President and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. to Discuss Leading Global Growth

WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Mike Duke, president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. will outline strategies for growing a global company and delivering on founder Sam Walton’s vision around the world in the first presentation in the 2010-11 Leading out Loud lecture series at Wake Forest University Schools of Business.

The presentation is on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 4:00 p.m. in Wake Forest’s Worrell Professional Center auditorium, room 1312.

The world is changing in complex ways, with hundreds of millions entering the middle class, the rising cost of energy, the demand for food doubling and technology driving major changes in retail. Duke will discuss how Walmart recognizes that it has a global opportunity to build a next generation of the company for the future.

Since joining Walmart in 1995, Duke has led the logistics, distribution and administration divisions as well as Walmart U.S. As vice chairman, he was actively involved in developing and executing corporate strategy. Duke focused on setting higher standards of excellence for the company’s resources and people–from the redesign of logistics and merchandise distribution systems, to the recruitment of talent, and development of strong teams. Prior to joining the company, Duke had 23 years of experience in retailing with Federated Department Stores and May Department Stores.

Along with Duke, Walmart’s Global Council of Women Leaders will come to Wake Forest on Sept. 28 to host interactive roundtable discussions with Schools of Business students.

Leading out Loud is a Wake Forest University Schools of Business lecture series created to educate and inspire business students through exposure to industry leaders shaping today’s business world. This series is made possible by the generous support of the Broyhill Family Foundation of Lenoir, NC.

The next Leading out Loud speaker is Susan Ivey, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Reynolds American Inc., and president of RAI Services Company. Her presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 4:00 p.m.