CINCINNATI, OH - With the impending retirement of Kroger Vice President of Human Resources Kathleen Barclay, the company has put into place a plan of succession.

After Kroger’s announcement that Barclay will be retiring from her position in Fall of this year, the company has elected to promote its own Timothy Massa, its current Group Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations.

"Katy has been a champion for our associates and a driving force for innovation in our human resources function," Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen said, according to a Cincinnati Business Courier report. "We deeply value her leadership and advice as a key member of our leadership team. We wish Katy and her family all the best."

Barclay serves as a member on the American Family Insurance board of directors, Chair of the National Academy of Human Resources, and is a board member for the Human Resource Policy Association in addition to her position with Kroger Co. She joined the company in her current position after serving as Vice President of Global Human Resources for General Motors Corp. back in 2010, the same year as her predecessor.

"Tim is an exceptional Human Resources leader and a trusted adviser to our entire senior management team," McMullen said, according to the report. "His depth of HR experience, fluency with our business and unwavering commitment to our associates make him a perfect fit for this important role."

Massa came to Kroger with over 20 years of human resource experience before being hired as Vice President of Corporate Human Resources. He was promoted to his current position in April of 2014, and has since shown the innovation and capability that make the company confident that he will fill the position admirably.

Kroger Co.