PALM BEACH, Fla. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has recognized past chair Randy Edeker with the industry’s highest honor: the Sheldon W. Fantle Lifetime Achievement Award.

Edeker served as chair of NACDS from 2015 to 2016. At Hy-Vee, which he joined as a part-time employee, he held the titles of chairman, chief executive officer and president of Hy-Vee Inc. from 2009 to 2022. He currently serves as Hy-Vee’s executive chairman.

In presenting the award, new NACDS chair Kevin Host said: “Our awardee is an amazing industry leader and colleague. Randy, we are honored to recognize you as one of the most influential leaders in our ­industry.”

“Randy has been a champion of empowering employees to make decisions focused on the consumer, on giving back to the communities where Hy-Vee operates stores, and on being a company of great purpose,” said Host, senior vice president of pharmacy at Walmart. Last year, Hy-Vee donated more than $57 million to local nonprofits, he noted.

“During Randy’s tenure, he transformed Hy-Vee from a regional grocer into a nationally recognized retail brand,” Host added. “The company doubled in size under his leadership, and today operates more than 550 business units across the ­Midwest.

“Randy has been particularly focused on expanding Hy-Vee’s health and wellness offerings. His many accomplishments include: opening Hy-Vee’s first pharmacy fulfillment center; launching Vivid Clear Rx; acquiring Amber Specialty Pharmacy; establishing a fleet of mobile health units; developing Hy-Vee’s loyalty program; and establishing Hy-Vee’s state-of-the-art retail media network, Red Media.”

NACDS president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson said that throughout Edeker’s time on the NACDS board and as chair, “Randy has been completely engaged in every aspect of the association’s success — from NACDS’ one-of-a-kind meetings and conferences, to robust public policy issues that directly impact pharmacies and the communities they serve, to helping shape the strategic direction of NACDS.”

“NACDS is appreciative of Randy’s leadership, and we thank him for his exceptional service to the industry, particularly as we embrace this era of exponential change for retail, for health care, and for health and wellness innovation,” Anderson added.