Kroger Announces Retirement of Donna Giordano, Promotes Valerie Jabbar new President of Ralphs

CINCINNATI, June 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced the retirement of Ralphs division President Donna Giordano, and the promotion of Valerie Jabbar to succeed her. Ms. Jabbar currently serves as vice president of merchandising for Ralphs.

Donna Giordano to Retire After 44 Years of Service

Donna Giordano will retire from the company after 44 years of service, effective July 23.

"Donna's distinguished leadership has helped Ralphs continue to grow, serve more customers in the highly-competitive Southern California market, and help Kroger across our business," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "She is respected throughout the industry and among our associates for her strategic leadership and engagement in the communities we serve. The entire Kroger family thanks Donna for her many contributions and wishes her and her family all the best in retirement."

Ms. Giordano joined the company's King Soopers banner as a courtesy clerk in 1972, while still in college. She was named store manager at King Soopers in 1982, and later held various director-level positions in key areas, including advertising, bakery, general merchandise, grocery, and pharmacy. In 1999, Ms. Giordano was promoted to vice president of sales & marketing of King Soopers. She was promoted to president of QFC in 2002 before being named to her current role in 2011.

Ms. Giordano volunteers with the Network of Executive Woman and is a past board member of the Orange County Girl Scouts. She is currently president of the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC), where she has been a board member since 2005.

Ms. Giordano and her husband, Mario, plan to travel and spend time with their daughters Amber and Aubrey who reside in Seattle.

Valerie Jabbar Promoted to President of Ralphs

Kroger promoted Valerie Jabbar to serve as president of the company's Ralphs division, effective July 23.

"Valerie is an exceptional leader who is passionate about developing associates and serving our customers and communities," said Mr. McMullen. "She brings to her new role broad retail experience and a deep commitment to putting our customers first. We look forward to her continued leadership at Ralphs."

Ms. Jabbar began her career with the company in 1987 as a clerk in the Fry's division. She held numerous leadership roles at Fry's, including assistant store director, category manager, and drug and general merchandise coordinator. From 2002 — 2010, she served in a variety of drug and general merchandising leadership roles at Kroger's general office in Cincinnati and in the Fry's division. She was named Fry's district manager in 2010, and was promoted to serve as vice president of merchandising to the Mid-Atlantic division in 2012. Ms. Jabbar was promoted to her current role in the Ralphs division in 2013.