Our Executive Team

“A firm, yet compassionate leader, who proactively embarks on our corporate transformation as a leading brand operator.”

The Grove, Inc. has been under the leadership of Ms. Michelle Dukler for approximately eight years. Headquartered moments away from the city of Chicago, Michelle has recruited and developed the necessary team to chart TGI’s success as a premier brand operator in the airport concessions industry.

With her experienced and cohesive team, sought after brand portfolio and strong business infrastructure, she has successfully launched a rebuild of TGI into a food and beverage brand operator. Beyond daily operations, strategic financial planning, acquisitions, contract negotiating and new development, she has carefully grown her platform as a leading “BRAND STEWARD”.

While leading her executive team, Michelle oversees the operation of fifty-two stores with fifteen brands in eleven airports across ten states. Her determination to sustain a flourishing business is no small feat. The competitive arena she found within the concession industry ignited her business approach that has more than doubled the size and profitability of TGI since her leadership started. With twenty-five years of combined executive and retail experience, she composed her mechanics of a successful business through a knowledgeable and creative eye towards building a highly efficient and profitable enterprise that can withstand the turbulent economic times we are experiencing.

Michelle proclaims, “It is my top priority to strive for financial stability and growth for my company and my employees – the latter – is far more rewarding.” Her executive presence affords a future of better industry standards.

The Grove, Inc. began with a vision, and standing right beside it, was Mr. Paul Loupakos. From humble beginnings as an hourly employee, a promotion as the Director of Operations, a previous role as Vice President of Development and finally, his current position as Chief Operating Officer, Paul’s infectious personality and passion for success rise above any title or corporate accreditation. His unparalleled thirty-plus years of airport concession experience, commands our respect – truly a concessionaire.

With the support of his management team, Paul spearheads retail development, corporate planning and strategic development. His multilayered, detailed approach of consumer observations, airport behavioral trends and daily operations supports TGI’s transformation as a leading brand operator. Understanding traveler knowledge and their demand for freshness, quality and service is paramount. As a seasoned veteran, he demands excellence within customer service. He boasts, “My philosophy has always been maintaining successful operational relationships.” Our executive members invoke contagious leadership, which, simultaneously, breeds flawless execution by our management team. Quite simply, it works for us.

With thirty years of combined retail and foodservice experience and an impressive academic record including a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting from Northwestern University, as well as a CPA, Bob is perfectly suited to lead TGI’s Accounting, Finance, Information Technology and Administrative teams. His team’s customer-centered approach provides outstanding service to its many constituents- airports, landlords, brands, shareholders, TGI management, and most importantly, the millions of customers who loyally shop at TGI locations.

This customer-centered approach begins with TGI’s point-of-sale system. This system, which has been specially customized by third-party consultants according to the specifications of TGI’s accounting and information technology staff, supports TGI’s many brands while simultaneously providing accurate and timely information as well as rapid speed of service to TGI customers.

By keeping customers at the forefront of their mission, Bob’s team has played a critical role in TGI’s development into a premier brand operator.