Brian Cornell serves as president and CEO of Sam’s Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., where he also is an executive vice president of the company.  Brian joined Sam’s Club in April 2009.

Brian brings a wealth of talent to Sam’s Club, the company’s members-only warehouse operating segment that serves the needs of individual and small business members.  Prior to joining the company, Cornell worked for Michaels Stores, Inc., where he held the position of CEO for the largest specialty retailer of arts and crafts in North America.

Prior to joining Michaels, Brian held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Safeway and had responsibility for the company’s marketing, merchandising, manufacturing, distribution operations as well as the company’s on-line home delivery business.  In 2005, Brian was recognized by Supermarket News as the Marketer of the Year. And in 2006, he was recognized as the Retailer of the year by Grocery Headquarters magazine.   

Brian has over 20 years of experience in consumer products marketing and general management.  He has served as President of the Pepsi-Cola North America’s (PCNA) Food Services Division.  Before moving to PCNA, he was the Regional President for PepsiCo’s European/African Beverage business.  He also served as President of Tropicana International and held positions of increasing responsibility at Tropicana North America.

In April 2010, Brian was appointed to the Board of Visitors of the Anderson Graduate School of Management at the University of California Los Angeles.  He was appointed to the Worldwide Board of Directors for Students in Free Enterprise (“SIFE”) in December 2010, where he also serves as chairman for the SIFE USA National Advisory Board.  He currently serves on the Northwest Arkansas Council as co-chairman of the Executive Committee.  He has served on the board of directors for Centerplate, an events hospitality company, since August 2010.  He previously served on the board of directors for The Home Depot from 2007 to 2009, Office Max from 2004 to 2007 and Kirin-Tropicana Inc. from 1996 to 2001. He was a member of the board of trustees for the Culinary Institute of America.

Cornell earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and attended its Anderson Graduate School of Management. He and his wife Martha reside in Bentonville, Ark.