Sponsored By

Publix Atlanta division veteran to retire

Joe DiBenedetto to be succeeded by Kris Jonczyk

Russell Redman

October 4, 2019

2 Min Read
Supermarket News logo in a gray background | Supermarket News

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.

Joe DiBenedetto_Publix - Copy.jpgThe 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.”

Chris Jonczyk_Publix - Copy.jpgJonczyk (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.

Related:Publix targets Florida for another GreenWise Market

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.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like