Publix names VP real estate strategy

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets promoted Bob Balcerak to the position of VP real estate strategy, effective April 3.

“Promoting associates from within the company is one of the ways we perpetuate our Publix culture,” said CEO and president Todd Jones. “Bob will play a critical role as we continue our focus on store growth.”

Balcerak, 56, started his Publix career in 1993 as a part-time meat cutter. After a series of promotions, he became assistant store manager in 1999, real estate manager in 2000 and director of real estate strategy in 2011. As vice president, he will oversee the selection of new sites and management of leased properties for Publix stores.

Publix is privately owned and operated by its 190,000 employees, with 2016 sales of $34 billion. Currently, Publix has 1,146 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.