Kroger Names New Division Presidents
The Kroger Co. has named new leaders at two of its divisions in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest.
Joe Grieshaber has been named president of Fred Meyer Stores, succeeding Jeff Burt, who resigned to become SVP of grocery, fresh food and beverage at Target. Grieshaber has been serving as president of Kroger's Columbus division.
Succeeding Grieshaber will be Dan De La Rosa, who has been promoted to serve as president of Kroger's Columbus Division. De La Rosa currently serves as VP of merchandising for Fred Meyer Stores.
Grieshaber: ‘Depth of Experience’
Grieshaber takes over as as president of Kroger’s Portland, Ore.-based Fred Meyer division, effective immediately. Fred Meyer offers one-stop shopping at multidepartment stores in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
"Joe is known throughout the retail industry as an exceptional leader who always brings out the best in his people and teams," said Fred Morganthall, Kroger's EVP of retail operations. "His depth of experience will help the Fred Meyer team build on their successes and continue to innovate and deliver a unique shopping experience for our customers."
Grieshaber began his career with Kroger in 1983 as a store management trainee in Nashville, Tenn. He has served in a variety of leadership roles with Kroger, including meat merchandiser and district manager, and as VP of merchandising for the Columbus Division. In 2003, he was named group VP of perishables merchandising and procurement, where he was responsible for fresh and natural foods throughout Kroger's family of stores. He was promoted to president of Dillons in 2010, and was named to his current role in 2015.
De La Rosa: ‘Dynamic Leader’
De La Rosa will serve as president of Kroger's Columbus Division, which operates food stores primarily in central, northwest and southeast Ohio.
"Dan is a dynamic leader who combines a passion for people with strong experience in both merchandising and store operations," Morganthall said. "Dan's commitment to associate development and putting the customers first will help ensure the Columbus division's continued success."
De La Rosa joined the company as a clerk's helper in the Ralphs division in 1980, where he served in a number of store operations and merchandising roles, including store director, director of corporate brands for both Ralphs and Food 4 Less, and district manager. Since 2007, De La Rosa has served in a variety of merchandising roles, including regional director of merchandising for the company's western region.
In 2013, he was promoted to Kroger’s VP of meat and seafood merchandising, and in 2015 he was named to his current role as vice merchandising for Fred Meyer.
Kroger operates 2,796 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia.