Dont Discount Kevin Turner in Walmart Parlor Game

For the longest time it was assumed the race to succeed Wal-Mart Stores Inc. president and CEO Mike Duke was between two horses — Bill Simon, CEO of Walmart U.S., and Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart International.

But Whispers heard there’s a third horse — Kevin Turner, COO of Microsoft.

Remember, Turner was with Walmart for 19 years before leaving for Microsoft in 2004. While in Bentonville, he ascended to the rank of CEO of Sam’s Club, then a $37 billion division of Walmart. Before his stint with Sam’s, Turner served as executive vice president and chief information officer for Walmart.

Whispers heard Duke would likely be replaced sometime next year after Walmart’s board of directors has its annual off-site meeting.

“It’s not for sure it will be Turner, but the name is out there for consideration,” a source said. “It’s a name that people had forgotten about.”

Simon and McMillon are both impressive, and due to their proximity to the seat of power, Whispers would guess they are still the favorites.

But Turner is also impressive, and keep in mind that according to Forbes, Microsoft is the second most powerful brand in the world. Who do you think oversees the sales force there?

Whispers found it fascinating that Turner’s name popped up just as news broke in Redmond, Wash., that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is leaving within 12 months.

A major shakeup at Microsoft is expected, but Turner is not believed to be a realistic choice to succeed Ballmer. An article in PC World, an online magazine focused on the tech industry, doesn’t even mention Turner.

And Digits, a tech news branch of the Wall Street Journal, downplays the idea that Turner would be named Microsoft’s top man.

“Turner leads the company’s sales force, and he’s developed a reputation for not mincing words,” wrote the Journal’s Brian R. Fitzgerald. “Microsoft insiders doubt, however, that Turner would ever be chief of a company that lionizes engineering and tech expertise.”   

The article says Turner, who made more than $10 million in total compensation last year, is the highest-paid executive at Microsoft.

That’s a lot to walk away from. Then again, Whispers is sure Walmart will hand out a hefty prize to the horse that wins the race.