The Kroger Co. has appointed executives to a series of expanded retail leadership roles as part of its strategy to strengthen management across key divisions. The moves include promotions, role transitions and planned retirements among long-tenured leaders.
“We are excited to promote several talented senior executives to key roles that will position Kroger for future success,” said Ron Sargent, Kroger’s chairman and CEO.
“Victor Smith, Monica Garnes, Kendra Doyel and Ken DeLuca are strong leaders with decades of experience, and I look forward to their continued success in their new roles. I also want to thank Colleen Juergensen and Tom Schwilke for their many contributions to our customers, associates and shareholders. We wish them well in their well-deserved retirements.”
Leadership moves across divisions
Kroger promoted Victor Smith, president of its Atlanta division, to SVP of retail divisions. Smith brings more than 40 years of grocery experience, having joined Kroger in 1983 as a courtesy clerk and serving in roles across operations and merchandising before leading the Atlanta division.
Smith will join Valerie Jabbar and Joe Kelley as SVPs of retail divisions – a leadership tier that oversees performance and growth across Kroger’s divisional structure.
In Atlanta, Monica Garnes – most recently president of the Fry’s division – will take over as president of the Atlanta division. Garnes has been with Kroger since 1995 and has held roles in produce, operations and merchandising throughout her career.
Ken DeLuca, president of the Michigan division, has been named president of the Fry’s division. DeLuca’s Kroger tenure spans nearly four decades, beginning in 1988 and advancing through both operations and merchandising leadership roles.
New roles and retirements
At the Ralphs division, Kendra Doyel, president of the Food 4 Less/Foods Co division, has been promoted to president. Doyel, who started her Kroger career in 1998 as a pharmacist, has held multiple leadership roles across the enterprise.
Two longtime leaders – Tom Schwilke, president of the Ralphs division, and Colleen Juergensen, president of the Central division – have announced their retirements after decades of leadership in the grocery industry. Schwilke’s career includes more than 42 years of retail experience, and Juergensen’s service spans 45 years with roles ranging from bakery clerk to division president.
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