At Publix, we talk a lot about perpetuating our company’s culture. It’s the foundation of this great company, but it starts at the top!

Beginning this month, Publix leaders will collectively pay a visit to each store and support location throughout our company to show their appreciation for associates.

A formal tradition since the 1970s, Associate Appreciation Visits (AAV) are a time each year when Publix leaders visit each location to say thank you to associates for their hard work during the year. The visits also give leaders a chance to hear associates’ ideas for improvement, questions about the company and feedback about Publix.

This year, 56 retail and support leaders will visit more than 160,500 associates in more than 1,000 stores and support locations throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee. The leaders include regional directors, support directors, vice presidents and senior vice presidents, and even our president and CEO.

While associates look forward to these visits each year, they are just as much a treat for our leaders. In 2013, six new Publix leaders will make their first AAVs, including Vice President of Manufacturing Jeff Stephens.

“Making these visits is a huge honor. It’s something Mr. George made a point to do, and as the company got bigger, he couldn’t do it alone. So, it’s a great honor to do something Mr. George liked to do,” said Jeff.

Your work location will receive posters with the date and time of your appreciation visit, as well as information about and a picture of the visiting leader. Each work location should receive the posters at least two weeks prior to their scheduled visit.

“My goal with these visits is to let our associates know just how important they are to us and to thank them for all they do.”  — Vice President of Manufacturing Jeff Stephens