Join First United Methodist Church Sarasota for Leadership with Purpose: Conversations at the Intersection of Work, Faith, and Impact, featuring former Walmart CEO Lee Scott (2000–2009).
About the Speaker:
Lee Scott served as Walmart’s President and CEO from 2000 to 2009. During his tenure while leading the world’s largest company, he was widely credited with reinvigorating Walmart’s mission and transforming the retailer’s role in helping tackle the toughest issues facing an increasingly complex world.
In 1979, Lee Scott joined Walmart as an assistant director of the private truck fleet. He quickly rose through the ranks of Logistics to become the division’s executive vice president in 1993. Two years later, he transitioned to Merchandise as that division’s executive vice president.
In 1998, Lee was promoted to president and CEO of Walmart U.S. One year later, he was named chief operating officer and vice chairman of Walmart. During Lee’s more than nine years as president and CEO of Walmart, he oversaw a 243 percent increase in Walmart’s global sales, from $165 billion to $401 billion, and a 277 percent increase in earnings, from $1.21 per share to $3.35 per share. He expanded Walmart’s operations from 10 to 16 countries, including to India, Japan and Chile. Profits also rose 249 percent to more than $13 billion. During his last year as CEO, Walmart was the best performing stock in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Lee is a native of Baxter Springs, Kansas. He received his bachelor’s of science degree in business from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. In 1995, the University named him an outstanding alumnus. Lee has also completed executive development programs at Penn State University and Columbia University and received an honorary degree from the University of Arkansas in 2007.
Lee currently lives in Sarasota.
Parking Information:
Limited free parking in the garage at 111 S. Pineapple Avenue. Paid parking available in nearby city garages at 1538 State Street and 1289 North Palm Avenue or street parking along Pineapple, Main, and Palm.
All proceeds benefit SPARCC (Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center) and Selah Freedom (anti-human trafficking). Tickets are $25 per person, please RSVP Here to ensure your space or call 941-955-0935.Â
