PEOPLE : Vons President Davila to Retire in ‘92; Eck to Join Firm

Vons Cos. President William S. Davila, who is featured in the supermarket company’s television commercials, has revealed plans to take early retirement. Some of his duties will be assumed by a new vice chairman hired away from a rival company.

Dennis K. Eck, vice chairman at American Stores, which owns Alpha-Beta and Lucky’s supermarkets, will join Vons as part of a newly created, three-man office of the chief executive that will be headed by current Chairman Roger E. Strangeland.

The office will include Davila, who will retire in April, 1992. Davila, whose duties as chief operating officer will be assumed by Eck, will oversee Vons’ internal growth, retail development and all marketing and advertising functions.

Neither Eck nor Davila was available for comment.

Davila, 58, joined the company in 1948 and worked his way up from sweeping floors. He was named president in 1984. A company spokesman said Davila’s decision to retire was believed to be triggered by his desire to perform more community work.

After his retirement, Davila will retain his seat on Vons’ board and remain the company’s media spokesman indefinitely.

Eck, 47, who served on American’s board and as chairman of its American Food and Drug subsidiary, will oversee retail operations, merchandising, procurement and support services as chief operating officer for the 328-store chain. Besides Vons, the El Monte-based company also operates Pavilions, Pavilions Place and Tianguis markets.

The management changes set the stage for a line of new top management, says Sarah Stack, who follows the supermarket industry for the brokerage firm Bateman Eichler, Hill Richards.

“It puts in place what appears to be a plan for a succession,” said Stack.