LAKELAND, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--During its annual meeting of stockholders today, Publix stockholders elected Jennifer Jenkins to the Publix board of directors, and Barney Barnett, Jane Finley and Charlie Jenkins Jr. retired from the board. The board also named Barnett as Vice Chairman Emeritus.

“I’m excited to have Jennifer join the Publix family. She will be a valuable addition to our board,” said Publix Chairman of the Board Ed Crenshaw.

Jennifer Jenkins is Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Center for the Study of the Public Domain at Duke University Law School, where she has worked since 2002. Prior to joining Duke, she was a legal associate at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton from 2000 to 2002. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Duke University Law School in 1997. Jenkins currently resides in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Crenshaw also recognized the retiring board members.

“Our retiring board members have served with unselfish dedication,” said Crenshaw. “Their efforts have contributed substantially to our growth, success and reputation, and I thank them for their commitment through the years.”

Barnett has served on the board for 34 years, and Finley has served for 10 years. Jenkins Jr. is Chairman Emeritus and has served on the board for 45 years.

Publix is privately owned and operated by its more than 200,000 employees, with 2018 sales of $36.1 billion. Currently, Publix has 1,215 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. The company has been named one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for 22 consecutive years, and ranked No. 1 on Fortune’s inaugural Best Big Companies list. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s website, corporate.publix.com.