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CINCINNATI — Lynn Gust is retiring from his post as president of Kroger Co.’s Fred Meyer Stores division and will be succeeded by Jeff Burt, president of Kroger’s Central division.
Kroger said Tuesday that Gust is slated to retire effective Jan. 31. Based in Portland, Ore., Fred Meyer offers one-stop shopping, including pharmacies, at 132 multidepartment stores in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
Gust started his career in 1970 as a parcel clerk at Fred Meyer’s Fourth Plain store in Vancouver, Wash. He continued his career at Fred Meyer after the company was acquired by Kroger in 1998. After serving as group vice president for the food group, he was named senior vice president of the store operations group in 2003.
Gust was named executive vice president of corporate merchandising and advertising in 2006, and became vice president of operations in 2011. He was promoted to president of Fred Meyer in 2012. Under his leadership, Fred Meyer reached $10 billion in annual sales for the first time.
“Throughout his distinguished career, Lynn as always led by empowering, encouraging and supporting others,” Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Lynn is widely respected throughout our company and industry for his passion for people, the food business, and the communities we serve. The entire Kroger family wishes Lynn and his family all the best in retirement.”
Burt is currently president of Kroger’s Central Division, which operates food stores primarily in Indiana and Illinois. His successor in that role will be named at a later date, Kroger said
“Jeff is a strong, dynamic leader who brings out the best in our associates,” McMullen stated. “His enthusiasm for serving our customers combined with both broad and deep experience in our business — including in the Pacific Northwest — will serve our Fred Meyer team well. We are grateful he agreed to take on this important role.”
Burt began his career with Kroger in 1986. He was named corporate vice president of deli/bakery merchandising and procurement in 2004 and promoted to group vice president of perishables merchandising and procurement in 2010. He has served as president of Kroger’s Central division since 2013.
