Brian Burton, who joined the Arkansas Foodbank as CEO in 2022, brings more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience to one of the state’s most critical social service organizations. His career path, spanning from Dallas to Las Vegas and now Little Rock, has been marked by a focus on the fundamentals of fundraising, board development and staff culture.
After growing one of the largest endowments in the U.S. at the Three Square Food Bank in Las Vegas, Burton felt inspired “to return to my hometown of Little Rock to work in a state that has the highest food insecurity in the nation.”
Burton’s approach to leadership has been shaped by his diverse experiences. His tenure in Las Vegas honed his skills in fundraising and endowment building, preparing him for the challenges faced by the Arkansas Foodbank during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to the pandemic, the challenges were clearer, Burton said. But facing complex issues like supply chain disruptions, inflation and employee turnover, he worked hard to frame the environment as one of “joyful disorientation,” filled with opportunity for new approaches.
Burton’s management philosophy centers on listening to, equipping and encouraging staff, supporting both success and failure. He advocates for rewarding “excellent mistakes” that create learning opportunities.
The food bank last year distributed more than 40 million pounds of food to 33 counties across central, east and south Arkansas.
Looking ahead, Burton wants the food bank to add 20 pantry partners in areas that are underserved and boost senior and children feeding programs by 10%.
After a 33-year career path, Burton is still passionate about growing nonprofits. “Understanding the stories of people who struggle on the ragged rim of our economy has opened my eyes to the disparities, obstacles and resilience of people whose needs are more obvious than my own,” Burton said.
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