John Goff Named Operations SVP at Publix

Publix Super Markets on Thursday said it was promoting its Miami Division vice president, John Goff, to the role of SVP of retail operations at its headquarters in Lakeland, Fla.

Goff, whose promotion is effective Jan. 1, 2022, will be filling an influential role that has been vacant at Publix since the former retail ops SVP, Kevin Murphy, was promoted to company president in 2019.

John Goff

In a related move, Matt Crawley, currently a regional director at Publix’s Atlanta division, will succeed Goff as Miami president upon his promotion.

“John and Matt are both seasoned, high-energy leaders with a passion for people and helping their teams grow,” Murphy said in a release. “Their ability to motivate associates to give their personal best and deliver the highest level of service will play a critical role in preparing Publix for future growth. We are excited to see all they will accomplish in the next steps of their careers.”

Goff, 48, began his career in 1991 as a front service clerk in Jacksonville, Fla. He worked in various positions before being promoted to store manager in 2005. He was promoted to Jacksonville Division district manager in 2010, Miami Division regional director in 2014 and Miami Division vice president in 2019. Goff and his wife, Kristy, will relocate their family to the Lakeland area.

Matt Crawley

Crawley, 53, began his career in 1987 as a grocery clerk in Bradenton, Fla. He worked in various positions before being promoted to store manager in 1995. He was named Atlanta Division district manager in 2001. In 2014, Crawley was promoted to his current position of Atlanta Division regional director. Crawley and his wife, Christine, will be relocating their family to South Florida, Publix said.

Publix earlier this week announced it would expand for the first time into Kentucky, with a new store planned in the Louisville area that's expected to open in 2023. Publix currently operates 1,282 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia and employs more than 225,000 associate-owners.