The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced several appointments of experienced enterprise leaders to new retail roles and expanded responsibilities.

 

"We are excited to promote these talented senior executives to key roles that will position Kroger for future success," said Ron Sargent, Kroger's Chairman and CEO. "Victor Smith and Monica Garnes are strong leaders with decades of experience, and I look forward to their continued success in their new roles."

Kroger promoted Victor Smith, president of the company's Atlanta division, to senior vice president of Retail Divisions. Smith brings more than 40 years of experience in the grocery industry, first joining the company as a courtesy clerk in the Ralphs division in 1983. Smith held various roles within Kroger, including store leader, district manager, and meat merchandiser. In 2015, he was promoted to vice president of Operations in the Houston Division, before returning to Ralphs as vice president of Merchandising in 2016. He was promoted to president of the Delta Division in 2018 and became president of the Atlanta Division in 2022.Smith currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Kroger Company Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation and the Georgia Food Industry Association Board of Directors. In 2025, he was named CEO of the Year by the Georgia Minority Business Association.

 

Monica Garnes, currently president of the Fry's Division, has been promoted to president of the Atlanta Division. Garnes began her career with Kroger in 1995 in the Columbus Division. She held a variety of leadership roles in her 31-year career with the company, including Produce buyer, store manager, and district manager. Garnes was promoted to vice president of Merchandising for the Fry's Division in 2013 and named vice president of Produce/Floral Merchandising at General Office in 2015. She was promoted to her current role in 2018.

 

Monica earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from The University of Rhode Island. She currently sits on The University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees, Arizona Commerce Authority Board and more. Monica is also the previous executive chair for Kroger’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council.