H-E-B's Martin Otto Leads NACDS as New Chairman

Martin Otto, chief merchant and CFO of San Antonio-based H-E-B, has taken the helm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) as its new board chairman. Otto succeeds fellow supermarket industry executive Randy Edeker, chairman, CEO and president of Hy-Vee Inc.

Otto joined H-E-B in 1991 as a management trainee and has held numerous store operations positions throughout his career, including department manager, unit director, district manager, director of operations and region VP/GM. He has worked in several market areas, including San Antonio, Austin, Waco, Houston and Central and West Texas. In 2005, Otto became SVP of grocery procurement and merchandising and assumed his present chief merchant role in 2010. He has also served as CFO since 2006.

"It is a pleasure to welcome Martin as chairman of the NACDS board of directors," said Steven C. Anderson, president/CEO of NACDS, during the organization's annual meeting this week in Palm Beach, Fla. "Martin has generously and energetically contributed his leadership to NACDS as a member of the board and as an officer, and the entire H-E-B team has a legacy of strong engagement in all facets of NACDS' work," Anderson noted.

In addition, Alex Gourlay, president of Walgreen Co., was elected NACDS vice chairman and Mark Panzer, SVP of pharmacy, health and wellness of Albertsons Cos., was elected NACDS treasurer. Each officer will serve a one-year term.

Carmen Bauza, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s SVP and general merchandise manager and Mark Panzer, Albertsons' SVP of pharmacy, health and wellness, were also elected to NACDS' executive committee.

Six new board members were also elected to serve three-year terms, including Rick Keyes, president, Meijer Inc.; Chris Lane, SVP, Wakefern Food Corp./ShopRite; Andre Persaud, EVP of retail at Shopko Stores Operating Co. LLC; George Riedl, SVP and president of Walmart Health and Wellness; and David Vucurevich, COO at Genoa, a Qol Healthcare Co.

The 26 members of the NACDS board of directors develop the trade association's policies and priorities.

NACDS represents traditional drug stores and supermarkets and mass merchants with pharmacies. Chains operate more than 40,000 pharmacies, and NACDS’ chain member companies include regional chains, with a minimum of four stores, and national companies.