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The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced the retirement of Steve McKinney, senior vice president of retail divisions, after more than 40 years of distinguished service, effective August 7. McKinney will be replaced by Valerie Jabbar, currently vice president of the downtown store merchandising group.
Steve McKinney, Senior Vice President, announces his retirementMcKinney began his career at Kroger in 1981 as a clerk for Florida Choice Supermarkets, a former Kroger banner. During his time there, he became a Store Manager, Buyer and Field Representative before joining Fry’s Food Stores, where he held several management positions before being appointed Vice President of Operations in 1998.
McKinney was also vice president of operations for the Southwest division and vice president of operations for the Ralphs division. He was appointed President of the Fry’s Division in 2013 before assuming his current role as Senior Vice President of Retail Divisions in 2018.
“Steve is an accomplished leader who has inspired generations of associates to achieve excellence while mentoring many collaborators in leadership roles. As a leader who has held many positions and assumed new responsibilities, he is is also committed to the mentorship and development of any Associate interested and willing to grow with the business, ”said Rodney McMullen, President and CEO of Kroger.“ We thank Steve for his dedication over the years and wish him the best of luck. retirement.”
Valerie Jabbar, Group Vice President of Central Store Merchandising, appointed Senior Vice PresidentJabbar, currently group vice president of center store merchandising, will succeed McKinney when he retires.
Jabbar joined the company at Fry’s as a Store Clerk in 1987. She held several executive roles at Fry’s before joining the Mid-Atlantic Division in 2012 as Vice President of Merchandising. In 2013, she was appointed Vice President of Merchandising for the Ralphs Division, then was promoted to President of that Division in July 2016. She was promoted to Vice President of Group Merchandising in 2018 before being appointed to her position. current vice-president of the group. merchandising of the center store in 2019.
In this new role, Jabbar will oversee multiple retail divisions across the company.
“Valerie is a dedicated leader who delivers solid results through her passion for people – both associates and clients. Her demonstrated success in building highly motivated teams and executing with excellence will foster an energy and commitment to continue to deliver a complete, fresh and friendly experience to every client in the divisions she will lead, ”said Mary Ellen Adcock. , senior vice president of operations at Kroger. “Valerie’s 34 years of experience with the company brings a deep understanding of the business and will provide another valuable perspective to our management team.”
Jabbar is a member of the Board of Directors of the Network of Executive Women. She has been recognized twice by Progressive Grocer as Top Women in Grocery recipient, first in 2012 as a rising star and more recently in 2021 as a senior executive. In 2018, she was named West Woman of the Year by the Shelby Report, received the California Conference for Equality and Justice Humanitarian Award, and was named the USC Marshall School Food Industry Executive Program Manager. of Business.
