Apple retail executive quits to spend time with family

Apple retail Vice President Jerry McDougal, an executive once considered a contender for the job running the company’s chain of stores, is departing.

Jim Bean, a vice president in Apple’s finance division, is moving over to support the retail effort as McDougal moves on, Steve Dowling, a spokesman for Apple, said in an interview.

“Retail has an incredibly strong network of leaders at the store and regional level,” Dowling said. “Jim has been at Apple for 15 years and is a great leader who understands our culture and focus on customer service.”

McDougal was a long-time deputy of former retail head Ron Johnson, who left in 2011 to run J.C. Penney. He also worked for Johnson’s successor, John Browett, who was dismissed in October. Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook continues to seek a new senior vice president to run the company’s retail operations, according to Dowling.

McDougal’s departure was previously reported by ifoAppleStore.com, a blog dedicated to Apple’s retail stores. Bloomberg