Sam's Club CEO Retires
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said today that Tom Grimm has retired as president and chief executive of its Sam's Club division. Kevin Turner, who most recently served as Wal-Mart's CIO, will replace Grimm and report to Tom Coughlin, who will now serve as president and CEO of Wal-Mart and Sam's Club USA.
Turner, 37, joined Wal-Mart as an hourly associate in 1986 and worked in multiple store positions, including cashier and customer service manager. He held positions of increasing responsibility in auditing and information systems development before becoming CIO in 2000.
Coughlin, 53, began his Wal-Mart career in 1978. He has served as vice president of the loss prevention and human resources groups, as well as executive vice president of Sam's Club operations and of the Wal-Mart specialty division.
The company also announced the following changes in its lineup:
-- Linda Dillman, currently VP of international systems development, is promoted to senior VP, replacing Turner as Wal-Mart's CIO.
-- Phil Sutterfield, executive VP of merchandising for Sam's Club, also has announced his retirement. Doug McMillon, currently senior VP and general merchandise manager for Wal-Mart, is promoted to executive VP, succeeding Sutterfield.
-- Gary Severson, 42, currently VP and divisional merchandise manager for Wal-Mart, is promoted to senior VP, succeeding McMillon.
Grimm, 58, was named president and CEO of the Sam's Club division in October 1998 after an extensive career in the wholesale club business. Prior to joining the company, Grimm served as president and CEO of Pace Membership Warehouse in Denver. He also was the founding principal of Price Savers Wholesale Warehouse in Salt Lake City, where he held the position of president and CEO for eight years.
Wal-Mart operates more than 500 Sam's Clubs in the United States.
Turner, 37, joined Wal-Mart as an hourly associate in 1986 and worked in multiple store positions, including cashier and customer service manager. He held positions of increasing responsibility in auditing and information systems development before becoming CIO in 2000.
Coughlin, 53, began his Wal-Mart career in 1978. He has served as vice president of the loss prevention and human resources groups, as well as executive vice president of Sam's Club operations and of the Wal-Mart specialty division.
The company also announced the following changes in its lineup:
-- Linda Dillman, currently VP of international systems development, is promoted to senior VP, replacing Turner as Wal-Mart's CIO.
-- Phil Sutterfield, executive VP of merchandising for Sam's Club, also has announced his retirement. Doug McMillon, currently senior VP and general merchandise manager for Wal-Mart, is promoted to executive VP, succeeding Sutterfield.
-- Gary Severson, 42, currently VP and divisional merchandise manager for Wal-Mart, is promoted to senior VP, succeeding McMillon.
Grimm, 58, was named president and CEO of the Sam's Club division in October 1998 after an extensive career in the wholesale club business. Prior to joining the company, Grimm served as president and CEO of Pace Membership Warehouse in Denver. He also was the founding principal of Price Savers Wholesale Warehouse in Salt Lake City, where he held the position of president and CEO for eight years.
Wal-Mart operates more than 500 Sam's Clubs in the United States.
