Publix Super Markets has announced 10 officer promotions across its technology, industrial operations and finance divisions, including the elevation of Chief Information Officer Laurie Douglas to executive vice president, chief information and digital officer.
The changes, announced October 14 by Publix CEO Kevin Murphy, will take effect January 1, 2027, and follow the retirement or planned retirement of three longtime executives with a combined 124 years of service.
The leadership restructuring includes expanded responsibilities for digital technology, omnichannel operations, data and artificial intelligence, along with succession appointments overseeing the company’s manufacturing, distribution and transportation operations.
Douglas to Lead Technology and Digital Operations
Douglas, 63, currently senior vice president and chief information officer, will assume the newly announced title of executive vice president, chief information and digital officer.
She joined Publix in 2006 as senior vice president and CIO. In 2019, she took on additional responsibility for the company’s digital, mobile and omnichannel capabilities as chief digital officer.
Erik Katenkamp, 55, currently vice president of omnichannel and application development, will be promoted to senior vice president of information systems development, omnichannel, data and AI.
Katenkamp joined Publix in 1995 as an industrial engineer in manufacturing before moving into information systems in 1999. He became vice president of application development in 2013 and assumed his current position in 2017.
The company also announced five additional technology promotions. Senior IT Directors Vlad Ali, Christian Bain, Steve Brooks and Sunil Singh will become vice presidents of information systems development, while Senior IT Director Mark Roberts will become vice president of IT services and engineering.
The appointments follow two retirements within the technology organization.
Renee Kelly, 65, vice president of information systems application development, will retire at the end of 2026 after 43 years with Publix. She joined the company as a programmer in 1983 and has held her current position since 2013.
Steve Wellslager, 60, vice president of information systems technology and security, retired at the end of August after 38 years. He joined Publix as a programmer in 1988 and became vice president in 2013.
Murphy credited both executives with helping develop the company’s information systems infrastructure and leadership talent.
“Renee and Steve have each played an important role in advancing our information systems organization and shaping the technology capabilities that support our company,” Murphy said.
The technology appointments place digital commerce, data and AI among the explicitly identified responsibilities of Publix’s senior information systems leadership, reflecting the growing importance of those capabilities to supermarket operations.
Lester to Succeed Smith in Industrial Operations
Publix also announced that Mike Smith, 67, senior vice president of industrial operations, will retire at the end of 2026 after 43 years with the company.
Smith began his Publix career in 1983 as a rail dock associate and advanced through purchasing and manufacturing positions. He became vice president of manufacturing in 2005 and was promoted to senior vice president of industrial operations in 2013.
Mike Lester, 61, currently vice president of distribution and transportation, will succeed Smith as senior vice president of industrial operations.
Lester joined Publix in 1983 at its Lakeland frozen food warehouse. He subsequently held management positions in warehousing and distribution, becoming director of warehousing in 2014 and vice president of distribution and transportation in 2019.
James Sadler, 54, currently director of transportation and maintenance, will succeed Lester as vice president of distribution and transportation.
Sadler began his Publix career in 1988 at the Lakeland dairy warehouse and advanced through warehouse management positions before assuming his current role in 2021.
The appointments maintain continuity in the company’s industrial operations leadership, with both Lester and Sadler bringing decades of experience in Publix’s distribution network.
Murphy said Smith’s emphasis on operational excellence, safety and efficiency helped strengthen the company and develop its next generation of leaders.
Stalbaum Promoted in Finance
In a separate finance appointment, Publix promoted Doug Stalbaum, 47, from vice president of finance to senior vice president of finance.
Stalbaum joined Publix in 2019 as director of business analysis and reporting. He was named vice president and controller in 2022 and assumed his current position as vice president of finance in 2025.
“Mike Lester, James and Doug have each made meaningful contributions throughout their careers, and we are confident their leadership will help us continue strengthening our operations and positioning Publix for long-term growth,” Murphy said.
The 10 promotions underscore Publix’s longstanding practice of developing senior leadership from within. Several of the newly promoted executives began their careers in store, warehouse or technical positions before advancing into corporate management.