HME software maker QS/1’s parent company, J M Smith Corp., has named a new CEO and chairman of the Board following the retirement of long-time CEO and chairman William Cobb. Taking the reins will be A. Alan Turfe, who will head the healthcare and technology firm.
A onetime factory worker who worked his way into a career in corporate leadership, Turfe comes to the company with experience in the life sciences, medical device, e-commerce and automotive industries.
“In a pool of incredibly qualified candidates, Alan demonstrated the leadership skills, business acumen and background best suited to lead J M Smith Corporation into the future,” said board member Terry Cash, who chaired the company’s search committee. “We believe he will both honor the proud history of this organization while leading it through the dynamic times ahead.”
“One of the things that drew me to this opportunity is the longevity of both the employee and customer relationships,” Turfe said. “Long-term relationships such as these are evidence of the quality of the organization, the caliber of its people and of its service. I am proud to be part of that.”
A native of Michigan, Turfe worked his way through college on the second shift of a General Motors assembly line. After graduating with MBA, he worked as a financial analyst for GM, and, moving up the ranks, he eventually ascended into the position of CFO of GM Worldwide Purchasing and Logistics, where he led GM into e-commerce with a joint venture that generated more than $4 billion in shareholder value. That resulted in him being appointed CO-CEO of the joint venture company.
Following a decade with GM, Turfe joined Fisher Scientific in successive leadership roles, including president of the Anatomical Pathology Group. He then joined IDEX Corp. where he served as President of Micropum Inc. Turfe joins J M Smith Corp. from Fresenius Medical Care, where he served as senior vice president and chief procurement officer.
In addition to QS/1, J M Smith’s holdings include Smith Drug Company, Integral Solutions Group, RxMedic Systems, Integra LTC Solutions and Burlington Drug Company.
