Publix Reveals Winners of Award Named After Company Founder
Publix Super Markets recently announced the recipients of its annual internal award programs. The employee-owned grocer recognized six leaders for the 2024 George W. Jenkins Award and six team members for this year's President’s Award.
The George W. Jenkins Award goes to Publix employees who demonstrate the spirit of the company’s founder. They were singled out for their leadership, embrace of the Publix culture and commitment to Jenkins’ ideals.
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The 2024 winners include the following individuals:
- Atlanta division: Kayla Dean, district manager, Flowery Branch, Ga.
- Charlotte division: Dan Ratchup, store manager, Cookeville, Tenn.
- Jacksonville division: Jason Parrish, store manager, Ocala, Fla.
- Lakeland division: Steve Ellis, store manager, Tampa, Fla.
- Miami division: James Gooze, store manager, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Support: Karen Hall, director of emerging business and private brands, Lakeland, Fla.
“It’s an honor to recognize and work alongside these incredible Publix leaders,” said Publix CEO Kevin Murphy. “They embody our culture and live the lessons of our founder each and every day for our associates and customers.”
Additionally, Publix honored several President’s Awards winners during the same retail operations conference in Orlando, Fla. Those staffers were honored for their leadership and dedication to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
This year’s roster of President’s Award recipients includes:
- Atlanta division: Tammy Quirion, district manager
- Charlotte division: Stuart Osha, district manager
- Jacksonville division: Jeff Thompson, district manager
- Lakeland division: Chris Gordon, district manager
- Miami division: Kevin Donlan, district manager
- Support: LaTarsha Melvin, manager of associate diversity and inclusion
“These outstanding leaders are dedicated to their teams and helping them grow their careers with our company,” said John Goff, president of Publix. “It’s an honor to recognize them for the way they inspire, motivate and mentor their associates.”
Employee-owned and -operated Publix has 255,000-plus associates and more than 1,300 supermarkets in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. The Lakeland, Fla.-based company is No. 12 on The PG 100, Progressive Grocer’s 2024 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America. PG also named the company one of its Retailers of the Century
