David Tovar, VP of communications and top spokesman for retail giant Wal-Mart Stores, has resigned after the company discovered that he never graduated from college, as stated on his resume.
The 40-year-old exec joined Wal-Mart in 2006 as director of media relations after a stint as spokesman for Phillip Morris and parent Altria. He steps down at the end of September.
Bloomberg reported Sept. 15 that Tovar claimed he earned a bachelor's degree from the Univ. of Delaware in 1996, but a routine Wal-Mart screening found that he never received the degree.
Dan Bartlett heads Wal-Mart communications as EVP-corporate affairs, a post he took last year on the exit of Leslie Dach.
Tovar was a ubiquitous spokesman for Wal-Mart and drew kudos and catcalls among PR circles in June when he dissected a critical New York Times op-ed with a post at walmart.com.
In an internal email released by Wal-Mart, Tovar said, "I have loved every second of every minute I've been with the company and I don't have enough room in this e-mail to give justice to the life-changing experience of working for the world’s largest retailer."
A Wal-Mart spokeswoman told the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Sept. 12 that Tovar was "just ready to move on to his next adventure."
Bloomberg reported Wal-Mart discovered the problem during due-diligence screening standard for employees who reach a certain level.
Tovar was promoted last November to VP on the retirement of longtime PR head Mona Williams.
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Teneo has hired Philipp Grontzki, who is a 20-year veteran of corporate communications and financial journalism, as a managing director in its strategy and communications group.
Rowan Benecke, who co-founded Zeno Group and helmed Burson-Marsteller's tech practice, has joined McKinsey & Co as director of communications for North America.
BCW has named Golin's Matt Coldagelli EVP and leader of its corporate affairs practice in Chicago.
Abby Bailey, who headed corporate communications for Fedex in its Middle East, India and Africa region, has joined Teneo as managing director in Dubai.
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