You never know who a clerk at The Home Depot, Inc., might really be. For example, he could be the company’s general counsel.

Jack VanWoerkom became Home Depot’s new legal chief June 25 [see On the Job, page 55]. As one of his first tasks, he’ll have to spend two weeks as a store clerk. The Atlanta-based retailer has long expected its executives to get a feel for the business by wearing an orange apron for a while.