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Meijer CEO Rick Keyes becomes NACDS chairman

Kroger Health President Colleen Lindholz assumes vice chair duties

Russell Redman

May 28, 2020

3 Min Read
Rick Keyes of Meijer and Colleen Lindholz of Kroger Health
Rick Keyes, president and CEO of Meijer, had been elected NACDS vice chairman in mid-April, when Kroger Health President Colleen Lindholz also was named NACDS treasurer.NACDS

Meijer President and CEO Rick Keyes has been named chairman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), taking over from Walgreens President Richard Ashworth, who is leaving the drug chain to join another company.

NACDS said yesterday that Keyes will become chairman on June 1. He had been elected vice chairman in mid-April after serving as treasurer the previous year. Taking on the duties of vice chair will be Kroger Health President Colleen Lindholz, who was elected as the new NACDS treasurer and will now expand her role at the retail pharmacy association.

“Rick Keyes embodies the extraordinary leadership, reliable continuity and vibrant member engagement that are among NACDS’ core strengths,” NACDS President and CEO Steve Anderson said in a statement. “Rick brings to the chairmanship a perspective that is crucial to all NACDS chain and associate members alike, which he earned in leadership roles across pharmacy, store operations, supply chain and manufacturing in his more than three decades at Meijer Inc. In addition, Rick is an extremely dedicated association leader, as demonstrated by his service as an NACDS officer and as a member of the NACDS executive committee and board of directors.”

Richard Ashworth-Walgreens-NACDSWalgreens President Richard Ashworth, who has chaired NACDS chairman for just over a month, is leaving the drug chain to head Tivity Health. (Photo courtesy of NACDS)

Related:Walgreens, Rite Aid announce key leadership appointments

NACDS noted that Keyes will take the chairman’s reins according to the association’s bylaws, following Ashworth’s move to a new position. Last week, health and fitness company Tivity Health announced Ashworth as its president and CEO, effective June 1. A 28-year Walgreens veteran, Ashworth was promoted to president of the drug chain in February after serving as president of operations.

Ashworth had been elected as NACDS chairman in mid-April, succeeding Chris Lane, executive vice president at Wakefern Food Corp. Ashworth and Lane earlier this month participated in a “virtual” gavel exchange, an event that typically took place at the NACDS Annual Meeting in April, which was canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Keyes has led Meijer as CEO since the start of 2017, just over a year after being named president of the Midwestern supercenter and grocery retailer.

“NACDS directly supports the ability of its members to effectively serve the public as both pharmacies and health and wellness destinations. NACDS also plays an equally vital role in serving as a force multiplier of retailer and supplier collaboration, which helps meet the constantly evolving needs of customers and patients,” Keyes commented. “This work is important every day and has never been more important than now, when we are responding aggressively to COVID-19. I am enthusiastic about working with the entire NACDS board of directors, the organization’s members, and the NACDS staff in this mission-critical work.”

Related:Wakefern’s Chris Lane named NACDS chairman

With her election to the treasurer’s post, Kroger’s Lindholz also joined the NACDS executive committee. She has served as Kroger Health president since April 2017.

“NACDS also appreciates the willingness of Colleen Lindholz — another brilliant industry leader — to step up and fulfill expanded responsibilities as vice chair for the benefit of the membership,” Anderson stated.

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About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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