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Kroger names new market leader in Cincinnati

Posted at 9:14 AM, Sep 10, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-10 09:14:10-04

CINCINNATI - The Kroger Co. is reshuffling its management team, with the creation of four new executive vice president titles to line up senior executives with key segments of the grocery business.

The company also announced Tim Brown will replace Sukanya Madlinger as president of the Cincinnati/Dayton division. Brown is a 38-year Kroger veteran, president since 2012 of Kroger’s Delta division in Memphis. Madlinger is being promoted to replace the retiring Geoff Covert as senior vice president of retail divisions.

“Kroger is fortunate to have an exceptionally strong group of leaders across our company,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and CEO, in a press release. “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.”

The four new leadership jobs will include some new responsibilities for executives who already rank at the top of Kroger’s management team. Here is a summary of the changes from the company’s press release:

  • Mike Donnelly Named Executive Vice President of 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. Mr. Donnelly joined the company at Fry’s Food Stores in California in 1978 and was promoted to his current position in 2011.
  • Chris Hjelm Named Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer. 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 84.51⁰, indirect sourcing and corporate travel. Mr. Hjelm joined Kroger in 2005.
  • Mike Schlotman Named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. 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. Mr. Schlotman joined the company in 1985. He was promoted to CFO in 2000.
  • Fred Morganthall Named Executive Vice President, Retail Operations. Fred 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. Mr. 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.