Tempe, AZ — March 25, 2003 — Supply chain executives were named this week at PETCO and Apria Healthcare Group, and solution provider Peregrine Systems this week appointed three independent members to the company's board of directors, completing its new, five-member board.
San Diego-based PETCO Animal Supplies has named Gilbert Smith as vice president of inventory management, who brings with him more than 20 years of supply chain and inventory management experience with companies such as Trak Auto Corp., World Kitchen and Factory Auto Parts.
Smith has been responsible for inventory management, analytics, purchasing and systems development at each of his past firms.
Bob Brann, PETCO's senior vice president of merchandising, said, "Gil's proven track record will help PETCO maximize the efficiency of our supply chain, while at the same time enhancing our strong commitment to customer service and satisfaction."
Smith will report directly to Brann.
Meanwhile, Lake Forest, Calif.-based Apria Healthcare Group has named John McDowell as executive vice president of logistics and real estate.
McDowell brings to Apria over 27 years of logistics, warehouse and distribution experience and has extensive experience in automated warehousing and routing technology.
He joins Apria from Bozzuto's, a privately held wholesaler based in Connecticut where he was a senior level executive responsible for operations, distribution, logistics, and inventory. McDowell previously worked at PepsiCo as a group manager responsible for logistics and field operations. He also worked for Tru-Serve Corp. and American Hospital Supply in related logistics and distribution roles.
Lawrence Higby, Apria's CEO, said McDowell "[would] help accelerate the many productivity initiatives we have planned in the logistics area."
Apria, with about $1.25 billion in annual revenues, provides home respiratory therapy, home infusion therapy and home medical equipment through approximately 400 branches serving patients in 50 states.
Finally, Peregrine Systems, the San Diego-based provider of asset management solutions, has named three independent members to its board, completing the five-member lineup.
New directors include Richard Koppes, of counsel to the law firm of Jones Day and a former consulting law professor at Stanford University School of Law; John Mutch, former president and CEO of HNC Software; and Dr. Peter van Cuylenburg, a long-time technology executive and currently venture partner with Pond Venture Partners.
An interim board made up of Gary Greenfield, Peregrine's CEO, and Thomas Weatherford, a senior financial executive, had been charged with naming the new board members, with former bankruptcy judge Erwin Katz serving as a consultant. Greenfield and Weatherford remain directors of the new board.
"Creation of the new board marks another significant milestone for the company as we focus on operational improvement, strong products and serving our global customer base," said Greenfield in a company statement.
Peregrine had proposed creating the new, five-member board in its plan of reorganization submitted to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. The company had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last September and offered a reorganization plan in January.
