United Way is excited to spotlight Kourosh Noorbehesht. He is a District Manager in the Atlanta Metro Area for Publix Super Markets, and he has led some of our most successful workplace campaigns. Publix Super Markets is United Way’s number one corporate leader, not only in the Greater Atlanta area, but also in the nation! Kourosh is a great asset to our community and to the Cole Society.
Please tell us about your role at Publix.
I’m a District Manager in the Metro Atlanta Area with the responsibility for overseeing ten stores. My greatest responsibility is to train, develop, and oversee the success of ten store managers and their teams. In my role I get to support my store managers on training and developing future leaders within our company and community.
What inspires you to Live United?
One of the bullet points of our company’s mission statement is to be ‘involved as responsible citizens in our community,’ and to me the word involved means to actually live it and be part of it. It’s not just about giving money, as we all give because of the need within our communities, but also about giving the most valuable asset we have—our time.
What is your favorite thing at the Publix deli?
A Publix Chicken Tender Sub with chipotle sauce and extra cheese.
How have you seen your industry change since you started at Publix?
Technology has had a major impact on our company’s changes since 1985 when I started. So much in our industry happens at a much faster pace, from inventory control to serving our customers with online ordering. We value our customers’ time and we never want to knowingly disappoint them.
Publix is United Way’s number 1 corporate leader, not only in the Greater Atlanta area, but also in the nation! How does it make you feel to be part of an organization that makes such a difference in the community?
Technology has had a major impact on our company’s changes since 1985 when I started. So much in our industry happens at a much faster pace, from inventory control to serving our customers with online ordering. We value our customers’ time and we never want to knowingly disappoint them. It is absolutely a great feeling to know that all the years of hard work are making a difference in the communities we serve. Supporting and communicating the importance of being involved within our communities through United Way has been implanted within our associates to help our company set an example for others. As a Publix stockholder, I’m a very proud owner because of the accomplishments and care our associates show in making a difference and giving back.
What is your favorite piece of advice?
Treat others the way you want to be treated and don’t “give” with an expectation to get something back. Long-term, you will get much more in return by supporting others and their success.
