Forty Under 40: Courtney Backus Norton

Growing up in Little Rock, Courtney Norton watched her father give to others and gain respect during his 30-year career as a golf sales representative for Wilson and Nike.

Today Norton follows in her dad’s footsteps, with her own sales career and passion for volunteering.

After graduating from the University of Arkansas in 2006 with a journalism degree (concentrations in advertising/public relations and marketing), Norton worked to earn enough money to move to New York City. She wanted to prove she could make it on her own. The Trump Organization came across her resume and saw she had royalty/licensing experience during her college internship. The company hired her as a licensing assistant, working to put Trump’s name on products like mattresses and vodka.

After being laid off during the economic downturn, Norton decided her future was in Arkansas. She became director of special events and workforce at the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce in 2010. She began working in sales for Dentex in 2012 where she is the link between dentist and dental lab, serving more than 300 accounts worth almost $4 million.

Norton’s true passion is volunteering and “paying it forward.”

“I’m a giver. I almost feel empty if I’m not giving back in some way, form or fashion,” she said. “I believe if everyone did one act of kindness a day, the world would be an even happier place.”

Her extensive charity work includes alumna president for Delta Delta Delta sorority, Saving Grace mentor, NWA Alumnae Panhellenic and Fayetteville Junior Civic League. She has served on several boards including Open Avenues, Community Creative Center and the Arkansas Alumni Association.

She raised more than $95,000 for the American Diabetes Association and $18,000 for the American Heart Association.