Walgreens corporate operations VP for Eastern operations to retire

DEERFIELD, Ill. — John Foley, Walgreens corporate operations VP for Eastern operations, will retire from the company effective Nov. 28, 2014, after a 29-year career with the company, Drug Store News has learned.

 

"We want to thank John for his leadership and tremendous commitment to Walgreens and the key role he has played in advocating matters important to the profession of pharmacy," Walgreens stated. "Also, his impact on developing a great number of people along the way shouldn't be overlooked."

 

Under Foley's leadership, Denver pharmacists became the first to immunize for Walgreens, an important step that led to Walgreens leading the pharmacy profession into providing broad immunization services. Foley also demonstrated his commitment to local community partnership through his work as a member of the Chicago American Diabetes Association board, as well as the Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes. In addition, he serves on the board of the Academy of Food Marketing at St. Joseph's University (Philadelphia) and on the Walgreens University board.

 

Since joining Walgreens in 1985 from Medi-Mart Pharmacy, Foley has contributed to Walgreens as a store manager, district manager and as an operations VP. He also had extensive roles in a number of retail acquisitions — including those involving Duane Reade, Drug Fair and other regional and local chains. Last year, he added responsibility for leading the company's Well Experience initiative, which is now rolled out to 750 stores.