Missing Alice

There was a conspicuous absence at the annual Wal-Mart stockholders’ meeting June 5. Alice Walton, daughter of the company’s founder, Sam Walton, and founder of the Llama Co. didn’t join the other family members at the annual event.

It seems odd to us after being told some months ago that she wasn’t re-elected to the board of directors for Cannon Express Inc. of Springdale because she was going to be elected to Wal-Mart’s board of directors. Walton owns 9 percent of the stock in Cannon Express and was on the company’s board last year.

Dean Cannon, president of the company, explained then that Walton wasn’t nominated for a second term because it would be a conflict of interest for her to serve on the board of his company and the board of his largest customer, Wal-Mart. More than 50 percent of Cannon’s business is with Wal-Mart.

Walton’s name wasn’t presented to shareholders for consideration as a Wal-Mart board member. However, she was convicted last month for driving while under the influence of alcohol. Walton faces sentencing in July.