CINCINNATI, OH – On the heels of its recently announced workforce expansion, Kroger has unveiled another strategy coming to its executive lineup. As its current Mid-Atlantic Division President looks to retire, the retailer has enlisted Harris Teeter veteran Jerry Clontz to take up the role.
"Jerry is a proven leader who is passionate about this business and the success of his associates," said Sukanya Madlinger, Kroger's Senior Vice President of Retail Divisions. "Jerry has a strong track record of success as a leader at Harris Teeter and we look forward to his contributions in our Mid-Atlantic division."
Jerry’s new executive role with Kroger will begin on February 1, according to a press release. Most recently, Jerry served as Senior Vice President of Operations at Harris Teeter, where he initially joined as a bagger in 1971.
From there, Jerry held various positions of increasing responsibility as a Store Manager, Store Director, District Manager, Regional Director, and Regional Vice President. In his executive role at Harris Teeter, Jerry was instrumental in the chain’s entry into the highly-competitive Washington DC market.
Joe Fey, Kroger’s outgoing Division President, will retire after 44 years of service on February 10. Joe began as a Meat Clerk with Kroger in 1972, while earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Indian University.
"Joe has accomplished much in his distinguished career spanning several supermarket divisions and Kroger's corporate office," said Fred Morganthall, Kroger's Executive Vice President of Retail Operations. "Joe is a true leader who exemplifies our values and focuses on doing what is best for our associates, customers and company. The people he has developed throughout his career will continue his legacy for many years. The entire Kroger family thanks Joe for his many contributions and wishes him and his family all the best in retirement."
Throughout his career with Kroger, Joe quickly moved through a plethora of leadership positions including Store Management, Deli/Bakery Merchandising, and Meat/Seafood Merchandising for both the company’s Central division and corporate office. Joe was named Vice President of Merchandising at Dillons in 1999, and Vice President of Merchandising for Michigan in 2008. From there, Joe was promoted to President of the QFC division in 2011 before assuming his final leadership role in 2014.
As we recently reported, this is just the latest in a string of strategic directives by the company. Kroger also unveiled new in-store technology, and released plans to boost its workforce by 10,000.
As executives continue to shift in the competitive buy-side sector, which retailer will have the next big appointment? AndNowUKnow will have the latest.
