Kroger Announces Retirement of Rick Going, Names Two New Division Presidents

CINCINNATI, Feb. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced the retirement of Nashville division President Rick Going, and the promotion of Zane Day to succeed him. Mr. Day currently serves as vice president of operations in the company's Smith's division.

Kroger today also announced the promotion of Katie Wolfram to serve as president of Kroger's Central division. Ms. Wolfram currently serves as vice president of merchandising in the Central division. She succeeds Jeff Burt, who was recently named president of the company's Fred Meyer division.

Rick Going to Retire After 35 Years of Service

Rick Going will retire from the company after 35 years of service, effective February 27. 

"Throughout his notable career, Rick led by empowering his team while always expecting excellence," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "Rick's leadership in starting two new store operating divisions has built the model for our company. The entire Kroger family wishes Rick and his family all the best in retirement."

Mr. Going joined Kroger in 1981 as a management trainee in the Cincinnati/Dayton Division. He advanced to serve in many leadership roles in our stores, districts, operations and merchandising teams. He was promoted to vice president of operations for the Cincinnati/Dayton division in 1999, and then vice president of merchandising in the same division in 2002. In 2007, Mr. Going was promoted to president of the new Michigan division, which was created when the former Great Lakes division split into what are now the Columbus and Michigan divisions. He was named to his current role in Nashville in 2013, when the former Mid-South Division split to form the Nashville and Louisville divisions.

Rick and his wife, Karen, will continue to reside in the Nashville, TN area.

Zane Day Promoted to President of the Nashville Division

Kroger promoted Zane Day to serve as president of the company's Nashville division.

"Zane is a strong leader who is focused on enabling our associates and serving our customers and communities," said Mr. McMullen. "His broad experience in our company and industry will benefit our Nashville team."

Mr. Day began his career with Smith's on the night crew in Ogden, Utah, in 1974. He went on to serve in various leadership roles, including store manager and director of merchandising. In 1998, Mr. Day was named director of procurement at Fred Meyer's Tolleson Distribution Center. In 2000, he was named director of deli for the Fry's division, before moving to a similar role in the Smith's division in 2003. At Smith's, Mr. Day was promoted to district manager and vice president of merchandising before being named to his current role, vice president of operations, in 2015.

Mr. Day and his wife, Debbie, plan to relocate to the Nashville, TN area.

Katie Wolfram Promoted to President of the Central Division

Kroger promoted Katie Wolfram to serve as president of the company's Central division. 

Kroger's Central division is based in Indianapolis and operates stores in Indiana, Illinois and Eastern Missouri.

"Katie's breadth of experience and deep understanding of our company will serve our Central division team well," said Mr. McMullen. "Katie's passion for both people and results make her the right leader as we continue to grow in our Central division."

Ms. Wolfram began her career with Kroger in 1979 as an assistant store manager in the Cincinnati/Dayton division. She later served as manager of merchandising systems development and manager of consumer research at Kroger's general office. Ms. Wolfram also served in several leadership positions in Kroger Manufacturing, including senior marketing manager and director of sales & marketing. In 2003, she was promoted to vice president of sales & operations for Kroger Manufacturing. In 2005, she moved to Denver to join the King Soopers division as vice president of merchandising. She was named to her current role, vice president of merchandising in the Central division, in 2014. 

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 422,000 associates who serve customers in 2,774 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 35 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, Mariano's, Pick 'n Save, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 786 convenience stores, 326 fine jewelry stores, 1,360 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S.  Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and community organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber's Million Dollar Club.

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SOURCE The Kroger Co.

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