Kroger names Jay Cummins president of Smith's Food and Drug division, Joe Fey as president of Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division

Cindy Allen

CINCINNATI , January 22, 2014 (press release) – The Kroger Co. (KR) today announced Jay Cummins has been named president of the Smith's Food and Drug Stores division and Joe Fey has been named president of Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division.

Jay Cummins Named President of Smith's Food and Drug Stores

Mr. Cummins, 62, has been serving as president of Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division. He succeeds Mark Tuffin, who was named senior vice president of retail divisions in December.

"In his more than 40 years with the company, Jay has been an enthusiastic and passionate leader in each role he has held," said Mike Ellis, Kroger's president and chief operating officer. "Jay's experience and commitment to our Customer 1st Strategy will ensure Smith's continues to go above and beyond for our customers."

Mr. Cummins brings more than 40 years of retail experience to Smith's. He 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 Los Angeles-based Food 4 Less division, and to his current position in 2007.

Mr. Cummins, and his wife Terrie, will be relocating to the Salt Lake City, UT area. They have three grown children and five grandchildren.

Smith's operates 131 stores in Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. It is headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT.

Joe Fey Named President of Kroger's Mid-Atlantic Division

Mr. Fey, 59, has been serving as president of the company's QFC division. He succeeds Mr. Cummins as president of Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division.

"Joe always leads by example and is deeply committed to our customers, our associates and our company," said Mr. Ellis. "His merchandising expertise and experience in leading the QFC Division will be great assets in our Mid-Atlantic division. We are looking forward to his positive energy and guidance."

Mr. Fey brings nearly 40 years of retail experience to Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division. He began his career as a meat clerk with Kroger in 1972 while earning a bachelor's degree in business administration at Indiana University. He was quickly promoted to a variety of leadership positions including store management, deli/bakery merchandising, and meat/seafood merchandising in both the company's Central division and corporate office in Cincinnati. In 1999, Mr. Fey was named vice president of merchandising for the Dillons division. He was named vice president of merchandising for the Michigan Division in 2008, where he served before being named president of QFC in 2011.

Mr. Fey and his wife, Joy, will be relocating to the Roanoke, VA area. They have two grown sons and three grandchildren.

Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division operates 121 stores in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and the eastern portions of Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio. It is headquartered in Roanoke, VA.

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs 343,000 associates who serve customers in 2,418 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 783 convenience stores, 326 fine jewelry stores, 1,195 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 200 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.

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