Content about SVP

MIAMI — With new leadership at the helm, Navarro Discount Pharmacy continues its goal of catering to the needs of the Hispanic community in the Miami area. Navarro is the largest Hispanic-owned drug store chain in the United States, with 28 locations that cater to the Hispanic market through their product offerings and services.


The company, which garnered about $320 million in sales in 2009, tapped in late 2009 former Bigg’s executive Steve Kaczynski to serve as CEO, and has since further bolstered its management team as part of its expansion strategy.


HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings' SVP procurement and finance has been promoted.

Deidra Cheeks Merriwether now holds the title of SVP and president of retail services, succeeding James Haworth. In this role, Merriwether, who joined the corporation in 2001, will be responsible for the oversight and leadership of retail services for the broadline retailer's Kmart and Sears stores.

Merriwether currently serves as a member of Sears Canada's board of directors and is the executive sponsor of the company's African-American Associate Network.

CINCINNATI — Retail giant Kroger has named a new divisional president, replacing an executive who recently was promoted to SVP retail operations.

Sukanya Madlinger, who worked for Kroger for nearly 25 years, now will be president of the company's Cincinnati/Dayton division — which operates 110 stores in Cincinnati, Dayton, northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana — replacing Geoffrey Covert. Covert was named SVP retail operations for Kroger after the retirement of Paul Scutt.

CINCINNATI — Just two weeks after announcing the exit of its SVP retail operations, Kroger announced a replacement on Friday.

Geoffrey Covert, a seasoned Kroger executive, will become SVP retail operations, effective Jan. 1. He will be responsible for leading the company's programs and processes focused on operating efficiency, store productivity and associate and customer safety, Kroger said. Prior to this position, Covert served as president of the company's Cincinnati/Dayton division for the past six years.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — As Walmart’s U.S. stores division looks to execute a broad slate of initiatives in the coming year to recharge domestic growth, it does so under the leadership of a new chief executive and a restructured merchandising organization.


ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Independent and chain pharmacy groups are making a new push to stake a firm claim to the new healthcare system emerging with the health-reform law enacted earlier this year.

Weighing in on a major aspect of the new law, the independent pharmacy lobby is urging federal health officials to untangle government red tape that could prevent pharmacies from fully participating in newly created health-provider organizations.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. A drug maker has named a former executive at Tengion to the newly created post of SVP quality.

Hospira said Francois Dubois would be responsible for the global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company's global quality systems, and will serve as a member of Hospira's senior leadership team. Dubois will report directly to Christopher Begley, Hospira's chairman and CEO.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Food Marketing Institute on Tuesday announced the appointment of Susan Borra as SVP communications for the nation’s largest food retail trade association, effective Dec. 1.

WASHINGTON The CRN Foundation, the educational nonprofit affiliate of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, on Wednesday elected four board members.

The CRN Foundation Board elected Karen Todd, director of marketing at Kyowa Hakko, as chair; Jim Flaherty, SVP marketing and advertising at NBTY, as vice chair; Marjorie Fine, EVP, general counsel and secretary at Shaklee, as treasurer; and Judy Blatman, SVP communications of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, as secretary. 

WOONSOCKET, R.I. In testimony before the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday, CVS Caremark’s SVP specialty pharmacy operations, Scott Reid, reiterated the company’s support that the FDA implement regulations necessary to approve biogeneric drugs under the Affordable Care Act.