Kroger Names Executives Across Key Divisions

The Kroger Co. has announced several appointments in key divisions across the company. 

Joe Kelley, president of the Colorado-based King Soopers & City Markets division, has been named senior vice president of Retail Divisions. With nearly 40 years of experience, Kelley has held executive leadership with several retailers, including Price Chopper, Stop & Shop, Star Market, and Shaws Supermarkets. Kelley joined Kroger in 2019.

Kelley succeeds Kenny Kimball, who returns to the Utah-based Smith's division as president after three years as senior vice president of Retail Divisions. 

Chris Albi, group vice president of Operations at King Soopers & City Markets, will succeed Kelley as president of the division. She joined Kroger in 1981 as a courtesy clerk and has held numerous leadership roles in her tenure, including Grocery category manager, vice president of Merchandising for the Michigan division, and president of QFC.

Kendra Doyel will lead the California- and Illinois-based Food 4 Less as president, succeeding Bryan Kaltenbach. Doyel joined the Kroger enterprise in 1998 as a pharmacist in the Fry's division. Since then, she has held leadership roles across multiple departments for Fry's, Ralph's, and Food 4 Less.

Kaltenbach will retire after more than 50 years in the grocery industry. He joined the Food 4 Less team in 1994 and held several leadership positions, including store manager, director of Store Operations, and director of Sales & Marketing. Kaltenbach was named division president in 2010.