BENTONVILLE, Ark., Jan. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/
Rosalind G. Brewer, 49, made history on Friday, January 20th as Walmart announced that she had been appointed president and CEO of Sam's Club effective February 1. Brewer is the first woman and the first African American to hold the position. She will report to Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke.
The promotion followed a decision by current Sam's Club President and CEO Brian Cornell, 52, to move back to the Northeast for family reasons.
Brewer was most recently president of the Walmart U.S. east business unit, where she was responsible for more than $100 billion in annual revenue, representing almost 1,600 stores and more than 500,000 associates. Brewer was also the first chairperson of the Walmart President's Council of Global Women Leaders.
"Roz came to us with an outstanding background in consumer packaged goods more than five years ago," said Duke. "During that time I have seen her develop into a talented merchant and retailer. She has strong strategic, analytical and operational skills and has successfully managed a large and complex business. I've also been struck by Roz's servant leadership when I have visited stores with her. She always lets her team do the talking, with her focus being on how to better support their needs."
In addition to praising Brewer's leadership style, Duke commented on Walmart's executive development process. "We are very intentional about developing talent to meet the needs of our rapidly growing business worldwide," said Duke. "The promotions we are announcing today are clear evidence that our succession and management development programs work, and that we have highly talented, well-rounded and experienced business leaders ready to step into larger roles when the opportunities arise."
Prior to Walmart, Brewer worked for Kimberly-Clark, progressing through various positions and eventually becoming president of a key business sector in 2004. She is a director of the Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) and currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees at her alma mater Spelman College. She was also selected one of the Most Powerful Women in Business by Fortune Magazine in 2010 and 2011.
Brewer's appointment was one of several executive level changes announced January 20, as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) approaches its new fiscal year.
