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If indeed we’ve embarked on a new chapter in the history of the regional drug chain — as we obviously have — then it’s equally true that this is a new era for the regional chain executive.
Bob Narveson
Explore the National Association of Chain Drug Stores board of directors and you’ll find that it’s well represented, indeed dominated, by regional chain executives. Among the board members are such standouts as Lynne Fruth (Fruth Pharmacy), Mark Griffin (Lewis Drug, a longtime favorite of this publication), Sharon Sternheim (Zitomer), David Warner (Kinney Drug), Michael Wysong (CARE Pharmacies, another favorite) and (last but hardly least) Bob Narveson (Thrifty White).
About Narveson: There exist among us those who believe that he runs the very best drug chain in America. True or not, his company does indeed rank among the best. Why? For many reasons, but foremost among them has been his ability to operate effectively amid a group of larger, more dominant mass retailers. Indeed, when industry people think of North Dakota, they immediately note Thrifty White and its innovative approach to mass retailing.
That’s the good news. The fly in the ointment, so to speak, is that Narveson is retiring, after a career that predates a time when most of us could even spell chain drug retailing.
Stories abound about Narveson’s intelligence, humanity, charm and all-around decency as both an executive and a person. Indeed, the old adage certainly applies here: To those who know Bob Narveson, no explanation is necessary; to those who do not, no explanation is possible.
That adage applies here in a particularly meaningful way. Some time ago, this reporter casually told Narveson that he had visited 49 states, the exception being North Dakota. Hearing this, the Thrifty White CEO set about remedying the situation. So it came to pass that the visit to North Dakota took place, with Narveson and several of his key executives meeting the plane and spending two days showing the visitor around that state, with special emphasis (of course) on Thrifty White and all the goodies that drug chain had to offer its many customers.
More than that, following the trip, Narveson sent the reporter in question (me) a placard recounting the trip and the good times that were had by all.
That’s who Bob Narveson is. To say that this chain drug legend will be missed is to say something that doesn’t need to be said. But knowing him is knowing as well that he’s not really leaving. Rather, he will continue to be available to his many friends and colleagues who couldn’t possibly imagine a chain drug retailing community without him.
On a personal note, Bob, I certainly intend to take you up on your ongoing offer to host a second visit to North Dakota and learn anew what this drug chain has come to mean for the hundreds of thousands of customers who call Thrifty White their second home.
To those of you who still don’t understand what Bob Narveson has built, I’m certain the invitation he long ago extended to a journalist who needed a 50th state to complete his list will easily and happily be extended to you as well.
