Walmart board searches for right fit with Google exec

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The Walmart board of directors is poised for an infusion of fresh, and young, talent when shareholders vote to approve a slate of directors that includes Google’s VP of local and maps.

Shareholders are scheduled to vote Friday, June 1 on a 16-member slate of directors that includes first time nominee Marissa Mayer, who has served as VP local and maps at Google since 2010, according to Walmart’s proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday. In her current role, Mayer leads the product management and engineering efforts of Google’s local, mobile, and location-based products including Google Maps, Google Maps for mobile, local search, Google Earth, and Street View. Prior to assuming her current role with Google, Mayer had served as Google’s VP search products and user experience since 2005. Mayer enjoys the distinction of being Google’s first female engineer in 1999 and during her career has been responsible for launching hundreds of products and features. She holds a bachelor’s degree in symbolic systems and a master’s degree in computer science from Stanford University.

According to Walmart, Mayer’s qualifications to serve on the board include her extensive expertise and insight into the technology and consumer internet industries. Through her experience at Google, she will bring to Walmart long-term experience in internet product development, engineering, and brand management, according to the company. In addition, the board will benefit from Mayer’s expertise in governance and strategic planning gained through her experience on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations. She serves on the boards of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the San Francisco Ballet, the New York City Ballet and the Smithsonian Cooper – Hewitt, National Design Museum.

At 36 years of age, Mayer will become the youngest member of a Walmart board by a wide margin. Currently, 10 of the 16 directors are over the age of 60 and the next youngest director is Greg Penner, 42.

“At Walmart, we are focused on giving our millions of customers around the globe ‘anytime anywhere' access whether it is through a mobile device, online or in a physical store," said Walmart Chairman Rob Walton. "We are on the cusp of a massive transformation in the way people shop in our increasingly connected world. Marissa’s insights and expertise in the technology and consumer areas are valuable assets to Walmart as we move forward."