John Peter “JP” Suarez has had an unusual career path that took him from New Jersey to Washington, D.C., and included serving as an assistant U.S. attorney, a director of gaming enforcement and an assistant administrator for the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Suarez, who earlier this month was installed as chairman of ICSC, the global trade association of the retail real estate industry, made another big job leap in 2004. That’s when he joined discount giant Walmart’s team.
At the ICSC’s annual New York conference last week in Manhattan, Suarez described how, while at the EPA, he had met and worked with executives at the retail giant.
Walmart tried to recruit him then, but Suarez said he initially had qualms about relocating to the chain’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. Also, as he recounted, the idea didn’t go over too well with his wife. But with three children to put through college, Suarez decided that transferring to the private sector made sense. And his wife agreed to the move south.
Suarez joked that it was a bit of a culture shock to live in Bentonville. He told conference attendees that the big news one day in the local newspaper was a front-page story about an Outback Steakhouse opening up in town. The area has since boomed with the help of the Walton family, who founded Walmart, and the economic impact of the retailer, according to Suarez.
Suarez held a variety of positions during his nearly two-decade career at Walmart. For example, he served as president of Walmart Realty, managing the company’s real estate portfolio and development strategy, and as Walmart International Regional CEO.
Suarez retired in 2023 and lives with his wife of 31 years in Cape Coral, Florida. He now sits on the boards of Brixmor Property Group and EPR Properties.