Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has announced the retirement of Tom Grimm, president and CEO of the company’s SAM’S CLUB division. Kevin Turner, who most recently served as Wal-Mart’s chief information officer (CIO), will replace Grimm and report to Tom Coughlin, who will now serve as president and CEO of Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB, U.S.A.

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:

• Linda Dillman, currently vice president of international systems development, is promoted to senior vice president, replacing Turner as Wal-Mart’s chief information officer. Dillman, 46, joined the company in 1991 and has had leadership roles in applications development for the Wal-Mart in-store systems, SAM’S CLUB, Wal-Mart specialty division, Retail Link and data warehousing.
• Phil Sutterfield, executive vice president of merchandising for SAM’S CLUB, also has announced his retirement. Doug McMillon, currently senior vice president and general merchandise manager for Wal-Mart, is promoted to executive vice president, succeeding Sutterfield. McMillon, 35, first joined Wal-Mart in 1984. Since that time, he has served as a buyer in numerous areas, divisional merchandise manager and vice president and general merchandise manager for SAM’S CLUB International.
• Gary Severson, 42, currently vice president and divisional merchandise manager for Wal-Mart, is promoted to senior vice president, succeeding McMillon. Severson began his career with Wal-Mart as a buyer in 1994 after spending eight years with Venture Stores. He moved into his current position in 1997.

These changes are effective today.

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 chief executive officer 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 chief executive officer for 8 years.

"Tom Grimm is one of the true pioneers in the wholesale club business and we have great respect for the improvements he has helped bring to the SAM’S CLUB member," said Lee Scott, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "The operating standards of our clubs have improved under Tom’s leadership. We also have seen improvements in the quality and selection of SAM’S CLUB merchandise, as well as improvements in the ancillary services offered to our members in areas such as fuel and pharmacy."

Said Scott, "At the same time, we are fortunate to have people like Kevin Turner, Linda Dillman, Doug McMillon and Gary Severson, who are ready and able to assume more responsibility with the company. We continue to feel good about the growth prospects for SAM’S CLUB, and we are as committed as ever to the wholesale club business and to providing that unique value to our individual SAM’S CLUB members."

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., operates more than 2,800 discount stores, Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets, and more than 500 SAM’S CLUBS in the United States. More information about Wal-Mart can be found on-line at www.walmartstores.com and www.walmart.com. The SAM’S CLUB site can be accessed at www.samsclub.com.