Staff Bios - Leadership
Buddy D. Philpot
Buddy D. Philpot is the foundation’s executive director overseeing all foundation operations, grant making, research and evaluation, and communications. Prior to joining the foundation, Buddy spent more than 20 years in community banking, joining the Walton family owned Arvest Bank Group in 1987. He served for more than 10 years as president and CEO of the Springdale, Arkansas, Arvest bank. He joined The Walton Family Foundation as executive director in 2001. Buddy holds banking degrees from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas and the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.
Buddy D. Philpot is the foundation’s executive director overseeing all foundation operations, grant making, research and evaluation, and communications. Prior to joining the foundation, Buddy spent more than 20 years in community banking, joining the Walton family owned Arvest Bank Group in 1987. He served for more than 10 years as president and CEO of the Springdale, Arkansas, Arvest bank. He joined The Walton Family Foundation as executive director in 2001. Buddy holds banking degrees from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas and the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.
Jim Blew
As a consultant to the Walton Family and the Walton Family Foundation, Jim Blew provides strategic direction to the foundation’s Systemic K-12 Education Reform Focus Area. He previously directed various campaigns for the Alliance for School Choice and its predecessor, the American Education Reform Council. He has also worked for political and marketing communications firms in New York and California. Jim received a B.A. from Occidental College and an M.B.A. from Yale University.
As a consultant to the Walton Family and the Walton Family Foundation, Jim Blew provides strategic direction to the foundation’s Systemic K-12 Education Reform Focus Area. He previously directed various campaigns for the Alliance for School Choice and its predecessor, the American Education Reform Council. He has also worked for political and marketing communications firms in New York and California. Jim received a B.A. from Occidental College and an M.B.A. from Yale University.
Scott Burns
Scott Burns is director of the foundation’s Environment Focus Area overseeing work in both the marine and freshwater conservation initiatives. He is based in the foundation’s Washington, D.C., office. Prior to joining the foundation, Scott led the ocean conservation program at World Wildlife Fund where he helped shape initiatives to conserve marine areas of global environmental importance and to harness market forces to advance the conservation of ocean resources. Earlier in his career he taught law and worked as a commercial fisherman.
Scott Burns is director of the foundation’s Environment Focus Area overseeing work in both the marine and freshwater conservation initiatives. He is based in the foundation’s Washington, D.C., office. Prior to joining the foundation, Scott led the ocean conservation program at World Wildlife Fund where he helped shape initiatives to conserve marine areas of global environmental importance and to harness market forces to advance the conservation of ocean resources. Earlier in his career he taught law and worked as a commercial fisherman.
Rob Brothers
As director of the Home Region Focus Area, Rob Brothers is responsible for work with grantees focused on statewide K-12 education reform in Arkansas, and those focused on quality of life initiatives in northwest Arkansas and the Delta Region of Arkansas and Mississippi. Rob previously spent 37 years as a commercial banker in Arkansas and Missouri, including a term as the chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association. He holds a B.S.B.A. in economics and finance from Missouri Southern State University.
As director of the Home Region Focus Area, Rob Brothers is responsible for work with grantees focused on statewide K-12 education reform in Arkansas, and those focused on quality of life initiatives in northwest Arkansas and the Delta Region of Arkansas and Mississippi. Rob previously spent 37 years as a commercial banker in Arkansas and Missouri, including a term as the chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association. He holds a B.S.B.A. in economics and finance from Missouri Southern State University.
Naccaman Williams, Ed.D
Naccaman Williams is director of the foundation’s special initiatives, which includes grants directed by individual members of the Walton family. A former junior and senior high school mathematics teacher, Naccaman has served in several higher education roles, including director of the P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School at the University of Florida, and assistant dean and director of minority education services in the College of Education at the University of Arkansas. He served seven years on the Arkansas State Board of Education, including two years as chairman. He also served a four-year term on the Southern Regional Education Board. Naccaman holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Ouachita Baptist University and a doctorate in education administration from the University of Arkansas.
Naccaman Williams is director of the foundation’s special initiatives, which includes grants directed by individual members of the Walton family. A former junior and senior high school mathematics teacher, Naccaman has served in several higher education roles, including director of the P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School at the University of Florida, and assistant dean and director of minority education services in the College of Education at the University of Arkansas. He served seven years on the Arkansas State Board of Education, including two years as chairman. He also served a four-year term on the Southern Regional Education Board. Naccaman holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Ouachita Baptist University and a doctorate in education administration from the University of Arkansas.
Marc Holley, Ph.D.
As evaluation unit director, Marc Holley is responsible for ensuring that the foundation staff and board of directors are provided with accurate, timely research and analysis to support strategic decision-making. He was previously a researcher at the University of Arkansas in the Office for Education Policy. In addition to publishing peer-reviewed research, conducting program evaluations, and authoring a book on teacher quality, he has worked with the What Works Clearinghouse. He was also a teacher, school administrator, and Peace Corps volunteer. Marc holds a Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Arkansas, a M.Ed. from the University of Georgia, and a B.A. from Harvard University.
As evaluation unit director, Marc Holley is responsible for ensuring that the foundation staff and board of directors are provided with accurate, timely research and analysis to support strategic decision-making. He was previously a researcher at the University of Arkansas in the Office for Education Policy. In addition to publishing peer-reviewed research, conducting program evaluations, and authoring a book on teacher quality, he has worked with the What Works Clearinghouse. He was also a teacher, school administrator, and Peace Corps volunteer. Marc holds a Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Arkansas, a M.Ed. from the University of Georgia, and a B.A. from Harvard University.
Bob Smith
As the director of accounting and operations, Bob Smith provides accounting and finance support as well as the operational support required to assist the focus area teams with execution of the foundation’s strategic plans and initiatives. Prior to joining the foundation, Bob served as CFO and director of accounting of the automotive division of a family-owned company and worked in both the Little Rock and St. Louis offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is a CPA and holds a B.S.B.A. from Missouri State University.
As the director of accounting and operations, Bob Smith provides accounting and finance support as well as the operational support required to assist the focus area teams with execution of the foundation’s strategic plans and initiatives. Prior to joining the foundation, Bob served as CFO and director of accounting of the automotive division of a family-owned company and worked in both the Little Rock and St. Louis offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is a CPA and holds a B.S.B.A. from Missouri State University.
Daphne Moore
As communications director, Daphne Davis Moore oversees all internal and external communications for the foundation including institutional foundation communications as well as working with the Systemic K-12 Education Reform and Environment Focus Area teams to support and advance foundation grant making strategies. Prior to joining the foundation, Daphne spent 13 years working in the corporate affairs division of Walmart holding positions in public affairs, government relations and corporate communications. Before Walmart, she spent five years as a newspaper reporter. Daphne holds a B.A. in English and mass communications from Ouachita Baptist University.
As communications director, Daphne Davis Moore oversees all internal and external communications for the foundation including institutional foundation communications as well as working with the Systemic K-12 Education Reform and Environment Focus Area teams to support and advance foundation grant making strategies. Prior to joining the foundation, Daphne spent 13 years working in the corporate affairs division of Walmart holding positions in public affairs, government relations and corporate communications. Before Walmart, she spent five years as a newspaper reporter. Daphne holds a B.A. in English and mass communications from Ouachita Baptist University.