CINCINNATI – Kroger Co. announced that president and chief operating officer Mike Ellis has retired after four decades with the company. Ellis, 57, will be returning to Portland, Ore., the company said on Tuesday.
Ellis started as a parcel clerk at a Fred Meyer store in 1975. Kroger acquired Fred Meyer in 1999.
Ellis assumed the COO role on January 1, 2014, succeeding Rodney McMullen, who was promoted to chief executive officer.
McMullen will temporarily assume the COO duties during the search for a permanent successor.
“We’re very grateful to Mike for his contributions over the past 40 years, and we wish him all the best in retirement,” McMullen said.
Ellis had previously served as a senior vice president, overseeing five operating divisions since 2012. Prior to that, he had led Fred Meyer as president since 2006.
