Kroger Chairman and CEO resigns following investigation into personal conduct

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Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen has resigned after an internal investigation into his personal conduct.

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Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, said Monday that the investigation into McMullen’s personal conduct was unrelated to the business, but was found to be inconsistent with its business ethics policy.

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Board member Ronald Sargent will serve as chairman and interim CEO, effective immediately.

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Sargent has been on Kroger’s board since 2006 and has served as the lead director of the company since 2017.

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He’s worked in several roles at the grocery chain across stores, sales, marketing, manufacturing and strategy. Sargent is also the former Chairman and CEO of Staples.

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McMullen, 64, began his career with Kroger in 1978 as a part-time stock clerk and bagger at a store in Lexington, Kentucky.

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He worked his way up through the company, becoming chief financial officer in 1995 and chief operating officer in 2009.

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