Retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) disclosed in a regulatory filing that Rosalind Brewer, age 54, the chief executive officer of its Sam's Club segment, will be retiring from the company effective February 1, 2017. Brewer has served as Executive Vice President, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company's Sam's Club segment since February 2012.
The company noted that John Furner, age 42, was appointed Executive Vice President, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company's Sam's Club segment, effective February 1, 2017. Mr. Furner will report to the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer in this new position.
Since October 2015, Mr. Furner has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer of Sam's Club. Prior to being appointed to his current role, Mr. Furner served in a variety of roles with the Company, including Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer of Walmart China from January 2013 to October 2015; Senior Vice President, Home & Apparel and Global Sourcing from January 2012 to January 2013; and Senior Vice President, Proprietary Brands and Merchandising Solutions from May 2011 to January 2012. Mr. Furner joined the Company as an hourly store associate in 1993 and served in a variety of roles including store manager, district manager, and buyer before being promoted to Vice President-Divisional Merchandise Manager in 2006.
The Company and Mr. Furner entered into a post-termination agreement and covenant not to compete dated May 7, 2011. The Non-Compete Agreement prohibits Mr. Furner, for a period of two years following his termination of employment with the Company for any reason, from participating in a business that competes with the Company and from soliciting the Company's associates for employment. The Non-Compete Agreement also provides that, if Mr. Furner is terminated by the Company for any reason, other than for a violation of the Company's policies, the Company will continue to pay his base salary for two years following termination of employment.
In connection with her retirement from employment, on January 5, 2017, the Company entered into a retirement agreement with Ms. Brewer, whereupon Ms. Brewer's employment with the Company will end on February 1, 2017. Under the terms of the Retirement Agreement, Ms. Brewer will receive payments totaling approximately $1.9 million in multiple installments through January 2019. In addition, 29,664 restricted shares of Common Stock originally scheduled to vest between September 25, 2017 and January 25, 2019 will be accelerated to vest on the date of Ms. Brewer's separation from employment. Ms. Brewer will forfeit 24,038 unvested shares of restricted stock, as well as 121,695 performance share units, which constitutes all of her outstanding performance share units scheduled to vest after her separation from employment.
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