CINCINNATI, April 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co.
(NYSE: KR) today announced the promotion of Kenny Kimball, currently vice president of
operations in the company's Smith's division, to serve as president
of Smith's, effective April 30. Mr.
Kimball succeeds Jay Cummins, whose
retirement was announced in February.
"Kenny's passion for developing associates and his commitment to
putting our customers first will further accelerate growth in our
important Smith's division markets," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO.
"Kenny brings to this role leadership experience at all levels of
our business and a record of success as both an operator and a
merchandiser. We look forward to his leadership as president of
Smith's."
Mr. Kimball joined the company in 1984 as a courtesy clerk in
the Smith's division. He served in several leadership roles with
Smith's, including store manager, district manager and bakery
director. In 2009, Mr. Kimball was named Smith's senior vice president of sales and
merchandising. In 2012, he was named vice president of
merchandising for the Ralphs division, and in 2013 was named vice
president of operations for Ralphs. Mr. Kimball most recently
served on special assignment at Kroger's general office in 2015,
before taking on his current role in February.
From its division office in Salt Lake
City, Smith's 18,000 associates
serve customers in 138 stores throughout seven western states.
Every day, the Kroger Family of Companies makes a difference in
the lives of eight and a half million customers and 431,000
associates who shop or serve in 2,778 retail food stores under a
variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Kroger and its
subsidiaries operate an expanding ClickList offering – a
personalized, order online, pick up at the store service – in
addition to our 2,231 pharmacies, 784 convenience stores, 323 fine
jewelry stores, 1,387 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food
production plants in the United
States. Kroger is recognized as one of America's most
generous companies for its support of more than 100 Feeding America
food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the
military and their families, and more than 145,000 community
organizations including schools. A leader in supplier diversity,
Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar
Roundtable.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150408/197347LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kroger-names-president-of-smiths-300247281.html
SOURCE The Kroger Co.