Kroger Co. names new president of mid-Atlantic division

The Kroger Co. has named Lori Raya as the president of its mid-Atlantic division, the grocery chain announced Tuesday.

Raya was previously the chief merchandising and marketing officer for wholesale grocery distributor and retailer SpartanNash, which is headquartered in Michigan. From 2015 to 2018, Raya was division president for Albertsons Cos. Inc. From 2012 to 2015, she served as division president for a Albertsons company VONS, where she led its largest division.

Raya succeeds Paula Ginnett, who has been promoted to group vice president of retail operations with Kroger’s corporate headquarters in Cincinnati.

Valerie Jabbar, Kroger’s senior vice president of retail divisions, said in a statement, “Lori is a respected leader within the grocery retail industry, and her perspective will be a valued addition to the mid-Atlantic division. She is a people-first leader who will build on the success of Paula and the division team to continue to deliver a full, fresh and friendly experience to every customer. We are so grateful for the leadership that Paula has shown over the past two years, and we are pleased to know that we’ll continue to benefit from her experience as she transitions to a new role with the company.”

Kroger’s mid-Atlantic division operates more than 100 stores and has more than 18,000 employees. In January, the division opened its new headquarters in Glen Allen, a relocation from Roanoke.