H. D. Smith CFO to join Chicago Public Schools as new CFO

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Pharmaceutical wholesaler H. D. Smith announced on Thursday that Dave Watkins, CFO, will leave the company to join Chicago Public Schools as its new CFO, effective Nov. 7.

H. D. Smith stated that it will soon name an executive to serve as interim CFO while a search for a replacement is conducted.

In his new role, Watkins will be taking a leadership position in addressing the financial challenges of the third-largest school district in the United States, serving more than 400,000 students.


“Over the last few years, Dave has provided outstanding leadership and financial stewardship for our company. While we are sad to see him leave, we are also very proud that he will be taking his skills into public service and continuing to exhibit the service-centric values H. D. Smith embodies,” stated Dale Smith, chairman and CEO of H. D. Smith. “Engaging as CFO of the Chicago Public School system presents an amazing challenge while offering the daily opportunity to positively impact the education of the country's future leaders. We are confident Dave will excel in this role with CPS.”