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Wal-Mart Names New Top Lawyer
Jeff Gearhart has been promoted to executive vice president and general counsel at Wal-Mart.

But where, Law.com’s David Hechler wanted to know, does that leave the man Gearhart is replacing as the head lawyer of the world’s largest grocer? Tom Mars was promoted as well, to a new position of chief administration officer, U.S.

But Wal-Mart has been vague in describing Mars’ new duties. He will, according to a news release, be responsible for “key human resource functions” in the U.S. division. That will include diversity, compensation and employment policies.

Sounds like Mars might simply have been kicked upstairs.

Gearhart joined Wal-Mart in 2003 and has been a senior vice president and deputy general counsel since 2007.

Before Wal-Mart, he practiced at a Little Rock, Ark., law firm and counted Wal-Mart among his clients.

According to Law.com, he has worked hard to make Wal-Mart’s historically lily-white in-house legal department more diverse. [Source: Law.com]

Whitacre Named Simplot CEO
JR Simplot announced that Bill Whitacre, president of the company’s AgriBusiness Group, would take over as CEO.

Whitacre replaces Larry Hlobik, who is retiring. Whitacre joined Simplot in 2000 president of the turf and horticultural division

[Source: Agweek]

Heinz CEO on UPS Board
William Johnson, chairman and CEO of HJ Heinz, was named to the board of United Parcel Service as an independent director.

Johnson also serves on the boards of Emerson Electric and the Grocery Manufacturers of America.

[Source: Business First of Louisville]

Campbell Names China Manager
Peter Foylston has been named as Campell Soup’s general manager for greater China. He will be responsible for development and operations in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

[Source: Campbell Soup]

Tags: test, Campbell Soup Co., Emerson Electric Co., H.J. Heinz Co., Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Food, Whitacre, Corporate Governance, Food & Beverage, Business Operations, Corporate Law, Manufacturing, Dan Mitchell

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Wal-Mart Makes Executive Moves

Progressive Grocer - 280 days 19 hours 7 minutes ago

Jeff Gearhart and Tom Mars receive promotions to the positions of EVP and general counsel for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and EVP and chief administrative officer, Walmart U.S., respectively.
Wal-Mart Promotes Mars to EVP, CAO

Supermarket News - 279 days 23 hours 34 minutes ago

BENTONVILLE, Ark. ? Wal-Mart Stores here on Friday said it had promoted Tom Mars to the newly created position of executive vice president and chief administrative officer of the company?s U.S. division, reports said on Friday. He previously had been general counsel. Succeeding him in that role will be Jeff Gearhart, a veteran of the company?s...
Supervalu Names Craig Herkert CEO

Progressive Grocer - 200 days 18 hours 22 minutes ago

The top executive from Wal-Mart’s international division is leaving the world’s largest retailer to sign on with Supervalu as its new CEO, replacing the latter’s longtime, well-respected chief executive, Jeff Noddle, in the top spot at the nation’s No. 3 food retailer.
Wal-Mart paying millions to settle wage dispute

Globe and Mail - 335 days 10 hours 34 minutes ago

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will pay as much as $640-million (U.S.) to settle 63 federal and state class actions claiming the company cheated hourly workers and forced them to work through breaks. Yesterday's settlement ends actions pending in most state courts. The company will record an after-tax fourth-quarter expense of $250-million, or about 6...
Oil slick: Shell replaces Wal-Mart as world's biggest firm

BBC - 137 days 21 hours 24 minutes ago

Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell has replaced US retail group Wal-Mart as the world's largest company, the latest annual survey by Fortune magazine says. There are also fewer US corporations in the list of the 500 biggest firms than at any time since the publication started keeping records in 1995. The annual survey ranks the largest companies by...