Key promotions at Rite Aid, pharmacy operations post open

Drug Store News, July 22, 2002 by Michael Johnsen

CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid, following its recent annual meeting, announced the promotion of four key executives, Mark Panzer, John Standley, Chris Hall and Robert Sari. In addition, the chain is expected to name a new top pharmacy operations executive in the coming month, following senior vice president of pharmacy operations Marvin Richardson's departure in June to a subsidiary of McKesson.

Among the promotions, Panzer, who joined Rite Aid one year ago, was named senior executive vice president of store operations. Panzer will oversee all pharmacy operations. Panzer, promoted from executive vice president of store operations, continues to report to Mary Sammons, president and chief operating officer.

Standley, former senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, succeeds David Jessick as senior executive vice president and chief administrative officer. Jessick, semi-retired from the chain will continue to serve Rite Aid as a consultant. He plans to return to Ore g on, where his family lives. Jessick and Standley joined Rite Aid in December 1999 as part of the chain's new management team, which was led by chairman and chief executive officer Bob Miller and Sammons.

Chris Hall, former executive vice president of finance and accounting, is now executive vice p resident and chief financial officer and will report to Standley.

The position of executive vice president of finance and accounting has been eliminated.

Robert Sari, former senior vice president, deputy general counsel and secretary, has been promoted to senior vice president, general counsel and secretary. Sari succeeds general counsel Elliot Gerson, who is retiring.

In an unrelated event, Rite Aid last month suspended its lead pharmacy executive, Eric or in. Sorkin, executive vice president of pharmacy services, was placed on administrative leave without pay following his indictment by the U.S. attorney's office for conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements to a grand jury--both charges linked to the wrong-doings of Rite Aid's previous management team.

Sorkin directed the overall strategic vision for Rite Aid's pharmacy depart handling managed care, pharmacy purchasing and marketing, clinical services, pharmacy finance and third party administration. Currently, Bilsl Wolfe, vice president of managed care; Greg Drew, vice president of pharmacy health services; and Mike Podgurski, vice president of pharmacy services administration, are each continuing to manage their respective departments.

In the pharmacy operations area, former senior vice president of pharmacy operations Richardson left for McKesson Medication Management. He joined Rite Aid in September 2000 as vice president of pharmacy administration.