ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- ChainDrugStore.net today announced that John Virden has been named Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In this capacity, Virden will lead the company's strategic marketing, sales and communications functions. Virden brings more than two decades of demonstrated leadership and success to this new position, including extensive experience in emerging B2B technology environments.
ChainDrugStore.net is the only online communications network designed exclusively by and for the retail chain drug industry. More than 100 retailers representing $300 billion in annual sales in 26,900 stores have enrolled. A growing list of successful suppliers that includes 3M, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Procter & Gamble, Rexall Sundown, Roche and PureTek have signed on since December 2000.
"We are extremely pleased that a person of John's stature and expertise has joined the ChainDrugStore.net team," stated President and CEO Brad Mitchell. "John has a proven track record in significantly increasing growth for technology companies. And he has in-depth experience in B2B environments as well as with companies such as ChainDrugStore.net that provide software-based productivity tools. He is the right person for this new position as ChainDrugStore.net continues to grow and expand its online communications network," Mitchell added.
Virden's experience with technology companies includes positions as Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Categoric Software (a leader in mobile infrastructure alerting technology) and Executive Vice President at Loran Technologies (a Canadian-based software firm). At Loran Technologies, he was responsible for worldwide sales and marketing and oversaw a 40% increase in sales revenue. He also headed up sales and marketing at Boston-based Plaintree Systems, Inc., worked in the product management group of Systems Center, and served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Relay Technology. Virden began his business career as a sales representative for IBM.
Virden has a degree in Operations Analysis from the U.S. Naval Academy. Following graduation, he completed training as a Naval Flight Officer and was assigned to various roles in F4 Phantom Squadrons, including Air Combat Instructor. He then was selected to join the world-renowned Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.
For more information on how ChainDrugStore.net can help your company cut communication costs and drive higher sales and profits, contact Vice President of Customer Development Doug Cross at (703) 837-8323 or Dcross@chaindrugstore.net or Vice President of Consulting Services Lee Rudibaugh at (703) 837-8324 or Lrudibaugh@chaindrugstore.net.
About ChainDrugStore.net
ChainDrugStore.net, based in Alexandria, Virginia, is the communications network designed exclusively by and for the $400 billion retail chain drug industry. For suppliers, ChainDrugStore.net is a Web-based sales and marketing tool that reduces the cost of communicating with retailers. For retailers, it is an on-line category information productivity tool that leads to more effective merchandising decisions. ChainDrugStore.net is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.
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CONTACT: ChainDrugStore.net, Alexandria
Rae Nelson
(703) 837-8333
Rnelson@chaindrugstore.net