J M Smith is switching up the leadership its technology and wholesale business units. The Spartanburg, S.C.-based company on Monday named erstwhile chief technology officer Kevin Welch to lead its technology solutions and named Saul Factor, who was president of QS/1, to lead its Smith Drug and Burlington Drug wholesale distribution units.
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Kevin Welch[/caption]
“The decision to align our technology offerings under one leader was made to further enhance our customer focus. Kevin is a highly respected technology leader with a passion for moving pharmacy forward. Under his guidance, QS/1 and Integra customers can expect a commitment to technology excellence and responsiveness,” J M Smith CEO and chairman Alan Turfe said. “During his time as President of QS/1, Saul led with transparency and a contagious drive to advance customer centricity and business excellence. I am looking forward to what Kevin and Saul will accomplish for our customers in their new roles.”
Welch and Factor both joined J M Smith in 2017. Welch came on as CTO during J M Smith’s acquisition of Integra, which he founded. His experience includes time in senior positions at Genentech, Symantec and Microsoft.
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Saul Factor[/caption]
“I am excited by this tremendous opportunity,” said Welch. “Aligning all our technology offerings benefits the customers in all of the markets we serve. We will continue to have dedicated teams for each of these markets – long-term care, community pharmacy and governmental, while sharing best practices across all of them.”
Factor, a pharmacist by training, joined QS/1 from his role as president of global sourcing and generics at McKesson. He spent the first 10 years of his career as a retail and long-term care pharmacist, and has worked in leadership positions at such companies as Eli Lilly and RxAmerica.
“The pharmacy industry is very dynamic and we at Smith Drug and Burlington Drug are committed to being at the forefront with innovative solutions, leading distribution processes and customer-centric service,” said Factor. “It is important to provide customers with what they need now while also working to address their future needs. I am thrilled to be leading Smith Drug and Burlington Drug with our renowned customer service and I am looking forward to partnering with customers to deliver on the promise of the pharmacy of the future.”