Kroger has some executive shakeups coming to its leadership, specifically for its Mid-Atlantic division. The retailer announced that its current division President, Joe Fey, will be retiring, with Jerry Clontz positioned to take up the role. Jerry comes to the company from an executive position with Harris Teeter.
"Jerry is a proven leader who is passionate about this business and the success of his associates," said Sukanya Madlinger, Kroger's Senior Vice President of Retail Divisions. "Jerry has a strong track record of success as a leader at Harris Teeter and we look forward to his contributions in our Mid-Atlantic division."
Jerry will assume his new role effective February 1 with Kroger, according to a press release. Jerry most recently served as Senior Vice President of Operations at Harris Teeter after joining the company in 1971 as a bagger. From there, Jerry held various positions of increasing responsibility as a Store Manager, Store Director, District Manager, Regional Director, and Regional Vice President. In his executive role at Harris Teeter, Jerry was instrumental in the chain’s entry into the highly-competitive Washington DC market.
Fey, Kroger’s outgoing Division President, will retire after 44 years of service on February 10. Fey began as a Meat Clerk with Kroger in 1972, while earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Indian University.
"Joe has accomplished much in his distinguished career spanning several supermarket divisions and Kroger's corporate office," said Fred Morganthall, Kroger's Executive Vice President of Retail Operations. "Joe is a true leader who exemplifies our values and focuses on doing what is best for our associates, customers and company. The people he has developed throughout his career will continue his legacy for many years. The entire Kroger family thanks Joe for his many contributions and wishes him and his family all the best in retirement."
Throughout his career with Kroger, Joe quickly moved through a plethora of leadership positions including Store Management, Deli/Bakery Merchandising, and Meat/Seafood Merchandising for both the company’s Central division and corporate office. Joe was named Vice President of Merchandising at Dillons in 1999, and Vice President of Merchandising for Michigan in 2008. From there, Joe was promoted to President of the QFC division in 2011 before assuming his final leadership role in 2014.
Currently, Kroger operates 2,796 retail food stores in 35 states across its banners.
As executives continue to shift and strategize in the buy-side sector, count on Deli Market News for the latest appointments.
