Congratulations to the 2022 industrial operations award recipients. Top-performing facilities and associates were recognized for their outstanding work and achievements in safety, fleet safety, operational excellence, servant leadership, green efforts & sustainability, and innovation.
Safety Award
Maintaining a safe work environment is one of the most important things we do — when safety is a priority, we all win. Safety award recipients are facilities with a low-incident frequency, low-cost rates and practices that proactively manage safety and follow safety plans. The winning locations received a plaque and $500 to host a celebration, and associates at the facilities received a lapel pin.
Boynton Beach distribution center
Pictured from left to right: Vice President of Distribution Mike Lester, Manager of Warehousing Operations Jim Lahiff, Director of Warehousing Jason Bamberger
Printing services
Pictured left to right: Director of Manufacturing Operations Bill Noah, Printing Services General Manager Dennis Yarbrough
Lakeland industrial refrigeration
Pictured from left to right: Director of Industrial Maintenance John Fisher, Industrial Refrigeration Manager Bobby Alleva, Vice President of Industrial Maintenance & Industrial Operations Purchasing Randy Barber
Fleet Safety Award
This award recognizes a dispatch location for excellence in key safety metrics like preventable crash frequency and severity, and unsafe driving violations. It stresses the importance of safety, recognizes professionalism and focuses on the principles behind safe driving. The winning location received a plaque and associates received a lapel pin.
Sarasota dispatch
Pictured from left to right: Manager of Fleet Safety Russ Wainer, Director of Transportation & Maintenance James Sadler, Manager of Warehousing Operations Mark Jordan, Vice President of Distribution Mike Lester, Manager of Transportation Operations Scott McCarron
Operational Excellence Award
Facilities with the best overall performance in safety, product quality, facility culture, continuous improvement, financial results and significant accomplishments received the Operational Excellence Award and $500 to host a celebration.
Boynton Beach distribution center
Pictured from left to right: Vice President of Distribution Mike Lester, Manager of Warehousing Operations Jim Lahiff, Director of Warehousing Jason Bamberger
Orlando produce snacks
Pictured from left to right: Senior Production Department Manager JJ Dugan, Director of Manufacturing Operations Bill Noah
Deli kitchen and Lakeland fresh kitchen industrial maintenance
Pictured from left to right: Director of Industrial Maintenance John Fisher, Fresh Kitchen Maintenance Manager Michael Burgess, Vice President of Industrial Maintenance & Industrial Operations Purchasing Randy Barber
Servant Leadership Award
Our founder, Mr. George, was the epitome of a servant leader, and his selflessness is rooted in Publix culture. Associates who go above and beyond to perpetuate Publix culture received the Servant Leadership Award. This year’s award recipients got a plaque and a $50 Publix gift card.
Jacksonville distribution center Department Head Angie Keen
Pictured left to right: Vice President of Distribution Kyle Davis, Department Head Angie Keen, Director of Warehousing Bill Pelham, Manager of Warehousing Operations Hal Gordon
Lakeland Fresh Kitchen Support Department Manager Johnny Sheets
Pictured from left to right: Support Department Manager Johnny Sheets, Vice President of Manufacturing Doug Harris
Supervisor of Industrial Projects Chris Yates
Pictured from left to right: Senior Manager of Industrial Projects Jeff Denmark, Supervisor of Industrial Projects Chris Yates, Vice President of Industrial Maintenance & Industrial Operations Purchasing Randy Barber
Senior Manager of Food Safety Todd Rossow
Pictured from left to right: Senior Manager of Food Safety Todd Rossow, Conference for Food Protection Executive Director Dr. David McSwane
Green Efforts & Sustainability Award
Facilities that excelled at conserving water and energy, using fuel efficiently and demonstrating the best recycling practices received the Green Efforts & Sustainability Award.
McCalla distribution center
Pictured from left to right: Vice President of Distribution Kyle Davis, Director of Transportation & Maintenance James Sadler, Manager of Warehousing Operations Charles Williams, Director of Warehousing Bill Pelham, Manager of Return Center Operations Jessie Ballard
Lakeland dairy industrial maintenance
Pictured from left to right: Director of Industrial Maintenance John Fisher, Maintenance Manager James Walters, Vice President of Industrial Maintenance & Industrial Operations Purchasing Randy Barber
Innovation Award
Associates in our distribution centers offer innovative ideas to improve processes through the Build the Future program. The Innovation Award recipient had the highest-quality creative ideas throughout the year.
McCalla distribution center
Pictured from left to right: Director of Warehousing Bill Pelham, Department Head James Shipley, Manager of Warehousing Operations Charles Williams, Dispatch Superintendent Paul Chambers, Return Center Department Head Paul Anderson
