Chris began his Publix career in 1987 as a front service clerk in St. Augustine, Florida. He worked his way up to assistant store manager before becoming a merchandiser in 1998. Chris transferred to the corporate office in 1999 as a buyer and was promoted to category manager in 2004. He was promoted to his current position in 2009.

Where were you born?
Orlando, Florida

What did you want to be when you were little?
I loved drawing houses and buildings, and wanted to be an architect.

What brought you to Publix?
My family had always shopped at Publix when I was growing up, so on my 16th birthday, I went down to the store and applied and was hired on the spot.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love working with other departments to develop and deliver new processes and systems that make things easier for our associates and suppliers.

What’s your favorite Publix memory?
Opening our first store outside Florida, #412 [Savannah, Georgia]. I had transferred from a store in Gainesville, Florida, to pursue this opportunity, and it was well worth it.

What’s your favorite Publix product?
Publix Deli Buffalo Chicken Tender Sub

What’s your favorite book?
Anything by Malcolm Gladwell. I’m currently reading David and Goliath.

What’s your guilty pleasure?
Watching Netflix original series

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What do you enjoy most about working at Publix?
The family atmosphere. Everyone cares about one another, and we all know each other so well. It’s not just a job. This really is the best company to work for.

What has changed the most about Publix since you started?
Because of new technology, everything is better and easier. We’ve reduced a lot of the manual labor, which allows us more time to develop new ideas.

What hasn’t changed about Publix since you started?
The culture. Everybody is here to help everyone else, and no one person is more important than another.

What’s your proudest moment?
After we opened our first Publix GreenWise Market [#1157, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida], Charlie Jenkins Jr. called me into his office, along with a couple of others, to thank me for all my effort. It was a great moment.

What’s your favorite music?
I don’t really have a favorite type of music. I mostly listen to podcasts.

What is your favorite movie?
The Godfather series

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to golf with my family or go to Disney World.