Donald Frieson

About Donald Frieson

Donald E. Frieson is a C-Suite Executive whose visionary leadership in business operations, supply chain, logistics, transportation and people development have contributed to the long term success of the businesses he has supported. As the EVP of Supply Chain for Lowe’s Companies, Donald was instrumental in creating one of the best last mile delivery business for big and bulky items. During his tenure the Supply Chain transformed from a Hub and spoke environment to a true Omni-channel supply with over 120 facilities spanning across the United States. He courageously lead the business during the Global Pandemic to ensure product flow and customer service needs were met. During his 30+ year career Donald achieved rapid and continuous advancement into new and more complex roles to build his skill sets across multiple business disciplines and divisions, including Walmart Stores US, Walmart International and Sam’s Club. Today Don is the founder and Managing Director of Execution Matters, LLC, a full service Supply Chain and Operations Management consultancy. Donald is proficient in the full range of the logistics and operations leadership functions—from strategic planning/execution to process improvement, global sourcing, replenishment, planning and real estate development. He is widely recognized as a cost containment expert orchestrating a $20M annualized expense reduction through business restructuring. In addition, Donald is known for his leadership development skills: He personally mentored 35+ emerging leaders—10 of whom have been promoted to senior positions during his tenure at Walmart. Donald created the Senior Manager’s Mentor Circle at Lowe’s and was Executive sponsor for both LowePac and Women Empowered business resource group.In 2011, Donald was selected for a two-year assignment to direct Walmart’s first integration in Africa after it became the majority shareholder of Massmart, a holding company with six retail banners and 300+ units in 13 sub-Saharan African nations. In this role, he leveraged Walmart’s size and scale to reduce Massmart’s purchasing costs by 12% and optimized joint-business planning to negotiate more favorable contracts with shared suppliers. Before joining Lowe’s in 2018, Donald spent 18 years in various roles at Walmart Stores, Walmart International and Sam’s Club as well as 12 years advancing through the logistics and operations management ranks at Schneider National Carriers.

Experience

1. Member Board of Directors

   Casey's

   Mar 2018 — Present · Ankeny, IA, US

Education

• LeMoyne-Owen College

  Honorary Doctorate

• Dartmouth College

  Executive Certificate of Completion, International/Global Studies

  2005 — 2006

• University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Business Administration, Management and Operations

Skills

• Forecasting
• Operations Management
• Customer Service
• Leadership
• Strategic Planning
• Budgeting
• Budgets
• Strategy
• Management
• Team Building
• Business Process Improvement
• Team Leadership
• Retail
• Profit
• P&L Management
• Inventory Management
• Inventory Control