Publix to Promote Kevin Murphy to President

Kevin Murphy will take on the role as president of Publix Super Markets effective Jan. 1, the Lakeland, Fla.-based retailer said.

Murphy currently is Publix’s SVP of retail operations; he will be taking the president role from Todd Jones, who will continue as CEO.

Kevin Murphy photograph courtesy of Publix

Murphy, 48, began his career in 1984 as a front service clerk 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, Miami Division VP in 2014 and to his current position in 2016.

The move was part of a slew of new appointments at Publix that will be effective next year.

* Laurie Douglas, currently Publix’s SVP and chief information officer, will take on additional duties as chief digital officer.

* Bob Bechtel, Miami Division VP, will be promoted to VP of customer experience.

* John Goff, Miami Division regional director, will take over Bechtel’s role as Miami Division VP.

* Dale Myers, VP of retail business development, and Casey Suarez, VP of distribution, will retire.

* Mike Lester, director of warehousing, will be promoted to VP of distribution.

“We are thankful for the more than four decades that Dale and Casey have served our company,” Jones said in a statement. “We thank them for their contributions and wish them well in the next chapters of their lives. We are also excited to announce the promotions of Kevin, Laurie, Bob, John and Mike. For our company to have continued success, we need 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.”

Douglas, 55, joined Publix in 2006. Prior to joining Publix, she was SVP and chief information officer of FedEx Kinko’s Office and Print Center Inc. Before joining FedEx Kinko’s, she was VP of information and e-business technology for The Home Depot.

Bechtel, 55, began his career in 1978 as a front service clerk in Sarasota, Fla. He worked in various positions before being promoted to store manager in 1991. He was promoted to Lakeland Division district manager in 1995, Lakeland Division regional director in 2008 and to his current position in 2016.

Goff, 45, 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 and to his current position in 2014.

Lester, 53, began his career in 1983 as a warehouse selector in Lakeland, Fla. He worked in various positions before being promoted to warehouse superintendent in 2000. He was promoted to distribution manager in 2008 and to his current position in 2014.

Publix is privately owned and operated by its more than 195,000 employees, with 2017 sales of $34.6 billion. Currently, Publix has 1,201 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.