CINCINNATI, March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced the planned retirement of vice president and pension investment officer, Rich Manka, effective July 15.
Mr. Manka began his career with Dillon Companies, Inc., in 1982 as an investment manager for retirement plans. He was promoted to his current position in 2004. He has served on Kroger's Retirement Management Committee and is chair of the company's Pension Investment Committee. In addition to serving as an advisor and trustee on various Taft-Hartley Pension Funds, Mr. Manka was appointed by President Bush to serve on the advisory committee of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
"Throughout his career, Rich has been a trusted member of Kroger's leadership team," said Mike Schlotman, Kroger's chief financial officer. "Pension plan trustees and participants alike have benefited from his vast knowledge and influence on investment strategies and plan designs. We thank Rich for his contributions to our company and industry and wish him the very best."
Mr. Manka's replacement will be named at a later date.
Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs 343,000 associates who serve customers in 2,424 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 786 convenience stores, 328 fine jewelry stores, 1,169 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.