Kroger names new president for Fred Meyer Stores

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Monday named Joe Grieshaber the president of Fred Meyer Stores, replacing Jeff Burt, who resigned from the company. Target on Monday announced Burt would be joining its ranks to lead its grocery business, effective April 10. Previous to his new post, Grieshaber has been serving as president of Kroger's Columbus division.



Succeeding Grieshaber will be Dan De La Rosa, who has been promoted to serve as president of Kroger's Columbus division. De La Rosa currently serves as VP merchandising for Fred Meyer Stores.



Grieshaber will serve as president of the company's Fred Meyer division, based in Portland, Ore., effective immediately. "Joe is known throughout the retail industry as an exceptional leader who always brings out the best in his people and teams," stated Fred Morganthall, Kroger's EVP retail operations. "His depth of experience will help the Fred Meyer team build on their successes and continue to innovate and deliver a unique shopping experience for our customers."



Grieshaber began his career with Kroger in 1983 as a store management trainee in Nashville, Tenn. He has served in a variety of leadership roles with Kroger, including meat merchandiser, district manager and as VP merchandising for the Columbus division. In 2003, he was named group VP of perishables merchandising and procurement, where he was responsible for fresh and natural foods throughout Kroger's family of stores. He was promoted to president of Dillons in 2010, and was named to his current role in 2015.



Grieshaber and his wife, Vickie, have three grown daughters and five grandchildren.



De La Rosa will serve as president of Kroger's Columbus division, which operates food stores primarily in central, northwest and southeast Ohio. "Dan is a dynamic leader who combines a passion for people with strong experience in both merchandising and store operations," Morganthall said. "Dan's commitment to associate development and putting the customers first will help ensure the Columbus division's continued success."



De La Rosa joined the company as a clerk's helper in the Ralphs division in 1980, where he served in a number of store operations and merchandising roles, including store director, director of corporate brands for both Ralphs and Food 4 Less and district manager. Since 2007, De La Rosa has served in a variety of merchandising roles, including regional director of merchandising for the company's western region. In 2013, he was promoted to VP meat and seafood merchandising for Kroger, and in 2015 he was named to his current role as VP  merchandising for Fred Meyer.



De La Rosa and his wife, Denise, have one grown daughter.