Saul Factor to head drug wholesale, Kevin Welch to lead pharmacy tech

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — J M Smith Corp. has named Saul Factor to lead its drug wholesale business and Kevin Welch to head its pharmacy technology solutions business.

J M Smith said Monday that Factor, previously president of the QS/1 pharmacy software unit, will now serve as president of drug distributors Smith Drug Co. and Burlington Drug Co. Welch, who had been J M Smith’s chief technology officer, becomes president of both QS/1 and Integra LTC Solutions, the company’s long-term care pharmacy software business.

Factor joined J M Smith last July when he was hired as president of QS/1. “The pharmacy industry is very dynamic, and we at Smith Drug Co. and Burlington Drug Co. are committed to being at the forefront with innovative solutions, leading distribution processes and customer-centric service,” he said in a statement. “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.”

Saul Factor (left) and Kevin Welch

Before coming to QS/1, Factor served as president of global sourcing and generics at McKesson Corp. Prior to that, he was chief operating officer of RxAmerica. He spent the first 10 years of his career as both a retail and long-term care pharmacist before moving into sales and brand management with PCS Inc. and Eli Lilly and Co.

“There is perhaps no one in the industry better prepared to lead Smith Drug Co. than Saul Factor,” stated Alan Turfe, chairman and chief executive officer of J M Smith. “Saul is a pharmacist with experience in every facet of the industry, from patient care to manufacturing and distribution to sales and marketing.”

Turfe noted, “During his time as president of QS/1, Saul led with transparency and a contagious drive to advance customer centricity and business excellence.”

Welch was appointed as J M Smith’s CTO last July. In the role, in which he retained his title as Integra president, he has overseen the development of innovative technology, streamlining the process of bringing pharmacy solutions to market.

“I am excited by this tremendous opportunity,” Welch commented about being named to lead both QS/1 and Integra. “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.”

Welch joined J M Smith with its 2015 acquisition of Integra, which he founded in 1997. He has served in senior positions at Genentech, Symantec and Microsoft. During his career, he has designed and developed many industry-leading software applications and systems, J M Smith noted.

“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,” according to Turfe.

“I am looking forward to what Kevin and Saul will accomplish for our customers in their new roles,” he added.

Spartanburg, S.C.-based J M Smith’s business units include Smith Drug C., QS/1, Integral Solutions Group, RxMedic Systems, Integra LTC Solutions and Burlington Drug Co.