All of our partner pharmacies have the backing of our national support team, who offer the expertise, strategies and resources our local pharmacy teams need to provide the highest possible quality of care and service.
Our Leadership
Fred Burke
President & CEO
President, CEO and Co-founder of Guardian Pharmacy Services, Fred believes that when you do the right thing and conduct business according to the Golden Rule, you empower employees to maximize their potential resulting in loyal customers. His philosophy is proven through his success. Founded in 2004, Guardian has become one of the nation’s largest and most innovative long-term care pharmacy companies. Recognized for providing outstanding client service and resident care, the company serves long-term care communities, including assisted living, skilled nursing, and organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Performance-driven and committed to the long-term care pharmacy industry, Fred is also a Co-founder of the Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC), the only Washington-based organization exclusively representing the interests of independent long-term care pharmacies and the patients they serve.
Fred has a proven track record creating and sustaining high performing businesses. Prior to Guardian, Fred co-founded Central Pharmacy Services, Inc. (CPSI), a nuclear pharmacy company that served over 1,000 hospitals and clinics in 22 states. CPSI grew to 45 business units and was named to the 1997 and 1999 Inc. 500 lists of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. In 2001, CPSI was acquired by Cardinal Health, the nation’s largest drug wholesaler and healthcare services firm.
As President and Co-founder of Sales Technologies, Inc. (ST), Fred pioneered the sales force automation market for large field sales forces on the then-emerging technology of portable computers. ST grew to over 600 employees world-wide serving a blue-chip roster of Fortune 100 clients. Prior to its acquisition by The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, ST was listed as number 30 on the 1988 Inc. 500 list.
Fred’s early career included working as a Consultant with McKinsey & Company in Atlanta and Brussels, serving large corporate clients on marketing strategy and organizational issues; and as a Brand Manager with Procter & Gamble. Fred received a B.S. in Engineering from Mississippi State University and an M.S. in Industrial Administration from the Krannert School of Business at Purdue University. Additionally, he served as a Communications Officer in the U.S. Air Force, leading a combat communications unit.
Kendall Forbes, RPh
EVP, Sales & Operations
A Co-founder and EVP of Guardian Pharmacy Services, Kendall is a seasoned pharmacy executive with more than 35-years’ experience. The depth and breadth of his expertise has been a driving factor in not only the growth of the overall company, but in the growth of Guardian’s individual pharmacy partners across the nation.
As EVP of sales and operations, Kendall develops the operational and strategic plans to spur growth, expand into new industry segments and open new markets. He works with the company’s national network of local pharmacies and their field teams implementing strategies necessary to drive success and to ensure that they maintain the highest quality standards and clinical excellence.
Prior to Guardian, Kendall, along with Fred Burke, founded Central Pharmacy Services, Inc. He was responsible for management of all field business units and developed evolving structures and systems to leverage organizational skills in a rapid growth entrepreneurial environment. During that time, he launched 37 greenfield start-up pharmacies and integrated eight acquisitions.
CPSI was founded as a direct result of Kendall’s time as the founder and owner of Baton Rouge Central Pharmacy, a highly successful and profitable nuclear pharmacy. It was while operating this pharmacy that he recognized the opportunity for building a larger company leveraging the service model so successfully employed in Baton Rouge market.
David Morris
EVP & CFO
As Guardian Pharmacy Services Co-Founder, EVP and CFO, David’s expertise in all aspects of financial strategy and management as well as effective risk management has been critical to the sustainable growth of the company. In addition to his overall treasury and accounting responsibilities, he oversees IT, business development, human capital, purchasing and legal–many of the core departments that Guardian’s network of national long-term care pharmacies leverage for ongoing support.
Previously, David was CFO of Central Pharmacy Services, joining shortly after inception to build the central support and financial structure necessary to serve the dispersed, autonomous business units in a rapid growth entrepreneurial environment. Organizational units included accounting, information systems, human resources, M&A/business development, and administrative services.
Prior to his time at CPSI, David served as President of the PBM Division of Complete Health; and established and operated Rx Management, a subsidiary PBM division of HMO Complete Health, which provided prescription drug management services to parent HMOs/PPOs and other Fortune 500 self-funded employer groups.