Kroger Names Joe Grieshaber President of Fred Meyer Stores, Dan De La Rosa President of Columbus Division

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Mar 20, 2017, 14:19 ET

CINCINNATI, March 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced Joe Grieshaber has been named president of Fred Meyer Stores, replacing Jeff Burt, who resigned today to pursue other interests. Mr. Grieshaber has been serving as president of Kroger's Columbus division.

Succeeding Mr. Grieshaber will be Dan De La Rosa, who has been promoted to serve as president of Kroger's Columbus division. Mr. De La Rosa currently serves as vice president of merchandising for Fred Meyer Stores.

Joe Grieshaber Promoted to President of Fred Meyer Division

Joe Grieshaber will serve as president of the company's Fred Meyer division, based in Portland, Ore., effective immediately. Fred Meyer Stores offers one-stop shopping at multi-department stores in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

"Joe is known throughout the retail industry as an exceptional leader who always brings out the best in his people and teams," said Fred Morganthall, Kroger's executive vice president of retail operations. "His depth of experience will help the Fred Meyer team build on their successes and continue to innovate and deliver a unique shopping experience for our customers."

Mr. Grieshaber began his career with Kroger in 1983 as a store management trainee in Nashville, Tenn. He has served in a variety of leadership roles with Kroger, including meat merchandiser, district manager, and as vice president of merchandising for the Columbus division. In 2003, he was named group vice president of perishables merchandising and procurement, where he was responsible for fresh and natural foods throughout Kroger's family of stores. He was promoted to president of Dillons in 2010, and was named to his current role in 2015.

Mr. Grieshaber and his wife, Vickie, have three grown daughters and five grandchildren.

Dan De La Rosa Promoted to President of Kroger's Columbus Division

Dan De La Rosa will serve as president of Kroger's Columbus division, which operates food stores primarily in central, northwest and southeast Ohio.

"Dan is a dynamic leader who combines a passion for people with strong experience in both merchandising and store operations," said Fred Morganthall, Kroger's executive vice president of retail operations. "Dan's commitment to associate development and putting the customers first will help ensure the Columbus division's continued success."

Mr. De La Rosa joined the company as a clerk's helper in the Ralphs division in 1980, where he served in a number of store operations and merchandising roles, including store director, director of Corporate Brands for both Ralphs and Food 4 Less, and district manager. Since 2007, Mr. De La Rosa has served in a variety of merchandising roles, including regional director of merchandising for the company's western region. In 2013, he was promoted to vice president of meat and seafood merchandising for The Kroger Co., and in 2015 he was named to his current role as vice merchandising for Fred Meyer.

Mr. De La Rosa and his wife, Denise, have one grown daughter.

Every day, the Kroger Family of Companies makes a difference in the lives of eight and a half million customers and 443,000 associates who shop or serve in 2,796 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 2,255 pharmacies, 784 convenience stores, 319 fine jewelry stores, 1,445 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.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.