<p><img class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/kroger101713body.jpg" alt="Cropped images October 14th 2013" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Kroger has announced that Michael L. Ellis will be named President and Chief Operating Officer, effective January 1, 2014, completing the succession plan announced in September. The company expects its Board of Directors to elect Mr. Ellis President and COO at the next board meeting in December, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">As part of the company’s long-term CEO succession plan, David B. Dillon, Kroger’s Chairman and CEO, will retire as CEO on January 1, 2014, but will continue to serve as Chairman through December 31, 2014. W. Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s President and COO, will become CEO on January 1, 2014.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">As a 38-year Kroger veteran, Michael first joined Fred Meyer in 1975 as a parcel clerk at age 16, and went on to serve in a series of operations and merchandising leadership positions in stores, division management, and as a corporate officer. He was Vice President of Fred Meyer’s food group before joining The Kroger Co. as a senior officer in 2004. He then went on to lead Fred Meyer as President in 2006, where he significantly improved and sustained associate engagement. Michael played an influential role in the growth of the company’s successful Marketplace store format, which offers a wide assortment of general merchandise including home goods, toys, and apparel in addition to full-service grocery and pharmacy departments. Michael has been serving in his current role as Senior Vice President of Retail Divisions since 2012, where he leads five retail supermarket divisions.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“Mike’s broad-based experience on both the food and general merchandise sides of our business make him a great fit for this role,” said Dillon. “Mike is a team builder who will be a great partner with our entire leadership team. We look forward to his dynamic leadership of Kroger’s diverse operations.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“Mike has been a key player in our strategic efforts for many years, including the expansion of Fred Meyer’s general merchandising expertise throughout the company and, more recently, our accelerated growth plan,” said McMullen. “His extensive knowledge spans our multiple formats and unique approaches to merchandising. Mike’s insistence on operational excellence and his willingness to push boundaries to improve the customer experience will ensure Kroger continues to grow and deliver shareholder value. Above all else, Mike brings a contagious enthusiasm for our associates and putting the customer first.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“I am excited and honored for the opportunity to work with the tremendous leadership team at Kroger,” said Michael. I am committed to helping them deliver on Kroger’s high-velocity growth plan for our customers, associates, and shareholders.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Congratulations, Michael, on your new position at Kroger!</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.thekrogerco.com" target="_new"> Kroger </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
