Succeeds Kenneth Thrasher, Who Retires After 19 Years
PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Fred Meyer Stores, Inc., a
division of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), announced today the appointment of
Sam K. Duncan as president. He succeeds Kenneth Thrasher, who announced his
retirement from the company.
Duncan returns to Fred Meyer after serving two years as president of
Ralphs Supermarkets, another division of Kroger. Prior to that, he spent
six years with Fred Meyer in key senior management positions, including
executive vice president of the Food Group. Duncan was promoted to head the
Ralphs chain after its acquisition by Fred Meyer, Inc. in 1998 and continued
in that role following the Fred Meyer merger with Kroger in 1999.
"The opportunity to return to Fred Meyer is very exciting for me," Duncan
said. "Our Fred Meyer team members have done a terrific job of building a
strong business focused on customer service. I am looking forward to building
on that success."
Thrasher retires after 19 years with Fred Meyer. He joined the company in
1982 as vice president and treasurer. As chief financial officer for much of
his career, he played important roles in a series of mergers that concluded
with the Kroger merger in 1999 to create one of the largest food retail chains
in the country. Later that year he was named president of Fred Meyer.
"We are grateful to Ken for his tremendous contributions to Fred Meyer and
Kroger over the past several years," David B. Dillon, Kroger president and
chief operating officer, said.
Thrasher leaves the company in solid shape and is excited about his future
plans. "I had a great career at Fred Meyer. I feel very comfortable that I
am leaving it in good hands. The company has great employees and strong
leadership that I know will continue the legacy Mr. Meyer started," he said.
"As for the future, I am really looking forward to spending more time with my
family and doing the community work I love so much helping children and
education in Oregon."
Fred Meyer Stores is based in Portland, Oregon and features
126 multidepartment stores in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, and Utah that
offer one-stop shopping for a wide range of food, apparel, and general
merchandise products. Fred Meyer is part of The Kroger Co., which is one of
the nation's largest retail grocery chains.
SOURCE Fred Meyer Stores, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.fredmeyerstores.com
CONTACT:
Rob Boley of Fred Meyer Stores, Inc.,
503-797-7176
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