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April 15, 2025 — Publix Super Markets honored Jacksonville Division Store Manager Meredith Pearson with a 2025 Mr. George Community Service Award at the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting. 

Pearson developed a passion for volunteering when she started at Publix nearly 25 years ago. She saw her managers demonstrate the company’s culture of being responsible citizens in the community.

“The culture really inspired me and encouraged me to help others,” said Pearson. “There are so many opportunities in our community to get involved.”

Pearson has been active in United Way for the last 14 years and earned the Jim and Nancy Burns Emerging Philanthropy Award in 2020 for her continued efforts. She also serves on the board of Habitat for Humanity of St. Augustine/St. Johns County. 

At Publix, Pearson takes the lead in getting associates involved. She organizes her district’s volunteer events during the company’s two annual Publix Serves weeks. In addition, she created a food drive that collected more than 2,600 pounds of food, which was distributed to local food banks.

“One of the most remarkable outcomes of Meredith’s community service is to inspire and mobilize others,” said Publix District Manager Barry Rickelman. “She has a natural ability to organize events and rally people together.”

Pearson considers this award one of the greatest accomplishments she could receive at Publix because it represents the difference that volunteering can make.

“This means the most to me because it’s so important that we’re out in our community,” said Pearson. “To earn this based on my service is so neat because it’s something I’ve really put a lot of myself and my time into.” 

Pearson isn’t stopping anytime soon. She’ll be participating in United Way Community Impact and a Habitat for Humanity project later this spring, and she is always learning about different organizations that can positively impact her associates and the community as a whole. 

About Meredith

Pearson began her Publix career in 2001 as a cashier in St. Augustine, Florida. After holding various positions, she left the company from 2006 to 2009 before returning as a customer service staff at the store she currently manages in St. Augustine. Pearson remained in St. Augustine while being promoted to customer service manager in 2014 and assistant store manager in 2017. In 2021, she was promoted to store manager in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. 

About the award

Each year, one associate from each retail division and one support associate are recognized with the Mr. George Community Service Award. The associates are actively involved in their communities and represent the generous spirit of Publix founder George Jenkins.

Other award recipients

Pearson joined the rest of this year’s Mr. George Community Service Award recipients, who were