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Two Publix VPs to retire, another appointed

Gino DiGrazia to step down at year’s end, Linda Kane next year

Russell Redman

September 19, 2022

3 Min Read
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DiGrazia's duties will be divided between VP/Controllers Chris Mesa and Doug Stalbaum, and Kane's responsibilities will be assumed by new VP of Benefits Administration Monica Allman, Publix said.Publix

A pair of upcoming vice president retirements at Publix Super Markets has brought new roles of three others.

Gino DiGrazia-Publix.jpgLakeland, Fla.-based Publix said Monday that Vice President of Finance Gino DiGrazia (pictured left) plans to retire at the end of this year after 30 years service at the company, while Vice President of Benefits Administration and Assistant Secretary Linda Kane, a 28-year Publix vetera, aims to follow suit early next year.

DiGrazia, 60, started his Publix career in 1992 as manager of business analysis and reporting in Lakeland. In 1997, he was promoted to director and then five years later was appointed vice president and controller. In 2012, he was elevated to vice president of finance.

With DiGrazia’s retirement, his duties will be split between Chris Mesa and Doug Stalbaum, both of whom serve under the title of vice president and controller. Mesa and Stalbaum were promoted to that role last November.

“Gino’s dedication to helping our retail and support business units understand their operations has made us a better company,” Publix CEO Todd Jones said in a statement. “He’s helped our managers make more informed decisions for three decades while sharing his knowledge and passion for finance with those around him. We are grateful for his years of dedicated service and wish him well in his retirement.”

Related:Publix launches curbside pickup for prescriptions

Linda Kane-Publix.jpgMeanwhile, plans call for Kane (pictured left), 57, to retire on Feb. 28, 2023. She began her Publix career in 1994 as a treasury analyst in Lakeland and then was promoted to manager of business analysis in 1997 and to director of benefits administration in 1998. In 2000, she was elevated to assistant secretary and to her current role as vice president of benefits administration in 2002.

“Linda’s passion for providing premier service and benefits to our associates for almost three decades has continued to help make Publix a great place to work,” said Jones. “She’s committed her career to providing a comprehensive and affordable benefits package for our associates and their families. We are grateful for her years of dedicated service and wish her well in her retirement.”

In announcing Kane’s retirement, Publix said Monica Allman has been promoted to vice president of benefits administration. Allman, 49, started her Publix career in 2001 as a project manager in benefits administration in Lakeland.

Monica Allman-Publix.jpgAfter working in various roles in that department, Allman (pictured left) was named manager of stock programs in 2004 and then appointed to her current role of director of stock programs in 2012.

Related:Publix takes Q2 bottom-line hit despite 9.3% net sales gain

“Monica is a seasoned leader with extensive experience in stockholder services and associate benefit plans,” Jones commented. “Her ability to collaborate across teams, along with her passion for modernizing and improving systems, will be instrumental as she continues to enhance the experience for our associates and stockholders. We are excited to see the contributions she’ll continue to make in her new role.”

Publix currently operates 1,305 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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