CVS' Bloom, Baker to lead chain's retail business on interim basis

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has pulled the plug on its plan to hire former Walmart exec Hank Mullany, and is handing the keys to its retail business on an interim basis to Mike Bloom, EVP merchandising and supply chain, and Scott Baker, EVP internal operations and real estate, who will assume management for the company’s 7,100-plus stores.

Bloom and Baker, who will report to Larry Merlo, president and COO of CVS Caremark, are assuming these duties on an interim basis, pending the completion of the company's search for a new president of CVS/pharmacy.

CVS Caremark had hired former Walmart executive Hank Mullany as president of CVS/pharmacy. Walmart then sued CVS Caremark, alleging that Mullany's contract forbids him from working for a company that competes with Walmart. In December, a Delaware judge granted Walmart's request for a preliminary injunction, blocking CVS Caremark from hiring Mullany.

CVS Caremark stated on Tuesday that it has made the decision to resume its search for a new president of CVS/pharmacy.

"As the company's succession planning process moves forward and I have assumed more enterprise-wide responsibilities, we made the decision to delegate the day-to-day operations of our retail business to two of our most senior retail executives," Merlo stated. "What has remained clear throughout our search for a new president of CVS/pharmacy is that we are very fortunate to have a strong, stable group of senior leaders supporting our business. This team of individuals has helped shape our direction and deliver industry-leading results and has consistently demonstrated the highest levels of leadership and teamwork. I expect this success to continue into the future as Mike and Scott lead the retail organization."

Bloom has more than 30 years of retail experience, 20 of those years with CVS/pharmacy. As the senior CVS/pharmacy executive with direct oversight over merchandising and supply chain activities, Bloom leads an integrated end-to-end network managing store layout, as well as the selection, purchasing, inventory and supply of product throughout the company's retail locations, plus managing the company's visual merchandising and pricing departments. In addition to his current role, Bloom will now assume responsibility for advertising and marketing.

Baker, whose tenure with CVS/pharmacy spans more than 25 years, has held a variety of senior roles, including SVP retail operations and head of the company's East retail field operations. Baker, a pharmacist by training, will now assume responsibility for all of the company¹s retail field organizations and pharmacy operations.