Kroger Announces Key Leader Updates
Rhea-AI Summary
Kroger (NYSE: KR) announced leadership changes effective Jan. 13, 2026: Victor Smith is promoted to senior vice president, Retail Divisions, joining Valerie Jabbar and Joe Kelley. Monica Garnes moves from Fry's to president, Atlanta Division; Ken DeLuca is named president, Fry's Division; Kendra Doyel is promoted to president, Ralphs Division. Tom Schwilke (Ralphs) and Colleen Juergensen (Central) announced retirements after 7 and 45 years with Kroger, respectively. All promotions are internal, highlighting multi‑decade Kroger experience and continuity in division leadership.
Positive
- Victor Smith promoted to SVP, Retail Divisions (Jan 13, 2026)
- All key roles filled by internal candidates with multi‑decade Kroger tenure
- Monica Garnes, Ken DeLuca, Kendra Doyel assume division presidencies with long Kroger track records
Negative
- Two retirements announced: Tom Schwilke (7 years at Kroger) and Colleen Juergensen (45 years)
- Potential short‑term transition risk in Ralphs and Central divisions due to retirements
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, KR gained 1.61%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
KR gained 2.69% with grocery peers also positive: ACI +3.3%, SFM +3.72%, WMK +1.53%, GO +0.73%, and TGT +0.53%, suggesting a broader group move alongside the leadership news.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 09 | Asset divestiture | Positive | -0.5% | Sale of non-core Vitacost.com to sharpen focus on core business. |
| Jan 07 | Customer engagement | Positive | -4.0% | Launch of Yearly Checkout personalized 2025 shopping and savings recap. |
| Dec 30 | Health initiative | Positive | -0.1% | Harris Teeter program promoting healthier living and new Simple Truth line. |
| Dec 29 | Access program | Positive | -0.8% | Verified Savings Program with produce discounts and Boost membership offers. |
| Dec 29 | Brand partnership | Positive | -0.8% | Tempo meal partnership featuring Maria Sharapova and promotional sweepstakes. |
Recent company and brand announcements with generally positive tone have often coincided with flat-to-negative next-day price reactions.
Over the past few weeks, Kroger has focused on portfolio simplification, customer engagement, and access initiatives. On Jan 9, 2026, it sold non-core subsidiary Vitacost.com with no impact to 2025 guidance. Earlier in January, it launched the Yearly Checkout feature highlighting 3.9 billion cumulative meals donated since 2017. Late December saw food access discounts and a health-focused Harris Teeter initiative, plus a Tempo partnership. Against this backdrop, the leadership changes continue an execution-focused narrative rather than a financial reset.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights leadership continuity, with several presidents and long-tenured executives moving into new roles, including a retail SVP position and key division presidencies. Many appointees bring 30–40+ years of experience, while two division presidents announced retirement after 42 and 45 years in retail and company service. Investors may watch how these changes influence division performance, execution of existing strategies, and any future commentary in earnings or regulatory filings.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Victor Smith Named SVP of Retail Divisions; Several Operating Unit Presidents Promoted to Key Divisions
"We are excited to promote several talented senior executives to key roles that will position Kroger for future success," said Ron Sargent, Kroger's Chairman and CEO. "Victor Smith, Monica Garnes, Kendra Doyel, and Ken DeLuca are strong leaders with decades of experience, and I look forward to their continued success in their new roles. I also want to thank Colleen Juergensen and Tom Schwilke for their many contributions to our customers, associates, and shareholders. We wish them well in their well-deserved retirements."
Kroger announces promotions in corporate leadership, the Atlanta Division, and the Fry's Division
Kroger promoted Victor Smith, president of the company's
Smith currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Kroger Company Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation and the Georgia Food Industry Association Board of Directors. In 2025, he was named CEO of the Year by the Georgia Minority Business Association.
Smith joins Valerie Jabbar and Joe Kelley as the company's senior vice presidents of retail divisions.
Monica Garnes, currently president of the Fry's Division, has been promoted to president of the Atlanta Division. Garnes began her career with Kroger in 1995 in the Columbus Division. She held a variety of leadership roles in her 31-year career with the company, including Produce buyer, store manager, and district manager. Garnes was promoted to vice president of Merchandising for the Fry's Division in 2013 and named vice president of Produce/Floral Merchandising at General Office in 2015. She was promoted to her current role in 2018.
She currently sits on The University of
Ken DeLuca, currently president the Michigan Division, has been promoted to president of the Fry's Division. DeLuca began his 38-year Kroger career in 1988 as a clerk in the Michigan Division. Since starting his Kroger career, DeLuca held multiple leadership positions in the Michigan Division, including store manager, Labor Relations manager, and Operations district manager. In 2004, he moved to the Columbus Division as Operations district manager and in 2005 was promoted to Retail Operations vice president for the Dillon's Division. DeLuca was promoted to vice president of Merchandising in 2008 and subsequently back to vice president of Operations. He was promoted to his current role in 2018.
DeLuca served as an executive board member on the Rags Remembered Foundation in
Kroger announces retirement, promotion in Ralphs Division and retirement in Central Division
Tom Schwilke, president of the Ralphs Division, announced his plans to retire after seven years with Kroger and more than 42 years in the retail industry.
Schwilke joined Kroger in 2019 as division president in the Dallas Division with 35 years of merchandising and retail leadership experience, including president and general manager of Safeway's NorCal Division, president and general manager of Perishables and group vice president of Produce and Floral. He was promoted to his current role leading the Ralphs Division in 2020.
Kendra Doyel, currently president of the Food 4 Less/Foods Co Division, has been promoted to president of the Ralphs Division. Doyel joined the company in 1998 as a pharmacist in the Fry's Division. Since then, she has held several diverse and important leadership roles for Fry's, Ralphs, Food 4 Less and Fred Meyer. In 2017, Doyel was promoted to HR leader for Ralphs and Food 4 Less, and in 2022, she was promoted to vice president of Merchandising for Ralphs. She was named to her current role in 2025.
She served as the board chair for the California Grocers Association and on the board of directors for the Network of Executive Women. In 2022, the CGA Educational Foundation presented Doyel with the Hall of Achievement Award for her outstanding service and dedication to the food industry.
After 45 years of dedicated service, Colleen Juergensen, president of the Central Division, announced her plans to retire.
Juergensen began her career with the company as a bakery clerk in her hometown of
About Kroger
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies, nearly 420,000 associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through an e-commerce experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kroger-announces-key-leader-updates-302660231.html
SOURCE The Kroger Co.
FAQ
Who was named senior vice president of Retail Divisions at Kroger (KR) on Jan. 13, 2026?
Which Kroger (KR) executives were promoted to lead the Atlanta, Fry's, and Ralphs divisions on Jan. 13, 2026?
Which Kroger (KR) division presidents announced retirements in the Jan. 13, 2026 leadership update?
Are the Kroger (KR) leadership changes internal promotions or external hires?
How might Kroger's (KR) Jan. 13, 2026 leadership changes affect shareholders?
