Produce Manager Elias Nunez, #1480, Charlotte, North Carolina, successfully combines his career at Publix and his reserve role in the United States Air Force.
Elias was born in Mexico and moved to Miami at a young age. He is married and has a daughter. He started his Publix career in 2016 at #94, Coral Gables, Florida.
What made him join the military? Elias said the events of Sept. 11, 2001, played a big role.
“I was sitting astonished and silent in my 8th-grade classroom. It had always been a dream of mine to be part of the military, but after that day, I set my dream into motion,” he said.
Elias joined the junior ROTC program in high school and enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in 2016. While waiting to go to boot camp, he needed a job to continue providing for his family. That is when his Publix career began.
“I decided to move to North Carolina because it was one of the new markets, and I saw opportunities for growth, learning and gaining new experiences,” said Elias. “I also wanted to share the Publix culture and bring a bit of Florida to the Carolinas.”
Elias is currently a staff sergeant, taking care of food, lodging and fitness operations. He recently became a CPR instructor and got a special assignment to be responsible for readiness within his unit. His major task is to make sure his squadron is up to date on all requirements and ready to be deployed anywhere in the world in no more than 72 hours.
“I have yet to be deployed overseas, but I have been in different states across the country,” Elias said. “I have built relationships with my airmen and sister branches including the Marines, Navy, Space Force and Coast Guard.”
Elias said Publix honors our veterans and active-duty members alike. He is truly grateful to work for such a wonderful company.
Elias has a deep devotion to his faith and lives by Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”
He enjoys life to its fullest and during his free time enjoys being outdoors, listening to music, watching shows and movies, playing the piano and, of course, eating good food!
Publix is a family — a big, 240,000-person one — with backgrounds from across the country and around the world. This article is part of a series featuring associates from a variety of backgrounds, age groups and cultures, and we love sharing their successes. We hope our articles help you learn a little more about your fellow associates who make up our Publix family.
