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Kroger names Paula Ginnett as Mid-Atlantic president

Jerry Clontz to retire from post after nearly 50 years at company

Russell Redman

October 30, 2019

2 Min Read
Paula Ginnett_Kroger - Copy.jpg
Paula Ginnett is slated to take over as Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division chief on Nov. 1.The Kroger Co.

The Kroger Co. has tapped former Walmart veteran Paula Ginnett to succeed the retiring Jerry Clontz as president of the Mid-Atlantic division.

Clontz is stepping down after two years leading the division and 48 years of service overall at the company. Plans call for Ginnett, who joined Kroger as vice president in August after 25-plus years at Walmart, to take the reins as division president on Nov. 1.

Based in Roanoke, Va., Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division operates 110 stores in five states and employs more than 15,000 associates.

"Paula is well-respected in the industry for being both a dynamic leader and a top retail strategist," Mike Donnelly, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Cincinnati-based Kroger, said in a statement. "She brings more than 25 years of retail experience to her new role as president of our Mid-Atlantic division. We look forward to her leadership in redefining the grocery customer experience, developing talent and living our purpose."

Most recently at Walmart, Ginnett served for five years as vice president as regional general manager, based in Phoenix. In that role, she led 188 stores and 45,000 employees. Before that, she was vice president of store planning, overseeing real estate execution for new store openings, remodels and special projects for Walmart U.S. and Sam's Club. She has also held various leadership positions in merchandising and operations.

Related:Kroger cuts hundreds of jobs across store divisions

Jerry Clontz_Kroger - Copy.jpgClontz (left) was promoted to president of the Mid-Atlantic division in February 2017, succeeding the retiring Joe Fey. He started his grocery career in 1971 as a bagger at Harris Teeter in North Carolina. After that, he held a range of retail positions at the chain — including store manager, store director and field specialist — before becoming a district manager in 1991 and then being promoted to regional director three years later.

In 1997, Clontz was appointed as a regional vice president at Harris Teeter, and Kroger noted that he contributed to the retailer’s expansion into several markets, including the District of Columbia, northern Virginia, southern Maryland and coastal Delaware. He was promoted to senior vice president of operations in 2007 and, under his leadership, Harris Teeter added 79 new stores. The chain was acquired by Kroger in January 2014.

"Jerry has been an outstanding leader and colleague over his nearly five decades with the organization," Donnelly stated. "His passion for both people and results has been exemplified throughout his career. We applaud his mentorship and development of associates and teams across our family of companies."

Related:Sonya Hostetler joins Kroger to head Nashville division

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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