Jenkins retires from Publix, Crenshaw takes over as chief executive officer

LAKELAND, Fla. Former Publix chief executive officer Charlie Jenkins, Jr., officially retired last week, ceding the role of chief executive officer to Publix president Ed Crenshaw and accepting the position of chairman of the company. Former senior vice president of product business development, Todd Jones, was named president of the company.

All executives have had long careers with Publix.

Jenkins, nephew of Publix founder George W. Jenkins, Jr., began his career in 1969 as the assistant to the vice president of real estate. In 1974, he became vice president of real estate and was elected to serve on the board of directors. He was promoted to executive vice president in 1988. Jenkins became chairman of the executive committee in 1990 and chief operating officer in 2000. He was named chief executive officer in 2001.

Crenshaw, a cousin of Jenkins, began his Publix career in 1974 as a front-service clerk in Lake Wales, Fla. After working in a variety of retail and support positions, he was promoted to director of retail operations for the Lakeland Division in 1984. In 1990, he became vice president of the Lakeland Division and was elected to the board of directors. In 1991, Crenshaw moved to Atlanta to start the Publix Atlanta Division as division vice president. He was promoted to executive vice president of retailing in 1994 and to president in 1996.

Jones began his career in 1980 as a front-service clerk in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. He worked in a variety of store positions before becoming a store manager in 1988. He was promoted to district manager in 1997, regional director in 1999 and vice president of the Jacksonville Division in 2003. In 2005, Jones was promoted to senior vice president of product business development.