Publix Vice President of Fresh Product David Bridges to Retire, Chris Litz to Succeed
LAKELAND, FL - David Bridges, Vice President of Fresh Product Business Development for Publix has officially announced his plans to retire January 1, after 49 years of service to the company.
Chris Litz, the current Atlanta Division Regional Director, will fill Bridges' role as Vice President of Fresh Product Business Development upon his retirement.
Starting his career in 1966 as a Front Service Clerk in Lakeland, FL, Bridges rose the ranks to Store Manager in 1981, and District Manager in 1987. Seven years later he was promoted to Lakeland Division Regional Director and again in 2000 to Vice President of Retail Business Development. In 2001, Bridges was named Vice President of Fresh Product Business Development where he has served for the last 14 years.
“David has been a dedicated Publix associate and an integral part of the growth of our fresh and meals departments,” Publix President Todd Jones explained. “He has a passion for providing premier service to his customers and for the training, development, and advancement of his team. We will miss David and wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his life."
Upon Bridges’s retirement, Publix has announced that current Atlanta Division Regional Director, Chris Litz, will be filling his role as Vice President of Fresh Product Business Development.
“Chris’s experience in retail and support makes him an ideal candidate for this leadership position,” said CEO Ed Crenshaw in a released statement. “His knowledge of both facets of our operations will continue to move our fresh retail business units forward.”
Litz began his 28-year Publix career as a Stock Clerk in Sarasota, Florida, working in various positions before becoming a Store Manager in 1995 and Lakeland Division District Manager in 2000. He was promoted to Director of Warehousing in 2007 and his current position in 2010.
According to a press release, this position will now realign to report to Senior Vice President Dave Bornmann. Bornmann currently holds responsibility over grocery and customer service business development, and the realignment will allow insight across center and perimeter store, as well as front-end operating area impacting the customer shopping experience, Publix says.
