ARLINGTON, Va. — Ted Scherr, president and chief executive officer of pharmaceutical and health care products wholesaler Dakota Drug Inc., has been elected as chairman of the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA).

HDMA said Tuesday that Scherr takes the reins from David Neu, president of AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp., who has served as HDMA chairman since October 2012. Neu remains a member of the HDMA executive committee.

Scherr was elected at HDMA’s fifth Annual Board & Membership Meeting in Laguna Beach, Calif.

Two other board members also were announced at the event. Jon Giacomin, president of U.S. pharmaceutical distribution at Cardinal Health Inc., will replace Michael Kaufmann, CEO of Cardinal’s pharmaceutical segment, on the HDMA board and executive committee. Kaufmann has served on the board and committee since 2008. In addition, Timothy Booth, president and Metro Medical Supply Inc., was named to the board in June, HDMA said.

Earlier this month, Cardinal appointed Kaufmann as chief financial officer, effective Nov. 11, and named Giacomin to take over as CEO of the pharmaceutical business segment.

"It was truly an honor to work closely with Dave as chairman and Mike as a member of the executive committee during their tenures," HDMA president and CEO John Gray said in a statement. "Ted, Jon and Tim all bring fresh perspectives to our organization, and I look forward to working with them and the entire board of directors to ensure that HDMA continues to deliver value to our members and the industry."

Other members of the HDMA executive committee include Kenneth Couch, president
of Smith Drug Co.; David Moody, CEO of Mutual Wholesale Drug Co.; Dale Smith
chairman and CEO of H.D. Smith; and Mark Walchirk, president of U.S. pharmaceutical
at McKesson Corp.