LAKELAND, Fla. - Todd Jones, the CEO of Publix since 2016, will be stepping down from his post helming the supermarket giant. He will assume the role of Chairman, while company President Kevin Murphy will become the next CEO.
Furthermore, current Chairman Ed Crenshaw will be moved into Chairman Emeritus. Senior Vice President John Goff will be promoted to President. The company highlighted in its release how both Jones and Murphy began as entry-level clerks in their Publix journeys.
Jones started out as a clerk at Publix in 1980 in New Smyrna Beach. He became a store manager in 1988, then a district manager in 1997. Two years later he was promoted to regional director, and he then became Vice President of the Jacksonville Division in 2003.
In 2005, Jones was promoted again to Senior Vice President of Product Business Development, and then to President in 2008. In 2016 he assumed the title of CEO and President, and then of simply CEO in 2019.
“Todd has been an outstanding leader,” said Crenshaw in Publix's announcement. “He has been committed to continuing Publix’s success and passionate about the development and promotion of our associates. We’re pleased he will continue to provide leadership to our company as Executive Chairman.”
“We are delighted to have leaders with the experience of Kevin and John who are ready to take the next steps in their careers,” added Jones. “I am confident in their ability to lead our company into the future and to continue to make Publix a great place to shop for our customers and a great place to work for our associates.”