“One of the best things we do is our annual service award banquets.” – Mr. George
Mr. George knew recognizing associates for their service to Publix was an important part of our culture. It wasn’t good enough to simply say, “Job well done.” He wanted to make reaching milestones a big deal, because it was. And it still is.
The first service awards
Service awards through the years
An annual tradition
Can you guess which associate has celebrated the most years with Publix?
The first service awards were announced in 1952. Back then
7 associates received awards for 20 or more years
12 associates reached 15 – 20 years
26 associates celebrated 10 – 15 years
61 associates received awards for 5 – 10 years of service and
276 associates had been with Publix for 1 – 5 years.
Today, the statistics have grown exponentially. Nearly 19,000 associates are celebrating a service milestone this year, with 92 receiving an award for 40 years or more. Congratulations to all of this year’s service award recipients, and thank you for your dedication to Publix!
“My proudest moment at Publix is right now — reaching my 50th!” — Department Head Red Fair, a 50-year service award recipient
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Service awards through the years
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It was an extra special occasion for associates who received their service award from Mr. George as he offers a congratulatory hand shake to a recipient and his guest. |
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A group of Miami Division service award recipients celebrate 20-plus years with Publix. |
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Department Head Red Fair receives his 15-year service award from Mr. George in 1979. Red received his 50-year award this March. |
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Mr. George visits with a table of service award recipients at a dinner held at Lone Palm Golf Club, Lakeland, Fla., in the 1980s. |
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Then-CEO Charlie Jenkins Jr. and then-President Ed Crenshaw celebrate another successful service awards dinner in 2005. |
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An annual tradition
Our annual service award celebrations are held each spring. Associates with five to 15 consecutive years of service enjoy luncheons in their districts or business areas. Those with 20 or more years of service are honored at dinner events in their divisions. The theme changes every five years, so no one experiences the same event twice.
Associates honored at these luncheons and dinners can select a gift based on their years of service — everything from dishes to diamond rings! At our dinners, CEO Ed Crenshaw and President Todd Jones are on hand to thank associates and have their pictures taken with the award recipients and their guests.
“I remember getting hired, and it seems like yesterday. It doesn’t feel like it’s been five years. But, when you love your job, I guess it just flies by.” — Cashier and five-year service award recipient Arielle McFarlane, #458, Oviedo, Fla.
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Can you guess which associate has celebrated the most years with Publix?
It was the creator of annual service awards himself, Mr. George, who in 1995 reached 65 years of service. To this day, he remains the only associate to reach this milestone.
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