Publix lauded nationally for crisis leadership, employee satisfaction

Publix, Bloomin’ Brands and BayCare Health System — some of the region’s largest entities, in both annual revenue and payrolls — have something to celebrate amid the pandemic that’s upended their business models.

Lakeland-based Publix and Tampa-based Bloomin’ Brands, parent of Outback Steakhouse, are two of five companies that made Global Finance magazine’s 2020 list Outstanding Crisis Leadership, in the overall corporate excellence category. A third company on the list, St. Louis-based health insurance giant Centene Corp., has a big connection to the region in that acquired Tampa-based WellCare for $17 billion earlier this year.  The other two companies on the list are Lamborghini and Ethiopian Airlines Group.