilities Bill Clinton appointed him as commissioner of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

In 1996 Mr. Dupps retired from Wal-Mart to devote more time to the commission where he served as chairman in 1998 & 1999.

Mr. Dupps and his wife Cynthia own a number of businesses and in 1998 were organizers, founders, and co-owners of Community First Bank.

In 2000 the Secretary of the Interior, Gale Norton, appointed Mr. Dupps to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Board.

In 2005 Mr. Dupps Co-Founded and Co-Owns White River Bancshares and The Signature Bank of Arkansas. This Bank Group is now the fastest growing bank in the State of Arkansas.

Mr. Dupps joined DRS in 1998 where he is a highly sought after speaker, consultant, strategic planner, and motivator.