McDougall Succeeds Stiles as Gelson's President

ENCINO, Calif. — Rob McDougall has been named president of Gelson's Markets here, succeeding Robert Stiles, who retired Wednesday after 51 years with the 18-store chain.

McDougall joined Gelson’s in 2007 after nearly nine years with D&W Food Centers, Grand Rapids, Mich. Prior to his promotion he was Gelson's executive vice president, operations, perishables and marketing.

Stiles spent 15 years as Gelson's president. He joined the company as a grocery clerk in 1960, working successively as assistant manager, grocery manager and store director before moving to the corporate office as director of grocery merchandising. He was vice president, marketing, when he was named president in 1996.

He was elected a director of Unified Grocers, Los Angeles, in 1999 and will continue to hold that position. He also was chairman of the California Grocers Association in 2004 and 2005.