Wayne Callahan is Senior Advisor, Vestar Capital Partners, focusing on the consumer sector. He was most recently President Global Walmart Business of H. J. Heinz where he led high-performing teams serving Walmart worldwide. Wayne’s focus was organizational design, business planning, team development, and overall growth. As a member of Heinz President Council and Heinz Global Sales Council he lead customer business planning and best practice sharing for the largest global retail customers. Additionally, he was a Director of Heinz joint venture board in South Africa.
Wayne is a customer-centered champion and owns the “Student of the Customer” trademark.
Previous Vestar board experiences include: Delmonte Food, Big Heart Pet, Sun Products, and Woodstream. Currently Chairman of Delta Dental of Arkansas and Director of Arvest Bank.
On a personal basis, Wayne is past President of the Arkansas State Golf Association, and current USGA National Committee member.
Wayne holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business communication from Concordia University, Mequon, Wisconsin; a National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Board Leadership Fellow; and completed Stanford Director College Executive Education Program.