CINCINNATI – The Kroger Co. has named four executive vice-presidents to lead key lines of business under a new organizational structure. 

Mike Donnelly, Kroger's new executive vice president of merchandising

Mike Donnelly, senior vice president, will advance to the role of executive vice president of merchandising. In addition to his current responsibilities in leading the company’s merchandising, procurement and marketing teams, Donnelly will oversee digital, manufacturing and corporate brands, supply chain, culinary innovation, The Little Clinic and Vitacost. He joined Kroger in 1978 and has held his current position since 2011. 

Chris Hjelm, Kroger's new vice president and chief information officer

Chris Hjelm, senior vice president and chief information officer, has been named executive vice-president and chief information officer. In this expanded role, he will oversee 84.51 degrees, indirect sourcing and corporate travel, in addition to his current responsibilities for Kroger Technology, research and development and Kroger’s customer connect and support centers. Hjelm joined the company in 2005. 

Mike Schlotman, Kroger's new executive vice president and CFO

Mike Schlotman, senior vice president and chief financial officer, has been named executive vice president and CFO. His additional responsibilities in this expanded role include convenience stores, jewelry stores, data integrity and risk management. Schlotman joined the company in 1985 and was has been CFO since 2000.
 

Fred Morganthall, Kroger's new executive vice president of retail operations

Fred Morganthall, senior vice president of retail divisions, has been promoted to the position of executive vice president of retail operations. He will lead all supermarket retail operations for Kroger, and the company’s three senior vice presidents responsible for retail divisions will report to him. Morganthall’s career in grocery retail began in 1978. He joined Harris Teeter in 1986 and joined Kroger in 2014 as part of Kroger’s merger with Harris Teeter. He was promoted to his current position in June.

“Kroger is fortunate to have an exceptionally strong group of leaders across our company,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and CEO. “Our entire senior leadership team brings unmatched depth and experience to achieve our goals. This new organizational structure will help Kroger achieve laser-focus to accelerate growth, improve our connection with customers and deliver value for shareholders.” 

Sukanya Madlinger, Kroger's new president of the Delta division

Additionally, Geoff Covert, senior vice president of retail divisions, has announced plans to retire from Kroger after nearly 20 years with the company. He will be succeeded by Sukanya Madlinger, president of Kroger’s Cincinnati/Dayton division, who joined Kroger in 1986 and has held her current position since 2010.

Tim Brown, Kroger's new president of the Cincinnati/Dayton division

Tim Brown, president of Kroger’s Delta division, will succeed Madlinger as president of the Cincinnati/Dayton division. Throughout his 38-year career with Kroger, Brown has held leadership roles in merchandising and operations in seven of the company’s retail divisions and at Kroger’s general office in Cincinnati. His successor will be named at a later date.