Forty Under 40: Caroline S. Clarke

Caroline Clarke started with Wal-mart in 1997 as an intern in the real estate and design department.

Today, the Little Rock native leads a team of more than 130 associates, responsible for securing GNFR (goods not for resale) products for every store in the chain — both existing and under construction.

That’s anything a customer can see in a store but can’t buy — from shelves to plastic sacks and cash registers.

“I tell people I buy toilet paper and chicken domes,” Clarke joked.

Clarke earned that promotion in 2010. She said the leadership role is a humbling experience.

During her previous 13 years with the real estate division, Clarke created and managed a portfolio of about 250 properties in more than 15 states.

She was credited with managing entry strategies for the first Neighbor-hood Markets in Oklahoma, Indiana, Texas and Missouri.

“I had never thought of Walmart in terms of real estate,” she said. “But picking out sites for Walmart stores is pretty cool.”

In 2007, Clarke was promoted to a senior real estate director, developing the first supercenter strategy for Washington, D.C.

A fervent college football fan, the married mother of three also enjoys the mountains, traveling to Colorado several times a year.

Clarke’s undergrad and graduate degrees in business administration are both from the University of Arkansas.