Several grocers made top-level executive appointments last month, including Kroger, which appointed a new permanent CEO nearly a year after its former chief executive abruptly departed. Sprouts Farmers Market and Target also updated their C-suites in February.
Here’s a look at key executive-level shifts that took place in the grocery sector last month.
Kroger names former Walmart executive as CEO
The nation’s largest traditional supermarket operator named Greg Foran as its CEO on Feb. 9, a move that was effective immediately. Foran, a native of New Zealand who served until last October as CEO of that country’s national airline, took over as Kroger’s chief executive from interim CEO Ron Sargent nearly a year after Rodney McMullen stepped down as the retailer’s chairman and CEO.
Foran brings extensive retail industry experience to his new position. He served from 2014 to 2019 as president and CEO of Walmart U.S. following roles heading Walmart Asia and Walmart China. Before joining Walmart, he held multiple roles at Australian retailer Woolworths.
Kroger names new Central Division president
Days before announcing that it had named Foran as CEO, Kroger said it promoted Mike Goodwin, vice president of operations for the company’s Fred Meyer Division, to president of its Central Division, which encompasses stores in a region that includes northwestern Ohio and southeastern Missouri. Goodwin took over from Colleen Juergensen, who recently said she would retire after working for Kroger for more than four decades.
Target names 2 top executives
The retailer appointed Lisa Roath as chief operating officer and said Chief Guest Experience Officer Cara Sylvester will become chief merchandising officer.
Roath, who served as chief merchandising officer of food, essentials and beauty, filled the role formerly held by new CEO Michael Fiddelke.
Sylvester’s appointment brings her back to the merchandising side of Target. She has worked at the company for more than 18 years and served in various merchandising positions before becoming chief guest experience officer.
Sprouts make 2 C-suite changes
The specialty retailer named Amanda Rassi as its first chief customer officer and appointed Don Clark as chief merchandising officer.
Rassi formerly served as senior vice president and chief marketing officer at crafts retailer The Michaels Company. She also previously served in executive-level roles at Kroger and that retailer’s 84.51° data-analysis unit. Clark worked in high-level roles for retailers including Giant Eagle, where she was executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, and Whole Foods Market, where she was senior vice president of merchandising.
