<p>President of the Mid-South division of Kroger, John Hackett, is set to retire on June 29.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">He began his 50 year career with the company in 1963 as a store clerk. After graduating from Ohio State University and completing the Kroger management training program, he held a variety of marketing and operations roles in the Columbus and Indianapolis divisions. He then proceeded to work his way up to division president; a position he has held for the past 23 years.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/kroger052313body.jpg" alt="IMAGES - MAy 22 2013" />“During his 50-year career, John has consistently demonstrated his passion for and commitment to our associates, our customers and our local communities. In addition to being a great executive, John is a first class human being and person. When you define a gentleman the definition is John Hackett,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Rodney McMullen.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">During his 29 year stint in Louisville, the division grew from 55 to 161 stores and sales increased more than ten-fold. He also was a leader in implementing a safety initiative that reduced accidents by 70%.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“We thank John and his wife Kay for their many years of dedicated service and wish them the best in retirement. I am sure John will remain involved in serving the Kroger family through his community service, passionately advocating for the causes that matter deeply to John and his family,” said McMullen.<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/Pages/default.aspx" target="_new">Kroger </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
