Walgreen Co. (NYSE:WAG)(NASDAQ:WAG) today named Donald C. Huonker, 46, senior vice president of Pharmacy Services, and Debra B. Garza, 38, divisional vice president of Government and Community Relations.
“Don’s challenges are considerable as we strive to solidify our leading edge in the fast-changing healthcare field,” said Jeffrey A. Rein, Walgreens Chairman and CEO. “Prescriptions now account for two-thirds of our sales volume. At the same time, we’re focused on evolving from a prescription filler to a healthcare provider, with such initiatives as our Take Care clinics, in-store immunizations and specialty pharmacy offerings. Don understands this evolution and the role pharmacy can play in it, including our opportunities to control overall healthcare costs.”
Huonker joined Walgreens in 1995 as a management trainee in St. Louis after 16 years with United Parcel Service. He became a store manager in 1996, a district manager in 1998 and a store operations vice president in 2002. He has headed Pharmacy Services since 2005 and was promoted to a corporate vice president last year. He received his B.S. degree from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 1984 and an M.B.A. degree from St. Louis Webster University in 1999.
Garza was promoted from director of Government and Community Relations to a divisional vice president.
“Debbie’s impact on Walgreens and how we are perceived by the government leaders who impact our operations is powerful,” said Rein. “Her grasp of both issues and people have opened important doors for our company.”
Garza joined the company in 1984 and over the years worked as a pharmacy technician, pharmacist and pharmacy manager before being promoted to a pharmacy supervisor in 1995. She received her pharmacy degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992.
Garza serves on the University of Texas College of Pharmacy Pharmaceutical Foundation Advisory Council and is the chairwoman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Policy Council. She is also on the board of directors for the Coalition for Community Pharmacy Action.
Walgreen Co. is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2006 sales of $47.4 billion. The company operates 5,807 stores in 48 states and Puerto Rico, including 77 Happy Harry’s stores in Delaware and surrounding states. Walgreens is expanding its patient-first health care services beyond traditional pharmacy through Walgreens Health Services, its managed care division, and Take Care Health Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary that manages convenient care clinics inside drugstores. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives, Inc. (a pharmacy benefits manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc., and Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy.
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