Publix Store Manager Keith Everett was one of five managers to receive the company’s highest honor: the 2012 George W. Jenkins Award.
Everett began his Publix career in 1990 as a part-time front-service clerk in Daytona Beach, Fla. He worked his way through various store-level positions before being promoted to store manager in 2000. Everett has managed his current store, Publix at Woodlawn Point Shopping Center in Marietta, Ga., since 2011.
Everett coaches his managers to lead agile and effective teams who are focused on providing premier customer service, according to a company news release. He believes it’s one of the most important responsibilities he has as a manager.
“Mr. George had a quote, ‘Publix will be a little better place to work, or not quite as good, because of you,’” said Everett. “My goal is to come to work every day and do better than the day before. We all make a difference, and I try to help my associates grow and develop to make Publix more successful.”
Everett joins Jacksonville Division Store Manager Gary Bouton, Lakeland Division Store Manager David Tapia, Miami Division Store Manager Keith Critelli and Business Development Director of Bakery Jane Pixley as this year’s George W. Jenkins Award winners.
Each year, the award, named for Publix’s late founder, honors one manager in each retail division and one support-area associate. The criteria for the award include elements of Publix’s mission statement and philosophy. Gross profit, net profit, sales, safety, productivity, and meeting or exceeding company goals are the objective measurements. In addition, candidates also must demonstrate overall leadership abilities, self-development, training and promotion of others, and community involvement.
District manager recognized for promoting diversity
Publix Atlanta Division District Manager Bob Pendleton received one of the company’s 2012 President’s Awards at the company’s recent Retail Operations Conference in Orlando, Fla.
Pendleton began his Publix career in 1978 as a part-time grocery clerk in Coral Gables, Fla. He worked his way through various positions before being promoted to store manager in 1989. A district manager since 1995, Pendleton currently oversees 10 Georgia stores located in the Buckhead-Atlanta area and Smyrna. He resides in Marietta.
Publix President Todd Jones presented the award.
“Bob’s district is very diverse, and he focuses on making Publix a better place by including those cultures with ours,” said Jones. “He promotes teamwork by being open to new ideas, listening to others’ views and learning more before making a decision.”
Pendleton also received the 2007 President’s Award as a district manager in the Miami Division.
Pendleton joins Jacksonville Division District Manager Chad Wilson, Lakeland Division District Manager John Campbell, Miami Division District Manager Diane Schlachter and Director of Retail Associate Relations Marcy Benton as this year’s President’s Award winners.
Each year, the President’s Award is given to one district manager from each of Publix’s retail divisions and one support manager who has demonstrated success in meeting equal opportunity goals, displayed dedication to the dignity, value and employment security of Publix associates, and maintained a work environment that values diversity and is free from discrimination.
Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix is privately owned and operated by its 157,000 employees, with 2011 sales of $27.0 billion. Currently Publix has 1,068 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee, with plans to enter North Carolina in the near future.
