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"Much more than a buying co-op"
Read the history of American Pharmacies, Inc.
Our Mission
Our mission is to protect and promote the growth of independent community pharmacies by leveraging collective buying power, advocating beneficial legislation, promoting helpful regulation, common sense regulation and maximizing the return on investment to stockholder members.
Who We Are
American Pharmacies was founded in 2002 by a group of independent community pharmacists who decided to join together so their businesses could survive in an increasingly competitive market. They created a member-owned, for-profit buying cooperative to level the playing field with chain pharmacies.
Our ever-growing membership attests to our value for independent community pharmacists. Today, we remain a 100 percent member-owned pharmacy buying group run by independent pharmacists for independent pharmacists.
Our combined strength gives American Pharmacies a powerful voice in Austin and Washington, D.C. We have an admirable track record with the Texas legislature, and we partner with the National Community Pharmacists Association in Congress.
We initiate and promote legislation beneficial to independent community pharmacies and the patients they serve. We work to modify or oppose legislation or regulations that impede access to quality, cost-effective, and community-based pharmacy services.
In 2007 we helped create the Texas Pharmacy Business Council, a collaboration between American Pharmacies and the Academy of Independent Pharmacists-Texas.
Our Board and Staff
American Pharmacies' board of directors consists of elected volunteer stockholder members. They set goals and priorities, and make all budget decisions. Our staff works closely with the board, members and vendor partners to accomplish board goals, delivering exceptional value back to our member shareholders
 Mike Gohlke, President
After earning a BBA from Texas A&I University and a stint in Vietnam as a Marine, Mike returned home and began looking for a job. One potential employer was impressed by Mike and called his references, one of whom was his neighborhood pharmacist in Goliad, Texas. Like many independent community pharmacists, this one knew Mike and his entire family. It was that pharmacist's glowing recommendation that landed Mike his first sales position for a pharmaceuticals wholesaler.
A few decades later, Mike capitalized on his industry experience and understanding of independent pharmacists' needs to begin the journey to today's American Pharmacies. This included managing a whirlwind of changes, not the least of which was the orderly transfer of stockholders from APCI to American Pharmacies in 2002. "Much more than a buying co-op, the history of American Pharmacies."
 Richard E. Beck, RPh, Vice President for Pharmacy Affairs
Richard has first-hand knowledge of the business and emotional challenges facing community independent pharmacists. The 1968 graduate of the University of Texas College of Pharmacy owned his own pharmacy in Rockport for more than a decade. During this time, he became active in local and statewide grassroots politics. He took this experience to Austin where he began his career as an advocate for pharmacy, and then to Little Rock as executive director of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association.
Like all Texans, Richard came back home. This time he created American Pharmacies’ advocacy arm. By 2008, Richard was named executive director of the Texas Pharmacy Business Council, a subsidiary of American Pharmacies in collaboration with the Academy of Independent Pharmacy-Texas. He leads a team of consultants on behalf of independent community pharmacists. Richard has many accomplishments, the most recent of which is being named chair of the National Community Pharmacists Association National Legislation and Government Affairs Committee.
 Laird Leavoy, Vice President for Sales and Operations
Laird is an award-winning sales team leader who joined American Pharmacies in 2010. He previously was a vice president at AmerisourceBergen, one of American Pharmacies' Premier Tier I vendors. His degree in organizational behavior from the University of Texas at San Antonio, plus two decades in pharmaceutical sales, uniquely position Laird to guide American Pharmacies through its rapid growth. Laird maintains offices at the American Pharmacies headquarters in Corpus Christi, and resides in Euless.
 Ryan Gevara, Sales Director
Ryan's background in community pharmacy and the drug wholesale industry brings great value to American Pharmacies. He worked nine years as the Eastland Drug manager. After he completed his degree from Tarleton State University in 1998, Ryan joined AmeriSource Drug Company as a retail account manager. When AmerisourceBergen formed he became the Good Neighbor Pharmacy Manager for Texas and Oklahoma. Ryan earned top national honors as a Business Development Manager in 2008 and 2009. Ryan's background in community pharmacy and the drug wholesale industry bring great value to American Pharmacies. He resides in San Antonio.
 Chris Benest, Business Development Manager
Chris joined the APRx business development team in 2011. He has a strong history of relationship building developed during more than a decade of wholesale drug industry sales experience, with an emphasis on independent pharmacies. Chris will continue to reside in his hometown, Texarkana, Texas.
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