Director of McKesson's RxOwnership moves into pharmacy financing for First Financial

EL DORADO, Ark. - First Financial Bank on Thursday named Bob Graul managing director of their Professional Services Division, a division that addresses the specific financing needs of pharmacists and dentists. Graul will help develop financing strategies for pharmacy financing in his new role. 

   

“Bob’s extensive background in the pharmacy sector will help us better serve the needs of our loan customers in that demographic”, stated Chris Hegi, CEO of First Financial Bank.  “We’re very excited to welcome Bob to our team.  His experience and knowledge of the industry will help us meet the needs of pharmacists nationwide.”

 

Following a consulting role with McKesson in 2008, Graul served as national VP of RxOwnership in 2010 and helped guide the development and growth of the program, which has assisted over 2,600 ownership transfers and start-ups to date. He has served on several boards and held voluntary consulting positions within the pharmaceutical industry and has broad experience in the retail drug, ownership transfer and managed care industries.

 

Graul was president and CEO at Rancho Santa Fe Pharmacy in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. and during that time served multiple terms on McKesson Pharmaceutical advisory boards, including the role of chairman for the Valu-Rite Advisory Board, McKesson – HBOC from 1998 – 2003, and as a member of the MTM Advisory Board 2007-2008.

 

Graul received the Outstanding Alumni Award from National University in 1997. He was named Pharmacist of the Year in 2005 by the San Diego County Pharmacists Association and awarded Innovative Pharmacist of the Year in 2007 by the California Pharmacists Association. He was appointed to the California State Board of Pharmacy by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2007 and served for one term on the Board.