Publix Announces Technology Leadership Promotions and Retirements Effective in 2027
Publix Super Markets has announced a series of leadership changes within its technology organization, including several executive and vice president promotions scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2027, along with the retirements of two longtime technology leaders. The changes reflect the company’s continued focus on strengthening its information systems, digital capabilities and technology leadership to support its business operations, customers and associates.
Publix CEO Kevin Murphy announced the promotions following the planned retirement of Renee Kelly, vice president of IS Application Development, at the end of 2026, and the retirement of Steve Wellslager, vice president of IS Technology and Security, who concluded his career with the company at the end of August 2026. Together, Kelly and Wellslager have contributed more than eight decades of service to Publix, helping shape the company’s information systems organization and supporting the development of technology capabilities across its operations.
As part of the leadership transition, Laurie Douglas, currently senior vice president and chief information officer, will be promoted to executive vice president, chief information and digital officer. Erik Katenkamp, vice president of Omnichannel and Application Development, will advance to senior vice president of IS Development, Omnichannel, Data and AI. In addition, four senior IT directors will become vice presidents of IS Development, while another senior IT director will be promoted to vice president of IT Services and Engineering.
The appointments are designed to provide leadership continuity within the technology organization while positioning experienced executives and directors to assume broader responsibilities. The expanded leadership team will continue guiding the development of information systems, digital services, data capabilities and technology infrastructure that support Publix’s business and customer-facing operations.
Longtime Technology Leaders Prepare for Retirement
Kelly will retire at the end of 2026 after 43 years of dedicated service to Publix. During her tenure, she has held a leadership position in information systems application development, an area that supports the software applications and technology solutions used across the company. Her retirement marks the conclusion of a career spanning more than four decades with the supermarket operator.
Wellslager retired at the end of August 2026 after 38 years of service. As vice president of IS Technology and Security, he held a leadership role in the technology organization, which is responsible for supporting the systems and technical capabilities needed to operate the business. His departure represents another significant transition for the company’s technology leadership team.
The two executives’ combined 81 years of service underscore the depth of experience within Publix’s information systems organization. Their careers have spanned substantial developments in business technology, including the growing importance of reliable digital infrastructure, application development, information security and technology services in modern retail operations.
Murphy recognized both leaders for their contributions to the organization and their role in preparing colleagues to take on greater responsibilities.
Renee and Steve have each played an important role in advancing our information systems organization and shaping the technology capabilities that support our company,” Murphy said. He also expressed appreciation for their decades of service, leadership and commitment to developing others, noting that their contributions had helped establish a strong foundation for the company’s future.
The retirements and resulting promotions represent a planned transition in leadership, with experienced members of the existing technology team moving into expanded positions.
Laurie Douglas to Become Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer
Douglas, currently senior vice president and chief information officer, will assume the position of executive vice president, chief information and digital officer, effective Jan. 1, 2027.
The promotion expands her executive leadership role across information technology and digital capabilities. In an increasingly technology-driven retail environment, these functions are important to maintaining business continuity, supporting internal operations and delivering digital experiences that meet evolving customer expectations.
As chief information and digital officer, Douglas will lead at a senior executive level as Publix continues to develop the systems and capabilities that support its business. Her new title reflects the importance of both information systems and digital operations within the company’s broader technology strategy.
The appointment also provides continuity as Publix transitions from the leadership of its retiring technology executives. Douglas’s existing position as senior vice president and chief information officer gives her established experience within the organization as she prepares to take on the expanded responsibilities associated with the new role.
Erik Katenkamp to Lead Development, Omnichannel, Data and AI
Katenkamp, currently vice president of Omnichannel and Application Development, will be promoted to senior vice president of IS Development, Omnichannel, Data and AI.
The new position brings together several important technology areas under one senior leadership role. These include information systems development, omnichannel capabilities, data and artificial intelligence.
Application development supports the creation and maintenance of software used to manage business processes and services. Omnichannel capabilities help retailers coordinate customer interactions across different shopping channels, while data and AI can support analysis, decision-making and the development of technology-enabled solutions.
By including these areas in his expanded portfolio, Katenkamp will take on broader responsibility for functions that are increasingly interconnected across the retail industry. His promotion also builds on his existing leadership experience in omnichannel operations and application development.
The appointment reflects Publix’s emphasis on developing internal technology leadership as its information systems organization continues to evolve. Data and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly relevant to retailers seeking to improve operational processes, make more effective use of information and support the delivery of services to customers and associates.
Although the company has not outlined specific new projects or implementation targets associated with the appointment, the expanded role places Katenkamp in a position to help guide the continued development of these technology functions.
Five Senior IT Directors Receive Promotions
In addition to the executive and senior vice president appointments, Publix announced promotions for five senior IT directors within its technology organization.
Vlad Ali, Christian Bain, Steve Brooks and Sunil Singh will be promoted to vice presidents of IS Development. Their appointments recognize their advancement into senior leadership positions within the company’s information systems development organization.
The promotions will broaden the group of vice presidents responsible for supporting the development and advancement of Publix’s information systems. As technology becomes more closely integrated with retail operations, effective development leadership remains important to maintaining business applications, supporting operational requirements and delivering solutions for internal teams.
Mark Roberts, currently a senior IT director, will be promoted to vice president of IT Services and Engineering. His new position places him in a leadership role focused on technology services and engineering, functions that help provide the technical foundation for business systems and their ongoing operation.
The five promotions will take effect Jan. 1, 2027, alongside the changes involving Douglas and Katenkamp. Collectively, the appointments represent a substantial leadership transition within Publix’s technology organization, with responsibilities distributed among leaders across development, omnichannel operations, data, AI, IT services and engineering.
The promotions also demonstrate the company’s approach of advancing existing leaders into positions with greater responsibility. This transition allows the organization to draw on internal experience while maintaining continuity across key technology functions.
Supporting Publix’s Technology and Digital Capabilities
Technology plays an important role in the operations of a large supermarket business, supporting functions that range from internal business applications and technical infrastructure to digital services and customer interactions. Information systems must support the needs of associates while helping the company maintain efficient and dependable operations across its business.
Against this backdrop, the leadership changes will help shape the next phase of Publix’s technology organization. The expanded roles for Douglas and Katenkamp, together with the five vice president promotions, establish a leadership structure spanning several interconnected areas of technology and digital development.
The inclusion of data and AI in Katenkamp’s new title also highlights the growing relevance of these capabilities to the retail sector. Retailers are increasingly examining how data-driven tools and AI-enabled applications can contribute to business analysis, operational efficiency and customer service. Realizing those benefits requires technology leadership, appropriate infrastructure and solutions aligned with business needs.
At the same time, IT services and engineering remain essential to supporting the systems on which business operations depend. Roberts’ promotion to vice president of IT Services and Engineering adds another senior leader to the team responsible for these areas.
Murphy said the incoming leaders were prepared to assume expanded responsibilities and help advance the company’s technology and digital capabilities. He specifically recognized Douglas and Katenkamp’s leadership, along with the readiness of Ali, Bain, Brooks, Singh and Roberts to take on their new positions.
The CEO also emphasized the importance of delivering solutions that support Publix’s operations and serve its customers and associates. That focus connects the leadership transition to the company’s broader business requirements, placing technology development and service delivery within the context of everyday retail operations.
A New Chapter for Publix’s Information Systems Organization
The upcoming changes mark a new chapter for Publix’s technology organization as two long-serving executives conclude their careers and a new group of leaders prepares to assume expanded responsibilities.
Kelly’s 43 years of service and Wellslager’s 38 years reflect the experience and institutional knowledge built within the company over several decades. Their retirements will create opportunities for the next generation of technology leaders to continue developing the organization’s systems, services and digital capabilities.
Effective Jan. 1, 2027, Douglas will become executive vice president, chief information and digital officer, and Katenkamp will become senior vice president of IS Development, Omnichannel, Data and AI. Ali, Bain, Brooks and Singh will become vice presidents of IS Development, while Roberts will assume the role of vice president of IT Services and Engineering.
Through these appointments, Publix is preparing its information systems organization for continued development while recognizing the contributions of leaders who have supported the company for decades. The transition reinforces the importance of experienced leadership, internal talent development and technology solutions that align with the needs of the business.
As the promotions take effect, the incoming leadership team will be responsible for helping guide the continued advancement of Publix’s technology and digital capabilities, with an emphasis on supporting operations and delivering value to 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.
