Eduardo Castro-Wright: putting a global spin on Wal-Mart

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, April-May, 2005 by Jorge Ferraez

Commerce runs through the veins of Eduardo Castro-Wright. The newly promoted Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Wal-Mart Stores Division in the United States comes from a long line of chain managers. His grandfather, in fact, began the first line of grocery stores in Ecuador more than fifty years ago. "To this day, that chain continues to be the principal supermarket chain in the country," Castro-Wright proudly says. Now, Castro has taken similar steps into bringing a new energy to the popular American giant.

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Castro-Wright, 49, formerly the President and Chief Excutive Officer of Wal-Mart Mexico, headed Wal-Mart's majority-owned Mexican subsidiary since 2001. Prior to his Wal-Mart career, he served as president of Honeywell Transportation and Power Systems Worldwide. He had also been President of Nabisco Asia-Pacific, and President of Nabisco in both Mexico and Venezuela. "My grandfather was an important factor in the development of who I am today," Castro-Wright admits. He has fond memories of working next to his grandfather as a child. Back then, the grocery empire was simply a one-store market. "All of the family collaborated in the business since the beginning," he says. His childhood experience of working for the family business benefited Castro-Wright in two very important ways. Firstly, he says it made him appreciate the value of family. "Our family is very united. We are a family with very Latin characteristics where family is the center of our society."

Next, it taught the young Castro-Wright how to be a businessman. "Since I was young I learned the value of a dollar. I learned that with hard work and dedication, and certainly, luck and education, one could get very far." When asked why he did not continue in the family business, he responds: "I come from a large family and the business was run by my uncles. I wanted to be an engineer. I always loved cars, so I chose to study mechanical engineering."

Castro-Wright next made a decision that would change his life: he chose to leave the comfort and security of Ecuador and study in a totally different culture: the United States. He obtained a Bachelor's of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University. Little did be know that his educational journey set a foundation for Castro-Wright's professional future. "Working as an executive for a multinational company, I've had the opportunity to live and work in many different countries with distinct cultures and with distinct languages. One case for example was Asia ... Singapore, Hong Kong. I've been responsible for the entire Asian market."

Although some may be overcome with culture shock, Castro-Wright says being placed in a foreign land actually made him both a better human being and savvier executive. "The necessity of having to learn about new ways of thinking and to see different cultures than those where I grew up in, obligated me to grow."

One of the challenges of doing business in an exotic land is to try and understand its culture and how to reach the population as consumers. He found out quickly that a sure-fire way to reach an audience was not a guaranteed formula for others. Interestingly enough, when ever he had to reach out to a new market, he would look inward. "I had to search for acceptable methods to succeed in places where I felt like a fish out of sea," he admits, adding, "I have a sincere appreciation for diversity."

The Traits of Success

While Castro-Wright had the privilege of learning about business at a young age, he claims virtue has gotten him much farther ahead in his career than his direct mentorship ever did. "I think when someone acts with integrity and speaks honestly, all types of opportunities will open," Castro-Wright says. "I don't think there is any other human characteristic that will allow you to integrate into such different situations or into such different societies. And that requires that we live the life we preach. Absolute integrity personally, absolute integrity professionally is the principal trait that has allowed me to win people over."

While vision and drive are a must for success, Castro-Wright is adamant that virtue is the most important attribute of all. Other personal traits that he admires in his colleagues are good communication skills. Castro-Wright says it is extremely important for those in power to be able to do and say what they really feel so that they are not merely second-guessed. "Leaders sometimes only listen to what they want to hear," Castro-Wright admits. "I think leaders need to really listen to what employees are saying or to what consumers are saying for that matter."

His Wal-Mart colleagues have always known that Castro-Wright stood out above the crowd. Michael T. Duke, president and CEO of the Wal-Mart Stores Division, stated in an official release: "We are fortunate to be able to draw on executive talent from within our global team. Eduardo is a proven leader who has helped Wal-Mart Mexico to achieve outstanding results. His experience, perspective and management skills will be a valuable addition to our division here in the United States."