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GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. — Kinney Drugs announced that vice president of marketing Jim Wuest is retiring and that it will promote merchandising chief Rick Cognetti to an expanded role.
The regional drug chain said Thursday that Wuest plans to retire at the end of this year, at which time Cognetti, currently vice president of merchandising, will become vice president of marketing and merchandising.
In the new role, Cognetti will bring together the marketing and merchandising functions to enhance and support the company’s business strategies, according to Kinney. He will continue to report to Jim Spencer, chief operating officer of the drug stores.
Also with Wuest’s retirement, director of marketing Jennifer Whalen will take on a larger role in overseeing marketing initiatives and managing the day-to-day operations, the company said. Cheri Taylor, director of merchandising, will also expand her current role to include management of Kinney’s merchandise presentation. Whalen and Taylor will report to Cognetti.
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Rick Cognetti |
Wuest joined Kinney in 2006 and has been an active member of the executive team and an influential part of the company’s success over the years, the drug chain said.
"We are thankful for all the contributions that Jim has made to the evolution of our marketing and merchandising operations over the last several years," Bridget-ann Hart, president of Kinney Healthcare Services, said in a statement. "It was an honor to have had Jim as a colleague, and we wish him all the best in his retirement."
Cognetti came to Kinney in 1994 as a store manager and has progressed through various positions that have provided him with a wealth of retail experience and knowledge of all aspects of the chain drug store business, according to Kinney. He is an active member of the CDC merchandising advisory group and the NACDS retail advisory board.
"We are equally pleased to recognize Rick for his contributions," stated Hart. "Rick has worked closely with Jim over the last five years and is positioned to seamlessly transition into this expanded role. Under his leadership, this integrated department will drive the ongoing growth and success of Kinney Drugs."
Kinney operates 90 drug stores in upstate New York and Vermont.
