CINCINNATI, July 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co.
(NYSE: KR) today announced the retirement of Houston division President Bill Breetz, and the promotion of Marlene Stewart to succeed him. Ms. Stewart
currently serves as president of the company's Dillons
division.
Colleen Juergensen will succeed
Ms. Stewart as president of Dillons. Ms. Juergensen currently
serves as vice president of merchandising of the Smith's
division.
Kroger also announced the promotion of Pam Matthews to serve as president of the
company's QFC division. Ms. Matthews currently serves as vice
president of operations for Kroger's Delta division. She succeeds
Dennis Gibson, who was recently
named president of the King Soopers/City Market division.
"Kroger has an exceptionally strong team of leaders who are
fueling our growth and improving our connection with customers,"
said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's
chairman and CEO. "Marlene, Colleen and Pam bring unmatched depth
and experience to their new roles. They will help Kroger continue
to make a difference for our customers, associates, and communities
– and by doing so create value for our shareholders."
Bill Breetz to Retire After 44
Years of Service
Bill Breetz will retire from the
company after 44 years of service, effective August 26.
"Bill's extraordinary career demonstrates a passion for people
and a passion for results. He leads by caring deeply about
associates and developing future leaders," said Mr. McMullen.
"Bill's leadership has contributed to Kroger's success and growth.
The entire Kroger family thanks Bill for his many contributions
over the years and wishes he and his family all the best in
retirement."
Mr. Breetz began his Kroger career in 1972 as a bagger in
Louisville, Ky. After earning a
degree at the University of Louisville
in 1977, he joined the management training program and was named a
co-manager in Cincinnati. He
served in several leadership positions through the years, including
store and district management and vice president of merchandising
for the company's Cincinnati/Dayton division. In 2000, Mr. Breetz was
promoted to executive vice president of Kroger's Southwest division
with responsibility for Operations in Dallas. In 2001, he assumed responsibility for
operations in Houston as well. He
was named president of the Southwest Division in 2002, and
president of the Houston Division in 2015.
Mr. Breetz has been active in a variety of community
organizations throughout his career, most recently supporting the
Houston Food Bank, the Greater Houston Partnership, the Boy Scouts
of America, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and other local
charities. Mr. Breetz and his wife, Jo Ann, have three children and
three grandchildren.
Marlene Stewart Promoted to President of Houston
Division
Marlene Stewart, currently
president of the Dillons division, succeeds Mr. Breetz as president
of the Houston Division, effective August
28.
Ms. Stewart started her career with Kroger in 1977 as a bagger
in the company's Cincinnati
division, where she worked full-time while attending the
University of Cincinnati. She went on
to serve in many leadership roles in Cincinnati, including store and district
management, training and merchandising. In 2005, Ms. Stewart was
named director of operations for Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division
before being named vice president of operations in 2007. She was
named vice president of merchandising in the company's QFC division
in 2011. She was named to her current role in 2015.
Colleen Juergensen Promoted to President of Dillons
Division
Colleen Juergensen, currently
vice president of merchandising at the Smith's division, succeeds
Ms. Stewart as president of the Dillons division, effective
August 28.
Ms. Juergensen began her Kroger career with the Dillons division
in 1981. She served in various leadership roles of increasing
responsibility including store manager, zone manager, and director
of advertising. In 2008, Ms. Juergensen was promoted to Dillons
vice president of operations. She was named vice president of
operations of Smith's in 2012, and to her current role in 2015.
Pam Matthews Promoted to President of QFC Division
Pam Matthews, currently vice
president of operations for the Delta division, has been promoted
to president of the QFC Division, effective August 1. She replaces Dennis Gibson, who was recently named president
of the King Soopers/City Market Division.
Ms. Matthews began her career with the company's Fred Meyer division, based in Portland, Ore, in 1980.
Throughout her 25-year career with Fred
Meyer, she held a variety of leadership roles in store
management, Corporate Brand development, and merchandising. Ms.
Matthews also served as director of deli/bakery merchandising and
director of floral merchandising and procurement at Kroger's
general offices in Cincinnati
before being promoted to vice president of merchandising for the
Central division in 2006. She was named vice president of
merchandising for the Delta Division in 2014 and to her current
role in 2015.
Every day, the Kroger Family of Companies makes a difference in
the lives of eight and a half million customers and 431,000
associates who shop or serve in 2,778 retail food stores under a
variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Kroger and its
subsidiaries operate an expanding ClickList offering – a
personalized, order online, pick up at the store service – in
addition to 2,230 pharmacies, 785 convenience stores, 323 fine
jewelry stores, 1,400 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food
production plants in the United
States. Kroger is recognized as one of America's most
generous companies for its support of more than 100 Feeding America
food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the
military and their families, and more than 145,000 community
organizations including schools. A leader in supplier diversity,
Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar
Roundtable.
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SOURCE The Kroger Co.