Rouses Appoints New President/COO
Changes in Rouses Markets’ senior leadership team have resulted in the appointments of Donny Rouse as CEO from managing partner, and Steve Black as president and COO, in addition to several VPs who are being promoted from within. Rouse is the third generation to lead the family-owned grocer.
Black, formerly president of Lucky’s Market, will assume his new role, to which he brings 40 years of experience, in December. Before Lucky’s, he was VP of operations, CIO and CMO at Sprouts Farmers Markets. He was also VP of operations, IT and marketing for Sunflower Farmers Market, and served as the transitional executive during the Sprouts-Sunflower merger. His previous experience includes Bruno’s Supermarkets and United Supermarkets, where he spent the majority of his career.
“Steve brings another level of expertise to our business,” noted Rouse. “He has an enormous passion for the business, and key management experience at all levels from operations to marketing and IT.”
Black succeeds Scott Miller Rouses’ COO for the past nine years, during which time the grocer has pursued an aggressive growth strategy that tripled its size. The company’s most recent acquisition was of nine LeBlanc’s Food Stores in the Baton Rouge, La., area.
“Scott has been a tremendous asset to our team,” said Rouse. “He helped us grow from 15 stores in Louisiana to 54 stores in three states. He has my family’s respect and colleagues respect, and our thanks for the success he brought us.” Miller will act as a consultant to the Rouse family during the transition.
Black and his family will relocate from Boulder, Colo., to Rouses’ hometown of Thibodaux, La.
“Steve has a great reputation for developing talent and inspiring people,” added Rouse. “With his leadership skills, and the team we have in place now, I am extremely confident that we will continue to grow and thrive for generations to come.”
Rouses Markets operates 54 stores throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, staffed by more than 6,300 associates.