David Stovall joined Jacksonville-based Stein Mart Inc. as president and CEO in December 2008, after 22 years with Belk Inc., most recently as chairman of Belk’s Central Division in Charlotte, N.C. Stovall led Stein Mart, which sells fashion merchandise at prices up to 60 percent off department store prices, from a loss of more than $70 million in 2008 to a profit of almost $24 million in 2009. It operates in 30 states and the District of Columbia. Stovall, 63, and his wife, Deborah, have three grown children who live in New York. Stovall says women make up more than 80 percent of Stein Mart’s shoppers, so he refers to the typical Stein Mart customer as “she.” He met with Daily Record Managing Editor Karen Brune Mathis last week.
