Nurturing exec talent a priority at Walgreens.(Brief Article)

DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Dan Jorndt took the typical Walgreen Co. route to the top executive ranks.

He started as a pharmacist 36 years ago, became an assistant manager, store manager and district manager. He was vice president of Chicago operations, overseeing some 300 outlets, then became company treasurer before being named president and then chief executive officer.

And, typically, he credits many colleagues with helping him climb the corporate ladder. Charles R. "Cork" Walgreen III in particular acted boldly when he plucked Jorndt from the operations arena to make him treasurer, according to Jorndt.

"Everybody was blinking at that," he says. "But Mr. …