Jerry McDougal wants to spend more time with his family, sources say

Jan 16, 2013 10:02 GMT  ·  By
Jerry McDougal attending the Shinsaibashi store grand opening in Japan (2004)
   Jerry McDougal attending the Shinsaibashi store grand opening in Japan (2004)

A top Apple VP has reportedly left the Cupertino company after years within its retail division. Jerry McDougal’s departure is reportedly not work-related. Sources say he only wants to spend more time with his family.

Sources close to Apple are telling ifoAppleStore that McDougal, who was regarded as a potential candidate for taking Ron Johnson’s position as the head of Apple retail, has left the company.

“A key player in the birth of Apple’s retail chain and a potential candidate to lead the retail stores has left the company,” ifo reports.

“Jerry McDougal, Vice-President of Retail, said goodbye to his colleagues last Friday, sources say. His departure was explained as not work-related, but rather so he could spend more time with his family.”

The report points out that Apple requires copious amounts of input from its staffers, which may explain why McDougal felt overwhelmed after the departure of Ron Johnson and the controversial hiring of Jeff Browett from Dixons.

ifo also says McDougal was Johnson’s right-hand man from day one. A Buffalo State graduate, McDougal began his business career at IBM where he spent a decade before moving to work for PC Connection (a computer retailer) in 1999.

In 2000 he was recruited by Ron Johnson himself to handle “retail marketing, product merchandising, store operations, loss prevention and customer loyalty programs,” according to the report.

McDougal was a common sight at Apple’s retail grand openings. Pictured above is McDougal attending the grand opening of Apple’s Shinsaibashi retail store in Japan about eight years ago.

Confirming McDougal’s leave, Apple spokesman Steve Dowling tells AllThingsD, “Retail has an incredibly strong network of leaders at the store and regional level, and they will continue the excellent work they’ve done over the past decade to revolutionize retailing with unique, innovative services and a focus on the customer that is second to none.”

Dowling confirmed that “Jim Bean is moving to Retail to help support our store teams. Jim has been at Apple for 15 years and is a great leader who understands our culture and focus on customer service.”