Tappenden joined the Wal-Mart Canada leadership group in 2010 as senior vice president of merchandise operations. He started with the company in 1996, and his previous roles include chief merchandising officer of Wal-Mart Japan and vice president of merchandising for the international division.
“Lee is extremely well poised to lead Wal-Mart Canada and continue the momentum of growth we are seeing in this market,” David Cheesewright, president and CEO of Wal-Mart International, said in the release. “He has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout his career with Wal-Mart internationally in both merchandising and operations, but he also brings to the role a real passion and heart for our associates and customers. Lee is the kind of person who genuinely cares about the well-being of the people who work in and shop at our stores every day — and that’s one of the things that make him an incredibly special leader."
Bob Hakeem, chief administrative officer, will succeed Tappenden as chief operations officer.
