H-E-B vet joins Rite Aid as coo

CAMP HILL, Pa. Rite Aid Corp. announced today that Robert Easley, a 16-year veteran of the H.E. Butt Grocery Co. with extensive experience in store operations, pharmacy, marketing and management, will join Rite Aid as coo. Easley most recently served as senior vp, chief marketing officer and head of pharmacy for the $11.5 billion H-E-B chain.

James Mastrian, currently Rite Aid coo, will become special advisor on corporate strategy, reporting directly to Rite Aid chairman, president and ceo Mary Sammons. Mastrian will focus on Rite Aid's strategic direction and initiatives, with particular emphasis on the integration of the Brooks Eckerd drugstore chain purchased by Rite Aid on June 4. Mastrian's leadership will also ensure a smooth and orderly executive transition.

In his new position, Easley will have overall responsibility for all store operations, category management, marketing, merchandising, supply chain and pharmacy services and operations, reporting directly to Mary Sammons. He joins Rite Aid on Aug. 20.

Easley joined H-E-B in 1991 in an executive development program working his way up through various store operations and corporate management roles to chief marketing officer and head of pharmacy. He has experience as a store manager, regional vp of operations for the Gulf Coast and as senior vp of store operations of San Antonio Food/Drug, where he supervised one of the company's largest divisions with 200 stores.