Guiding a family-owned, state-wide distributor into its next phase
Gulf Distributing was founded in 1973 and has been in the hands of the Maisel family ever since. Chairman and CEO Elliot Maisel has been involved since the beginning, first helping his mother, Freida Maisel, and then taking the reins in the early 1990s. In October 2025, Gulf moved into a new, expanded headquarters in downtown Mobile, building on the success of the last 50-plus years and providing a space that can support company growth. For this issue, your author (LMF) spoke with Maisel (EM) to learn more about the company, its past and its plans for the future.
LMF: Tell me about your background and education. When did you join Gulf, and how did your career evolve into becoming chairman and CEO?
EM: I was born and raised in Mobile and went to Westlawn, Mary B. Austin, Phillips, Davidson and Murphy before heading to the University of Alabama, where I studied general business and real estate. While I was still in school, my mother, Freida Maisel, founded Gulf Distributing in December of 1973. From the very beginning, I was closely involved. I often say I was “in the business” even before I officially joined, because I would drive home from Tuscaloosa on weekends to help out during those early days when we were still a very small operation…