CEO, Loop Pharmacy & Home Medical
by Kensie Westerfield
Inspired by Ronald Reagan’s leadership ability, Christopher Sizemore grew up wanting to be the President of the United States. However, in the 10th grade, his biology teacher, Nancy Shumate, suggested that he combine his leadership skills with his interest in science and study health administration. Sizemore took her advice and attended West Virginia University Institute of Technology and studied health services administration. What she could not have known was that her suggestion would lead Sizemore to become the CEO of Loop Pharmacy and Home Medical at the early age of 32.
Sizemore’s professional career was launched when, while doing consulting work for a college professor, Sizemore was introduced to Bill McFarland, owner of Loop Pharmacy & Home Medical in St. Albans. Sizemore was later hired as a management trainee at Loop in 1999 and quickly moved up the ranks to project specialist, general manager, vice president and, finally, CEO.
The success that Sizemore has experienced has not been accomplished without some help along the way. “There were a lot of people that helped me. My wife, Melissa, made many sacrifices so that I could complete graduate school and seminary. My parents were also great influences, along with Bill McFarland. Together they have all had a huge impact on my life and own partial credit for my success. I have also had a number of friends and colleagues who have influenced, assisted and supported me along the way.”
Being a first generation college graduate, Sizemore understands the value of education and the positive influences he has had. “I looked to professors, supervisors and other business leaders to figure out what I needed to do, to see how things worked and how to be successful.”
It is his appreciation of education that helped him select a Marshall University flag as his favorite thing. “I earned my MBA from Marshall University, and I am thankful for the program and the knowledge that I gained that has truly made a difference in my career and the opportunities that are available. I have been able to do great things early as a result of Marshall University and that fosters a lot of allegiance and loyalty.”
Sizemore is also actively involved with funding research for hydrocephalus. This illness is especially important to him because his son was born with aqueductal stenosis which resulted in hydrocephalus. “My son was born with hydrocephalus and has had three brain surgeries. Currently, it is a lifelong condition that is treatable but not curable. I am actively involved with the National Hydrocephalus Association, lobbying for research dollars to find a cure. Hydrocephalus is the accumulation of spinal fluid in the brain which places pressure on the brain. My son, Andrew, has a shunt that will activate when the pressure gets too high so that fluid is released from the brain and drains into his stomach. We have been truly blessed. We were told when my wife was carrying him that he could die in the womb or he could die after birth. He is two years old now and for the most part doing really well.”
Sizemore has used his work ethic, passion, integrity and determination to go after and achieve all of the things he has accomplished. “Balance is key in my life—being a husband, a father, a pastor, an employee, a supervisor, a friend, a son—balancing all of those roles while having success and growing a business and a congregation. It is challenging and I think I manage it all pretty well.” Some may not be aware that Sizemore is the pastor of Sandy Grove Baptist Church in Elkview and earned a master of Biblical studies and theology from Luther Rice Seminary while working full-time for Loop Pharmacy & Home Medical.
Having been born and raised in West Virginia has allowed Sizemore many opportunities and many blessings. “I have been fortunate that I have been able to find significant employment opportunities in West Virginia to live, to play, to worship and to work. There has never been any motivation for me to leave the state because it’s home.”
