Publix names new CEO with Florida roots

LAKELAND -- Publix CEO Ed Crenshaw is retiring at the end of April and the new leader has worked his way up from the bottom in Central Florida.

Todd Jones, who over a 26-year career went from store clerk in New Smyrna Beach to president, will be the new Publix CEO and president when Crenshaw retires on April 30. He also is expected to take over as chairman of the employee-owned company based in Lakeland. Jones has worked for Publix since 1980, becoming a store manager in eight years and working his way up to company president in 2008.

"I've been privileged to lead what could quite possibly be the best company in the world," Crenshaw said in a statement.

"The time has come to turn over the reins, and I am pleased to have a leader with the experience of Todd who is ready to take the next step in his career. I am confident in his ability to lead our company into the future and to continue to make Publix a great place for both customers and associates."

While the company is employee owned, it has been run by a member of the founding Jenkins family since 1930. Crenshaw was a cousin of the Jenkins family.

Publix is the dominant grocery chain in Central Florida, getting about 42 percent of the grocery business, according to industry tracker The Shelby Report.

The company has 178,500 employees in 1,113 locations.

This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 12:20 AM with the headline "Publix names new CEO with Florida roots ."