Sponsored By

Publix promotes pair of finance executives

Chris Mesa, Doug Stalbaum move up to vice president roles

Russell Redman

November 12, 2021

2 Min Read
Publix_food_pharmacy_storefront_1.jpg
With their appointments as VP/controllers at Publix, Mesa and Stalbaum will take on expanded finance and support roles.Publix

Publix Super Markets has elevated two directors in its finance department, Chris Mesa and Doug Stalbaum, to the title of vice president and controller.

Plans call for Mesa and Stalbaum promotions to go into effect on Jan. 1, Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix said this week. Currently, Mesa serves as director of tax and treasury and Stalbaum as director of business analysis.

Chris Mesa-Publix.jpgIn the new post, Mesa (left) will be responsible for merchandise and DSD payables and accounts receivable, along with his current tax and treasury functions, according to Publix. Likewise, in addition to his current information systems and pharmacy support functions, Stalbaum will oversee the financial reporting process, store banking functions and expense payables in moving to his new position.

“We are excited to announce the promotions of Chris and Doug. Their financial knowledge and commitment to providing premier service to our stores make them valuable members of our team,” Publix CEO Todd Jones said in a statement. “For our company to have continued success and growth, we need dedicated associates who are ready to take the next step in their Publix careers. We look forward to seeing all they will accomplish in their new roles.” 

Doug Stalbaum-Publix.jpgThe 42-year-old Stalbaum (left) joined Publix in 2019 as director of Business Analysis and reporting. He came to the company after serving as director of finance for over three years at furniture retailer Rooms To Go. Prior to that, he was controller at Checkers Drive-In Restaurants for nearly six years and served as senior audit manager at accounting firm KPMG for almost eight years.

Mesa, 51, started his career at Publix in 1986 as a front service clerk in Tampa, Fla and then transferred to support as a clerk in the treasury department in 1993. He worked in various positions within tax and treasury before being promoted to senior tax manager in 2004, followed by director of tax in 2015 and to his current position in 2018.

An employee-owned company, Publix has a workforce of more than 225,000 people and operates 1,285 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

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News