I’ve talked about so many topics over the last eight years, but for my last column as CEO, I want to emphasize what a wonderful 42 years I’ve had as a Publix associate.
You’ve heard people say you should love what you do, and I must say I always have. In all the years I’ve worked here, I’ve always looked forward to coming to work — even when faced with difficult or unpleasant tasks. And you know why? It’s because of all of you. I just love being around Publix people.
When I think back over the years, my first memories won’t be about what we accomplished
— they will be about the people I worked with who I got to know so well. Many of them helped me throughout my career because they wanted to see me succeed. They supported me.
As many of you believe, our personal success is largely dependent on the people around us.
Thank you all for helping support me. You all mean so much to me. You’re my family, and I know how special we are to have almost 180,000 associates working toward a common goal — to meet our mission.
We have enjoyed successes, even through difficult times, and have emerged a stronger
company together, and for that, I’m grateful. But I don’t take credit for the success Publix has seen — it’s because of the efforts from each one of you.
In the next stage of my career, I’m fortunate that I’ll get to stay close to Publix. I’m retiring
from the day-to-day tasks and will focus on board of directors’ responsibilities. And I’m excited that I can stay involved with our company and our people. I will still be available to your new CEO and President Todd Jones.
Todd will make us proud
It’s impossible for any leader to meet every Publix associate, so I want to share with you why I know you’re in good hands with Todd.
Todd started his Publix career at the age of 16. Like many of us, Publix was a good first job. And like others, the longer we worked here, the more we liked it. And so we stayed. But Todd was special; he touched just about every job in the store. And if he didn’t, he learned as much as he could about it.
He’s a continuous learner, a thinker, a hard worker, but most of all, he’s a competitor who
doesn’t like to lose. He also has the qualities of great leaders. Todd has been blessed with vision — with his experience and ability to digest information, he can see where the business needs to go. He has integrity and will always work to do the right thing.
Todd is compassionate and values each of you and wants to see you grow. He will do everything he can to make sure everyone is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
But like me, he can’t do it alone. Todd and his team of leaders will need the same support I enjoyed over the last 42 years.
By all of you doing your part to make Publix successful, I know we will continue to do great things. I can’t wait to see where Publix goes in the future. Thank you for the memories.
Ed Crenshaw
CEO
