Our founder, Mr. George, was a visionary leader. He often talked about how the company’s success was dependent on our associates. He once said, “One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my business career is that no man puts together an organization on his own.”

Throughout the years, many leaders have helped the company grow and thrive. Two leaders who were instrumental in Publix’s history were Joe Blanton and Charlie Jenkins Sr. Though we don’t know how the nickname came about, these two men and Mr. George were often referred to as the “Power 3” or the “Big 3.” They were part of some of our biggest milestones as a company and worked hard to support Publix’s growth and success.

About Joe
Mr. George and Joe actually met for the first time in the early 1930s. Joe was working as a meat salesman and Mr. George was sourcing product for his store. But by the early 1940s, Joe had accepted a job as a meat cutter at an All American Grocery Store; so, in 1945 when Mr. George bought the Lakeland Grocery Company and its 19 All American stores, Joe became part of the Publix family.

In 1950, Joe was promoted to meat supervisor, comparable to a meat buyer position today. He became vice president of real estate and construction in 1961 and was promoted to president in 1973, where he served for 10 years.

Some of the accomplishments Joe oversaw in his career included #77 in Palm Coast, Florida, becoming the first full-scanning store in 1979 and opening the Lakeland dairy plant in 1980.

About Charlie
Charles “Charlie” Jenkins Sr. was one of Mr. George’s younger brothers. Charlie came to work for Publix shortly after the acquisition of the Lakeland Grocery Company. His first job at Publix was store manager at #2, Lake Wales, Florida.

In 1952, Charlie was promoted to the buying department and became vice president and general manager in 1954. He was promoted to president of the company in 1972, the same year he helped write and launch our Publix Guarantee. The following year, Joe became president and Charlie became chairman of the board of directors.

Charlie oversaw a few major Publix milestones, including the opening of the bakery plant in 1972 and the Jacksonville office and warehouse in 1973.