Forty Under 40: Kristin W. Butler

Kristin Butler, 27, majored in kinesiology, but she comes from a family of salespeople. Her father worked for Pfizer Inc. for many years, her mother is in fundraising and both her grandparents are sales veterans.

Butler has worked in sales herself for five years. “I like the relationships you get to develop, and I love the feel of closing a big sale,” she said.
After graduation, she was an assistant to late trucking magnate J.B. Hunt, which she said was a great learning experience.

The Texarkana, Texas, native is definitely in it for the long haul with her employer.

“I really plan to stay with Office Depot for a long time,” she said. “I love the company and what it stands for, and I plan to grow with the company.”
Butler’s time working for the National Cheerleaders Association after high school was a formative job and taught her the value of pushing herself and fighting the urge to quit, even when tired and coming into the 13th hour of the day.

She’s active in the Junior League, and volunteers for the Fayetteville chapter of the American Heart Association. Butler is also involved with Fayetteville Young Professionals.

“I think it’s important to be focused and driven and to remember that every day presents a new opportunity to better yourself and the company you work for,” she said.