Ownership Consultants

Robert E. Graul

Ownership Consultant

Bob has more than 40 years experience as a practicing pharmacist and owned pharmacies for 23 of those years. As President and CEO of Rancho Santa Fe Health Mart Pharmacy in Southern California, he was named Innovative Pharmacist of the Year in 2007 by the California Pharmacists Association Pharmacist and Pharmacist of the Year in 2005 by the San Diego County Pharmacist Association. He was also appointed to the California State Board of Pharmacy by Governor Schwarzenegger in February of 2007. Bob's real-world experience in the buying and selling of his own pharmacies gives him tremendous insight into the requirements of ownership transfer. That experience, along with an MBA in Finance, makes him uniquely qualified to assist both current and future pharmacy owners in the transfer process.

Jim Springer

Ownership Consultant

From working in his local pharmacy in high school to managing small chain pharmacies to a 30+ year career with McKesson as a sales leader, Jim has dedicated his career to the success of retail independent pharmacies. Since 1993, Jim has served as an advisor to the Dean's Pharmacy Advisory Board at the University of Florida, where he was instrumental in the development of the Institute for Pharmacy Entrepreneurship and initiated a McKesson Fellowship program. Currently, Jim is a member of the Florida Pharmacy Association, the Dean's Advisory Board of Nova Southeastern University and the Florida Pharmacy Council. Not only is Jim passionate about mentoring pharmacy students on independent pharmacy as a career choice, but he is also dedicated to keeping independent pharmacies independent. With a degree in Business Administration from Indiana University and in-depth knowledge of independent pharmacy, Jim is ready to help you achieve your pharmacy ownership goals — whether that be buying, selling, or just getting started.

Kim Diemand

Ownership Consultant

Kim began working with retail independent pharmacies 20 years ago as a distribution center manager for McKesson. He quickly discovered the value of the personalized care and service his pharmacy customers delivered to their patients; and has devoted his career to helping them succeed ever since. Most recently, Kim led McKesson's retail sales efforts in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where he has maintained a close relationship with state pharmacy associations and has helped several buyers and sellers connect to successfully transfer ownership. In his former capacity as Vice President of Retail Sales for McKesson, Kim was very active in reaching out to pharmacy schools in the upper Midwest; bringing panels of independent owners on campus to meet with students and speak about the rewards of independent pharmacy. Kim is a Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam with a bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University, and now he is looking for a few good buyers, sellers and students who are ready to answer the call of independent pharmacy ownership.

Karen Schmidt

Ownership Consultant

Karen began working with retail independent pharmacies over 30 years ago for McKesson. She has worked in Retail Pharmacy Sales and as Area Credit Manager. Throughout the Western United States Karen has maintained a close relationship with hundreds of pharmacists while consulting with buyers, sellers, and pharmacy start ups. She has been a promoter and advocate of independent pharmacy her entire career while working with various organizations and presentations to students at schools of pharmacy.
To help you successfully manage your independent pharmacy business, Karen's experience in pharmacy ownership will assist in advanced management of credit and lending, financial analysis, negotiations and resolution, strategic planning and training with McKesson's unique RXOwnership tools. Karen's success in supporting and guiding pharmacists through acquisitions, financing and startup needs, has positioned her to be your consultant.

Christopher Cella

Ownership Consultant

Chris has more than 25 years experience as a practicing pharmacist and pharmacy operations manager. Chris graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science and was a previous member of the New Jersey Drug Utilization Review Board. During that time, Chris helped to establish a formulary for the State Funded Prescription Plans in New Jersey. He's practiced in all pharmacy settings, including Independent, Retail Chain, Long Term Care and Hospital.
Chris' role in multiple pharmacy acquisitions makes him a valuable guide in assisting those interested in making their ownership goals a reality.