BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is setting up an eastern business unit, headquartered in Atlanta, to run its nearly 1,600 stores in 20 states stretching from Maine to Florida.

Walmart is setting up an eastern business unit, headquartered in Atlanta, to run its nearly 1,600 stores in 20 states stretching from Maine to Florida.

The eastern business unit will be led by Rosalind Brewer, president of Walmart East and executive vice president of Walmart U.S.

"With the busiest airport in the world and a central location, Georgia is the ideal destination for our eastern business unit," Brewer said. "Atlanta has a strong history of corporate and divisional headquarters and we’re delighted to join this group and spotlight the city within our global organization."

Brewer joined Walmart in 2006 as regional vice president, responsible for operations in Georgia, and was quickly promoted to president of the southeast operating division. She later led the south business unit of Walmart U.S. as executive vice president and president before being appointed to her current role. Prior to joining Walmart, Brewer worked for Kimberly-Clark Corp. and Molson Coors Brewing Co.

Walmart’s eastern business unit will manage stores in 20 states: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine.