Aug. 10, 2024

American Pharmacies is governed by a seven-member board of your peers -- all stockholders who are independent pharmacy owners just like you. The Board of Directors meets quarterly to discuss our cooperative's strategic direction, operating expenses and budget. The Board strives to deliver maximum economic value to APRx members while taking assertive action on political, legislative and economic challenges that affect your business model.

These profiles focus on new Board members Sabrina Griggs, owner of the Apothecary Shop in Kerrville, TX; and Russell Pelzel, managing partner for one of three Hometown Pharmacies in North Texas. Both took office on July 1.

► See Below: New Board Members Join Lead Team for 2-Day Orientation

Sabrina Griggs, Director

Top Priority as Board Member

"I actually have two: keeping abreast of what the AP team does and bringing stockholder and member concerns to the Board."

The Board's Biggest Challenge

"Communicating with our members and employees."

Your Passion for Compounding

"I've loved compounding since pharmacy school and when I started my first job, all the mixing was left to me. I was first introduced to the advancement of compounding in 1997 by Gerry Stone at The Drug Shoppe in Comfort, TX. My love of personalized medicine has grown since."

What Do You Enjoy Most About

Being an Independent Owner?

"Being my own boss, of course! Even doing relief for dozens of independent owners over the years ..I still set my own schedule and picked the places I wanted to work."

Advocacy Engagement is Critical

"It is the root of our survival!!! If we don't stand up for and believe in ourselves and our profession...who will???"

Photo: Sabrina with her husband, Calvin Luck, at a San Antonio Zoo fundraising event

What are Your Favorite Things to Do Outside Work?

"Travel, good food and being with my kids/grandkid(s)... In the best-case scenario, all three combined."

What's Interesting About You That Most Pharmacists Wouldn’t Know?

"My passion for the outdoors... From skiing, hiking and hunting to working on our farm/pasture in the NE Texas Panhandle. I was raised on our family farm in Perryton, which we still manage today. My grandparents taught me to love the land."

Russell Pelzel, Director

Top Priority as Board Member

"While I am still working to gain a strong understanding of my duties, I made communication and transparency major goals during the board election. We must share our goals, value proposition and culture with our members at every opportunity."

The Board's Biggest Challenge

"Our biggest challenge is finding more value for our members. We have to keep growing our membership responsibly based on our values and ethics. We must continue to grow and support new revenue streams. We must help guide our members toward more clinically based revenue opportunities."

How Do You Feel About Your Son, Connor,

Following in Your Footsteps?

"When Connor first expressed a desire to become a pharmacist, I was apprehensive to say the least. Independent pharmacy was moving in a negative direction. Connor’s inclusion has brought joy, pride, stress, and self-reflection. He has pushed me to be better, to search out new opportunities and fight harder for my profession. I could not be prouder of the pharmacist and man he is becoming."

Russell hauling hay at his family's ranch in North Texas.



What Do You Enjoy Most About Being an Independent Owner?

"I would love to say it is about growing our business or becoming more involved in advocacy, but it is always about the customer. I am in my hometown. Taking care of friends and relatives brings me the most joy."

Advocacy Engagement is Critical

"I am passionate about our advocacy efforts. My good friend John Hickman brought me into the political world, sometimes kicking and screaming. Advocacy gives us the best chance to shape our profession and create more opportunities. We must fight for our profession and its future. Advocacy is the best way to leave our profession better than we found it."

What are Your Favorite Things to Do Outside Work?

"I love spending time with my family. I enjoy playing golf and disc golf with my boys, Jarrett and Connor; traveling to see my daughter, Taylor, in North Carolina; and working on projects and traveling with my wife, Reneé."

What's Interesting About You That Most Pharmacists Wouldn’t Know?

"I originally wanted to farm and ranch like my family. I spent most of my youth raising show cattle, cutting hay and helping with the family wheat and peanut operations."

Training Preps Griggs, Pelzel to Hit the Ground Running

APRx President Laird Leavoy (front center) and members of the executive staff meet for training with new Board members Sabrina Griggs and Russell Pelzel (back right) at the American Pharmacies HQ in Corpus Christi, TX.

When American Pharmacies Board Chairman Joe Ochoa told President Laird Leavoy that he wanted the cooperative's two newest Board members ready to go for their first Board meeting in September, Leavoy knew just what to do.

He called key members of the executive staff to the APRx headquarters office in Corpus Christi for an intensive two-day orientation last week that provided critical training on several of our organization's key functions, programs, successes and challenges.

Meeting Aug. 7-8, Griggs and Pelzel received several important updates:

• An American Pharmacies history lesson -- including the evolution to our current single-source contract with Cencora -- from President Laird Leavoy;
• An overview of APRx financials and wholesaler contract issues such as compliance and store purchasing metrics, provided by John Cooper, EVP of Finance;
• Insights from EVP and General Counsel Miguel Rodriguez on Board responsibilities and duties;
• A government affairs overview from VP Michael Wright, including state and federal lobby teams, and legislation updates;
• An overview of American Pharmacies' new sales structure, including demonstrations of important software tools from Senior VP of Sales Ryan Gevara and VP of National Accounts Nathan Rawls; and
• An overview of the Pharmacy Clinical Services Dept. by department VP Danny Nelson and VP of Pharmacy Analytics & Clinical Services Jeff Jacobs, including key software developments, Provista programs, pay for performance opportunities and RxCompass.

(L-R): President Laird Leavoy, Board members Russell Pelzel and Sabrina Griggs, and Board Chairman Joe Ochoa at the APRx Headquarters.