During last month’s Retail Operations Conference in Orlando, Florida, Publix presented managers with the President’s Award and the George W. Jenkins Award.
THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD
The President’s Award honors five district managers and one support manager who embody the spirit of growth and fairness our company was founded on. Recipients of this award have proven their dedication to making Publix better every day by maintaining the dignity, value and employment security of their associates.
Let’s meet the 2016 President’s Award recipients.
Atlanta Division
District Manager Kourosh Noorbehesht
Kourosh can be described in three words: engaging, passionate and involved. He embodies the Publix culture by serving and developing his managers and associates, so they can be successful. He takes personal interest in them and creates relationships that make them feel part of something bigger. Kourosh is fully committed to the principles that drive our success, and it shows in everything he does.
Charlotte Division
District Manager Norman Badger
Our Charlotte Division continues to grow, and Norman has done a lot to ensure our success. During his time in the division, his stores have seen significant improvements in retention, recruiting and leadership development. He effortlessly communicates clear, consistent messages about expectations, ownership and accountability while treating everyone with dignity and respect. Norman models our mission through his involvement and dedication. Associates and managers alike trust him to always provide support and guidance.
Jacksonville Division
District Manager Jeff Pevoroff
Jeff is known for having the energy and excitement people love to follow and emulate. His leadership style promotes gratitude, respect, self-worth and genuine concern for everyone. For Jeff, strategy is an everyday conversation, and the cohesion of a team working toward common goals is evident across his district. He consistently goes out of the way to develop associates and managers into the next generation of leaders.
Lakeland Division
District Manager Jason Macklin
Jason is focused on building the future of the division. He leads others with humility and integrity and has developed strong working relationships with managers and associates. Jason is always thinking of ways to emphasize Publix’s strategy by positively mentoring his team to perpetuate the Publix culture. As a result, associates and managers in his district are committed to putting in the extra effort to make Publix the premier quality food retailer in the world.
Miami Division
District Manager Patrick Murphy
Patrick manages one the most diverse districts in his region. He’s involved and engaged with his team, fostering a work environment where associates are comfortable asking questions and seeking advice. Patrick is a humble leader who has earned the respect of peers by working with pride, professionalism and integrity.
Support
Atlanta Warehouse Operations Manager Dennis Proctor
Dennis is a leader who embodies Publix’s values. Focused on retaining and developing associates to execute our strategy, he has a natural ability to hire great talent, build relationships and mentor associates to reach their full potential. His commitment and genuine desire to support his managers and associates is what helps them provide premier service to our stores.
THE GEORGE W. JENKINS AWARD
Publix’s most prestigious award, the George W. Jenkins Award, recognizes a manager in each division and a support manager who follow in Mr. George’s rich tradition of leadership, yet work in their own way to perpetuate our culture. Their efforts speak to their success and inspire us to be even better leaders. They truly embody and carry on Mr. George’s legacy.
Let’s meet the 2016 George W. Jenkins Award recipients.
Atlanta Division
Store Manager Glenn Tawney
#844, Flowery Branch, Georgia
Glenn builds the Publix brand every day with his associates, customers, suppliers and community. He believes in Mr. George’s lessons and lives them, whether he is at work or at home. During his 28 years in management, he has learned to be the Mr. George for his team by treating everyone with dignity and respect. He carries his Publix pride into the community through his involvement with United Way and March of Dimes.
Charlotte Division
Store Manager Vicki Parker
#846, Charleston, South Carolina
Growing up in a family of 19 siblings, Vicki learned leadership responsibilities from an early age. She leads her team by example, demonstrating a servant’s heart and an amazing work ethic. She understands what it takes to bring together a successful store team. She leverages her team’s diversity, balances strengths and weaknesses, and helps them move to the next levels in their careers. She is committed to her community along with her team, packing food for a local food bank and helping build homes with Habitat for Humanity.
Jacksonville Division
Store Manager Todd Long
#856, Ocala, Florida
Todd is consistently and enthusiastically engaged with his customers and associates. Just like Mr. George, Todd understands he is in the people business, and his customers have come to rely on him directly. Todd is proud to represent Publix and the values for which our company stands. Todd leads by example and passes the Publix culture on to his associates every day — demonstrating that if they are willing to put in the work, Publix will be committed to them and invest in them. He is involved in his community and coaches youth baseball in the local Babe Ruth Baseball League.
Lakeland Division
Store Manager David Jones
#6, Wesley Chapel, Florida
David demonstrates the lessons of our founder every day. He began his career at age 16 and originally planned to study architecture and dreamed of designing stores for Publix. Today, he is a compassionate leader who builds his team with a successful blueprint that combines high expectations and direct personal involvement. He sees himself as his team’s head coach, helping associates learn and lending a hand when needed. His coaching experience has extended into his community, touching the lives of countless young people as a board member for the Dixie Youth Baseball League in Hernando County.
Miami Division
Store Manager Jim Flautt
#1097, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Just like Mr. George, Jim is a hands-on merchant, who is constantly out working the sales floor. Jim is also hands on when it comes to developing his associates. Using this winning combination, he has successfully managed six stores and promoted a very large number of associates to their next positions. The community has also benefited from Jim’s management style. Over the years, Jim has been involved in local programs that provide meals to the less fortunate. And at the end of each and every day, Jim wants to feel like he’s given Publix his very best.
Support
Director of Retail Associate Relations Marcy Benton
Marcy has a passion for paying forward the same personal interest Publix leaders showed her early in her career. She learned about hard work and focusing on continuous personal development. She is the definition of a servant leader, knowing her associates and meeting them where they are. She is happiest when helping others, which extends to her involvement in the community by supporting the Able Trust and Junior Achievement. Marcy lives Mr. George’s lessons about preparing for opportunity. She continues to learn and shares her knowledge to help others build their Publix careers. Her efforts were also recognized in 2013 when she received the President’s Award.
