Kroger Appoints Key Retail Leaders

Rhea-AI Summary

Kroger (NYSE: KR) has announced several key leadership appointments in its retail divisions. Joe Kelley, a 40-year industry veteran, has been promoted from King Soopers & City Markets division president to Senior Vice President of Retail Divisions.

Kenny Kimball returns to lead Smith's division as president after serving three years as SVP of Retail Divisions. Chris Albi, previously group VP of Operations, becomes King Soopers & City Markets division president. Kendra Doyel has been appointed as Food 4 Less division president, succeeding Bryan Kaltenbach, who retires after 50+ years in the grocery industry.

Positive

• Strategic leadership continuity with experienced internal promotions
• All appointed leaders have extensive industry and company experience
• Smooth succession planning demonstrated through internal talent pipeline

Negative

• Loss of long-term executive Bryan Kaltenbach through retirement

• Joe Kelley Named SVP of Retail Divisions
• Kenny Kimball Named Smith's Division President
• Chris Albi Named King Soopers Division President
• Kendra Doyel Named Food 4 Less Division President

CINCINNATI, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced several appointments of experienced enterprise leaders to retail roles.

Kroger appointed Joe Kelley, president of the Colorado-based King Soopers & City Markets division, to be senior vice president of Retail Divisions. Kelley is an industry veteran of nearly 40 years. He has held a number of executive leadership roles across a variety of retailers, including Price Chopper, Stop and Shop, Star Market, and Shaws Supermarkets. Kelley joined the Kroger enterprise in 2019.

"Joe is a customer-centric leader who brings broad industry experience, with a strong track record of making stores great places to shop," said Ron Sargent, Chairman and CEO of Kroger.

Kelley succeeds Kenny Kimball, who returns to the Utah-based Smith's division as president after three years also leading as SVP of Retail Divisions. Kimball joined the Kroger enterprise in 1984.

"We are grateful for Kenny's leadership as he stepped up to oversee multiple retail divisions in addition to Smith's," continued Sargent. "His commitment to our associates and customers is inspirational, and he will continue to play a key role in our enterprise, supporting strategic priorities and mentoring young leaders."

Chris Albi, group vice president of Operations at King Soopers & City Markets, will succeed Kelley as president of the division. As a trusted leader, Albi is deeply connected to the division's identity, strategy and associates. She joined the Kroger enterprise in 1981 as a courtesy clerk and has held numerous leadership roles in her tenure, including Grocery category manager, vice president of Merchandising for the Michigan division and president of QFC.

Kendra Doyel will lead the California- and Illinois-based Food 4 Less as president, succeeding Bryan Kaltenbach. Doyel joined the Kroger enterprise in 1998 as a pharmacist in the Fry's division. Since then, she has held several leadership roles across multiple departments for Fry's, Ralph's and Food 4 Less.

Kaltenbach will retire after more than 50 years in the grocery industry. He joined the Food 4 Less team in 1994 and held several leadership positions, including store manager, Director of Store Operations and Director of Sales & Marketing. Kaltenbach was named division president in 2010.

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.

 

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SOURCE The Kroger Co.

FAQ

What major leadership changes did Kroger (KR) announce in April 2025?

Kroger announced Joe Kelley as SVP of Retail Divisions, Kenny Kimball as Smith's Division President, Chris Albi as King Soopers President, and Kendra Doyel as Food 4 Less President.

Who is replacing Bryan Kaltenbach as Food 4 Less division president at Kroger (KR)?

Kendra Doyel, who joined Kroger in 1998 as a pharmacist, is succeeding Bryan Kaltenbach as Food 4 Less division president.

What is Joe Kelley's new role at Kroger (KR) in 2025?

Joe Kelley has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Retail Divisions at Kroger, moving up from his role as president of King Soopers & City Markets division.

How long has Bryan Kaltenbach served at Food 4 Less before retirement?

Bryan Kaltenbach joined Food 4 Less in 1994 and served as division president since 2010, retiring after more than 50 years in the grocery industry.