Former Panasonic executive David Bearden has joined Rex Stores as president/COO.

Bearden left Panasonic last March as group president of its consumer electronics sales group. Before that he was president/COO of the manufacturer's national sales group.

At Rex, he fills a role left vacant by the retirement of Lawrence Tomchin in January 2004. Chairman/CEO Stuart Rose had served as interim president prior to Bearden's appointment.