The head of McKesson Corp.’s U.S. Pharmaceutical business unit has been named president and CEO of another major distributor, Patterson Companies Inc.
Patterson is made up of dental and animal health divisions, the latter of which is responsible for 56 percent of the St. Paul, Minnesota, company’s $5.6 billion in annual sales.
The new CEO, Mark Walchirk, will work alongside Kevin Pohlman, who was promoted to president of Patterson Animal Health in August 2017. Walchirk, 51, succeeds interim president and CEO James Wiltz, Patterson announced Oct. 24.
Patterson, one of the largest distributors in the veterinary channel, purchased competitor Animal Health International in 2015. Patterson serves the production and companion animal health markets in North America and the United Kingdom.