Bruce Nelson was named Office Depot's Chief Executive Officer in July 2000 and in December 2001 was named as the Chairman of the Board. Prior to this, Mr. Nelson was President of Office Depot International and President & CEO of Viking Office Products after Viking was acquired by Office Depot in 1998. Nelson began his office products career in 1968 when he joined Boise Cascade. Over the next 22 years, he held a number of senior management positions in both the wholesale and contract business segments. From 1990 to 1994, Nelson was President & CEO of BT Office Products USA. He joined Viking in 1995 and was named President & COO within a year.