Office Depot names another new leader

Veteran retail operations executive Troy Rice has joined Office Depot as EVP of retail as the company continues to build out its senior leadership team in the wake of its merger with OfficeMax.

Rice spent the past eight years with Toys “R” Us, most recently serving as EVP fo stores and services. Prior that he spent 16 years with The Home Depot and served as president of the retailer’s $24 billion northern division at the time of his departure.

"Troy is an accomplished executive who has focused his career on improving operational performance and the customer experience in multi-unit retail stores," said Office Depot chairman and CEO Roland Smith. "His 20 plus years of experience in retail operations and his omni-channel orientation will enable him to make immediate and significant contributions to a number of Office Depot's 2014 critical priorities."

The hiring of Rice follows the appointment last week of Juliet Johansson to the role of EVP and chief strategy officer at Office Depot. Unlike Rice, Johansson brings to the company a different type of retail background with experience at The Blackstone Group, Ryder Systems and McKinsey & Company.

Johansson has already joined the company and Rice will assume his new responsibilities on April 14.

"Office Depot, Inc. has the exciting opportunity of bringing two great brands together in a way that provides the greatest benefit for our customers,” Rice said referring to the integration of Office Depot and OfficeMax. “ I look forward to applying my experience and energy to this challenge and to making a significant positive impact.”