Grocery retail
10 Publix merchandising leaders
These ten current and former Publix merchandising leaders and category managers have held director of merchandising and category manager roles at Publix Super Markets. A reader can learn how merchandising leaders work at Publix from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
01—10Brian Shepherd
LinkedInExperience: Category Manager · Publix Super Markets
Category Manager at Publix Super Markets, a current role based in Lakeland, Florida, in the company's sales department. Their profile also lists Buyer at Publix (1998–2006) and Category Analyst at Publix (1996–1998). Their current Category Manager role is listed at the Manager level.
Dan Blanchard
LinkedInExperience: Category Manager · Publix Super Markets
Category Manager at Publix Super Markets since September 2022, based in Lakeland, Florida. Earlier at Publix they were Buyer (2017–2022), Grocery retail improvement specialist (2014–2017), Grocery Manager (2010–2014) and Assistant Grocery Manager (2007–2010).
David Hanegan
LinkedInExperience: Director of Merchandising · Publix Super Markets
Director of Merchandising at Publix Super Markets, a Director-level role listed from April 1995 with no end date, based in St Augustine, Florida. The listing shows this as their only role, in the company's marketing department. Their profile headline also reads Director of Merchandising at Publix Super Markets.
Dursun Polat
LinkedInExperience: Category Manager · Publix Super Markets
Category Manager at Publix Super Markets, a current role based in Lakeland, Florida; the listing gives no start date for it. Their profile describes them as an experienced leader with an extensive retail background in multiple states, and says they focus on identifying problems and finding solutions, innovating products and streamlining processes.
Gary Correll
LinkedInExperience: Director of Merchandising · Publix Super Markets
Former Director of Merchandising at Publix Super Markets, a Director-level role listed from 1969 to 2016, based in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area. Their profile headline describes them as Director of Merchandising at Publix (retired). The listing shows this as their only role.
Patrick Maulfair
LinkedInExperience: Category Manager Wine · Publix Super Markets
Former Category Manager Wine at Publix Super Markets (2018–2019) and Category Manager for Candy, Tobacco, Greeting Cards, Magazines and Gift Cards there (2016–2018), with Category Manager roles at Publix listed from 2003. They were Senior Director Wine Merchant at Sam's Club (2019–2022) and have held a Manager role at Publix since 2024.
Paul Keating
LinkedInExperience: Category Manager · Publix Super Markets
Category Manager at Publix Super Markets, a current role. Their profile says they have worked in corporate purchasing since 2001, served as a buyer and were promoted to category manager in 2003. Their profile also cites 10 years as a retail produce manager and 14 years as a field merchandiser traveling the state of Florida.
Rick Dingman
LinkedInExperience: Director of Merchandising · Publix Super Markets
Director of Merchandising at Publix Super Markets since October 2015, a Director-level role in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area. Their other listed Publix roles are District Manager (2011–2015), Store Manager (1998–2011) and various positions up to store manager (1981–1998).
Ryan Calcutti
LinkedInExperience: Category Manager · Publix Super Markets
Category Manager at Publix Super Markets since January 2026, a role their headline describes as Category Manager of Breakfast foods and Coffee. Earlier at Publix they were Buyer (2021–2025), Category Analyst (2018–2020) and Operations Coordinator (2017–2018).
Stephen Mitchell
LinkedInExperience: Category Manager · Publix Super Markets
Former Category Manager at Publix Super Markets (2012–2023), a role listed in the company's sales department. They have since been Director Manufacturing Supply Purchasing (2024) and, since January 2025, Director Facilities Purchasing at Publix. Earlier they were Purchasing Manager (2009–2011) and Senior Purchasing Analyst (2006–2008) there.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's role type to your question, since category managers and directors of merchandising see different parts of the business. Check how recent their role is and which categories they covered, because category priorities shift over time.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How is the work split between category managers and merchandising directors at a large regional grocer?
- 02How does a grocery category manager decide how to manage a category over the course of a year?
- 03What does a director of merchandising at a supermarket chain spend most of their time on?
Reaching Publix merchandising leaders
How can I contact one of these Publix merchandising leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 1 company: Publix Super Markets, based on profile data retrieved on October 10, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach Publix merchandising leaders?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
Can an AI agent ask one of these Publix merchandising leaders a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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