Publix CEO Kevin Murphy has announced two rounds of officer changes, one covering the company’s technology organization and another spanning industrial operations and finance. Together, the announcements include the retirements of three officers with a combined 124 years of service and promotions for 10 leaders, effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Technology
VP of IS Application Development Renee Kelly plans to retire at the end of the year after 43 years with Publix, and VP of IS Technology and Security Steve Wellslager retired at the end of August after 38 years.
As a result, SVP and CIO Laurie Douglas will be promoted to EVP, chief information and digital officer. Douglas, 63, joined Publix in 2006 as SVP and CIO, and in 2019 assumed additional responsibility for the company’s digital, mobile and omnichannel capabilities as chief digital officer.
VP of Omnichannel and Application Development Erik Katenkamp will be promoted to SVP of IS development, omnichannel, data and AI. Katenkamp, 55, began his Publix career in 1995 as an industrial engineer in manufacturing, transferred to information systems in 1999 and was promoted to VP of application development in 2013 before taking on his current role in 2017. He is a recipient of the 2007 President’s Award.
Senior IT directors Vlad Ali, Christian Bain, Steve Brooks and Sunil Singh will be promoted to VPs of IS development:
- Ali, 53, joined Publix in 2005 as a systems analyst/programmer and was named director of IT application delivery in 2018 before being promoted to senior IT director in 2023.
- Bain, 54, joined the company in 2003 as a systems analyst/programmer, advancing to enterprise architect in 2007 and director roles in IT solutions and enterprise architecture before becoming senior IT director in 2023.
- Brooks, 60, began his Publix career in 1983 as a stock clerk at the company’s Holly Hill, Florida, store, transferred to information systems in 1991 as a computer programmer trainee and was named director of IT application delivery in 2015 before his 2023 promotion to senior IT director. He is a recipient of the 2014 George W. Jenkins Award.
- Singh, 54, joined Publix in 2001 as a systems analyst/programmer and was named director of IT application delivery in 2015 before becoming senior IT director in 2023.
Senior IT Director Mark Roberts will be promoted to VP of IT services and engineering. Roberts, 56, began his Publix career in 1986 as a part-time associate in warehousing support, joined information systems in 1997 as a systems engineer and was named director of IT engineering in 2014 before his promotion to senior IT director in 2023.
“Renee and Steve have each played an important role in advancing our information systems organization and shaping the technology capabilities that support our company,” Murphy said. “We are grateful for their decades of dedicated service, leadership and commitment to developing others, and we wish them all the best in retirement.”
Industrial operations and finance
SVP of Industrial Operations Mike Smith plans to retire at the end of the year after 43 years of service. Smith, 67, began his Publix career in 1983 as a rail dock associate and rose through purchasing and manufacturing roles, becoming VP of manufacturing in 2005 and SVP of industrial operations in 2013. He is a recipient of the 2003 George W. Jenkins Award and the 2008 President’s Award.
With Smith’s retirement, VP of Distribution and Transportation Mike Lester will be promoted to SVP of industrial operations. Lester, 61, began his Publix career in 1983 at the Lakeland frozen food warehouse and served as Orlando warehouse superintendent, Orlando distribution manager and director of warehousing before his 2019 promotion to his current role.
Director of Transportation and Maintenance James Sadler will be promoted to VP of distribution and transportation. Sadler, 54, began his Publix career in 1988 at the Lakeland dairy warehouse, advancing to manager of warehouse operations in 2016 and director of warehousing in 2019 before taking his current role in 2021. He is a recipient of the 2025 George W. Jenkins Award.
The company also announced that VP of Finance Doug Stalbaum will be promoted to SVP of finance. Stalbaum, 47, joined Publix in 2019 as director of business analysis and reporting and was named VP and controller in 2022 before his 2025 promotion to VP of finance.
“Mike Smith’s 43 years of dedicated service have had a lasting impact on Publix. His commitment to operational excellence, safety, efficiency and developing others has helped strengthen our company and prepare the next generation of leaders,” Murphy said. “Mike Lester, James and Doug have each made meaningful contributions throughout their careers, and we are confident their leadership will help us continue strengthening our operations and positioning Publix for long-term growth.”
Lakeland, Florida-based Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 260,000 associates, operates 1,446 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky.