President, DaySpring Cards

About James

A native of Northwest Arkansas, James Barnett earned a Bachelor of Science degree from John Brown University and an MBA from the Walton School of Business at the University of Arkansas. He joined DaySpring in 1981, holding key positions within the company in sales and marketing before becoming the president in 1994. James is passionate about inspiring and equipping people to know and share God’s love. His work at DaySpring allows him to integrate faith and business to fulfill the company’s vision to “…see every person experience and express the life-changing message of God’s love” and to advance its Christian heritage and culture.

In addition to being a member of the CEO Forum, James Barnett currently serves on the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board for the Walton School of Business at the University of Arkansas. Past leadership positions include serving on the Advisory Board for the Soderquist Center for Leadership and Ethics at John Brown University and the board of Arkansas Athletes Outreach. He is an avid supporter of the Northwest Arkansas region’s FCA and Campus Life-Youth for Christ organizations, a former member of the WinShape Marriage and Family Board, along with Urban Ministries of Chicago.

James and his wife Marilyn have three adult children and five grandchildren. They live in Siloam Springs, AR, and attend Fellowship Bible Church in Fayetteville, AR. He is excited about serving on the Workmatters board and looks forward to working with fellow board members to grow and support young business leaders across the US.