ST. PAUL, Minn. — Patterson Cos. has hired Mark Walchirk, a key executive at McKesson Corp., as its next president and chief executive officer, with a starting date of November 20.

Walchirk will succeed James Wiltz, who has been serving in those roles on an interim basis since the departure of Scott Anderson on June 1.

Walchirk will also become a company director this month, when the Patterson board is expanded from six members to nine.
“Patterson is a great company with a proud history and an extraordinary opportunity to leverage its position in its markets to deliver great service and solutions to customers and value to shareholders,” Walchirk said in a statement. “I am honored and excited to help lead the team during this transformative time.”

Walchirk joined McKesson in 2001, where he rose to the position of president of its U.S. pharmaceutical unit, the company’s largest. The business supplies branded, generic and over-the-counter drugs and related services to retail chains, pharmacies, hospitals, health systems and long-term care providers.

Prior to joining McKesson, Walchirk spent 13 years in medical distribution and manufacturing at Baxter Healthcare, Allegiance Healthcare and Encompass Group.