Best Buy Reorganizes International Team

By Alan Wolf -- TWICE, 9/9/2008

Minneapolis — Best Buy has named several executives to new or expanded roles within its international division under CEO Bob Willett.

“Our growing global presence requires seasoned and savvy leaders to carefully manage our expanding family of international brands,” Willett said. “Our international leadership team is focused on driving growth for our enterprise around the world.”

Among the appointments:

· David Berg, formerly international strategy and corporate development executive VP, was named COO of Best Buy International, reporting to Willett and responsible for the operations of all of Best Buy’s brands and businesses outside of the United States. Berg played a key role in Best Buy’s sale of Musicland, its venture with The Carphone Warehouse, and its entry into China, Mexico and Turkey;

· Tasso Koken, formerly merchandising senior VP, was named international merchandising and global sourcing senior VP, a newly created role. A veteran of Sears and The Wiz, Koken also leads the development of the company’s international e-commerce strategy, and reports to Berg;

· Keith Nelsen was named to the new position of commercial senior VP, serving as general counsel for Best Buy International, managing the company's global equity investments and overseeing its relationships with key third-party providers. He reports to Berg;

· Alejandro Montoya, formerly global wireless initiatives VP, was named international strategy VP, identifying and assessing strategic opportunities for the company’s global expansion. He reports to Berg;

· Paul Antoniadis, previously international retail operations senior VP, was named CEO of Best Buy Brands, a division of Best Buy Europe, the company’s new venture with The Carphone Warehouse. He is charged with establishing a Best Buy presence in Europe, based on the company’s customer-centric business model. He reports to both Berg and Roger Taylor, CEO of Best Buy Europe.