Kroger Announces Retirement of Joe Fey, Names Jerry Clontz President of Mid-Atlantic Division

CINCINNATI, Jan. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced the retirement of Mid-Atlantic division President Joe Fey, and that Jerry Clontz will succeed him. Mr. Clontz currently serves as senior vice president of operations of Harris Teeter, LLC.

Joe Fey to Retire After 44 Years of Service

Joe Fey will retire from the company after 44 years of service, effective February 10. 

"Joe has accomplished much in his distinguished career spanning several supermarket divisions and Kroger's corporate office," said Fred Morganthall, Kroger's executive vice president of retail operations.  "Joe is a true leader who exemplifies our values and focuses on doing what is best for our associates, customers and company. The people he has developed throughout his career will continue his legacy for many years. The entire Kroger family thanks Joe for his many contributions and wishes him and his family all the best in retirement."

Mr. Fey began his career as a meat clerk with Kroger in 1972 while earning a bachelor's degree in business administration at Indiana University. He was quickly promoted to a variety of leadership positions including store management, deli/bakery merchandising, and meat/seafood merchandising in both the company's Central division and corporate office in Cincinnati. In 1999, Mr. Fey was named vice president of merchandising for the Dillons division, and in 2008 was named vice president of merchandising for the Michigan division. In 2011, he was promoted to president of the QFC division. He was named to his current role in 2014.

Mr. Fey and his wife, Joy, are the proud parents of two grown sons and grandparents of three grandsons.

Jerry Clontz Named President of Kroger's Mid-Atlantic Division

Jerry Clontz will serve as president of the company's Mid-Atlantic division, effective February 1.

"Jerry is a proven leader who is passionate about this business and the success of his associates," said Sukanya Madlinger, Kroger's senior vice president of retail divisions. "Jerry has a strong track record of success as a leader at Harris Teeter and we look forward to his contributions in our Mid-Atlantic division."

Mr. Clontz joined Harris Teeter in 1971 as a bagger in Marion, NC. He has held various positions of increasing responsibility, including store manager, store director, district manager, and regional director. In 1997, Mr. Clontz was named regional vice president and was instrumental in Harris Teeter's entry in to the highly-competitive Washington, D.C. market, which included Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, southern Maryland and coastal Delaware. He was named to his current role in 2007.

Every day, the Kroger Family of Companies makes a difference in the lives of eight and a half million customers and 443,000 associates who shop or serve in 2,796 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Kroger and its subsidiaries operate an expanding ClickList offering – a personalized, order online, pick up at the store service – in addition to 2,253 pharmacies, 787 convenience stores, 324 fine jewelry stores, 1,439 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States. Kroger is recognized as one of America's most generous companies for its support of more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the military and their families, and more than 145,000 community organizations including schools. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable.

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SOURCE The Kroger Co.