Walgreens' Wasson receives lifetime achievement accolade
Former Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson became the chain drug industry’s first executive to receive the Grocery Manufacturers Association’s highest honor.
Wasson and Flowers Foods Chairman George Deese received the 2015 Hall of Achievement award from the Grocery Manufacturers Association during the trade group’s annual Leadership Forum held August 14-16 at the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs. The Hall of Achievement Award, the closest thing the retail and consumer packaged goods industry has to a hall of fame, is designed to recognize extraordinary service and contributions of the food, beverage and CPG world’s most distinguished leaders.
Wasson clearly fits the bill having led Walgreens through a major rebranding campaign, acquisitions, new product offerings and a blockbuster strategic partnership that led to an eventual merger with Alliance Boots. Wasson retired from Walgreens in December 2014 after 35 years with the company. His career Walgreens began in 1980 as a pharmacy intern while enrolled at Purdue University’s School of Pharmacy. He rose through the ranks, managing pharmacies, leading operations and serving as president and COO before being named CEO in 2009.
As CEO, Wasson led Walgreens through a rebranding campaign that revamped the look and feel of its stores as well as enhancing and expanding services. In 2010, Wasson spearheaded the acquisition of New York-based pharmacy chain Duane Reade, and two years later, put into motion the company’s strategic partnership with Alliance Boots, leading to the full merger of the companies on Dec. 31, 2014.
Wasson serves on the board of directors of Verizon Communications Inc., Museum of Science and Industry, World Business Chicago and as a member of The Business Council. Previously, Wasson served on the boards of Alliance Boots, AmerisourceBergen, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the Retail Industry Leaders Association and the Consumer Goods Forum.
Like Wasson, Flowers Foods Chairman George Deese had a considerable impact on the retail industry. He was recognized for growing Flowers Foods into the second-largest baking company in the United States through organic growth, market expansion, and strategic acquisitions and for his leadership role in the development of the Grain Foods Foundation.
Deese joined Flowers in 1964 as a route salesman and steadily rose through the ranks until he was named president and CEO in 2004. He became chairman of the board in 2006 and non-executive chairman in 2014. A GMA member since 2002, Deese served on the GMA board and on its executive and finance committees. He also has served on the boards of the American Bakers Association, Quality Bakers of America, and Southern Bakers Association. Currently, he serves on the Mayo Clinic Florida Leadership Council.
“GMA is proud to recognize these two extraordinary business leaders in the food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry,” GMA President and CEO Pam Bailey said of Deese and Wasson. “Their leadership, impact on the industry and record of success and service is an inspiration to us all.”
GMA established the Hall of Achievement Award in 1984 and some of the retail industry’s most accomplished executives are among the past recipients. Recent honorees have included Mike Duke, former president and CEO of Walmart, Timothy Smucker, chairman of the board, The J. M. Smucker Company, Daniel Wegman, CEO of Wegmans Food Markets, A.G. Lafely, CEO of Procter & Gamble, Ric Jurgens, former chairman and CEO of Hy-Vee and Doug Conant, former president and CEO of Campbell Soup.