Jim Norton & Robert "Bobby" Walden | Dr. A. Barnett Scott Service Award

Jim Norton and Bobby Walden have called Jackson home for over 20 years as business owners and community advocates. Jim is the Founder and Creative Director for RobertJames, a luxury handbag brand, and he has completed interior design projects across the United States. He founded Authentic Luxuries with clients across the globe and has appeared several times as a guest chef on the Hallmark Channel’s show Home & Family. Bobby earned a bachelor’s degree in business law and has owned and served as Chief Executive Officer for several companies during his 40+ year career in business.

Jim and Bobby have played critical roles throughout the history of the Patrons’ Party and Charity Gala. They have opened their home at Oakmont since 2006 to host and coordinate the Patrons’ Party, which precedes the Charity Gala to honor award recipients and thank event sponsors. Jim volunteered as the chair for the Charity Gala for six years. Under his direction, the fundraiser became known as “West Tennessee’s most elegant event.”

Over the last decade, Jim has helped raise funds for various charities by hosting designer trunk shows and previously served on the Ayers Children’s Medical Center Advisory Board. Bobby is a current member of the Community Foundation of West Tennessee Board of Trustees and serves on the Kirkland Cancer Center Advisory Board, the University of Tennessee Board of Directors, the University of Tennessee Alumni Board, and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon National Alumni Council.

Jim and Bobby have been partners for 23 years and have two children and three grandchildren with another arriving soon. When they are not running their businesses or volunteering, they enjoy spending time with family and friends and traveling.  

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About the Dr. Barnett Scott Service Award

The 2011 Charity Gala was dedicated to long-time board member and past chairman of the board Dr. A. Barnett Scott. His involvement as volunteer, donor, visionary and chairman helped move The Foundation to many records, including reaching $15 million in assets during his term as board chair from 2005 – 2007. In 2008, he was honored with a Jackson Award for Community Service.

The Dr. A. Barnett Scott Service Award was established to honor Dr. Scott after his death in August 2011. Foundation staff and board wanted to honor his legacy by annually recognizing someone who selflessly served The Foundation and its programs. Each year, The Foundation staff selects a volunteer who has served The Foundation and the community in an altruistic way.