Amherst, N.Y. The founder of Associated Healthcare Systems will be stepping back from day-to-day operations at the respiratory company, which has grown

Amherst, N.Y.

The founder of Associated Healthcare Systems will be stepping back from day-to-day operations at the respiratory company, which has grown to nine branches since its opening in 1983.

Donald B. White, CEO of the $17 million HME, handed the reins last month to Peter Storey, who has been promoted from COO to president. Liz Woolrich has been promoted to vice president of corporate development, and Arletta Samulak has been promoted from controller to CFO.

“I'll still be involved in the business. I'm not retiring, just taking a little different focus,” White said, explaining that he will have more involvement “in setting strategy and reviewing opportunity,” including future growth and acquisitions.

Part of that strategy, he said, will be sales development that will include a new referral program with area hospitals to generate business, which is “especially [important] in the wake of lost revenues in the respiratory medication arena.”

A 2004 HomeCaring Award recipient, White served as the first chairman of the American Association for Homecare and was an early chairman of the New York Medical Equipment Providers Association.