Publix VP to retire, successor announced
Publix Super Markets says Vice President of Customer Experience Bob Bechtel plans to retire March 31, with Director of Omnichannel David Finger set to succeed him.
Bechtel, 60, started his 45-year career with the grocery chain as a front service clerk in Sarasota, Fla., according to a news release. He worked in various positions before being promoted to store manager in 1991, Lakeland Division district manager in 1995, regional director in 2008, Miami Division vice president in 2016 and his current position in 2019.
The company said Bechtel received the 2005 President’s Award for perpetuating diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
“Bob has spent his career focusing on customer service,” Publix CEO Kevin Murphy said in the release. “Through his leadership and efforts, he has helped our associates provide a premier shopping environment that has exceeded our customers’ expectations and helped create raving fans at Publix. We thank Bob for his many years of service to Publix and wish him the best in his retirement.”
Finger, 47, started his Publix career in 1993 as a front service clerk in Mt. Dora, Fla., according to the release. He worked in the customer service department before transferring to the corporate office in 2000. He worked in various roles before being promoted in 2015 to director of retail scheduling and forecasting, then transferring to his current role in 2017.
“Through every position David has held, he’s kept our customers top of mind, partnering with business areas across the company to find ways to improve our services and streamline our processes,” Murphy said. “I am excited to see how he will continue to find ways to raise the bar on Publix’s service levels and build on creating a premier shopping experience for our customers.”
Publix, with more than 250,000 associates, currently operates 1,365 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky, the release said.
