![Publix_store_Lexington_SC_201[1].png](https://www.supermarketnews.com/sites/supermarketnews.com/files/styles/article_featured_standard/public/Publix_store_Lexington_SC_2011.png?itok=RwPZMr1J "Publix_store_Lexington_SC_201[1].png")
Joe DiBenedetto, vice president of the Atlanta division at Publix Super Markets, plans to retire at the end of 2019 after 44 years at the company.
Publix said Friday that Kris Jonczyk, regional director for the Atlanta division, has been promoted to succeed DiBenedetto as division VP effective Jan. 1, 2020. DiBenedetto served in that role for eight years.
The 60-year-old DiBenedetto (left) started at Publix in 1975 as a front service clerk in Cape Coral, Fla. After working in roles at several stores in southwest Florida and Orlando, Fla., he was promoted to store manager in 1986 and district manager in 1992. Publix noted that he was named as the retailer’s first district manager in South Carolina. In 1995, DiBenedetto was promoted to regional director in the Atlanta Division, before being elevated to his current position in 2011.
“Joe has been instrumental in the continued growth and success of our Atlanta Division,” Publix President Kevin Murphy said in a statement. “Throughout his career, Joe has worked to develop leaders for future opportunities. We wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his life.”
Jonczyk (left), 49, began his career at Publix in 1986 as a front service clerk in Tequesta, Fla. He became a store manager in 2000 and then a district manager in 2012. He was promoted to regional director in the Atlanta division in 2016. In taking his new role as division VP, Jonczyk will relocate to Atlanta, Publix said.
Murphy commented, “Kris is a strong operational leader who is committed to training and developing associates. We are excited that he is ready to take the next step in his career.”
Publix has divisional offices in Atlanta (located in Marietta, Ga.), Charlotte, Jacksonville and Miami. Overall, the Lakeland, Fla.-based grocer operates 1,229 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.
Photos courtesy of Publix.
