Publix Promotes 4
Following last week's news of CEO Ed Crenshaw’s impending retirement after 42 years with the company, and the appointment of President Todd Jones to succeed him, Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix Super Markets has revealed four further promotions, all effective May 1.
David Phillips will assume additional responsibilities and become EVP and CFO; Miami Division VP Kevin Murphy will take on the newly created position of SVP of retail operations, reporting to Jones; Bob Bechtel will succeed Murphy as Miami division VP; and Sam Pero will become Lakeland division VP, replacing Tom McLaughlin, who is retiring from the company after 47 years.
Phillips began his Publix career in 1984 as an internal auditor. He became audit manager in 1986 and was promoted to controller in 1990. In 1996, he rose to the level of VP and controller, and a year later became VP finance and treasurer. He has been CFO since 1999.
Murphy joined Publix in 1984 as a front service clerk at a store in Margate, Fla. He held various roles before becoming store manager in 1995. Murphy was promoted to Jacksonville division district manager in 2003, Atlanta Division regional director in 2009 and Miami division VP in 2014.
Bechtel started at the company in 1978 as a front service clerk in Sarasota, Fla., and held various roles before being promoted to store manager in 1991. He became Lakeland division district manager in 1995, and has been in his present position since 2008.
Pero has been with Publix since 1977, when he was hired as a front service clerk in Miami. After holding several roles, he became a store manager in 1987. He was promoted to Lakeland division district manager in 1994, and in 2004 his district was incorporated into the company’s Jacksonville division. In 2005, Pero was appointed Jacksonville division regional director.
“In order for our company to have continued growth and success, we need associates who are ready to take the next step in their careers,” noted Crenshaw. “David, Kevin, Sam and Bob are dynamic leaders focused on leading successful and diverse teams. They are passionate about Publix and our associates. Their promotions will allow us to continue to perpetuate our Publix culture of developing associates and enhancing our customers’ shopping experience.”
Privately owned and operated by its 180,000 employees, Publix has 1,113 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.