Table of Contents
CINCINNATI — Kroger Co. has named four executive vice presidents to lead key parts of its business.
Mike Donnelly is now EVP of merchandising, Chris Hjelm is EVP and chief information officer, Fred Morganthall is EVP of retail operations, and Mike Schlotman is EVP and chief financial officer.
“This new organizational structure will help Kroger achieve laser focus to accelerate growth, improve our connection with customers and deliver value for shareholders,” said chairman and chief executive officer Rodney McMullen.
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. Donnelly joined the company at Fry’s Food Stores in California in 1978.
Hjelm, 54, formerly senior vice president and chief information officer, will continue to serve as CIO and lead Kroger Technology, research and development, and the company’s customer connect and support centers. In this expanded role, he will take on additional responsibilities for 84.51 degrees, indirect sourcing and corporate travel. Hjelm joined Kroger in 2005.
Schlotman, 57, formerly senior vice president and chief financial officer, will continue to serve as CFO and will take on responsibility for convenience stores, jewelry stores, data integrity and risk management. He joined the company in 1985. 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. 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.
Kroger also announced the retirement of senior vice president of retail divisions Geoff Covert after nearly 20 years, and the promotion of Sukanya Madlinger, who previously served as president of Kroger’s Cincinnati/Dayton division, as his successor.
