Alwyn Lewis: Kmart president and chief executive officer

Ebony, Jan, 2005

ALYWN LEWIS was named president and CEO of Kmart, making him the highest-ranking African-American executive in retailing. Lewis, a 26-year veteran in the retail field and a former president and CEO of Yum Brands, was selected for his expertise in brand management and customer satisfaction. "Alwyn Lewis brings to Kmart a wealth of retail operating experience, a track record of personal and corporate success, tremendous people skills and a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence," says Edward S.

Lampert, chairman of Kmart. "He is the ideal leader and agent of change" For the past 13 years, Lewis served as president and CEO of Yum Brands (Pizza Hut, KFC, Taco Bell, Long John Silver's, A&W All-American Food), a position that made him the highest-ranking Black executive in restaurant history. Of his new position, Lewis says, "I would not have left the situation I was in at Yum Brands to come to a company that was not interested in being a growth company, in winning in the marketplace and operating great stores to serve unmet consumer needs. I'm here to make the Kmart brand a super retailing brand in the United States." Lewis sits on the board of Walt Disney, Co., Halliburton and will also sit on Kmart's board of directors. He received dual bachelor degrees in English literature and business management, and an MBA from the University of Houston.