DEERFIELD, Ill. — Steve Lubin is stepping down as Walgreens’ divisional vice president and general manager of marketing for non-mainland operations. He has been with the chain for 43 years.

Lubin’s retirement is part of a series of executive changes at the retailer, according to sources close to the company.

Lubin played a significant role in the chain’s growth in far-flung markets, from Puerto Rico to Alaska and Hawaii. Before being promoted in 2008, he was Walgreens’ general manager of marketing for stores in Puerto Rico, where he lived for three years.

“Steve’s contributions to Walgreens’ success over more than four decades are significant, from the increasing responsibility he held in our merchandising organization to the three years he spent overseeing marketing in Puerto Rico,” said divisional vice president of corporate communications Michael Polzin.

“That experience positioned him well to help ensure our successful entries into other non-mainland markets including Hawaii, Alaska and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We greatly appreciate the work Steve has done for us in these markets and throughout his career, and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Lubin joined the company as a stockman in a store on the North Side of Chicago in 1970 while still in college. He worked his way up to assistant store manager before managing a handful of units in the area. Starting in 1980 at the home office he held a variety of positions, mostly in purchasing and merchandising.

His early years with the retailer helped shape his lifelong approach to the business.

“My store experience was invaluable,” he said in 2010. “If you understand what it takes to run a store then you have a much better idea of what is required from people at every level to take care of the customers.”