EXECUTIVE CHANGES: WAL-MART NAMES AIRLINE VETERAN OLIVER TO HR POST...BIG Y TAPS THOMAS, HORACEK FOR REAL-ESTATE SLOTS

WAL-MART NAMES AIRLINE VETERAN OLIVER TO HR POST

st week said it named Sue Oliver senior vice president of people for Wal-Mart-Stores USA, effective April 5. Oliver most recently was senior vice president, human resources, American Airlines, Fort Worth, Texas. Oliver will report to Mike Duke, president and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores USA. She succeeds Charlyn Jarrells Porter, who was named chief diversity officer for Wal-Mart Stores. In her new role, Oliver will be responsible for all aspects of human resources, including employee relations, succession planning, retention, and training and development.

BIG Y TAPS THOMAS, HORACEK FOR REAL-ESTATE SLOTS

Springfield, Mass. -- Big Y Foods here has named Peter J. Thomas vice president of real estate and development, and Frank J. Horacek director of real estate and development.

In the newly created vice president position, Thomas will oversee real-estate operatives, store development and facilities management. He will continue to report to Charles D'Amour, chief operating officer, Big Y. Prior to joining the company in 1997 as vice president of facilities and construction, Thomas worked at Purity Supermarkets, North Billerica, Mass., in a variety of positions.

As director of real estate and development, Horacek replaced Steven Hurwitz, who left the company. Horacek will identify and research expansion opportunities, assist in the preparation and presentation of market research and demographic data, and supervise administrative real-estate functions. Before arriving at Big Y in January, Horacek was regional director of real estate for A&P's New England Division. Horacek will report to Thomas.