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DALLAS — The Network of Executive Women, Consumer Products and Retail, has elected seven new members to its board at the Network's annual members meeting here during the recent NEW Leadership Summit.

More than 1,000 women and men attended the event, the largest in the organization's 11-year history.

DALLAS — The Network of Executive Women has elected Catherine Lindner, former VP retail marketing for Walgreens, to serve as board chair.

Lindner was elected at the network's annual members meeting at the NEW Leadership Summit on Oct. 22 in Dallas. More than 1,000 industry executives attended the event.

Annie Zipfel, division VP customer marketing for retailer REI, was elected board vice chair. Zipfel most recently served as the network's chair of marketing and communications.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens recently announced the appointment of Brad Fluegel as SVP and chief strategy officer. Fluegel will be responsible for corporate strategy, business development, project management and the corporate consulting team while also working on venture capital efforts. 

 WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — It appears that even when the economy gets back to humming on all cylinders that America’s shopping patterns will have been forever changed, and that's only going to support dollar store growth for years to come. Clearly, the two biggest competitors in Family Dollar and Dollar General are ramping up store growth all over the country, with the two companies lining up on opposite corners much the way drug chains began had done in the '80s and '90s.

NOVI, Mich. — Chain Drug Marketing Association has named a VP finance and store brands, as well as a new director of business development.

John Devine, who will serve as VP finance and store brands, has been involved with projects and programs at CDMA for the past 15 years. In his new role, he will be responsible for increasing and enhancing the success of CDMA's store brand program. Devine will report to CDMA president Jim Devine.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shopko announced Wednesday that Mike Bettiga has been named interim CEO to replace Paul Jones, who resigned to pursue another opportunity.

Bettiga is a 35-veteran of the company and most recently served as EVP and COO, a role he has held since April 2009. He began his career with Shopko as a pharmacist in 1977, and has held a number of positions during his tenure, including executive leadership of store, pharmacy and optical operations, retail health merchandising and responsibility for the Shopko Express stores.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Monday announced that Russ Jackson, Safeway SVP human resources, has been named by Human Resource Executive magazine to the influential 2012 HR Honor Roll. Jackson will be recognized by the publication on Oct. 9 at a black tie awards dinner at the University Club of Chicago.

HORSHAM, Pa. — A subsidiary of strategic equity firm Symphony Technology Group has added two members to its executive team.

Symphony Health Solutions announced that Don Otterbein will serve as SVP marketing and product management, and Jeff Cottle will serve as SVP and chief people officer. Otterbein most recently served as VP life sciences at Cognizant Technology Solutions and held several positions at IMS Health; while Cottle, who will be in charge of human resources, worked as an HR executive at SunGard. Both are based in Horsham, Pa.

Warren Buffet once shared: “In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if they don't have the first, the other two will kill you.”  Most people believe they operate with integrity and transparency, but the dirty little secret is that your customers may see you as biased or not as valuable as you think. 

SPARKS, Md. — Global flavorings leader McCormick named Eli Lilly executive Jacques Tapiero to its board.

Tapiero has served as SVP and president of emerging markets for Lilly since 2009 and brings more than 25 years of international business experience to the $3.5 billion spice company. Tapiero currently leads Lilly's business strategy in many of the world's fastest-growing markets, such as China, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea and Turkey. He is a member of Lilly's executive committee.

Walgreens has really helped to transform why consumers shop a drug store with its position in healthier-for-you foods and fresh produce. That’s not just thinking outside of the box for traditional retail pharmacy operators; that’s throwing out the box altogether and replacing it with an in-store food pyramid. 


DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday announced several new senior management roles, including an expanded role for CFO Wade Miquelon and the appointment of current SVP and chief strategy officer Robert Zimmerman as the lead executive responsible for the Walgreens-Alliance Boots' "synergy team." Succeeding Zimmerman as chief strategy officer will be Brad Fluegel.