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New CEO Alan Turfe takes reins at J M Smith

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SPARTANBURG, S.C. — J M Smith Corp. has named A. Alan Turfe as chairman and chief executive officer, succeeding William Cobb, who is retiring.

The pharmaceutical distribution, health care and technology company — whose businesses include Smith Drug Co., QS/1, Integral Solutions Group, RxMedic Systems, Integra LTC Solutions and Burlington Drug Co. — said Wednesday that Turfe takes the helm as CEO effective March 1.

Alan Turfe_JM Smith

Alan Turfe

“J M Smith Corp. is a phenomenal organization with a proud history. I am looking forward to working with everyone within the company as we write its next chapters together,” Turfe said in a statement. “I believe in the importance of listening to employees and to customers on a personal level, asking ‘How can we help them achieve?’ and then working with them to do just that.”

Turfe joins J M Smith from Fresenius Medical Care, where he served as senior vice president and chief procurement officer. J M Smith noted that Turfe, who was selected by the board of directors after a national search, brings extensive experience in the life sciences, medical device, e-commerce and automotive industries.

“In a pool of incredibly qualified candidates, Alan demonstrated the leadership skills, business acumen and background best-suited to lead J M Smith Corp. into the future,” stated board member Terry Cash, who chaired the search committee. “Alan is growth-minded and believes, as we do, that the future is bright for J M Smith Corp. We believe he will both honor the proud history of this organization while leading it through the dynamic times ahead.”

Turfe began his career working his way through college on an assembly line at General Motors. AFter graduating with an MBA, he worked as a financial analyst for GM, moving up the ranks to become European finance director for the automotive components division and then chief financial officer for GM Worldwide Purchasing and Logistics. That role led GM into e-commerce with a joint venture that generated more than $4 billion in shareholder value and resulted in Turfe being appointed as co-CEO of the venture.

After a decade with GM, Turfe joined Fisher Scientific in a range of leadership roles, including as president of the anatomical pathology group. He then joined Idex Corp. as president of Micropump Inc. Later, as senior vice president and chief procurement officer at Fresenius Medical Care, he leveraged global manufacturing and distribution in pharmaceuticals and other medical categories to expand margins and drive incremental profitability, according to J M Smith.

“Alan is a proven leader with a multitude of experiences that are a great fit for J M Smith Corporation. He has demonstrated a talent for bringing people together with outstanding results,” Cash added.

Cobb had served as chairman and CEO of J M Smith since 1998 and had been a longtime president of the company’s QS/1 pharmacy technology division.


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