Publix Announces Officer Retirements and Promotions in Technology

LAKELAND, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Publix CEO Kevin Murphy announced officer promotions effective Jan. 1, 2027, and the retirements of two technology officers.

Vice President of IS Application Development Renee Kelly plans to retire at the end of the year after 43 years of dedicated service. Vice President of IS Technology and Security Steve Wellslager retired at the end of August after 38 years of dedicated service. As a result of these retirements, the company is announcing promotions in its technology organization.

Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer Laurie Douglas will be promoted to executive vice president, chief information and digital officer.

Vice President of Omnichannel and Application Development Erik Katenkamp will be promoted to senior vice president of IS development, omnichannel, data and AI. Senior IT directors Vlad Ali, Christian Bain, Steve Brooks and Sunil Singh will be promoted to vice presidents of IS development, and Senior IT Director Mark Roberts will be promoted to vice president of IT services and engineering.

“Renee and Steve have each played an important role in advancing our information systems organization and shaping the technology capabilities that support our company,” said Murphy. “We are grateful for their decades of dedicated service, leadership and commitment to developing others, and we wish them all the best in retirement. Their contributions have helped build a strong foundation for the future. Under Laurie and Erik’s leadership, Vlad, Christian, Steve, Sunil and Mark are ready to take on expanded responsibilities and help guide the continued advancement of our technology and digital capabilities while delivering solutions that support our operations and serve our customers and associates.”

About Kelly

Kelly, 65, began her Publix career in 1983 as a programmer. She was named business IT manager in 1995, director of business IT alignment in 1997 and director of business application delivery in 2006. In 2013, she was promoted to her current role.

About Wellslager

Wellslager, 60, began his Publix career in 1988 as a programmer. He was named application delivery manager in 1996 and director of architecture and engineering in 2006. In 2013, he was promoted to vice president of information systems technology and security.

About Douglas

Douglas, 63, joined Publix in 2006 as senior vice president and chief information officer. In 2019, she assumed additional responsibility for the company’s digital, mobile and omnichannel capabilities as chief digital officer.

About Katenkamp

Katenkamp, 55, began his Publix career in 1995 as an industrial engineer in manufacturing. He was named strategy team leader in 1997 and transferred to information systems in 1999 as a business IT manager. In 2013, he was promoted to vice president of application development, and in 2017, he was promoted to his current role as vice president of omnichannel and application development. Katenkamp is a recipient of the 2007 President’s Award.

About Ali

Ali, 53, joined Publix in 2005 as a systems analyst/programmer in information systems. He advanced to senior systems analyst in 2010, IT delivery manager in 2012 and senior manager of IT in 2015. He was named director of IT application delivery in 2018 and promoted to his current role as senior IT director in 2023.

About Bain

Bain, 54, joined Publix in 2003 as a systems analyst/programmer in information systems. He advanced to enterprise architect in 2007 and senior manager of IT in 2013. He was named director of IT solutions architecture in 2015 and director of IT enterprise architecture in 2019, and he was promoted to his current role as senior IT director in 2023.

About Brooks

Brooks, 60, began his Publix career in 1983 as a stock clerk at #41, Holly Hill, Florida. After holding several retail positions, he transferred to information systems in 1991 as a computer programmer trainee. He advanced to business IT manager in 2000, application delivery manager in 2006 and senior manager of IT in 2010. In 2015, he was named director of IT application delivery, and he was promoted to his current role as senior IT director in 2023. Brooks is a recipient of the 2014 George W. Jenkins Award.

About Singh

Singh, 54, joined Publix in 2001 as a systems analyst/programmer in information systems. He advanced to senior systems analyst in 2005, IT delivery manager in 2006 and application delivery manager in 2007. In 2015, he was named director of IT application delivery, and he was promoted to his current role as senior IT director in 2023.

About Roberts

Roberts, 56, began his Publix career in 1986 as a part-time associate in warehousing support. He joined information systems in 1997 as a systems engineer and later advanced to IT delivery manager in 2006, application delivery manager in 2008 and senior manager of IT in 2009. He was named director of IT engineering in 2014 and promoted to his current role as senior IT director in 2023.

Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 260,000 associates, currently operates 1,446 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. For 29 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s newsroom at corporate.publix.com/newsroom.