Publix adds board member

LAKELAND, Fla. — During its annual stockholders’ meeting today, Steve Knopik was elected to Publix Super Markets’ board of directors.

“We are pleased to have Steve join the Publix board,” said Publix chairman of the board Charlie Jenkins, Jr. “His strong retail and financial background and commitment to the community will make him a strong addition to our board.”

Steve’s 28-years of service at Beall’s started as director of finance in 1984 and led him to his current role as CEO. Prior to joining Beall’s, he started his career in 1977 with KPMG, a global accounting and auditing firm. He currently serves on the board advisory council for the Florida Retail Federation. He’s also a member of the Board of Directors of the Palmetto Youth Center and the Academy Prep Foundation, an organization that runs middle schools for economically disadvantaged children in St. Petersburg and Tampa, Fla.

Publix is privately owned and operated by its 157,500 employees, with 2012 sales of $27.5 billion. Currently Publix has 1,068 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. The company has been named one of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For in America” for 16 consecutive years. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized as tops in the grocery business, most recently by an American Customer Satisfaction Index survey.