CINCINNATI, OH - Kroger Co.’s Division President for Nashville, Rick Going, has announced he is retiring after 35 years with the company, effectively setting in motion a shakeup in the company’s executive lineup.
Effective on February 27, Going will officially close a chapter that began in 1981 as a management trainee in Kroger’s Cincinnati/Dayton Division. Since then he has moved up through a number of positions to get where he is today, including having served as the company’s Vice President of Operations for the Cincinnati/Dayton Division, Vice President of Merchandising in that same Division, and President of the new Michigan Division.
“Throughout his notable career, Rick led by empowering his team while always expecting excellence," Rodney McMullen, Kroger's Chairman and CEO, said in a statement. "Rick's leadership in starting two new store operating Divisions has built the model for our company. The entire Kroger family wishes Rick and his family all the best in retirement.”
When the former Mid-South Division split to form the Nashville and Louisville Divisions in 2013, Going took on his current role as Nashville’s Division President.
In his place, Zane Day has been promoted to President of the Nashville Division, according to a press release.
Day has also worked in many leadership positions, such as Store Manager and Director of Merchandising, Director of Procurement at Fred Meyer's Tolleson Distribution Center, Director of Deli for the Fry's Division, and District Manager and Vice President of Merchandising.
Prior to this promotion, Day was Vice President of Operations, a position he obtained in 2015. "Day is a strong leader who is focused on enabling our associates and serving our customers and communities," McMullen said. "His broad experience in our company and industry will benefit our Nashville team."
In Day’s stead, Katie Wolfram will move up to President of Kroger’s Central Division.
"Katie's breadth of experience and deep understanding of our company will serve our Central Division team well," said McMullen. "Katie's passion for both people and results make her the right leader as we continue to grow in our Central Division."
Based in Indianapolis and operating stores in Indiana, Illinois, and Eastern Missouri, Wolfram will oversee these operations when her title goes into effect.
Currently Wolfram is Vice President of Merchandising in the Central Division, and has served as Manager of Merchandising Systems Development and Manager of Consumer Research at Kroger's general office. She has served Kroger in several leadership positions prior to those titles, including roles in Kroger Manufacturing such as Senior Marketing Manager and Director of Sales & Marketing, Vice President of Sales & Operations for Kroger Manufacturing, and Vice President of Merchandising the King Soopers Division.
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