Atlanta, GA, Aug. 23—The Home Depot has made a number of immediate executive changes affecting the leadership of the company's Midwest and Northwest divisions and Expo Design Center business.

Bill Patterson, president of the Northwest division, will become president of the 217 store Midwest division. Patterson joined Home Depot in 1999, bringing nearly 20 years of retail experience with Sears and HomeBase. Patterson will replace Vern Joslyn, a 17 year Home Depot veteran and president of the Midwest division since January. Joslyn is leaving the company for other business opportunities.

Troy Rice, currently vice president of sales and service for the Southwest division, follows Patterson as president of the 83 store Northwest division. Rice is a 10 year Home Depot veteran.

Bob Wittman, who is currently senior vice president with responsibility for the company's four store Villager's Hardware operation, has been named president of the company's 33 store Expo Design Center business. Wittman joined Home Depot in 1997, bringing a variety of home improvement and other retailing experience, including senior management positions with Jumbo Sports, Orchard Supply Hardware, Aikenheads Home Improvement, and Bradlees department stores.

Wittman will replace Barry Silverman, who is leaving to pursue alternate business interests. Silverman, a 14 year veteran of Home Depot, held merchandising and operating positions in the West and Northeast divisions of the company before being named group president in January 2000. That assignment included responsibility for the Expo Design Centers.

Lynn Martineau, president of new growth businesses, will have direct responsibility for Villager's Hardware and will have added responsibility for The Home Depot Floor Store, the company’s one store flooring test in Plano, Texas.

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