Topic: Lee Scott

H. Lee Scott, Jr. is an American businessman, who served as the third chief executive officer of Wal-Mart, from January 2000 to January 2009. Scott originally joined Wal-Mart in 1979. Under his leadership, the company retained its position as the largest retailer in the world based on revenue, although the company faced growing criticism during his tenure for its environmental footprint, labor practices, and economic impact.

Scott was born and raised in Baxter Springs, Kansas and graduated with a degree in business from Pittsburg State University in Kansas. He is married to Linda G. Scott and has two children. The family has residences in Arkansas and California. Scott was named to the TIME magazine list of the hundred "most influential people" in 2004 and 2005.

Scott has been required to respond to criticism aimed at his company during his tenure. Among other criticisms, Wal-Mart has faced criticism for its trade with China and for its labor policies. In response to accusations that Wal-Mart's trade with China has resulted in a loss of manufacturing jobs in the United States, Scott has stated that many companies engage in trade with China and that he sees a lack of innovation among American product developers. Critics have also accused Wal-Mart of implementing corporate policies that are detrimental or unfair to retail store employees, such as low hourly wage standards and anti-labor union policies. Scott's response to these criticisms has been that Wal-Mart actually pays its employees more than other retailers and that a large percentage of its workers enjoy health benefits. Scott has said that he believes such criticism has hurt employee morale and that employees look to him to speak up for them and respond.