Dave Van Howe is the latest executive to part ways with Walgreen Co.

The vice president of purchasing is leaving the drug store chain at the end of the year to pursue other interests.

With the company since 2000, Van Howe had been shifting to a role as Walgreens corporate vice president of new business development within merchandising.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Dave Van Howe is the latest executive to part ways with Walgreen Co. The vice president of purchasing is leaving the drug store chain at the end of the year to pursue other interests.

Walgreens said Wednesday that Van Howe’s duties will be transitioned to several other individuals in the company.

Van Howe had been shifting to a role as Walgreens corporate vice president of new business development within merchandising. He joined the retailer in 2000 as general merchandise manager of beauty and fashion and, during his career at the company, also performed those duties in the pharmacy and health and wellness divisions.

"During my nine years with Walgreens, I have had the privilege to work with the best retail merchants, operators and vendor partners in the industry," Van Howe said in a statement.

A recognized mentor in the field of procurement, Van Howe employed several techniques to encourage personal growth and development among Walgreens category managers. He challenged them to focus on the entire store and to understand the chain’s strengths in retail execution, thereby using all the tools available to them.

"We appreciate Dave’s professionalism and many contributions to recent initiatives, including Rewiring For Growth, Customer-Centric Retailing and many other strategic programs throughout his career," commented John Spina, vice president of retail integration. "We have valued Dave’s leadership, dedication and commitment to the company, and we wish him well in his future endeavors."

Van Howe’s departure follows the the resignation of 27-year Walgreens veteran George Riedl. The senior vice president of pharmacy innovation and purchasing will leave the chain at the end of the year.

Since March, Riedl has overseen the launch of a new pharmacy system in Florida and Arizona that centralizes administrative tasks and provides pharmacists additional time to counsel patients and to provide clinical services.

*Editor’s Note: Story updated on October 29.