April 17, 2024 — Publix Super Markets recognized Charlotte Division Store Manager David Kuehl with a 2024 Mr. George Community Service Award at the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting.

His Publix career spans nearly three decades, and Kuehl leads with a servant's heart. His devotion to his community, associates and customers exemplifies what it means to lead by example.

Kuehl credits Publix for introducing him to volunteering, which led to his love of supporting his community.

“My volunteering experience started when I was promoted to deli manager in West Melbourne, Florida,” said Kuehl. “My assistant store manager at the time, Marsha Singh, helped me get involved in the United Way tours, and that experience changed my whole mindset."

Now, Kuehl makes it his mission to do what Singh did for him and share the importance of giving back to the community with his team. Kuehl has started to build relationships with the Knoxville United Way and has contributed to building his store team while inspiring them to be involved in community events. 

When asked about his reaction to receiving this award, Kuehl became emotional.

“The week I got the call was a tough week. We had just received 10 inches of snow in one night, our store remodel had been pushed back a week, and we had to open the store with a limited team,” said Kuehl. “I was immediately humbled when I learned I was a Mr. George Community Service Award recipient. It was justification for me and my team that we are doing our part as responsible citizens in our communities and that even in the midst of a storm, our hard work is not going unnoticed.”

About the honoree 

Kuehl started his Publix career in 1997 at a store in West Melbourne as a part-time deli clerk. Within six months, he moved into the full-time deli clerk role and was promoted to assistant deli manager in 2000 in Melbourne, Florida. Kuehl was promoted to deli manager in Rockledge, Florida, in 2002 and assistant store manager in Merritt Island, Florida, in 2008. In 2017, Kuehl was promoted to store manager at a store in Gulf Breeze, Florida. In 2023, he relocated to his current store in Knoxville, Tennessee.  

About the award

Each year, one associate from each retail division and one support associate are recognized with the Mr. George Community Service Award. These associates are actively involved in their communities and represent the generous spirit of Publix founder George W. Jenkins. Recipients receive a personalized award, a feature in an internal company publication, dinner with Publix executives, three paid days off and $5,000 donated to the charity or charities of their choosing. 

Kuehl joins Atlanta Division Store Manager Hermith Coleman, Jacksonville Division Store Manager Danita Washington, Lakeland Division Store Manager Matt Humphreys, Miami Division Grocery Replenishment Specialist Ody Infante and Senior Supply Chain Replenishment Manager Brad Shiver as this year’s Mr. George Community Service Award recipients.