Meet Our Team

Saul Factor, R.Ph., joined Smith Drug Company in February 2018 as its President, bringing with him years of experience in all areas of pharmacy - from patient care to manufacturing and distribution to sales and marketing. Mr. Factor is committed to maintaining and improving Smith Drug Company's customer focus and commitment to moving pharmacy forward with innovative solutions, leading distribution services, and customer-centric service.

Factor spent the first ten years of his career as both a retail and a long-term care pharmacist, giving him a first-hand perspective on the needs and challenges of pharmacy.

In addition to his valuable experience as a working pharmacist, Factor has experience in sales and brand management with PCS and Eli Lilly, as well as customer experience improvement at RxAmerica. He was the Senior Vice President of Global Generics at McKesson Corporation and was later named President, Global Sourcing and Procurement for McKesson.

Following his tenure at McKesson, Factor joined J M Smith Corporation as President of QS/1 before being named President of Smith Drug Company and Burlington Drug Company.

Brian Purscell, R.Ph. began his career as a pharmacist with Peoples Drug in Ankeny, Iowa. From there, he went on to serve in executive capacities at both McKesson and Walmart, earning recognition along the way for designing and executing a predictive replenishment system for prescription merchandise, increasing sales through market analysis, staff development and business strategy, and improving pharmacy operations with financial and business strategies.

A self-described technology enthusiast, Brian Purscell has developed and launched programs that maximize efficiency and productivity with technology solutions. He formed the nation's first electronic system for tracking of pseudoephedrine sales in a retail setting, refined the 'Easy Pay' system used to expedite the checkout process, and developed an electronic system for conducting annual controlled substance inventories.

A graduate of the University of Iowa, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brian Purscell also attended Leadership Institutes at Cornell University and Harvard Business Publishing. During his career, he has been responsible for turning around unprofitable stores, opening new stores and increasing revenues in successful locations.

DeWayne Benson has been working in the pharmaceutical industry for over 37 years, with 32 of those years in the pharmaceutical wholesaling industry. DeWayne understands both the pharmacy’s and the wholesaler’s perspectives as he has worked in a pharmacy as well as held numerous roles with pharmaceutical wholesalers. His professional pharmacy wholesaling experience includes: warehousing, purchasing, marketing, sales and regional sales management. DeWayne brings this experience to his role as Vice President of Business Development, leading our team of Pharmacy Business Consultants and providing unmatched expertise to our loyal customers.

Although DeWayne is originally from Tennessee and happy to be back home, he loves to travel and has lived all over the U.S. He is active in leadership roles within his church and loves to play basketball, softball and tennis whenever he can make the time.

Jim Benton began his career at Smith Drug Company in 2008 as the Director of Purchasing Strategy. Coming in with 25 years of experience with King Drug Company, he brought with him established expertise in sales, management and distribution.

Jim holds a degree in Marketing from the University of South Carolina. He enjoys fishing, reading, and spending time with his sons.

Kaushik Kotecha, R.Ph. joined Smith Drug Company in March 2012 as the Director of Controlled Substance Compliance.

Kotecha brings to Smith Drug Company a unique background in law enforcement and pharmacy, with expertise in criminal justice and drug regulation including DEA drug diversion training, advanced certifications in video and audio from the National Intelligence Academy, as well as advanced computer training from National Cyber Crime Center.

Kotecha is a registered pharmacist in both South Carolina and North Carolina. He holds numerous degrees and certifications, including a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Criminal Justice from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (received with honors), a degree in Pharmacy from the University of South Carolina, a certification from UNC in Master of Public Health, and a dual MSJ in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device, and Hospital and Patient Care.

Kotecha began his professional career as a uniform police officer with the Spartanburg City Police Department before returning to earn his pharmacy degree. Upon graduation, he began as a staff pharmacist at Mary Black Memorial Hospital and later become the manager and a PIC at IntraCare Pharmacy, where he worked as an oncology pharmacist.

He rejoined law enforcement in 1993 at SC DHEC, Bureau of Drug Control as a Piedmont Inspector, retiring 13 years later as the Piedmont Director.

Today, Kaushik continues to assist law enforcement agencies as an investigator with the 7th circuit solicitor's office.

His memberships include the South Carolina Pharmaceutical Association, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers' Association (SCLEOA), the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI), and National Association of State Controlled Substance Authorities (NASCSA).

As a community volunteer, Kaushik founded the Spartanburg Make-A-Wish Foundation through the Spartanburg City Police Department. He also volunteers at the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen, Carpenter's Table Food Pantry and is a member of the Nazareth Presbyterian Church.

Kaushik enjoys playing golf, running, working out, reading and spending time with his family.

He considers his greatest personal accomplishments to be his marriage of almost 20 years to Kimberly Kotecha, and raising his children, Kyle and Kathryn.

Born and raised in Newport, AR, Wade Lewis graduated high school with honors and went on to join the Arkansas National Guard in 1984. After serving for six years as a U.S. Military Officer, Wade began a career in Distribution Management, working for companies like General Electric, Poulan Weedeater and True Temper Sports.

Fifteen years into his new venture, he came to Smith Drug Company as our Director of Operations in 2004. A member of the NADDI and the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, Wade also holds a B.S. Business Administration from Arkansas State University and is honored with the title of Distinguished Military Graduate.

Wade enjoys working with charitable organizations that help children and animals, as well as hunting, fishing and recreational sports.

Brad Pine began his career in store and category management during his 15 year career at Kroger. He further excelled at Cardinal Health, Walsh Distribution and D&K Healthcare, prior to joining Smith Drug Company, 25 years in the pharmaceutical wholesale industry. Brad has been Chairman for HDMA’s State Government Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, and is currently serving as Chairman for Federal Government Affairs.