CINCINNATI – The Kroger Co. has announced the retirement of Sukanya Madlinger, senior vice president of retail divisions, and the promotion of Calvin Kaufman, current president of Kroger’s Louisville division, who will succeed her. In addition the supermarket chain announced the promotion of Ann Reed to serve as president of Kroger’s Louisville division. Reed currently serves as vice president, Customer 1^st Promise at the company's general office.

Effective June 19, Madlinger will retire from Kroger after 31 years.

“Throughout her accomplished career, Sukanya has exemplified true leadership,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and CEO. “Sukanya’s focus on developing future talent and fostering strong partnerships helped build a deep bench of leaders to sustain Kroger’s future growth. The entire Kroger family wishes her and her family the best in retirement.”

Madlinger started with Kroger in 1986 as a store management trainee in the Cincinnati/Dayton division. In 2003, she was named vice president of drug/general merchandise/pharmacy merchandising and procurement for Kroger’s corporate office in Cincinnati. In 2008, she returned to the Cincinnati/Dayton division in as vice president of merchandising, and was promoted president of the division in 2010. In 2015, she took on her current role as senior vice president of retail stores in 2015.

Kaufman joined Kroger in 1994 in the Fred Meyer Logistics group in Portland, Oregon, and held a number of positions including group vice president of Fred Meyer Logistics. In 2008, Kaufman was named president of Kroger Manufacturing and Corporate Brands and he took on his current role as president of the Louisville Division in 2013.

“Calvin is an unwavering advocate for improving the customer and associate experience in ways that will accelerate growth and create shareholder value,” McMullen said. “His passion for strengthening our corporate culture and clarifying our company purpose makes him a natural fit for our leadership team.”

Reed, who will take over the role as president of Kroger’s Louisville division, began her career with Kroger as a co-manager in the company’s Central division in 1993. In 2010, she was promoted to vice president of merchandising at Fry’s, followed by vice president of merchandising at Fred Meyer in 2013, and became vice president, Customer 1^st Promise at the company’s general office in 2015.

“Ann has shown tremendous leadership in driving our Customer 1^st Promise and company purpose into our business strategy,” McMullen said. “Ann brings to our Louisville division team her dedication to and deep understanding of our customers, associates and communities.”