Perez, outgoing head of Wrigley: next CEO of Walgreens or Sears?

CHICAGO The name of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. president and chief executive officer William Perez has surfaced in a local news report as one possible candidate to replace Jeff Rein as chairman and chief executive of Walgreen Co.

A report in today’s Chicago Sun Times speculates that Perez, who is slated to retire from Wrigley at the end of the year, could be tapped as the next chief executive officer of either Sears or Walgreens, both of which have launched national searches for their next top executive. Walgreens, for its part, acknowledges that Rein’s successor could come from either inside or outside company ranks.

Prior to his tenure with Sears, Perez was president and chief executive officer of Nike from 2004 to 2006, earning plaudits for his work to rejuvenate the brand. If tapped by Sears, he would effectively replace former chief executive officer Aylwin Lewis, who left early this year, and would presumably work alongside Sears chairman Ed Lampert.