LAKELAND, FL – After announcing the retirement of CEO Ed Crenshaw last week, Publix has unveiled more executive changes ahead for the company, effective May 1, 2016.
- David Phillips, Chief Financial Officer, will be promoted to Executive Vice President and CFO.
- Kevin Murphy, Miami Division Vice President, will be promoted to Senior Vice President of Retail Operations.
- Bob Bechtel, Lakeland Division Regional Director, will be promoted to Miami Division Vice President.
- Tom McLaughlin, the newly retiring Lakeland Division Vice President, will hand off his position to Sam Pero, the Jacksonville Division Regional Director. McLaughlin’s retirement is effective April 30, 2016.
CEO Ed Crenshaw said in a press release that he was excited to announce the promotion of these four company leaders, noting that he was confident they would continue developing the Publix culture.
“We are excited to announce the promotion of four company leaders,” said CEO Ed Crenshaw. “In order for our company to have continued growth and success, we need associates who are ready to take the next step in their careers. David, Kevin, Sam, and Bob are dynamic leaders focused on leading successful and diverse teams.”
Phillips, the newly named Executive Vice President and CFO, is a 32-year Publix veteran. He started his career at the retailer as an Internal Auditor, and subsequently rose up the ranks as an Audit Manager in 1986, Controller in 1990, Vice President and Controller in 1996, Vice President of Finance and Treasurer in 1997, and lastly, CFO in 1999.
Murphy, the new Senior Vice President of Retail Operations, is also a 32-year Publix employee, having begun his career as a Front Service Clerk. He was later promoted to Store Manager in 1995, Jacksonville Division District Manager in 2003, Atlanta Division Regional Director in 2009, and Miami Division Vice President in 2014.
Bechtel, who will be replacing Murphy, began his Publix career in 1978 as a Front Service Clerk. He was promoted to Store Manager in 1991, Lakeland Division District Manager in 1995, and Lakeland Division Regional Director in 2008.
Lastly, Tom McLaughlin, who will be retiring on April 30, 2016 after 47 years of service, will pass the torch on to 39-year Publix employee Sam Pero.
“Tom has helped perpetuate our culture by investing in our associates,” said President Todd Jones. “He has been able to identify talented associates and provide the appropriate training in order to prepare them for opportunity. He’s always led with a servant’s heart. We thank him for his strategic contributions to our project teams, most notably our new store design team.”
Publix is privately owned and operated by its 180,000 employees, with 2014 sales of $30.6 billion. The company has 1,113 stores across six states, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
