Kroger's Ralphs division names new president

CINCINNATI - Kroger on Tuesday announced the retirement of Ralphs division president Donna Giordano, and the promotion of Valerie Jabbar to succeed her. Jabbar currently serves as VP merchandising for Ralphs.

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," stated 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."

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

"Valerie is an exceptional leader who is passionate about developing associates and serving our customers and communities," McMullen continued. "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."

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 VP merchandising to the Mid-Atlantic division in 2012. Jabbar was promoted to her current role in the Ralphs division in 2013.