Don Frieson

Don Frieson is executive vice president of operations for Sam’s Club and is responsible for the operations of more than 600 Sam’s Clubs in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Don joined Sam’s Club in November 2012 as senior vice president for replenishment and planning.  Prior to that, he served in Walmart International as chief integration officer for Massmart Holdings, a chain of more than 300 stores operating in 13 sub-Saharan Africa nations. His responsibilities included supply chain, merchandising, global sourcing and total integration into the Walmart business.

Prior to Massmart, Don was senior vice president for supply chain at Walmart. In this role, Don supported more than 30 Walmart distribution centers that supply merchandise to almost 1,600 Walmart stores, Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets in the Eastern United States and Puerto Rico. Previously, Don was president of Central Division Operations for Walmart Stores supporting more than 600 Walmart Stores and Neighborhood Markets with annual revenues of approximately $40 billion.

Don joined Walmart in 1999 as a district manager for the private fleet. He was promoted to director of private fleet administration and then to director of private fleet operations. In 2001, he was promoted to vice president of private fleet operations, where he managed one of the largest truck fleets in corporate America supporting more than 7,000 drivers, mechanics and office associates. Afterward, Don transitioned to support distribution operations as regional vice president of logistics. In 2005 Don was promoted to vice president, regional general manager for store operations supporting stores in Maryland, Delaware, southern New Jersey and metro Philadelphia.

Prior to joining Walmart, Don worked with Schneider National Carriers, where he spent 12 years developing expertise in the trucking industry by working in various positions including service team leader, operations manager and operating center manager.

Don earned a bachelor’s degree in operations management from the University of Tennessee. He also is a graduate of the Global 20/20 Executive Education Program at the Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College.

Don is a board member of KIPP Delta Academy, The Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter and The Amazeum Children’s Museum.  He also serves as an executive sponsor for Dress for Success and is a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.  Don is a former member of the board of regents at Morgan State University.