Ray Malouf '05

Five years ago, when I graduated from UA Fort Smith, I couldn’t have imagined what I’d be doing today. My journey has been one of adventure, challenge and fulfillment.

Photo from latest edition of the Walmart World Magazine

After graduating from UA Fort Smith with a business degree, the pace of my life accelerated, or at least it seemed that way. Two weeks after graduation, I married by best friend Monica. A few months later we moved to northwest Arkansas so I could attend John Brown University (JBU) for graduate school. The choice to attend JBU was easy for me because I received a Soderquist Fellowship that paid for my tuition and provided me with the opportunity to gain two years of professional experience. This was an incredible experience.

As a student, I learned so much and had the opportunity to study in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a project coordinator at the Soderquist Center, I had the opportunity to work with leaders and organizations all across the world. In May 2007, I graduated at the top of my class with an MBA from John Brown University.

Belfast, Northern Ireland. Bobby Hoffmann and I June 2006.

During my last semester at JBU, I accepted a Communications Manager position with the Walmart Global Ethics Office. Before starting, Monica and I travelled through Europe for two weeks to celebrate a new chapter of our lives. My favorite part of the trip was standing at the foothills of the Zugspitze in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Incredible.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. May 2007.

I accepted the position at Walmart because I want my life to be measured by impact. I’ve been able to accomplish this goal. My first role at Walmart was to communicate Walmart’s ethical standards and the importance of working with integrity to Walmart associates around the world. Walmart employs more than 2 million associates! This was a challenge, but one that I was able to achieve. This past August I was recognized for my work and promoted to manage our ethics communication and education program that is designed to sustain Walmart’s ethical culture.

Walmart photo shoot. Photo can be found on the front page of the business section of the New York Times on January 25, 2009.

Through my experiences, I’ve learned that if I’m proactive and seek opportunities, I’ll usually find them. Maybe not as soon as I hope to, but when the timing is right. You can do the same. Live life to the fullest. That’s what my wife and I are doing. We’re expecting our first child in September.