Content about People in the News

April 1, 2013
Walgreens to expand solar energy initiative in Colorado

A Colorado-based firm will install solar power systems at 22 Walgreens stores in 14 cities in the state over the next few months, under a partnership between the two companies.

AURORA, Colo. — A Colorado-based firm will install solar power systems at 22 Walgreens stores in 14 cities in the state over the next few months, under a partnership between the two companies.

Walgreens announced Monday an expansion of its relationship with SolarCity, saying the new power systems would reduce more than 47.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the next two decades.

April 1, 2013
Winners of contest to spur interest in pharmacy, STEM careers for high school students announced

Three high school seniors from Topeka, Kan., won a contest that sponsors hope will lead to better health outcomes while also getting young people interested in pharmacy careers.

WASHINGTON — Three high school seniors from Topeka, Kan., won a contest that sponsors hope will lead to better health outcomes while also getting young people interested in pharmacy careers.

March 29, 2013
Ahold appoints former IBM executive as chief information officer

Ahold USA has appointed Paul Scorza as its chief information officer, the supermarket operator said Friday.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold USA has appointed Paul Scorza as its chief information officer, the supermarket operator said Friday.

Ahold USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Netherlands-based Royal Ahold, said Scorza would assume the new position on Monday, based in Quincy, Mass., overseeing all Ahold USA information management functions, with a focus on systems and business processes to improve efficiency, effectiveness, controls and operations, reporting to EVP finance and CFO Paula Price.

March 28, 2013
Giant-Landover signs statement of support for National Guard, reserve

The head of Ahold USA's Giant-Landover banner has pledged the supermarket chain's support for the Department of Defense's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

WASHINGTON — The head of Ahold USA's Giant-Landover banner has pledged the supermarket chain's support for the Department of Defense's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Giant-Landover, officially Giant Food of Landover, Md., said president Anthony Hucker signed a statement of support for National Guard and reserve employees at the Brentwood Giant Food in Washington, accompanied by ESGR District of Columbia chairman George Alexander. Established in 1972, the ESGR develops and maintains employer support for the Guard and Reserve service.

March 28, 2013
GPhA hires 'influential' D.C. lobbyist

The generic drug industry's main trade group in Washington has hired a prominent lobbyist to head its government affairs team.

WASHINGTON — The generic drug industry's main trade group in Washington has hired a prominent lobbyist to head its government affairs team.

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association announced that it had hired Melissa Schulman as SVP government affairs, describing her as "one of the best known advocates" in Washington, noting her ranking as an influential lobbyist in publications such as Roll Call, The Hill and National Journal. Schulman previously worked as a Democratic lobbyist for the Bockorny Group.

March 28, 2013
Weis Markets promotes Paul Stombaugh to VP/corporate controller

Weis Markets on Thursday promoted Paul Stombaugh to VP/corporate controller.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Thursday promoted Paul Stombaugh to VP/corporate controller. 

Stombaugh will take on an expanded role in the company’s decision support and its strategic development. He also will continue to oversee its financial accounting and reporting functions, internal controls, treasury and budgets, Weis reported. He will continue to report to Scott Frost, SVP and CFO.

March 27, 2013
Reports: Bashas' chairman, CEO dies

Bashas' chairman and CEO Eddie Basha, Jr. has died, according to published reports. He was 75 years old.

NEW YORK — Bashas' chairman and CEO Eddie Basha, Jr. has died, according to published reports. He was 75 years old.

According to the Associated Press, Basha's cause of death was not disclosed, but his family had said his health had been failing.

March 26, 2013
Calif. bills would give provider status to pharmacists, nurse practitioners

Three bills introduced in California's state legislature earlier this month would recognize pharmacists as healthcare providers.

NEW YORK — Three bills introduced in California's state legislature earlier this month would recognize pharmacists as healthcare providers.

The bills, introduced by state Senate Health Committee chairman Ed Hernandez, would allow pharmacists, nurse practitioners and optometrists to practice the full extent of their education and training.

March 26, 2013
Family Dollar creates SVP merchandise operations

Family Dollar Stores on Monday named Scott Zucker to the newly created position of SVP merchandise operations.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores on Monday named Scott Zucker to the newly created position of SVP merchandise operations. Zucker will be responsible for driving the strategy and execution of merchandise initiatives, category management, merchandise planning and replenishment.

March 26, 2013
Kroger announces retirement of VP and pension investment officer

Kroger on Tuesday announced the planned retirement of VP and pension investment officer, Rich Manka, effective July 15.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday announced the planned retirement of VP and pension investment officer, Rich Manka, effective July 15.

"Throughout his career, Rich has been a trusted member of Kroger's leadership team," stated Mike Schlotman, Kroger's CFO. "Pension plan trustees and participants alike have benefited from his vast knowledge and influence on investment strategies and plan designs. We thank Rich for his contributions to our company and industry and wish him the very best."

March 25, 2013
SoloHealth fills new role of director of business planning and analytics

SoloHealth named Joe Stephens to the newly created role of director of business planning and analytics. Stephens will focus on organizing business development initiatives, priorities, metrics and efficiencies, as well as helping guide new-business exploration as the company continues its growth.

ATLANTA — SoloHealth on Friday named Joe Stephens to the newly created role of director of business planning and analytics. Stephens will focus on organizing business development initiatives, priorities, metrics and efficiencies, as well as helping guide new-business exploration as the company continues its growth. 

Stephens will report directly to Stephen Kendig, chief commercial officer and EVP of SoloHealth, effective immediately.

March 25, 2013
Supreme Court hears patent-settlement case

The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in a case that could determine the future of generic drugs in America.

NEW YORK — The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in a case that could determine the future of generic drugs in America.

The case, Federal Trade Commission v. Actavis, marks the latest attempt by federal authorities to put an end to what they say are deals between branded and generic drug companies that delay release of generic drugs to consumers.

March 22, 2013
American Stores founder Sam Skaggs dies at 89

American Stores founder Sam Skaggs died of natural causes at his home Thursday, according to a report in the Salt Lake Tribune.

SALT LAKE CITY — American Stores founder Sam Skaggs died of natural causes at his home Thursday, according to a report in the Salt Lake Tribune. He was 89 years old. 

Retail pharmacy was the family business. Skaggs was the grandson of Safeway founder Marion Skaggs. And his father, Leonard Skaggs, operated PayLess Drug Stores since 1939. 

March 22, 2013
Boiron owner publishes homeopathy desktop reference

Boiron founder Michèle Boiron recently published a book on homeopathy for healthcare professionals titled "Homeopathy and Pharmaceutical Care," the company announced.

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Boiron owner Michèle Boiron recently published a book on homeopathy for healthcare professionals titled "Homeopathy and Pharmaceutical Care," the company announced. In April 2013, she and co-author François Roux will host lectures in Philadelphia and New York. 

March 22, 2013
FDA commissioner calls for power to regulate compounding pharmacies

The commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration is renewing calls for legislation to give the agency more authority to regulate pharmacy compounding.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration is renewing calls for legislation to give the agency more authority to regulate pharmacy compounding.

March 22, 2013
New Supervalu names several executives to key leadership positions

Supervalu on Friday named several executives to the company's leadership team one day following the closing of its divestiture of five retail banners to AB Acquisition.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Friday named several executives to the company's leadership team one day following the closing of its divestiture of five retail banners to AB Acquisition. 

March 20, 2013
Sagent appoints James Hussey as president

Generic drug maker Sagent Pharmaceuticals has appointed James Hussey as its president, the company said.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Generic drug maker Sagent Pharmaceuticals has appointed James Hussey as its president, the company said.

Sagent said the board of directors' appointment of Hussey, 53, would be effective Monday. Hussey will be responsible for the company's commercial operations, including development, regulatory affairs, supply chain activities, sales, marketing and human resources.

March 20, 2013
Teva appoints former Dyax executive

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has appointed a former executive from Dyax to its executive team, the Israeli generic drug maker said.

JERUSALEM — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has appointed a former executive from Dyax to its executive team, the Israeli generic drug maker said.

Teva announced the appointment of Ivana Magovčević-Liebisch as SVP and head of corporate business development, effective April 1. Magovčević-Liebisch served as EVP and COO for Dyax, a Burlington, Mass.-based drug company.

March 19, 2013
FDA picks acting director for Office of Generic Drugs

The Food and Drug Administration has picked Kathleen Uhl to serve as acting director of the Office of Generic Drugs, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has picked Kathleen Uhl to serve as acting director of the Office of Generic Drugs, the agency said Tuesday.

In a memo sent out to staff of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the section of the agency that oversees the OGD, CDER director Janet Woodcock wrote that Uhl most recently served as senior adviser to director Greg Geba, who announced his resignation Thursday.

March 19, 2013
Supermarket vet Anthea Jones named president of Bi-Lo

Anthea Jones has assumed the role of president at Bi-Lo. He will continue to serve as SVP operations.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Anthea Jones has assumed the role of president at Bi-Lo. He will continue to serve as SVP operations. 

Jones comes to the position from the Bi-Lo side of the recent merger between regional supermarkets Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie. He signed on with Bi-Lo in 1999 after 17 years at Food Lion. He also is the immediate past board chairman for the Global Market Development Center. 

Jones succeeds Michael Byars in the position. Randall Onstead continues as president and CEO of the combined company, Bi-Lo Holdings.

March 19, 2013
Supreme Court to hear generic drug liability case

The question of whether a generic drug company can be held liable for harmful side effects from its medicines goes before the Supreme Court Tuesday in a case involving a New Hampshire woman who sustained several injuries after taking a generic pain drug.

WASHINGTON — The question of whether a generic drug company can be held liable for harmful side effects from its medicines goes before the Supreme Court Tuesday in a case involving a New Hampshire woman who sustained several injuries after taking a generic pain drug.

March 18, 2013
CARE Pharmacies names new director of operations

CARE Pharmacies announced the addition of Mark Ey to their corporate team as director of operations.

LINTHICUM, Md. — CARE Pharmacies on Monday announced the addition of Mark Ey to their corporate team as director of operations. 

“We are very excited to have him lead our operations team,” stated CARE CEO Michael Wysong. “Mark’s unique background coupled with his longstanding track record of success make him a perfect fit to oversee our growing operational footprint.” 

March 18, 2013
New York City legislation would require hiding of tobacco displays

In spite of a court ruling striking down a ban on large-sized sugary drinks, New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has another health initiative in the works: a requirement that retailers hide tobacco products.

NEW YORK — In spite of a court ruling striking down a ban on large-sized sugary drinks, New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has another health initiative in the works: a requirement that retailers hide tobacco products.

Bloomberg's legislation, which would make New York the first city to keep tobacco products out of the sight of customers, will go to the city council for consideration. The New York Times noted that Bloomberg skipped this procedure with the soft drink rule.

March 15, 2013
Safeway EVP retail operations Bruce Everette retires

Safeway announced the retirement of Bruce Everette, EVP retail operations. Kelly Griffith, current president of merchandising, has been chosen to succeed Everette.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Friday announced the retirement of Bruce Everette, EVP retail operations. Kelly Griffith, current president of merchandising, has been chosen to succeed Everette.

"We are deeply grateful to Bruce for his significant and lasting contribution to our company's success," stated Steve Burd, chairman and CEO. "He is the consummate operating executive whose results and people-oriented approach to the business leave an unmistakable imprint on who we are as a company."

March 14, 2013
CRN to host annual meeting in Utah

The Council for Responsible Nutrition announced it is taking its annual executive conference to Utah for the first time in its 40-year history.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Wednesday announced it is taking its annual executive conference to Utah for the first time in its 40-year history. 

Both The Workshop: CRN’s Day of Science and The Conference: CRN’s Annual Symposium for the Dietary Supplement Industry, will be held in tandem Sept. 18-21 at the Montage Deer Valley resort in Park City, Utah. Tyler Whitehead, general counsel at Utah-based Nu Skin Enterprises, and a long-serving director on CRN’s Board, will serve as 2013 conference chair.