Randy joined Publix in 1978 as a front service clerk. In 1982, he transferred to the Lakeland dairy plant. He held various positions before being promoted to utility production manager in 1996, purchasing manager in 1997 and category manager in 2001. In 2009, he was promoted to Lakeland dairy plant general manager before being promoted to director of industrial maintenance in 2013. He was promoted to his current role earlier this year.

What did you want to be when you were little?

Being born in Daytona Beach, Florida, I wanted to be a race car driver.

What’s your work philosophy?

Mr. George made this one easy for all of us: take care of associate needs and teach them how to take care of business.

What do you enjoy most about working at Publix?

I admire the Publix business model, and it works well. We’re successful because we treat our associates right and because we give back to the community.

What’s your proudest moment?

One of my proudest moments that sticks out is when I was the general manager of the Lakeland dairy plant in 2012, and we earned the Manufacturing Operational Excellence Award. This was such a significant achievement, and I was honored to be part of the team.

What’s your favorite Publix product?

I enjoy Publix Sweetened Vanilla Almond Milk, manufactured at the Atlanta dairy plant. It makes a great banana shake.

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What brought you to Publix?

I wanted to get a job. But what kept me here was seeing the opportunity to pursue a career. My career began at the age of 16, and this past June I completed 40 years of service to Publix.

What’s your favorite movie?

I haven’t seen it in a while, but I like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, especially “The Fellowship of the Ring”.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I have a sweet tooth, but I try to make it healthy. At night I have a banana shake that I make with one frozen banana and 8 ounces of almond milk. It’s a good cheat dessert.

What’s your favorite sports team?

As a kid, I was a Miami Dolphins fan. It took a little while, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won me over. My family and I are also Chicago Cubs fans.

What music are you listening to right now?

I listen to a variety, but I always go back to classic rock.

What are your hobbies?

Running and hiking, which help me stay fit. I also enjoy fishing and auto racing.