CINCINNATI, OH - The Kroger Co. has recently announced a major shake-up to its executive management, with some team members retiring, and others rising up to take their place. The changes were made to support the company’s Restock Kroger campaign, as well as the company’s long-term growth.

"We have a leadership team that combines deep experience with creative new talent," said Tim Massa, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief People Officer. "In our dynamic retail environment, we continue to look to experienced and capable leaders to take on key senior officer roles while also developing high performing leaders and teams, including bringing in outside talent, as part of Restock Kroger."

The first of many promotions is Mary Ellen Adcock, who has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Retail Operations from her previous position of Group Vice President of Retail Operations, effective May 1. After joining Kroger in 2019 at the Country Oven Bakery, a manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, KY, Adcock held several manufacturing leadership positions, including Human Resources Manager, General Manager, and Regional Operations Manager. In 2009 she was promoted to Vice President of Deli/Bakery Manufacturing. Adcock continued to rise through the ranks, with a promotion to Vice President of Natural Foods Merchandising, where she led the launch of Simple Truth®. She was promoted again in 2014, this time to Vice President of Merchandising for the Columbus division, becoming Vice President of Operations for the same division in 2015. During her time in the Columbus division, Adcock led her team to achieve a double-digit increase in sales and market share growth. She was promoted to her most recent role in 2016. Adcock has impressive credentials, graduating magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a bachelor’s degree in Human and Organizational Development, as well as an MBA from the University of Colorado.

“Mary Ellen quickly established herself as a key contributor to both the sales and operations organization as well as to the senior executive team,” said Mike Donnelly, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, in a press release. “She led Kroger's efforts to deliver an unprecedented $1 billion in operational savings in 2018 and will no doubt successfully extend her proven track record while overseeing several of Kroger's retail supermarket divisions.”

Joe Grieshaber was recently promoted to Senior Vice President, Merchandising, from his current position as President of the Fred Meyer division, effective May 1. Grieshaber started off his career with Kroger in 1983 as a store management trainee in Nashville, TN. He has since served in a number of leadership roles with Kroger, including Meat Merchandiser and District Manager for the Michigan division. Grieshaber was promoted to Vice President of Merchandising for the Columbus division in 2000, before taking on his role as Group Vice President of Perishables Merchandising and Procurement at the general office in Cincinnati in 2003. In 2010, he was named President of the Dillons division before moving on to his current role in 2017. Grieshaber earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Western Kentucky University.

"Joe brings to the senior merchandising role experience in a variety of leadership roles throughout the company, including most recently leading our successful Fred Meyer division with its broader mix-oriented retail format," said Donnelly.

Robert Clark, currently Senior Vice President of Merchandising has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Sourcing, effective May 1. Clark kicked off his career with Kroger in 1985 as a courtesy clerk at Fry’s Food Stores in Arizona. He has since held various leadership positions, including store and district management as well as in grocery merchandising. He was named Vice President of Merchandising for Fry’s in 2002, and in 2010, he was promoted to Vice President of Operations for the Columbus division. Clark was again promoted in 2011 to the role of Vice President of Merchandising for Fred Meyer before being promoted to Group Vice President of Non-Perishables in 2013, and to his current position in March 2016.

"Robert will continue to focus on building capacity in Kroger's outstanding manufacturing and distribution networks to support our anything, anytime, anywhere customer ecosystem," said Donnelly.

These weren’t the only changes Kroger made to its executive leadership as the company made way for team members to leave, and team members to be promoted. All of the following staffing changes are effective May 1:

• Dennis Gibson, currently President of the King Soopers division, promoted to President of the Fred Meyer division
• Dan De La Rosa, currently President of the Columbus division, promoted to President of the King Soopers division
• Joe Kelley, currently Vice President on Special Assignment, promoted to President of the Houston division
• Marlene Stewart, currently President of the Houston division announced her retirement plans after 41 years of service, effective July 20

"We are making progress on redefining the customer experience, and our high-performing leaders are determined to maintain that momentum in year two of Restock Kroger and beyond," said Donnelly. "Each of these promotions is consistent with Kroger's track record of strong succession planning and will help ensure we continue driving toward our growth objectives."

To read the press release in its entirety, click here.

For more news regarding key retail executive staffing changes, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Kroger