Taubman Asia has named  as president, effective January 1, 2017.

Sharp will take over the reigns of the Asian retail property company from Rene Tremblay who transitions to chairman of Taubman Asia on the same date.

Sharp, currently president of Walmart Asia Realty, will be responsible for the company’s operations and growth strategy in the Asia-Pacific region and will report to Taubman Centers chairman, president and CEO Robert S Taubman in the US.

A 20-year veteran of Walmart, Sharp currently oversees the US retailer’s Asian real estate portfolio, mall developments and has been responsible for all aspects of business planning, real estate, realty partnerships and mergers and acquisitions. He has led the company’s expansion in China and entry into India, Japan and South Korea.

“Asia is an important growth vehicle for Taubman and our future success in the region will rely greatly upon Peter’s expertise and leadership,” said Robert Taubman.

Tremblay joined Taubman in 2010 as president of Taubman Asia. He is responsible for the company’s expansions in the region that include the ground-up development properties in China, CityOn.Xi’an (opened April 2016) and CityOn.Zhengzhou (opening March 2017), and Starfield Hanam in South Korea (opened September 9, 2016). He also led Taubman’s third-party management and leasing efforts behind The Boulevard at Studio City in Macau and IFC Mall in South Korea.

“Rene is a tremendous, highly respected leader who has expertly guided us through our entry into the Asian market,” said Taubman. “He has built an outstanding platform for our future growth in the region and we thank him for his numerous accomplishments as he assumes this new role.”