CINCINNATI – The Kroger Co. has named Kristal Howard as the company’s new head of Corporate Communications and Media Relations. She will serve as the company’s spokesperson and will be responsible for national media and corporate communications.

“Kristal is a consummate PR pro who understands the intersection of food, media, our customers and other stakeholders,” said Keith Dailey, Kroger's senior director of external affairs. “We are excited she has accepted this new role to help elevate Kroger’s unique story.”

Since 2010, Howard has been serving as public relations manager for Kroger’s Dallas and Houston divisions.

In 2013, she was recognized as one of the nation's “Top 30 under 30” PR professionals by PR News. She was also included in Progressive Grocer magazine’s “Top Women in Grocery” list and was named one of 10 “Black Women to Know in PR, Tech & Digital Media” in Ebony magazine.

Howard is a graduate of the Univ. of Houston.