Publix SVP, General Counsel and Secretary announces retirement, successor named

On Mar. 6, 2019 Publix announced John Attaway its SVP, General Counsel and Secretary had announced his decision to retire effective May 31, 2019. Attaway began his career at Publix in 1997 as corporate counsel and became general counsel and secretary in 2000. He was promoted to his current position in 2005.

“John started our corporate legal department and has been instrumental in developing our legal team,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “In addition, throughout his career he has taken on many additional responsibilities. I’m thankful for John’s contributions to the growth and success of Publix and wish him much happiness in the next chapter of his life,” Jones said.

Merriann Metz, 43, will succeed Attaway as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Metz graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 2002. She was previously an attorney with the Lowndes Drosdick law firm in Orlando, FL and began her Publix career in 2006 as an attorney in the corporate legal department. She was promoted to her current position of Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary in 2016.