Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> October 18, 1999
PAUL S. WALTERS, Chairman and CEO of Sears Canada, Inc., has had a
distinguished career spanning more than 20 years in the Canadian retail
industry. A 1978 graduate of the University of British Columbia with a
Bachelor of Commerce degree, Mr. Walters was selected the university's
Outstanding Young Alumnus in 1993, recognizing his contribution to the
Canadian retail industry. In the early stages of his career, Mr. Walters
held a number of increasingly responsible positions in sales,
merchandising and human resources. In 1996, Mr. Walters was elected
Chairman and CEO of Sears Canada, Inc. Since his appointment, Sears has
become a highly focused and successful retailer producing record sales
and profits in both 1997 and 1998. During his first two years as CEO,
Sears Canada has increased its revenue by more than $1 billion and
profitability by more than tenfold. On June 12, 1999 Mr. Walters was
named Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year for outstanding
leadership in the corporate and community sectors. Mr. Walters is a
past Board member of the I.M.R.A. and currently sits on the Boards of
the University of Western Ontario, the Retail Council of Canada, the
Conference Board of Canada, the Business Council on National Issues and
Junior Achievement. In addition, Mr. Walters is the National Co-Chair
for Computers for Schools, a unique initiative sponsored by Industry
Canada, the Telephone Pioneers and Sears Canada, collecting and
refurbishing retired computer technology and distributing it cost free
to schools and public libraries. Married with two children, Mr. Walters
counts as his interests golf, skiing, business reading and travel. Profile
history of Sears Canada just to set the stage for the readers?
Mr. Walters: Sears Canada would be this country's largest
