Page 6 - Volume 13 Number 8

Donny Rouse, CEO, and Donald Rouse Sr., chair of the board, are the second and third generations to lead Rouses Markets, one of the largest independent grocers in the United States with 63 supermarkets across southern Louisiana, along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and in lower Alabama. (Photo credit: Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee)
It was the best solution for a crisis that turned out to be one of the deadliest and costliest storms in U.S. history. With the widespread destruction in the Gulf South re­ gion, Donny said the company felt fortunate with what they found. Two stores were flooded with 4 to 5 feet of water inside, and 11 others were down, but not completely out. Within one week all but those two flooded stores reopened. “Selling food and other essentials was important, not just from a business standpoint, but as a neighbor and resource in each of the communities they serve,” Donny said.
That first helicopter ride was the start of Rouses Markets foray into business aviation. Soon after, Donny got his helicopter license and the company purchased a Robinson R44 helicopter, followed shortly by his fixed­wing license and the purchase of a Cessna 182 single­ engine piston. Today, as the CEO for Rouses Markets, he says he can’t imagine doing business without
4 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
AUGUST 2019