Ron Loveless serves as Vice Chairman of U.S. Preventive Medicine. A native of Bentonville, AR, Mr. Loveless retired as an executive with the world’s largest retailer, Walmart Stores, Inc., after 22 years with the company. One of the very few “locals” involved with the company from the start, his mother having been a housekeeper for the Walton family in Bentonville in the early 1950’s, his experience offers an inside look at how this company became the largest in the world.
Mr. Loveless was recognized as a key executive in the growth of Walmart by Sam Walton in his biography, “Made In America”. He has recently completed a memoir of his life and career entitled “WALMART INSIDE OUT”, published by Stephens Press LLC,.
Mr. Loveless graduated from Bentonville HS in 1960, served four years in the US Air Force Intelligence Service, and began his career with Walmart in 1964. He rose through the operations ranks, serving as Assist. Mgr, Store Manager, District Manager and Regional Vice-President.
In 1979 he was named Assistant to the President and put on special assignments, including the design of a new up-graded store prototype for the 1980’s and writing a Buyer’s Training Manual. In 1980 he was named General Merchandise Manager, supervising over 100 buyers and Div. Merchandisers for the Hardlines Merchandising Categories. In 1983 he was named as the first CEO of the new Sam’s Wholesale Club Division and achieved over $1.5 billion in sales with 30 units in just three years operation.
Since leaving Walmart, Ron has consulted in retailing and consumer products with numerous projects in Canada, the U.S., the Middle East and special projects with Walmart, and has served on numerous advisory boards for startup entities.