Wal-Mart names CEO of Latin American unit

Bentonville, Ark. Wal-Mart Stores Wednesday announced that Vicente Trius, executive VP, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Asia, has been named executive VP, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Latin America.

Trius led the Wal-Mart Asia operation for the past year, during which time he supervised the opening of more than 40 new stores in China; the introduction of the chain’s everyday low-pricing model to Japan through the company's Seiyu unit and continued progress with that unit's turnaround; the completion of the company's first distribution center in India and the anticipated opening of its first wholesale cash-and-carry facility there during second quarter 2009.

Based in the company’s Latin America regional office in Miami, Trius will assume his new role July 6. His successor in Asia will be named at a later date. In the interim, the Wal-Mart Asian operations will report to Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Wal-Mart International.