PALM BEACH, Fla. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has recognized Andy Giancamilli, former chief executive officer of Katz Group Canada, with the Sheldon W. Fantle Lifetime Achievement Award and M. Jerome Brown, former vice president of industry and customer development at Unilever, with the Robert B. Begley Award.

The awards, presented to Giancamilli — a past chairman of NACDS — and Brown on Tuesday evening at NACDS Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., represent the chain drug store industry’s highest honors, according to NACDS.

The Fantle Lifetime Achievement Award, named in honor of People’s Drug Stores’ Bud Fantle, recognizes exceptional accomplishments and contributions to the industry.

Giancamilli began his career in health care at a young age. While in high school, he served as a store clerk at a small midwestern chain drug store. After graduating pharmacy school, he joined Perry Drug Stores in Michigan as a pharmacist. He served more than 35 years with Perry Drug, serving as president and chief operating officer. Giancamilli also served in executive capacities for Kmart and Canadian Tire. He joined Katz Group, operator of the Rexall chain, in 2003 as CEO and became CEO of Snyders Drug Stores, a Katz chain, in 2004. This past winter, Giancamilli announced his retirement from Katz.

The Begley Award, named in memory of former NACDS chairman Robert Begley, honors an individual with qualities of great personal warmth, generous spirit and long-time service to the industry, NACDS said.

Brown, after serving as an Army officer during the Vietnam War, joined Johnson & Johnson in 1972. He joined Chesebrough-Pond’s (now Unilever) in 1980, holding several posts. In 1998, he became vice president and the leader of the industry and customer development team for Unilever Home and Personal Care and served in this capacity until his retirement in this year.

"Andy Giancamilli and Jerry Brown are two of the industry’s finest leaders, each playing an important role in the evolution of retail pharmacy over the last four decades," commented NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson. "They each leave behind a legacy of commitment and passion to their companies and the industry, and we are honored to commemorate them with chain pharmacy’s highest honors."

Giancamilli and Brown were honored by their colleagues, friends and family at the NACDS Annual Meeting Dinner and Awards Ceremony.