HSI picks Stilgenbauer as SupeRx president - Hook-SupeRx Inc.; Thomas Stilgenbauer

HSI picks Stilgenbauer as SupeRx president

CINCINNATI -- Hook-SupeRx, Inc. has named Thomas Stilgenbauer president of its SupeRx Drug store division based here, following the reassignment of Gary Hendren.

The promotion of Stilgenbauer from the vp-finance post at Brooks Drug demonstrates the willingness of HSI chairman Philip Beekman to move top managers among the company's three divisions. Just last year, Richard Morrissey, who had been vp-store planning and presentation at Brooks, became vp-marketing at Hook Drug.

Stilgenbauer's appointment to the top operating post at 337-store SupeRx was effective Aug. 13, when Hendren was put on special assignment reporting to Beekman, an HSI spokesman said. He added it was unclear at press time whether Hendren will retain the title of executive vp at HSI. He has been one of three with that position.

Stilgenbauer started his drug store career at SupeRx when it was still owned by Kroger, joining the company out of the University of Cincinnati in 1970. He climbed through a series of jobs on the financial side. He went to Brooks as vp-finance in June, 1988 after HSI acquired the 335-store company and gained its first New England markets.

"Tom's enthusiasm, management style and knowledge of the chain drug industry, coupled with his past experience with SupeRx make him uniquely qualified to assume the presidency of SupeRx and to lead SupeRx in the 1990's," Beekman said.

Stilgenbauer's appointment is consistent with HSI's practice of training and appointing from within the company, and "speaks to the mobility between divisions and Mr. Beekman's willingness to turn to any division to fill a position," noted a company spokesman.

The moves to some extent attest to the depth and strength of Brooks management, where marketing and operations have been overhauled by president Gayl Doster and executive vp-marketing John Jennings.

The SupeRx, Hook and Brooks divisions operate with a fair degree of autonomy, although their business plans are subject to management review in Cincinnati.

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