Walmart Global has filled its vacant Canada CEO position after announcing the reassignment of Dirk Van den Berghe to China earlier this month. The retailer has appointed former COO Lee Tappenden to fill Van den Berghe’s role. He will take over as Walmart Canada’s President and CEO effective Aug. 15, 2016.
Tappenden has held a number of global leadership roles since joining Walmart in 1996, including Chief Merchandising Officer of Walmart Japan and VP of Merchandising for the International Division. He also sits on the Board of Governors of Children’s Miracle Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving children’s lives at 170 North American hospitals.
“Lee is extremely well poised to lead Walmart Canada and continue the momentum of growth we are seeing in this market,” said David Cheesewright, President and CEO of Walmart International in a statement. “He has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout his career with Walmart internationally in both merchandising and operations, but he also brings to the role a real passion and heart for our associates and customers.”
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As Tappenden assumes his new role, Chief Administrative Officer Bob Hakeem will fill the vacated COO position. Hakeem joined Walmart Canada in 2008 as Senior VP for the Walmart Canada People Division, and was promoted to Executive VP of Human Recourses in 2012.
