ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has named Kevin Nicholson to the newly created position of vice president of public policy and regulatory affairs.

Executives say the new post expands Nicholson’s responsibilities in policy leadership, federal regulatory advocacy and staff management.

“Throughout his 12 years of service at NACDS, Kevin’s rock-solid knowledge and keen policy insights have assisted NACDS in shaping pro-patient and pro-pharmacy issue positions,” association president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson says.

“He has advocated reliably for these positions in testimony before Congress and federal agencies, and in liaison with community pharmacy’s partners in patient care.”

As vice president of public policy and regulatory affairs, Nicholson will craft the strategic direction of NACDS’ public policy and regulatory affairs activities. He leads a seven-person staff responsible for legislative and regulatory health care policy analysis at the federal and state levels and serves as NACDS’ primary liaison to the federal agencies that oversee the nation’s health care policies.

Nicholson joined NACDS in June 2001 as director of regulatory affairs. He was promoted to vice president of pharmacy regulatory affairs in September 2005. His most recent role was as vice president of government affairs and pharmacy advisor.

A onetime pharmacist who also holds a law degree, Nicholson practiced pharmacy for the now defunct Brooks Pharmacy chain and for Kroger Co. He has also held positions at NDC Health Information Services at WebMD Corp.