Bartell Drugs names new CEO
Bartell Drugs has new leadership. The Seattle-based company has named longtime retail veteran Kathi Lentzsch as its new CEO — only its fifth in its 128 years in business. Lentzch, who has more than 30 years of retail experience,
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Kathi Lentzsch (via LinkedIn)[/caption]
joins Bartell Drugs from her post at luxury specialty store and direct-to-consumer retailer Gump’s, where she served as interim CEO.
Lentzsch has previously held executive roles at such companies as Pier 1 Imports and Cost Plus World Market. At Williams Sonoma/Pottery Barn, where she was senior vice president of merchandising, she oversaw the turnaround and repositioning of Pottery Barn as a premium home brand. In addition to her retail experience, as she takes the helm at Bartell Drugs, Lentzsch also brings experience from her time at Berkeley-based Elephant Pharmacy, where she was president and CEO, as well as a member of its board.
“Kathi’s experience as a CEO and the breadth of her retail experience will be ideal for leading Bartells,” said Bartell’s Board Chairman, George D. Bartell. “She brings a record of transforming businesses through innovation and entrepreneurial agility. This will be instrumental in growing the Bartell’s brand as the local chain expands its reach in the Puget Sound region.”
Lentzsch’s appointment comes roughly 8 months after the April resignation of former CEO Brian Unmacht, which led to CFO Rob Jensen overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations.
[caption id="attachment_580771" align="alignleft" width="172"]
Kathi Lentzsch (via LinkedIn)[/caption]joins Bartell Drugs from her post at luxury specialty store and direct-to-consumer retailer Gump’s, where she served as interim CEO.
Lentzsch has previously held executive roles at such companies as Pier 1 Imports and Cost Plus World Market. At Williams Sonoma/Pottery Barn, where she was senior vice president of merchandising, she oversaw the turnaround and repositioning of Pottery Barn as a premium home brand. In addition to her retail experience, as she takes the helm at Bartell Drugs, Lentzsch also brings experience from her time at Berkeley-based Elephant Pharmacy, where she was president and CEO, as well as a member of its board.
“Kathi’s experience as a CEO and the breadth of her retail experience will be ideal for leading Bartells,” said Bartell’s Board Chairman, George D. Bartell. “She brings a record of transforming businesses through innovation and entrepreneurial agility. This will be instrumental in growing the Bartell’s brand as the local chain expands its reach in the Puget Sound region.”
Lentzsch’s appointment comes roughly 8 months after the April resignation of former CEO Brian Unmacht, which led to CFO Rob Jensen overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations.