Publix Vice Chairman Barney Barnett says he is retiring at the end of April after 50 years with the company.
Barnett is one of only 20 associates who served the company for 50 years. His retirement as vice chairman is effective April 30, but Barnett will remain on the board of the Publix Super Markets Charities.
The Publix board of directors also has named Barnett vice chairman emeritus and will recognize him at this year’s annual meeting of stockholders.
“We are grateful for Barney’s 50 years of service to Publix, our associates, our customers and the communities we serve. His commitment to our culture has helped pave the path for our future successes,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “It has been an honor and privilege to work alongside him. We will miss him but also wish him well as he starts this next chapter of his life.”
Barnett began his Publix career in 1969 as an internal auditor in Lakeland, Florida. He was promoted to controller in 1977 and VP of administration in 1986. In 1988, he was promoted to EVP, and in 1998, he moved into his current role.
Barnett has been recognized throughout his Publix career for his leadership and commitment to the community. The United Way of Central Florida named him Philanthropist of the Year in 2016 and presented him with the Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award in 2002. He received the Governor’s Business Leader Award in 2010 and was inducted into the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame in 2002.
Barnett is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Carol Jenkins Barnett, and continuing to support the communities they’ve served for so long.
Publix, based in Lakeland, Florida, is privately owned and operated by its more than 200,000 employees, with 2018 sales of $36.1 billion. Publix has 1,215 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.
