NACDS bestows chain pharmacy’s highest honor on Randy Edeker at 2024 NACDS Annual Meeting
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has recognized NACDS past chair Randy Edeker with chain pharmacy’s highest honor: the Sheldon W. Fantle Lifetime Achievement Award. Edeker served as chair of NACDS from 2015-2016. He held the titles of chairman, CEO and president of Hy-Vee from 2009 to 2022, and currently serves as Hy-Vee’s executive chairman of the board.
NACDS presented the award on the final evening of the 2024 NACDS Annual Meeting, held April 27-30.
In presenting the award, NACDS chair Kevin Host, senior vice president of pharmacy at Walmart, said: “Tonight, I have the honor of adding an additional name to the list of distinguished individuals who have served our industry. Our awardee is an amazing industry leader and colleague. Randy, we are honored to recognize you as one of the most influential leaders in our industry.
“Randy has been a champion of empowering employees to make decisions – focused on the consumer, on giving back to the communities where Hy-Vee operates stores, and on being a company of great purpose. In 2023, Hy-Vee donated more than $57 million to local non-profits.
“During Randy’s tenure, he transformed Hy-Vee from a regional grocer into a nationally recognized retail brand. The company doubled in size under his leadership and today operates more than 550 business units across the Midwest.
“Randy has been particularly focused on expanding Hy-Vee’s health and wellness offerings. His many accomplishments include: opening Hy-Vee’s first pharmacy fulfillment center; launching Vivid Clear Rx; acquiring Amber Specialty Pharmacy; establishing a fleet of mobile health units; developing Hy-Vee’s loyalty program, and establishing Hy-Vee’s state-of-the-art retail media network, Red Media.”
NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson said of Edeker: “Congratulations to Randy Edeker on receiving the Sheldon W. Fantle Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout his time on the NACDS Board of Directors and as NACDS chair, Randy has been completely engaged in every aspect of the Association’s success — from NACDS’ one-of-a-kind meetings and conferences, to robust public policy issues that directly impact pharmacies and the communities they serve, to helping shape the strategic direction of NACDS.
“NACDS is appreciative of Randy’s leadership, and we thank him for his exceptional service to the industry, particularly as we embrace this era of exponential change for retail, for health care, and for health and wellness innovation.”
The Sheldon “Bud” W. Fantle Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 1989 to recognize exceptional accomplishments and contributions to the industry. The award was renamed in 1996 in honor of Bud (Sheldon) Fantle of People’s Drug Stores.
A 43-year veteran of Hy-Vee, Edeker began his Hy-Vee career in 1981 as a part-time employee at the Hy-Vee store in Chariton, Iowa. He progressed through the ranks of Hy-Vee, working at stores in Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. In 1993, he was appointed southern director of operations and later became assistant vice president of operations.
In 2004, Edker was named vice president of marketing; in 2006 he was promoted to senior vice president of retail operations, and in 2008 he became executive vice president of operations and president in 2009. Edeker was named chairman and CEO in 2009. In 2022, he assumed the title of executive chairman of the board. Under Edeker’s leadership, Hy-Vee has been recognized as an innovator and leader throughout the industry.
On Monday, April 29, Edeker was elected to NACDS’ honorary board of directors.