Corporate Governance

Los Angeles – Peter J. Nolan, 55, one of three managing partners of private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners, is leaving his post. Leonard Green holds investment stakes in major retail chains including J. Crew, Petco, The Container Store, and Topshop/Topman.

Nolan will serve as a senior advisor to Leonard Green and also serve as a board member of several companies in its portfolio. He is leaving to devote more time to philanthropic activities.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. incurred a net loss of $151 million in the process of ending its partnership with former Indian partner Bharti Enterprises. According to Wal-Mart financial statements, in October 2013 the retailer paid $100 million for Bharti’s 50% interest in Bharti Wal-Mart Pvt. Ltd., which operates 20 wholesale stores in India.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has elected new officers, one new executive committee member and three new board of directors members for the coming year during its annual meeting this weekend.

John Standley, chairman and CEO of Rite Aid, was elected as the new NACDS chairman of the board of directors. Standley succeeds Robert Narveson, president and CEO of Thrifty White Pharmacy. Additionally, Juan Ortiz, CEO Navarro Discount Pharmacies, was named vice chairman and Randall Edeker, chairman and CEO Hy-Vee, was elected treasurer.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart’s board of directors has appointed D. Hunt Hawkins and Brian R. Morrow to share the newly created office of the president. Both men will continue to report to CEO Jay Stein.

The Estée Lauder Companies have named Christopher C. Giglio as VP, corporate global communications. He will report to Alexandra C. Trower, EVP, global communications.

New York -- Energy Transfer Partners, parent company of Sunoco, plans to acquire Susser Holdings Corp in a stock-and-cash deal valued at $1.8 billion.

Susser operates 630 convenience stores under the Stripes and Pac-N-Sac banners, in Texas and surrounding states. Sunoco operates more than 5,000 stores, primarily on the East Coast.

Petco has named Larry Rutkowski as EVP and CFO.

"Larry is a highly accomplished executive with a proven track record of successful financial leadership for both public and privately-held companies," said CEO Jim Myers. "His unique skillset and experience in a diverse array of industries will serve us well as we continue to advance Petco's leadership position in pet specialty. We're thrilled to add Larry to our executive team."

Whole Foods Market made a $46,784 donation to Solid Ground, a Seattle-based organization with a mission to build a community to end poverty. Throughout 2013, shoppers who visited any of the six Seattle-area Whole Foods Market stores had an opportunity to participate in the Bag Hunger program, with a cash donation to Solid Ground at the checkout registers.