<p>The Home Depot Inc., the nation's largest home improvement store chain, announced a realignment of its executive structure Thursday as the company tries to improve its performance. The move includes departures and new roles and reporting duties for some leaders.</p><p>The Atlanta-based company said it is putting Chief Executive Bob Nardelli in closer contact with top leaders throughout the company.</p><p>It said the changes are designed to streamline decision-making, enhance in-store execution and further improve customer service.</p><p>Home Depot said that effective immediately its four division presidents in the United States and Mexico _ Bruce Merino, Paul Raines, Marvin Ellison and Ricardo Saldivar _ will report directly to Nardelli.</p><p>Also, Home Depot said that in addition to her current duties, Chief Financial Officer Carol Tome will assume responsibility for supporting store operations, including asset protection and the company's customer service initiatives.</p><p>Home Depot also announced that Carl Liebert, executive vice president of Home Depot Stores, and Bill Lennie, senior vice president of merchandising-decor, are leaving the company.</p><p>In other developments:</p><p>_The company said Annette Verschuren, president of The Home Depot Canada since 1996 and a 16-year retail veteran, will continue reporting to Nardelli.</p><p>_Craig Menear, senior vice president of merchandising, now will be responsible for all of the company's merchandising initiatives. Tom Taylor, former merchandising and marketing executive, will continue to be a company consultant, Home Depot said.</p><p>_Roger Adams, a 25-year marketing veteran, has been named senior vice president and chief marketing officer.</p><p>In recent months, Home Depot has faced criticism for Nardelli's hefty pay amid the company's lagging stock price. The company has continued to post big profits, but investors have not budged.</p><p>Nardelli has vowed to make changes, in particular to improve customer service. And last month, Home Depot said its board plans to review how it determines Nardelli's compensation.</p><p>Home Depot has more than 2,000 stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The company releases its third-quarter results on Nov. 14.</p>
