Kroger Announces Appointments Of Senior Leaders

CINCINNATI, June 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced it has named Rick Going president of the company's new Nashville division, Calvin Kaufman president of the new Louisville division, Jayne Homco president of the Michigan division, and Erin Sharp group vice president of Kroger manufacturing.

"Rick, Calvin, Jayne and Erin bring to their new roles a passion for customers and proven experience leading teams to deliver consistently strong performance," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's president and chief operating officer. "Their leadership will help us build on our Customer 1^st strategy to enhance customer loyalty, accelerate our growth and deliver shareholder value."

Kroger today also announced the establishment of two new supermarket divisions, a Nashville division and a Louisville division.

"Opportunities for growth in Tennessee, northern Alabama, Kentucky, and Southern Illinois and Indiana inspired us to take this path," Mr. McMullen said. "We believe this move will enable our associates to do what they do best – meet the needs of our local customers and neighbors, our communities, and each other."

Rick Going Named President of New Nashville Division

Rick Going, currently president of the Michigan division, has been named president of Kroger's new Nashville division.

Mr. Going, who joined the company in 1981, has held a number of leadership positions at the store, district and division level before advancing to his current position in 2007.

The Nashville division will include more than 11,800 associates working in 63 stores in the Nashville area and 28 stores in the Knoxville, Tenn., and Huntsville, Ala., markets.

Calvin Kaufman Named President of New Louisville Division

Calvin Kaufman, currently group vice president of Kroger manufacturing, has been named president of the company's new Louisville division.

Mr. Kaufman joined Kroger in 1994 and has served in a variety of leadership roles, including as Kroger's senior director of logistics, before he was named to his current role in 2007.

The Louisville division will include nearly 15,000 associates working in 98 Kroger stores in Kentucky, southern Illinois and southern Indiana.

Jayne Homco Promoted to President of Michigan Division

Jayne Homco, currently vice president of merchandising for Kroger's Southwest Division, has been promoted to president of the Michigan Division. She replaces Mr. Going.

Ms. Homco joined Kroger in 1978. She was promoted to vice president of merchandising for the company's QFC division in 2004 and took on her current role in 2007.

The Michigan division includes nearly 16,000 associates working in 129 Kroger supermarkets in Michigan.

Erin Sharp Promoted to Group Vice President of Kroger Manufacturing

Erin Sharp, currently vice president of operations for Kroger manufacturing, has been promoted to group vice president of Kroger manufacturing. She replaces Mr. Kaufman.

Ms. Sharp joined Kroger in 2011 in her current role. Previously, she served as vice president of manufacturing for the Sara Lee Corporation. In that role, Ms. Sharp led manufacturing and logistics operations for the central region of their U.S. Fresh Bakery Division.

In her new role, Ms. Sharp will oversee approximately 7,000 associates working in 37 food processing plants in the United States.

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs 343,000 associates who serve customers in 2,419 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 784 convenience stores, 322 fine jewelry stores, 1,182 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 80 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber's Million Dollar Club.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.