ABOUT US

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A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, 8th & Walton President and CEO Jeff Clapper began his retail career as Newsstand Sales Director for Pack-O-Fun, Inc., getting the company’s magazines into newsstands nationwide, including Walmart’s. He rose to the position of publisher and brokered the company’s sale to Amos Press in 2006.

In 2007, Jeff launched an online golf video game, sold to World Golf Tour in 2010. At about this time, his wife accepted a work assignment in Bentonville, sparking what was intended to be a temporary relocation from their home in Chicago. Fate had other plans, and Jeff soon joined 8th & Walton, eventually purchasing the company in 2014. 

Jeff and his family are now active members of the Bentonville community. He is passionate about the broader impact of 8th & Walton’s work, which includes its corporate mission of helping suppliers become stronger partners with Walmart and expanding consumer access to healthy, affordable, and sustainable products. 

He also prioritizes a workplace culture where professionals not only succeed for the company’s clients but also design fulfilling lives for themselves and their families, frequently saying to the team: 

“You are smart, accomplished professionals who could earn a good paycheck anywhere; I want 8th & Walton to be the place where you can do that while also being the authors of your lives.”

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8th & Walton COO Steven Bertram brings over 20 years of experience helping brands grow with the world’s largest retailers, including Walmart. His work spans premium, private label, and value brands across diverse categories such as Office, Back to School, Sporting Goods, Hardware, Household Cleaning, and Electronics. As a former category adviser to Walmart buying teams, Steven uses a fact-based, strategic approach that earns manufacturers credibility with merchants.

Here’s what Steven has to say about working at 8th & Walton: “What excites me the most is helping suppliers find their way in the digital arena of Walmart.com. This space grows every year and has many challenging aspects. Many suppliers’ experience across brick & mortar retail or even other eCommerce sites does not translate directly to success on Walmart.com. Helping them gain share, grow sales, and become more strategic partners to their categories/buyers is rewarding.”

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Mark Stallcup is a seasoned supply chain development leader with more than 30 years of expertise in merchandising replenishment, process design, and technology integration at Walmart.

A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas,  Mark played a key role in creating and implementing perpetual inventory and replenishment systems that improved inventory flow, category growth, and stronger shelf availability for customers. Most recently, Mark served as Senior Project Manager for Walmart’s Global Replenishment Solution rollout, guiding teams and suppliers through large-scale technology transitions.

As 8th & Walton’s VP of Supply Chain and Replenishment, Mark partners with suppliers to strengthen forecasting, optimize deployment through Walmart’s networks, and evaluate solutions tailored to specific supply chain challenges.

When asked what he likes best about working for 8th & Walton, Mark said that he relishes “. . .the opportunity to drive Units/Store/Week improvement & Inventory Turns on existing modulars through Forecast Accuracy, Supply Plan Accuracy, and On TimeIn Full (OTIF) performance as well as the opportunities for my clients to present that historical performance to buyers in line reviews.  I view supply chain performance as part of the product offering, giving merchants the confidence to add locations on great new & existing items.”

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Before becoming 8th & Walton’s Director of Replenishment & Sales Insights, Terry Clear spent nearly a decade at Walmart, half of which was with the Global Replenishment System (GRS) project, beginning at the pre-go-live stage. 

He then led efforts to migrate external data into Walmart’s data warehouse, earning him a supply chain patent by improving processes for perishable products in Walmart Express stores. 

Terry later joined Walmart’s Transportation/Logistics Division as Senior Manager of Merchandise Logistics for Consumables, Health, and Wellness, tackling challenges such as ship point alignment, supplier onboarding, and optimizing multi-supplier private label supply chains. 

Since joining 8th & Walton in 2014, Terry has utilized his expertise to help suppliers work effectively with Walmart and train them in Scintilla™ Basic, enabling his clients to succeed by ensuring they can fill and ship every Walmart purchase order.

What excites Terry most about his work at 8th & Walton? “Helping suppliers get their teams competent in the major areas: Operations, Sales and Marketing, and Finance. Watching the teams develop and transition from being overwhelmed by the data, complexity, and change operating at a high level.”

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Joel Graham brings over three decades of retail experience, including 28 years with Walmart and Sam’s Club, to his role as Director of Retail Link® Item File, Replenishment, & Sam’s Club Insights. Throughout his career, he held eight distinct roles spanning buying, replenishment, and operations across multiple categories. This broad background enables him to deliver true “white glove” service to clients, distinguishing him from others who may have held only one or two positions in their Walmart careers.

One of Joel’s most notable roles was managing the Sam’s Club UPC/Item File Team for a decade, during which he was also selected to represent the company as a subject-matter expert on enterprise-level projects.

With over 20 years of experience in presentation and facilitation, Joel specializes in item file creation and management, packaging, accounting, and compliance, including WERCS and factory disclosure. He is also deeply skilled in GS1, GTIN, data matrix, QR codes, RFID, Retail Link®, Supplier One, supply chain, and e-commerce.

When we asked Joel what excites him most about working at 8th & Walton, he replied: “I like helping people. Many times, when someone approaches us, they are lost or in trouble. Just like an ER doctor, I enjoy the challenges that come with these situations. It is very rewarding to hear those sincere thank yous and to see their relief.”

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Heather Reid has a passion for helping suppliers succeed, drawing on decades of hands-on retail experience. She spent 22 years with Walmart Canada before joining 8th & Walton in 2016, where she now trains and supports suppliers in understanding Walmart’s systems and expectations as Director of Education – Canada and Accounting Insights.

Heather has over 18 years of experience in retail education, having trained more than 2,000 suppliers. She is a specialist in Retail Link®, Replenishment (GRS), Scintilla™ Basic, and holds a diploma in Human Resources, Marketing, and Accounting from Sheridan College.

As Heather herself says, “What really excites me is seeing the lightbulb moments, when a supplier realizes how a small change can make a big difference in their results. It’s rewarding to help them cut through the confusion, whether that’s with system reporting, accounting deductions, or just figuring out how to use Walmart’s tools better. Knowing that the services we provide help suppliers hit their goals and strengthen their partnership with Walmart is what keeps me passionate about this work.”

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Pam spent over a decade in Walmart’s Information Systems Division, where she developed software for Retail Link® and the Decision Support System (DSS). Her work supported merchandising, replenishment, logistics, and item file teams with reporting and scorecard solutions that improved business performance.

A Baylor University graduate in Information Systems and Quantitative Business Analysis, Pam combines deep technical expertise with practical retail insights. With 11 years on Walmart’s Decision Support team and three years as a certified retail analyst, she helps suppliers turn Walmart data into strategies that drive sales, strengthen supply chain execution, and deepen buyer relationships.

Pam on working at 8th & Walton:

“What excites me most is helping suppliers get set up for success. I use my knowledge of Walmart’s systems and Retail Link to provide the tools they need, so our team can guide them in understanding expectations, optimizing performance, and building stronger buyer relationships.”

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Marie Clapper was an English teacher who left teaching to become a magazine staff writer. In 1992, she became CEO and president of the publishing company which produced a dozen craft titles as well as a PBS television show. During that time, she worked closely with Walmart to develop special fall promotions for her magazines. Marie was listed in Who’s Who for over twenty years. She joined 8th & Walton in 2011 and is its Director of Education.

Marie on working at 8th & Walton: “I was a Walmart supplier myself, and I remember when we were chosen by Walmart. It was so exciting! It was a lot of work, too, and I felt overwhelmed at times. A new supplier signing on with 8th & Walton gets a team of well-seasoned experts who are dedicated to helping that supplier succeed. I’m honored to be part of that effort. It’s thrilling.”

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Adela Rojas has over 20 years of experience in operations, administration, bookkeeping, sales, and customer service. Originally from Peru, Adela worked for one of the largest banks of her home country, where she learned many of her customer service, negotiation, and communication skills.

Always ready to assist all clients via email, chat, or phone, Adela is also ready to help her teammates by solving problems with creative ideas.She manages our classes, student schedules, advisor schedules, websites, and CRM. She is proficient in Retail Link® and Walmart accounting.

Adela is bilingual, so if you speak Spanish, come say “Hola” to her!

Adela on working at 8th & Walton: “I really enjoy being someone people can count on, whether it’s a client, a lead, or one of my teammates. If someone needs help, I’m happy to jump in and make sure they have what they need. I like working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly.”

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Annie Reinke leverages a diverse background in entrepreneurship, music, and teaching to drive the ongoing success of 8th & Walton. 

A graduate of Chicago’s Columbia College, Annie brings a wealth of experience to her role as Marketing Manager, including work as a musician, music teacher, yoga instructor, and owning and operating her own cottage bakery (The Family Crumb). She understands the challenges that suppliers and brand-builders often face, and spearheads the initiatives and tools that help 8th & Walton’s clients succeed.

As Annie herself says: “I’m proud to be part of a company that puts people and planet at the center of what it does. When we help small and medium suppliers succeed with Walmart, we’re not just driving business results; we’re supporting sustainable growth, stronger communities, and better choices for customers everywhere. Being part of that bigger purpose is incredibly motivating.”

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8th & Walton’s editorial director, Lainie Petersen, began managing our daily news blogs in 2012. She has been a professional content creator for over three decades, working as a writer, editor, and radio/podcast host. She worked as a senior compliance administrator for Kaplan Professional and later became the editor of Radio Ink magazine.

Lainie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in philosophy (Illinois State University), both a Master of Theological Studies and a Master of Divinity (Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary), and a Master of Library and Information Science (Dominican University). 

When asked about what she likes best about working at 8th & Walton, Lainie replied: “I’m all in on 8th & Walton’s mission of helping suppliers become better partners with Walmart. I love my work of keeping suppliers informed with up-to-the-minute Walmart, Sam’s Club, retail, and supply chain news while also communicating 8th & Walton’s mission to current and future clients.”

[email protected] | 479-228-4170

Sean Presley brings nearly 25 years of retail and operations expertise to his role as 8th & Walton’s Senior Supply Chain Advisor, beginning his career at Walmart in 2001 while still in high school. During his 16-year tenure at Walmart and Sam’s Club, he advanced through various roles, including replenishment, store layout, and leadership, overseeing major categories such as fresh foods and optical.

Sean later expanded his leadership experience at Big Time Products, Great Neck Tools, and as VP of Operations for one of the nation’s largest seafood importers. 

Sean joined 8th & Walton in July of 2025. We asked him how he liked working for us so far. Here is what he had to say:  

“ I truly believe everything that I’ve done now has set me up for success in this role. Many suppliers, if they’ve been doing business with Walmart, know how to perform steps A, B, and C, but they often lack the expertise to optimize the business, establish effective processes, and streamline operations.

My background sets me up to have those conversations, and what I love most is that everything I’ve done is all about the people. Being able to just touch base and interact with so many different folks, I just love that part of my role.

We are a good company: We’re a B Corp. Everything we stand for and everything we do is just incredible.”