CINCINNATI — The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that Jay Cummins, president of the company's Smith's division, plans to retire on April 29, after 44 years with the company.
"Jay has always led with enthusiasm and passion for our people and teams. It shows in the great pride he takes in the accomplishments of associates, especially when they go above and beyond for our customers," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "We are thankful for Jay's service to Smith's and Kroger, and to our local communities where he has always demonstrated a personal commitment to making a difference for others. We wish Jay, his wife, Terrie, and their family all the best in retirement."
Mr. Cummins began his Kroger career as a clerk in 1972 in Huntington Beach, CA. In the following years, he served in positions of increasing responsibility in store and district management and in grocery merchandising for the company's Food 4 Less division. In 2002, Mr. Cummins was named vice president and general manager of the Food 4 Less Midwest division, where he led the expansion of the Food 4 Less price impact warehouse store format in the Chicago area. In 2004, he was named president of the Food 4 Less division, which operates stores in California, Illinois and Indiana. Mr. Cummins was named president of the Mid-Atlantic division in 2007 before assuming his current role in 2014.
Mr. Cummins serves on the Board of Western Association of Food Chains. Under his leadership, Smith's has received several awards recognizing the company's philanthropic efforts, including Outstanding Corporation/Foundation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Las Vegas Chapter in 2015.
His replacement will be announced at a later date.
From its division office in Salt Lake City, Smith's 17,000 associates serve customers in 139 stores throughout seven western states.
Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 422,000 associates who serve customers in 2,774 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, Mariano's, Pick 'n Save, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 786 convenience stores, 326 fine jewelry stores, 1,360 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and community organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber's Million Dollar Club.
Source: The Kroger Co.
