Labor & Employment

NEW YORK — Jonathan Thacker, former VP pharmacy for Wakefern Food Corp., was recently named COO at Stay Local Health.

Stay Local Health is dedicated to buying and operating independent pharmacies in a manner consistent with the pharmacies history. "We want to continue the business you built leveraging as much of your teams time and talent as they desire," the company stated.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Hamacher Resource Group on Wednesday promoted Lisa Lopez to data assets manager. HRG’s data assets team is responsible for critical product content input into the HRG master database, as well as maintenance and review of data and images to ensure they are accurate and up-to-date.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Pharmacy on Wednesday posted its financial results for its second quarter and the six-month period, both of which ended July 29 and saw the company posting net losses, as well as a dip in net sales. The company also appointed a new chairman, naming Heath Freeman to the position as Tom Tashjian retires, effective immediately.

CINCINNATI — As of Tuesday, 108 of 110 Kroger stores in the Gulf Coast region have re-opened and are back to normal operating hours, the company reported.

The two stores that are closed due to flooding are the Champion Forest/Cypresswood and Cypresswood/Hwy 249 stores. They are in the process of being restored to reopen and serve these very impacted communities.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has announced that president of Rite Aid and CEO of Rite Aid stores Ken Martindale, will leave the company, effective immediately, to assume his new role at the helm of GNC as CEO. Rite Aid also announced it has promoted Bryan Everett, currently EVP in charge of store operations, to the newly created position of COO Rite Aid stores. 

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold USA on Friday announced the departure of Jennifer Carr-Smith as president of Peapod, effective Sept. 15. Carr-Smith has decided to resign from the company for another opportunity.

Walt Lentz, head of supply chain strategy & operations for Peapod, will oversee the operations of Peapod on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is named.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday announced the retirement of Michigan division president Jayne Homco, and the promotion of Scott Hays to succeed her. Hays currently serves as VP operations for the company's Fry's division.

Homco will retire from the company after 42 years of distinguished service, effective Sept. 30. Hays succeeds Homco as president of the Michigan division, effective Oct. 1.

BASEL, Switzerland — Novartis has chosen a successor to CEO Joseph Jimenez, who will be stepping down from the position in 2018 after 8 years in the position. The company has named its current global head of drug development and chief medical officer, Dr. Vasant Narasimhan, as CEO, effective Feb. 1, 2018.

Jimenez joined Novartis in 2007, leading its consumer health division before becoming head of the Novartis Pharmaceuticals division. He will step down, effectivt Jan. 31, 2018 aand remain available until his retirement on Aug. 31, 2018.