NAPERVILLE, Ill., April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- OfficeMax® Incorporated (NYSE: OMX) today announced that Michael J. Lewis will assume the role of executive vice president and president of retail, effective May 2, 2011.  In this position, Mr. Lewis will report directly to Ravi Saligram, president and CEO of OfficeMax, and will have full responsibility for the retail P&L and all aspects of the retail business, including merchandising, store operations and real estate.  

"Michael brings a dynamic blend of leadership, retail expertise and disciplined execution to OfficeMax," said Mr. Saligram.  "His operational know-how and superb track record of driving profitable growth in tough retail environments will enhance the customer experience and improve store productivity.  Michael will be an integral part of our efforts to differentiate the OfficeMax brand through innovation and unique customer insights."

Mr. Lewis has held senior leadership roles at growth and turnaround companies for more than 30 years.  Most recently, from 2010 to early 2011, he served as global head of a Merchandising Center for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and was responsible for brand management and supply chain and supported all merchandising for Wal-Mart private brands in the Grocery and Personal Care businesses.  Prior to that role, Mr. Lewis was president of the company's Midwest division from 2005 to 2010 with responsibility for more than 850 Wal-Mart stores and more than 250,000 associates.  From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Lewis was with Nash Finch Company, a national wholesale food distributor, where he served as president of the retail division.  Mr. Lewis is a graduate of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and received his master's of business administration degree in marketing and finance from York University in Toronto, Ontario.

"The opportunity to be a part of the OfficeMax leadership team and continue to help build a customer-driven retail environment is very exciting," said Mr. Lewis.  "OfficeMax is a leader in product and design innovation, and I look forward to working with the team to capitalize on those strengths and establish a retail organization that drives profitable, sustainable growth."

About OfficeMax

OfficeMax Incorporated (NYSE: OMX) is a leader in both business-to-business office products solutions and retail office products.  The OfficeMax mission is simple.  We help our customers do their best work.  The company provides office supplies and paper, in-store print and document services through OfficeMax ImPress®, technology products and solutions, and furniture to businesses and individual consumers.  OfficeMax customers are served by approximately 30,000 associates through direct sales, catalogs, e-commerce and approximately 1,000 stores.  To find the nearest OfficeMax, call 1-877-OFFICEMAX.  For more information, visit www.officemax.com.

SOURCE OfficeMax Incorporated