APhA taps new VP, CEO

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has named Thomas Menighan as its new executive vice president and CEO. The decision was made on the heels of the announcement earlier in 2008 that John Gans, PharmD, the current CEO, would resign after 20 years of service to the organization.

“The board of trustees is pleased to appoint a seasoned leader like Tom Menighan as executive vice-president and CEO,” AphA President Timothy L. Tucker said. “Given Tom’s experience and diverse knowledge of the pharmacy profession, we are confident he will continue to lead the association toward more fulfilling and relationship-based roles for pharmacists in providing optimal medication therapy outcomes.”

Menighan received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1974 from West Virginia University School of Pharmacy and a Masters in Business Administration in 1990 from Averett College. Menighan is president of SynTegra Solutions Inc., in Germantown, Md.

Menighan has volunteered in his field, including becoming president of APhA from 2001 to 2002 and a member of the APhA Board of Trustees between 1995 and 2003. He was a senior staff member of APhA from 1987 to 1992. While on staff as senior director of external affairs, he managed state affairs, public relations, and new business development and practice management issues. Other professional experiences include management of the PharMark Corporation, creator of RationalMed.

He also founded and was a 20-year Medicine Shoppe owner in Huntington, W. Va., and is a partner in Pharmacy Associates, Inc., a multi-state specialty pharmacy that today serves patients in much of the United States.

“Tom is an excellent choice to assume the mantle of leadership of APhA," John A. Gans, APhA’s current executive vice president and CEO, said. “His broad knowledge of the profession and his breadth of experience coupled with his commitment to pharmacy position him well to lead APhA as the profession is facing many challenges in our fractured healthcare system.

In addition, he has participated in the association’s leadership from both the staff and volunteer perspectives which strengthens his understanding of the operations of and opportunities for the Association.” Menighan will begin his transition into the role of APhA CEO-designate in the first quarter of 2009 and will assume the position of CEO on July 1.