Sponsored by Covenant College’s Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership
Mike Duke addresses Covenant College students in chapel
Mike Duke speaks to Chattanooga business leaders at the Brock Forum Reception
Panel discussion with Mike Duke, David Parker (CEO, Covenant Logistics), and Pete Frederick (CEO, Grain Craft)
Mike Duke speaks with Covenant College engineering students
Mike Duke with past Covenant College presidents Frank Brock and Derek Halvorson
Featuring Guest Speaker
Mike Duke
Former CEO, Walmart
Read Bio Below
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Reception at Chattanooga Golf and Country Club
5:30pm - Invitation Only
Chattanooga Golf and Country Club
1511 Riverview Road
Chattanooga, TN 37405
Friday, January 31, 2025
Brock Forum Keynote Address: Mike Duke
11am - Dora Maclellan Brown Memorial Chapel
Covenant College
Luncheon & Panel Discussion
12pm - Invitation Only
Charles Anderson Auditorium, The Kirk
Covenant College
Guest Speaker Bio
Mike Duke was blessed with great opportunities to serve people over his 45-year career in the retail industry. After earning a degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech, he served in a variety of leadership roles with Federated Department Stores and May Department Stores. God provided outstanding mentors and amazing opportunities in Mike’s first 23 years in retailing, after which he called Mike to join Walmart in 1995. At Walmart, Mike was given multiple growth opportunities, beginning in logistics/supply chain and then in distribution, administration, Walmart U.S., and—in 2005—as vice chairman with responsibility for Walmart International. In 2009 Mike was named the fourth CEO of Walmart. Mike retired as CEO in 2014, after which he continued to serve on the board of directors of Walmart, Inc. for several years. He has served on the board of directors of Chick-fil-A, where he has enjoyed helping that organization fulfill its stated purpose of glorifying God. Mike has also served on The Consumer Goods Forum, the executive committee of Business Roundtable, the board of advisors of the University of Arkansas, and the advisory board of the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management in Beijing, China. He is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
As impressive as his professional career has been, Mike would rank his work as fourth among his personal priorities. He is, first, a child of God and follower of Jesus Christ as his Savior. Second, he is a family man. He has been married to Susan for 54 years, and together they have two daughters, one son, and five grandchildren—all of them also followers of Jesus. Third, Mike loves, and is active in, his local church and community. He leads a small group Bible study and serves in multiple ways at his church. He also serves on the boards of Bible Study Fellowship International, the Georgia Tech Foundation, and St. Matthew’s House. Mike particularly enjoys speaking to college and high school students and mentoring young adults.