BENTONVILLE, Ark.–Jeff Gearhart, Walmart’s executive vice president and general counsel, has been promoted to the additional post of corporate secretary, effective Aug. 1.
Reporting directly to Mike Duke, president and chief executive officer, Gearhart will assume the responsibilities over Walmart’s ethical-sourcing program. He will also maintain his current responsibilities over all of the company’s legal matters in its domestic and international markets. He will succeed Tom Hyde, executive vice president and corporate secretary, who will retire on Aug. 1 after nine years with the retailer.
Gearhart joined Walmart in 2003, and was named senior vice president and deputy general counsel in 2007. He became executive vice president and general counsel in February 2009.