Seasoned retail vet to head up Bartell Drugs
The nation’s oldest family-owned drugstore chain has named a new CEO, only the fifth in the company’s 128-year history.
Bartell Drugs named Kathi Lentzsch as CEO. She succeeds Brian Unmacht, who resigned in April after two years on the job. Unmacht, the first person outside of the Bartell family to head up the company, joined the chain from REI, where he was COO.
Lentzsch most recently served as interim CEO of Gump’s, a luxury specialty store and direct-to-consumer retailer based in San Francisco. She also previously served as president/CEO and board member for Elephant Pharmacy, a Berkeley, Calif.-based pharmacy that combined traditional Western medication with alternative remedies and patient education.
Lentzsch also served in executive positions in Pier 1 Imports, Cost Plus World Market, and Williams-Sonoma where she was senior VP of merchandising at Williams Sonoma/Pottery Barn.
“Kathi’s experience as a CEO and the breadth of her retail experience will be ideal for leading Bartells,” said Bartell board chairman George D. Bartell. “She brings a record of transforming businesses through innovation and entrepreneurial agility. This will be instrumental in growing the Bartell’s brand as the local chain expands its reach in the Puget Sound region.”
Bartell Drugs operates 67 stores in the Puget Sound area of Washington.
Bartell Drugs named Kathi Lentzsch as CEO. She succeeds Brian Unmacht, who resigned in April after two years on the job. Unmacht, the first person outside of the Bartell family to head up the company, joined the chain from REI, where he was COO.
Lentzsch most recently served as interim CEO of Gump’s, a luxury specialty store and direct-to-consumer retailer based in San Francisco. She also previously served as president/CEO and board member for Elephant Pharmacy, a Berkeley, Calif.-based pharmacy that combined traditional Western medication with alternative remedies and patient education.
Lentzsch also served in executive positions in Pier 1 Imports, Cost Plus World Market, and Williams-Sonoma where she was senior VP of merchandising at Williams Sonoma/Pottery Barn.
“Kathi’s experience as a CEO and the breadth of her retail experience will be ideal for leading Bartells,” said Bartell board chairman George D. Bartell. “She brings a record of transforming businesses through innovation and entrepreneurial agility. This will be instrumental in growing the Bartell’s brand as the local chain expands its reach in the Puget Sound region.”
Bartell Drugs operates 67 stores in the Puget Sound area of Washington.