LAKELAND, FL - Publix has its eye on the retail prize, and as it lays the groundwork for future expansion initiatives, the retailer has announced the promotion of three of its leaders. In the company’s most recent executive shakeup, Kyle Davis has been promoted to Vice President of Distribution, Chris Haake was promoted to Vice President of Replenishment and Purchasing Support, and Merriann Metz was named Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary.

Davis began his career at the Miami, Florida, warehouse in 1988 and worked in various positions before being promoted to Superintendent of the Boynton Beach warehouse in 1994, Jacksonville produce warehouse Superintendent and Jacksonville Distribution Manager in 1997, and Deerfield Beach Distribution Manager in 2004. According to a press release, Davis was promoted to his former position, Director of Warehousing, in 2007, overseeing various warehouse operations across Publix’s geographical footprint.

As he takes on his new role, Davis will be responsible for overseeing the Atlanta, Georgia; Jacksonville, Florida; and McCalla, Alabama, distribution centers, as well as the retailer’s newest distribution center, which is projected to open in the third quarter of 2022 in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Also receiving a recent promotion is Haake, the current Business Development Director of Grocery Retail Support.

Haake will be stepping into the role of Vice President of Replenishment and Purchasing Support. Haake has worked in various positions since joining the company as a Front Service Clerk in 1987 and was promoted to Buyer in 2000. In 2004, Haake took on the role of Category Manager, and Business Development Director later in 2009. He was promoted to his current position in 2019.

In his new role, Haake will be responsible for supply chain forecasting and replenishment, emerging business, private label development, and space management.

Rounding out the recent executive promotions is Merriann Metz, who was promoted from Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary to Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Metz will be tasked with the strategic oversight of legal, compliance, environmental, and sustainability programs, and risk management for the company.

Metz began her Publix career in 2006, where she worked as an attorney in the legal department. In 2010, she was promoted to Assistant General Counsel, and then to Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary in 2016. In 2019, she stepped into her current position. Prior to joining the Publix team, Metz graduated from Stetson University College and worked as an attorney with the Lowndes Drosdick law firm in Orlando, Florida.

All of the recent promotions are effective January 1, 2022.

“We are excited to announce the promotions of Kyle, Chris, and Merriann,” said Chief Executive Officer Todd Jones. “For our company to have continued success and growth, we need dedicated associates who are ready to take the next step in their Publix careers. These promotions continue to perpetuate our Publix culture of developing associates by preparing them for opportunity. We look forward to seeing all they will accomplish in their new roles.”

Congratulations to all three of these leaders on their recent accomplishments!

Publix