Tom Hough Joins Publix Board as Sherrill Hudson Retires

Tom Hough was elected to Publix Super Markets Inc.'s board of directors at the Lakeland, Fla.-based grocer's annual stockholders meeting this week. Hough replaces Sherrill Hudson, who stepped down from the board after 12 years of service.

Hough spent 36 years at Ernst & Young before retiring in 2014. He joined the London-based global accounting firm in 1978 as a staff member and rose to partner in 1987. Over the years, Hough headed various teams at the company, including serving as vice chair and Southeast area managing partner from 2000 to 2009 in Atlanta, and vice chair of assurance from 2009 to 2014.

"His impressive accounting background and career spent at Ernst & Young will make him a strong addition to our board," noted Publix Chairman of the Board Charlie Jenkins Jr.

Jenkins lauded Hudson's "strong financial background and business experience" which "contributed substantially to our growth and success. Sherrill's leadership and legacy of service will always be remembered."

Privately owned and operated by its 174,000 employees, Publix has 1,098 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.