Publix promotes three longtime executives

Publix Super Markets is promoting three executives — Kyle Davis, Chris Haake and Merriann Metz — effective Jan. 1.

Both Davis and Haake will become vice presidents. Publix said Thursday that Davis, currently director of warehousing, will be elevated to VP of distribution, while Haake, now business development director of grocery retail support, will be promoted to VP of replenishment and purchasing support. Meanwhile, Metz will add the senior VP title to her current post of general counsel and secretary.

In his new role of distribution VP, Davis will oversee Publix’s Atlanta, Jacksonville (Fla.) and McCalla (Ala.) distribution centers. That responsibility will expand in the 2022 third quarter with the expected opening of a new DC in Greensboro, N.C., for which Publix broke ground in February.

Davis, 59, began his Publix career in 1988 at the company’s Miami warehouse. He held various posts before being named to superintendent of the Boynton Beach (Fla.), warehouse in 1994, followed by promotions to the Jacksonville produce warehouse superintendent and then distribution manager in 1997 and to Deerfield Beach (Fla.) distribution manager in 2004. He has served in his current position as director of warehousing since 2007, supervising warehousing facilities across Publix’s operating area.

Related:Publix promotes John Goff to senior VP of retail operations

As VP of replenishment and purchasing support, the 52-year-old Haake (left) will direct supply chain forecasting and replenishment, as well as emerging business, private-label development and space management, Publix said. He started at Publix in 1987 as a front service clerk in Gainesville, Fla., and worked in a range of positions before being promoted to buyer in 2000. Haake then was elevated to category manager in 2004, business development director in 2009 and to current post of business development director of grocery retail support in 2019.

In adding the senior VP title, Metz (left), 46, will be responsible for the strategic oversight of legal, compliance, environmental and sustainability programs, and risk management as general counsel and secretary. She started her career at Publix in 2006 as an attorney in the legal department and was promoted to senior attorney in 2010. Later on, she was appointed assistant general counsel in 2011, assistant general counsel and assistant secretary in 2016 and to her current role as VP and general counsel and secretary in 2019. Before coming to Publix, Metz served as an attorney at the Lowndes Drosdick law firm in Orlando, Fla.

“We are excited to announce the promotions of Kyle, Chris and Merriann,” 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. These promotions continue to perpetuate our Publix culture of developing associates by preparing them for opportunity. We look forward to seeing all they will accomplish in their new roles.”

Related:Publix promotes Adrian Bennett to VP of Jacksonville division

Overall, Publix operates 1,284 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia, as well as nine distribution centers in Boynton Beach, Deerfield Beach, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Miami, Orlando and Sarasota, Fla.; Lawrenceville, Ga.; and McCalla, Ala.