LAKELAND, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Last week the company announced the retirement of CEO Ed Crenshaw, 65, after 42 years of dedicated service. His retirement is effective April 30, 2016. With Crenshaw’s retirement came the promotion of company President Todd Jones, 53, to President and CEO effective May 1, 2016.
With Jones’ promotion to President and CEO, Chief Financial Officer, David Phillips, will assume additional responsibilities and be promoted to Executive Vice President and CFO. Miami Division Vice President, Kevin Murphy, will be promoted to a newly created position, Senior Vice President of Retail Operations, reporting to Jones.
Phillips, 56, began his Publix career in 1984 as an internal auditor. He was named audit manager in 1986 and promoted to controller in 1990. In 1996, he was promoted to vice president and controller, and then in 1997 promoted to vice president finance and treasurer. He was named CFO in 1999.
Murphy, 45, began his career in 1984 as a front service clerk at store #0214 in Margate, Fla. He worked in various positions before being promoted to store manager in 1995. He was promoted to Jacksonville Division district manager in 2003, Atlanta Division regional director in 2009 and Miami Division Vice President in 2014.
Murphy and his wife, Christina, will soon be relocating to the Lakeland area.
With Murphy’s promotion, Bob Bechtel will be promoted to Miami Division Vice President.
Bechtel, 52, began his career in 1978 as a front service clerk at store #0029 in Sarasota, Fla. He worked in various positions before being promoted to store manager in 1991. He was named Lakeland Division district manager in 1995. In 2008, Bechtel was promoted to his current position of Lakeland Division Regional Director.
Bechtel and his wife, Kathy, will soon be relocating to South Florida.
After more than 47 years of dedicated service, Lakeland Division Vice President Tom McLaughlin, 65, has announced his decision to retire April 30, 2016.
“Tom has helped perpetuate our culture by investing in our associates,” said President Todd Jones. “He has been able to identify talented associates and provide the appropriate training in order to prepare them for opportunity. He’s always led with a servant’s heart. We thank him for his strategic contributions to our project teams, most notably our new store design team.”
With McLaughlin’s retirement, Sam Pero will be promoted to Lakeland Division Vice President.
Pero, 53, began his Publix career in 1977 as a front-service clerk at store #0176 in Miami, Fla. He worked in various positions before being promoted to store manager in 1987. He was promoted to Lakeland Division district manager in 1994, and in 2004 his district was moved to the company’s Jacksonville Division. In 2005, Pero was named Jacksonville Division Regional Director.
Pero and his wife, Marcy, will be relocating to Lakeland in the near future.
“We are excited to announce the promotion of four company leaders,” said CEO Ed Crenshaw. “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. 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.”
The promotions of Phillips, Murphy, Bechtel and Pero are effective May 1, 2016.
Publix is privately owned and operated by its 180,000 employees, with 2014 sales of $30.6 billion. Currently Publix has 1,113 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina. The company has been named one of FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For in America” for 18 consecutive years. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s website, corporate.publix.com.
