From left to right, NACDS chairman Mark Panzer, treasurer Richard Ashworth and vice chairman Chris Lane

PALM BEACH, Fla. –  The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has elected new officers, and executive committee and board  members for the coming year. The appointments were announced at the NACDS Annual Meeting.

Mark Panzer, senior vice president of pharmacy, health and wellness at Albertsons Cos., was named chairman of NACDS. He succeeds Alex Gourlay, co-chief operating officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance and president of Walgreens.

Chris Lane, executive vice president of Wakefern Food Corp./ShopRite was elected vice chairman, and Richard Ashworth, president of operations for Walgreens, was elected treasurer. Each officer will serve a one-year term.

“We congratulate and welcome Mark as NACDS chairman of the board,” said NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson. “Mark is highly regarded for his experience and results throughout all facets of pharmacy and retail, including outstanding partnerships with suppliers. He is quick to thank those from whom he has learned over the course of his amazing career, and he is quick to give back and to foster the spirit of collaboration for which NACDS is known. We look forward to his continued leadership.”

Two new board of directors members were elected to serve three-year terms: Nick Loporcaro, president of U.S. pharma and specialty health at Health Mart; and Kevin Hourican, executive vice president of CVS Health and president of CVS Pharmacy.

Lane, Ashworth and Hourican were elected to the NACDS Executive Committee.

Two other board members had been elected in December: Kermit Crawford, president and COO of Rite Aid Corp.; and Marybeth Hays, executive vice president of consumables, health and wellness at Walmart. Crawford and Hays were among board members who were re-elected to three-year terms during the NACDS Annual Meeting.

The board develops NACDS’ policies and priorities.