Paul joined Publix in 1979 as a front service clerk. He was promoted to full-time grocery clerk in 1988 and to second assistant manager in 1992 before transferring to support as a DSD purchasing analyst. Paul held several positions in corporate purchasing before being promoted to his current role in 2014.

Where were you born?
Rantoul, Illinois

What did you want to be when you were little?
A fighter pilot

What’s your favorite Publix product?
Publix Premium Vanilla Ice Cream

What is your favorite movie?
Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a family favorite.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’m an avid reader, so I like to visit book shops and museums. I’m also a lifelong woodworker and enjoy spending time outdoors hiking, camping and sailing.

What do you enjoy most about working at Publix?
I have the privilege of working with a great group of associates. It’s very fulfilling to watch them grow and succeed in their roles.

What’s your proudest moment?
Without a doubt, that would have to be the birth of my two children, Erin and Josef. They have both grown up to be wonderful people, and I am very proud of them.

What hasn’t changed about Publix since you started?
The sense of family, ownership and service — the most important part of our company’s culture. These are as critical and relevant today as when George Jenkins opened his first store.

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What’s your favorite book?
To Kill a Mockingbird

What’s your favorite music?
I have very eclectic taste in music. I mostly listen to classical, 60s rock or folk music.

What’s your guilty pleasure?
I love listening to National Public Radio and am an avid podcast listener. You won’t find any music on my iPhone, but you will find dozens of hours of different podcasts on a variety of topics.

What brought you to Publix?
I began to work at Publix to support myself while attending college. Like many, I was just looking for a job but was lucky enough to find a rewarding career.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love the fact that every day brings a new set of challenges. It’s what makes me look forward to coming to work when I get up in the morning. There is nothing so invigorating or life-affirming than overcoming whatever obstacles stand between you and your goals.

What has changed the most about Publix since you started?
Technology, of course! It’s amazing how much information technology has changed during the course of my career. And the best thing is we’ve been able to leverage a much more detailed understanding of our business and our market to better serve our customers’ needs, whether by producing a better planogram, ensuring we have product on the shelf or providing nutritional information on the products we sell.

What’s your favorite Publix memory?
The day Jim Lobinsky, who was in charge of our corporate purchasing department at the time, came in to my office and asked me to join his department. Who knew that would lead to a long, challenging yet rewarding career in purchasing.

What’s your work or life philosophy?
I have several principles I try to live by:

• Hard work is its own reward.
• Multiple projects lead to multiple successes.
• Understand the difference between what you want and what you need.
• Never stop thinking. Question everything.
• Face your fears head on.