CINCINNATI, OH – As the company announced that current Ralphs President Donna Giordano will be retiring, Kroger has appointed Valerie Jabbar to the position. Jabbar currently serves as Vice President of Merchandising for Ralphs.

"Valerie is an exceptional leader who is passionate about developing associates and serving our customers and communities," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger Chairman and CEO. "She brings to her new role broad retail experience, and a deep commitment to putting our customers first. We look forward to her continued leadership at Ralphs."

Giordano will retire from the company as of July 23, when Jabbar will then take her place.

Jabbar began work with the company in 1987 in the Fry’s division as a clerk. At Fry’s, Jabbar moved through several leadership roles including Assistant Store Director, Category Manager, and Drug and General Merchandise Coordinator. 

Jabbar has also served in a variety of leadership roles in the Drug and General Merchandising sector of Kroger’s general office in Cinncinati, and within the Fry’s division. The company stated in a press release that Jabbar was appointed Fry’s District Manager before being appointed as Vice President of Merchandising for the Mid-Atlantic division in 2012. Jabbar was promoted to her most recent role in 2013.

The retiring Ralphs President joined the King Soopers company as a courtesy clerk in 1972 while attending college. In 1982, Giordano was named Store Manager of King Soopers, and held various director-level positions in advertising, grocery, general merchandise, and other sectors. 

"Donna's distinguished leadership has helped Ralphs continue to grow, serve more customers in the highly-competitiveSouthern California market, and help Kroger across our business," continued McMullen. "She is respected throughout the industry and among our associates for her strategic leadership and engagement in the communities we serve. The entire Kroger family thanks Donna for her many contributions and wishes her and her family all the best in retirement." 

Giordano was promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing of King Soopers in 1999, before being appointed to her current executive position in 2011. Giordano still volunteers with the Network of Exectuive Woman, is currently a board member and President of the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC), and is a past member of the Orange County Girl Scouts.

Giordano intends to travel with her husband, Mario, and spend time with daughters Amber and Aubrey who reside in Seattle for her retirement. 

AndNowUKnow will continue to have the latest in executive appointments and announcements within the industry.

Kroger Ralphs