Publix CEO to step down; successor named

Publix has tapped a 40-year company veteran as its next leader.

Todd Jones, who has served as CEO of the company since 2016, will step down from the post and become executive chairman, effective Jan. 1, 2024. He will be succeeded by current Publix president Kevin Murphy.

The grocer did not give any reasons for the change in leadership. Jones began his career with Publix in 1980 as a front service clerk and rose steady through the ranks. He was named president in 2008, CEO and president in 2016 and CEO in 2019.

“Todd has been an outstanding leader,” said Publix chairman Ed Crenshaw, who will remain on the board as chairman emeritus. “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.”

Murphy joined Publix in 1984. Similar to Jones, he started out as a front service clerk and advanced through the ranks. Murphy was named VP of Publix’s Miami division in 2014. In 2016, he was promoted to senior VP of retail operations and in 2019 he was named president. 

In other changes, Publix senior VP John Goff will be promoted to president. Goff has been with the company since  1991.

“We are delighted to have leaders with the experience of Kevin [Jones] and John [Goff] who are ready to take the next steps in their careers,” said 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.”

Earlier this month, Publix reported a strong third quarter, as its net earnings soared 111.4% to $833 million. Net sales rose 7.2% to $14 billion. Comparable store sales increased 4.3%. 

Publix’s stellar results come as it continues to expand its footprint.  The company recently opened stores in Maryville, Tenn.; Irondale, Ala. and Greenville, S.C. 

Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 250,000 associates, currently operates 1,358 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.