Walgreens Names New CIO

Walgreens has promoted Steve Turner to vice president and chief information officer, effective April 1. The appointment comes shortly after the announcement that current CIO Abhi Dhar would leave the company this month.

Dhar was named CIO in late 2014 after serving five years as chief technology officer. He's been credited with guiding Walgreens' digital transformation, including the launch of the retailer's highly successful mobile app. He's leaving to launch a digital marketing startup that will provide "a platform for retail location operators to connect with consumers using their mobile phones,” according to his profile on LinkedIn. 

Turner has more than 20 years experience in digital business operations, data & analytics, infrastructure engineering, software development, IT security, product delivery and quality assurance. He's been with Walgreens since 2009, most recently heading up technology infrastructure and operations. Over the next month, he will work closely with Dhar to transition responsibilities.

Shortly after the news broke, Walgreens revealed that it also had filled the top-level position being vacated by Linda Filler, president of retail products and chief merchandising and marketing officer, by promoting Adam Holyk to chief marketing officer and Joe Hartsig to chief merchandising officer. Filler's departure was announced in February. The appointments were first reported by Drug Store News.

Holyk had been serving on the Walgreens Boots Alliance corporate strategy team. He joined Walgreens in 2011 to lead the customer insights group. His background includes time at shopper analytics agency dunnhumby and Canadian retailer Shoppers Drug Mart.

Hartsig came on board in 2015 as group VP of merchandising strategic projects. His resume includes time as as chief merchandising and marketing officer for wholesaler Essendant and SVP of merchandising for Sam's Club.