CINCINNATI, OH - Kroger has promoted 38 year retail veteran and Marlene Stewart to President of the company’s Dillons division. Her predecessor, Joe Grieshaber, had recently been named President of Kroger’s Columbus division.

Mike Ellis, Kroger’s President and COO, shared a few words about his confidence in Marlene’s abilities to take the Dillons chain to a new level.

“Marlene combines a passion for people and proven merchandising and operations leadership,” said Mike Ellis, Kroger’s President and COO. “We look forward to Marlene bringing her knowledge of our customers and business, and commitment to our associates, to the Dillons team.”

Since starting her career with Kroger in 1977 in the company’s Cincinnati division, Marlene has continued to rise up the ranks within the company having taken roles in store and district management, training, and merchandising, according to a press release. In 2005, she was named Director of Operations for Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic division before being named Vice President of Operations in 2007. She was named to her current role, Vice President of Merchandising at Seattle, Washington-based QFC, in 2011.

Kroger