<p>Kroger is announcing that Senior Vice President Robert "Pete" Williams is planning to retire in May after 37 years with the company, according to a press release. His replacement has not yet been named.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Williams has served in his current role since 2007. Today, he leads seven supermarket divisions.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"Throughout his extraordinary career, Pete's leadership has reflected his passion for our associates, customers and local communities. He has been a tremendous asset to our company and will be missed," said Mike Ellis, Kroger's President and Chief Operating Officer. "Whether developing associates and fostering career paths for many people within the company, or influencing Kroger to improve the customer experience, Pete led with a contagious enthusiasm and steady presence. We thank Pete for his many years of dedicated service and wish him and his wife, Jennifer, the very best in retirement."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">After graduating from the University of Mississippi, Williams began his career with Kroger in 1977 as a management trainee with the company's Delta division in Memphis, TN. Starting in 1978, he held a variety of leadership positions in human resources. He worked his way up to serve as Director of Labor Relations at the Kroger's general office in 1987. Three years later, he moved back to Atlanta, where he served as Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Merchandising, before becoming President of Kroger's Mid-Atlantic Division in 1998.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Congratulations to Pete on his retirement and his many years of service with Kroger!<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.Kroger.com/" target="_new"> Kroger </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
