Publix Promotes 3

Publix Super Markets has promoted three executives, effective Sept. 1.

Alison Midili Smith will become SVP responsible for the strategic oversight of human resources, customer care and social media, and media and community relations. Smith joined Publix in 1995 as a part-time intern in human resources. The following year, she became manager of selection systems, and then was promoted to director of employment and staffing in 1999, and director of organizational development in 2004. In 2013, she took on the role of VP of talent and organizational development, and in 2016 was appointed VP of human resources.

Upon Smith’s promotion, Marcy Benton will assume the role VP of talent management. Reporting to Smith, Benton will oversee such areas as associate relations, associate services, diversity, policies and procedures, recruiting, and selection and performance management. Benton came to Publix in 1992 as an expense accounting clerk. In 1995, she moved to human resources, and after holding various positions, became manager of associate diversity in 2001. Three years later, she rose to her current position, director of retail associate relations. Additionally, Benton has received Publix’s George W. Jenkins and President’s awards.

Woody Rayburn has been named to the new position of VP of real estate assets, in which capacity he’ll be responsible for managing the company’s growing shopping center portfolio and leveraging and acquiring assets as investments for the company. Rayburn joined Publix career in 1993 as manager of business analysis, and was promoted to asset manager in 2000 and to his current position, director of real estate assets, three years later. Rayburn also was a recipient of Publix’s President’s Award.

“Developing talented leaders is important to our future success, especially as we continue to grow,” noted Publix CEO and President Todd Jones. “I am proud of our ability to continue to perpetuate our Publix culture of promotion from within.”

Privately owned and operated by its 188,000 employees, Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix has 1,154 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.