Parata Systems Names Tom Rhoads CEO

DURHAM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Parata Systems, America’s leading retail pharmacy automation provider, today announced the promotions of Tom Rhoads to chief executive officer and D.J. Dougherty to chief financial officer, effective Oct. 1, 2010.

“Tom has distinguished himself with a bold and creative vision, strategic market insights and a relentless focus on metrics. D.J. consistently applies his tremendous financial expertise to enhance the company’s performance across many functional areas of the business.”

During his 20-year career in healthcare, Rhoads has acquired direct experience in all fundamental areas of business operations, from manufacturing to information technology. He joined Parata in 2004, where he has served as executive vice president for marketing, national accounts, sales and product service. Dougherty joined the company in 2003, and most recently served as executive vice president for finance and operations.

Jess Eberdt, the company’s present CEO and cofounder said, “Tom has distinguished himself with a bold and creative vision, strategic market insights and a relentless focus on metrics. D.J. consistently applies his tremendous financial expertise to enhance the company’s performance across many functional areas of the business.”

Parata cofounders, Eberdt and Doug Townsend, current CFO, will transition from day-to-day management responsibilities, but will remain active on Parata’s board of directors.

Parata was started nine years ago to innovate automated pill counting in retail pharmacy. The patented counting platform introduced by Parata set new benchmarks for speed and accuracy, enabling thousands of pharmacies to reduce staff time in dispensing, and spend more time helping people with their medication needs. Today, Parata offers a broad portfolio of innovative technologies, and is the industry’s top provider of retail pharmacy automation, employing nearly 400 people.

Rhoads, a native of Hilton Head Island, S.C., previous industry experience includes Baxter Healthcare and Cardinal Health Corporation. More recently, Rhoads has guided Parata into new vertical and global markets, and spearheaded the launch of the company’s next-generation product suite. Rhoads is a graduate of Duke University, with an MBA from The Citadel. He is a member of the North Carolina Technology Association and the Chief Marketing Officer Council; and an Iron Duke alumnus of Duke University. He also represents Parata with numerous pharmacy industry organizations, including National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association.

Dougherty, a native of Durham, N.C., led the formation of Parata’s operational infrastructure, including accounting, finance and information systems. Along the way, he facilitated acquisitions of ancillary lines of business that accelerated Parata’s growth. He previously served at accounting firm Batchelor, Tillery and Roberts, LLP, and Digital Recorders, Inc. Dougherty is a graduate of North Carolina State University. He’s a founding member of the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants’ Young CPA Cabinet and served as CPA ambassador for the American Institute of CPAs.

About Parata Systems

Durham, N.C.-based Parata Systems, LLC, was founded in 2001, and offers industry-leading technology that improves Parata Max^® and Mini^® automate prescription dispensing with high-speed and high-accuracy; Parata APM^® expands convenience, safety and privacy with self-service prescription pickup; and Parata^® PACMED improves patient safety with unit- and multi-dose packaging that ensures patients get the right medication at the right time, every time. To learn more, call, click or visit Parata Systems, www.parata.com, [e-mail], 1-888-PARATA1 (727-2821), and on Facebook and Twitter at “Parata Systems.”

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6417216&lang=en