Headlines

Kroger Names Division Leaders

Moves also include new SVP of grocer’s retail units

Published

1 month ago

April 16, 2025

VMSD Staff

Kroger Names Division Leaders — The corporate offices of Utah-based Smith’s, a unit at Kroger that's one of the grocer’s three divisions with a new president. Photo: JHVEPhoto/iStock by Getty Images

The corporate offices of Utah-based Smith’s, a unit at Kroger that's one of the grocer’s three divisions with a new president. Photo: JHVEPhoto/iStock by Getty Images

The Kroger Co. (Cincinnati) announced what it described in a news release as “the appointments of several experienced enterprise leaders to retail roles.” The moves come after a decidedly rocky period for the grocer, which saw its proposed merger with Albertsons fall through and its CEO exit for undisclosed reasons.

The appointments are:

• Joe Kelley, to SVP of Retail Divisions
• Kenny Kimball, to Smith’s Division President
• Chris Albi to King Soopers Division President
• Kendra Doyel, to Food 4 Less Division President

The senior-most appointment involves Kelley, who succeeds Kenny Kimball, who returns to the Utah-based Smith’s division as president after three years also leading as SVP of Retail Divisions.

“Joe is a customer-centric leader who brings broad industry experience, with a strong track record of making stores great places to shop,” said Chairman and CEO Ron Sargent.

VMSD Staff

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