Publix names new CEO

Publix says it will make Kevin Murphy its new CEO effective Jan. 1 in a shakeup of longtime executives.

The grocery chain and food giant, with $54.5 billion in revenue in 2022, made the announcement Friday in an announcement on its corporate site.

And the shakeup didn't end at CEO. Current CEO Todd Jones will become Publix executive chairman, and SVP John Goff will be promoted to president. Ed Crenshaw, Publix chairman, will remain on the board of directors as "chairman emeritus," the release states. 

No reason for the changes was given, but Publix is facing increasing competition from Aldi, which purchased Winn-Dixie and Harveys in the summer, among many other grocers. 

Murphy began his Publix career in 1984 as a front service clerk at a store in Margate. He then worked in various positions before becoming a store manager in 1995.

He was promoted to district manager in 2003, regional director in 2009 and vice president of the Miami division in 2014. In 2016, Murphy was promoted to senior vice president of retail operations. He was named president in 2019.

For Jones, the chairman nod was the latest in a 43-year journey at the employee-owned chain. Publix says Jones began his career in 1980 as a front service clerk in New Smyrna Beach. He worked in various positions before becoming a store manager in 1988.

Jones was promoted to district manager in 1997, regional director in 1999 and vice president of the Jacksonville division in 2003. In 2005, Jones was promoted to senior vice president of product business development. He was named president in 2008, CEO and president in 2016, and CEO in 2019.