CINCINNATI -- The Kroger Co. announced the appointment of four executive vice presidents to lead key lines of business, including new support for the grocery's convenience-store branch.
Mike Donnelly has been named executive vice president of merchandising, Chris Hjelm executive vice president and chief information officer; Fred Morganthall executive vice president of retail operations; and Mike Schlotman executive vice president and chief financial officer. Each leader has been assigned additional responsibilities to streamline decision making under this new organizational structure.
"Kroger is fortunate to have an exceptionally strong group of leaders across our company," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "Our entire senior leadership team brings unmatched depth and experience to achieve our goals. This new organizational structure will help Kroger achieve laser-focus to accelerate growth, improve our connection with customers and deliver value for shareholders."
Also, Kroger announced the retirement of senior vice president of retail divisions Geoff Covert, and the promotion of Sukanya Madlinger as his successor. Madlinger currently serves as the president of Kroger's Cincinnati/Dayton division. She will be succeeded by Tim Brown, who currently serves as president of Kroger's Delta division, based in Memphis. Brown's successor will be named at a later date.
Mike Schlotman, EVP & CFO
Schlotman, 57, formerly senior vice president and chief financial officer, will continue to serve as CFO. In this expanded role, he will take on additional responsibilities for convenience stores, jewelry stores, data integrity and risk management. Schlotman joined the company in 1985. He was promoted to CFO in 2000.
Fred Morganthall, EVP Retail Operations
Morganthall, 64, formerly senior vice president of retail divisions, will lead all supermarket retail operations for Kroger. Under this new structure, Kroger's three senior vice presidents responsible for retail divisions will report to him. Morganthall began his career in grocery retail in 1978 with Spartan Stores in Michigan and joined Harris Teeter in 1986. He joined Kroger in 2014 as part of the Kroger-Harris Teeter merger and was promoted to his current position in June.
Mike Donnelly, EVP Merchandising
Donnelly, 57, formerly senior vice president, will continue to lead the company's merchandising, procurement and marketing teams. He has additional responsibility for digital, manufacturing and corporate brands, supply chain, culinary innovation, The Little Clinic and Vitacost. Donnelly joined the company at Fry's Food Stores in California in 1978 and was promoted to his current position in 2011.
Chris Hjelm, EVP & CIO
Hjelm, 54, formerly senior vice president and chief information officer, will continue to serve as CIO and lead Kroger technology, research & development, and the company's customer connect and support centers. In this expanded role, he will take on additional responsibilities for 84.51 degrees, indirect sourcing and corporate travel. Hjelm joined Kroger in 2005.
Geoff Covert Retirement
Covert, 64, is retiring after nearly 20 years with the company. Before joining Kroger, he spent 22 years in a number of management positions with Procter & Gamble. Covert joined Kroger in 1996 as vice president of the grocery products group. He later served as senior vice president and president of Kroger manufacturing, before being named president of the company's Cincinnati/Dayton division. In 2010, he was promoted to senior vice president of retail operations. Covert has served in his current role since 2012.
"We have valued Geoff's insights and contributions to our manufacturing and retail operations teams," said Mr. McMullen. "We thank Geoff for his many years of dedicated service to Kroger, and wish him and his family the very best in retirement."
Sukanya Madlinger, SVP Retail Divisions
Madlinger, 52, succeeds Covert as senior vice president of retail divisions. She joined Kroger in 1986 in the store management training program and has held various leadership positions in operations and merchandising before being named to her current role as president of the Cincinnati/Dayton division in 2010.
"Sukanya is an outstanding executive whose leadership has always reflected her passion for our associates and the customers we serve," said McMullen. "Her experience and commitment to our customer-first strategy will make her a great addition to our senior leadership team."
Tim Brown, President Cincinnati/Dayton Division
Brown, 55, succeeds Madlinger as president of Kroger's Cincinnati/Dayton division. He began his Kroger career at the age of 17, working as a bagger at a store in Illinois. He joined the company's management training program in 1981. Throughout his 38-year career, Brown has served in leadership positions in merchandising and operations in seven of Kroger's retail divisions and at the company's general office in Cincinnati. He has been president of Kroger's Delta division since 2012.
"Tim is a dynamic leader whose commitment to our associates, customers and communities is an example for others to follow," said Mr. McMullen. "He brings a broad range of experience to our Cincinnati/Dayton division."
Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs nearly 400,000 associates who serve customers in 2,626 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 780 convenience stores, 327 fine jewelry stores, 1,342 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the United States.
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