Walgreens Boots Alliance Names New Chief Commercial Officer

(Reuters) – Walgreens Boots Alliance (NASDAQ:WBA) has appointed ex-Optum executive Jason Stenta as its new Chief Commercial Officer on Monday.

Stenta will be responsible for leading the company’s commercial growth strategy and developing its business-to-business healthcare services.

His tasks include enhancing partnerships with payers, including insurers, as well as health system providers and life sciences companies.

This appointment comes at a crucial time when U.S. pharmacy chains are closing underperforming stores due to weak consumer spending affecting retail operations. Walgreens had also reduced its annual profit forecast in June.

Previously, Stenta served as Senior Vice President of payer sales at UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH)’s unit, Optum. He has also held leadership roles at CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) for ten years.

Walgreens announced that Stenta will commence his new role this month.