BENTONVILLE, Ark., March 1, 2006 – Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., announced today that Bill Simon will join the company as executive vice president of specialty division. Simon will have responsibility for the retailer’s pharmacy, optical, Tire and Lube Express, and photo and connection center divisions.
He will assume his new role March 6. He will report to Eduardo Castro-Wright, President and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores USA.
Simon comes to Wal-Mart from Brinker International, where he was the senior vice president of global business development, responsible for the growth of the restaurant chains Chili’s, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, On the Border and Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurants. He also managed the operation of all restaurants outside the United States.
“Wal-Mart is fortunate to have found somebody with Bill’s impressive experience and leadership,” Castro-Wright said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to learn from his insight and talent to make a difference in the groups he will lead, which are vital to the growth of the company.”
Simon previously worked as the Secretary of the Department of Management Services for the State of Florida, appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush in 2003. He was responsible for the operations and administrative functions of the state, including statewide purchasing, statewide human resources and collective bargaining, the state technology office, the Florida Retirement System, fleet and facilities management and statewide outsourcing initiatives.
Simon has 15 years of experience working for top consumer brands, including serving as president of the Southeast region of international beverage company Diageo, and several positions in marketing and development for companies such as Cadbury-Schweppes, Pepsico and RJR-Nabisco. He also served in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant commander in 2005. Simon and his family will relocate to Bentonville, Ark.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM’S CLUB locations in the United States. The company also operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The company’s securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting
www.walmartfacts.com. Online merchandise sales are available at
www.walmartfacts.com. Online merchandise sales are available at
www.walmart.com and
www.samsclub.com.
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