CINCINNATI, Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) announced today the retirement of Central Division President Robert "Bob" Moeder.
"During his 42-year career, Bob has consistently demonstrated his passion for and commitment to our associates, our customers and our local communities," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's president and chief operating officer. "His improvement of our convenience store division and support on launching supermarket fuel has contributed to Kroger's connection with customers and increased value for shareholders. We thank Bob and Marsha for their many years of dedicated service and wish them the best in retirement. I am sure Bob will remain involved in serving the Kroger family through his community service, passionately advocating for the causes that matter deeply to Bob and his family."
Mr. Moeder, originally from Kansas, began his career with Dillon Companies Inc. in 1971 working part-time for its Calhoun's clothing division while attending college in Salina, Kansas. He earned a degree in computer science from Kansas State University in 1971 and was recognized as a distinguished alumnus in 2008. Mr. Moeder also is a 1993 graduate of Leadership Kansas.
He was named President of Calhoun's in 1984. In 1985, he joined Kwik Shop, Inc., a convenience store division of the Dillons Company, as assistant director of operations. He became executive vice president of Kwik Shop in 1991, and he was promoted to vice president of convenience stores and Turkey Hill Dairy in 1995. In 1999, he was named corporate vice president of convenience stores, supermarket petroleum group and Turkey Hill Dairy. In 2006, he was promoted to serve in his current role as president of Central Division.
During his tenure at Kroger Central Division, Mr. Moeder oversaw a strategic restructuring of the division, including a significant number of new store openings, expansions, remodels and store closings, leading to almost $1 billion in store investments and nearly 2,000 new jobs. Under his leadership, Central Division acquired Scott's Food & Pharmacy in Fort Wayne and pursued a more than $105 million capital investment project across the Fort Wayne region. His passion for people guided effective investments in community relationships and increased community support to nearly $15 million per year.
Following his retirement, Mr. Moeder and his wife, Marsha, will spend time in Indianapolis and Kansas, as well as traveling in the United States. Their son Christopher is currently a student at Indiana University School of Medicine.
Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 339,000 associates who serve customers in 2,422 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 790 convenience stores, 344 fine jewelry stores, 1,141 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 grassroots organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 160 million meals a year through more than 80 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.