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Publix Vice Chairman Barney Barnett to retire

Company veteran to be named vice chairman emeritus at annual meeting

Russell Redman

March 29, 2019

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

Barney Barnett, vice chairman of Publix Super Markets Inc., plans to retire next month after 50 years at the Southeastern supermarket chain.

Publix said Friday that Barnett will retire effective April 30. The Lakeland, Fla.-based company has named Barnett vice chairman emeritus and plans to formally recognize his new role at its annual shareholders meeting on April 16. He also will remain on the board of Publix Super Markets Charities.

Barney_Barnett_Publix.pngPublix noted that Barnett (left) is one of only 20 associates who have reached the milestone of 50 years at the company.

Barnett began his Publix career in 1969 as an internal auditor in Lakeland. He was promoted to controller in 1977 and then vice president of administration in 1986. In 1988, Barnett was named executive vice president, and in 1998 he assumed his current post.

“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,” Publix CEO Todd Jones said in a statement. “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.”

Publix said Barnett plans to spend more time with his wife, Carol Jenkins Barnett, and they will continue their years of community service. A daughter of Publix founder George W. Jenkins, Carol Jenkins Barnett stepped down from the Publix board in mid-June 2016 after being diagnosed with younger onset Alzheimer’s disease. She remains president of Publix Super Market Charities.

Related:Publix sees year-end lift in sales

Employee-owned Publix, which had 2018 sales of $36.1 billion, currently operates 1,215 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.

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

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